Rugged Reliability And Power Unleashed

Summary

• The 2023 Toyota 4Runner remains popular despite being outdated, thanks to its off-road capability and unwavering reliability.
• The 4Runner comes in six different trim levels, with the TRD Off-Road being the best value for money.
• While the 4Runner’s engine and transmission are outdated, it still performs well in off-road situations and has impressive towing and payload capacities.

Few nameplates have lived quite as long and have a history as legendary as the Toyota 4Runner. For decades, it has been seen as a symbol of two things; off-road capability and unwavering reliability. Toyota has stuck to this formula so deeply that the 4Runner is rapidly aging and in need of some changes. Despite this, the 4Runner has still managed to stay a favorite among those who like to take the road less travelled.

With the 2023 model sitting on the shelf for a while now, we take a look at the rough-and-tumble SUV and explore the best ways to configure this beast to ensure that you can draw the most amount of off-road fun out of it without destroying your bank account. As we’ll still have to wait sometime before a new 4Runner comes along, we dissect the 2023 offering of the 4Runner, looking at each trim level and the performance you can expect, to uncover why this muscular SUV remains so popular despite being so outdated.

In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including RepairPal, Edmunds, fueleconomy.gov, and zeroto60times.

2023 Marks The 40th Anniversary Of The 4Runner

The 2023 4Runner changes very little from the previous model year. The 4Runner hasn’t seen a major update in nearly a decade. Although there have been some updates to the 4Runner in terms of technology, the last major update that the nameplate received was back in 2014.

There have been some additions to the lineup over the years, including the TRD Sport which was introduced last year. For the 2023 model year, a special edition 4Runner was added to the pack for the nameplate’s 40th anniversary.

2023 Toyota 4Runner Price

(Prices sourced from Toyota)

The 4Runner comes in six different trim levels, ranging from $40,115 to $54,620. The SR5 and the TRD Off-Road trims can also be had with a Premium package which offers some better interior materials, softex seats, as well as a few extra improved convenience features such as a better audio system. The best trim in terms of value for money is easily the TRD Off-Road, which offers plenty of equipment that earns its name without being ludicrously expensive.

40th Anniversary Special Edition

New to the lineup for the 2023 model year is the 40th Anniversary Special Edition. This special edition is sold in limited numbers, with only 4,040 being produced. However, it seems like it is still available as you can still select it on 4Runner’s build page.

The 40th Anniversary Special Edition is based on the entry-level SR5, so if you’re looking for the added off-road pedigree of the higher-level trims, this might not be for you. It comes in red, white, or black paint with a tri-colored strip along the body. It also features 17-inch bronze wheels. Its interior has also been ramped up, with bronze stitching along the leatherette seats and shift knob. There are also plenty of 40th Anniversary badges littered both inside and out.

A Trusty V-6 Sits At The Heart Of Every 2023 4Runner

One of the most important factors to a lot of people looking to buy a new SUV, particularly one hailed for its off-road capabilities, is power. Compared to almost all of the SUV’s rivals, the engine that sits at the heart of the 4Runner is ancient and underpowered. However, this doesn’t mean that it doesn’t get the job done.

Performance

(Specifications sourced from Toyota)

The V-6 in the 4Runner is outdated. However, its performance still manages to keep up with some of its competitors in the same category. It may not be packed with new technology or a modern powertrain, but the 4Runner can still reach places that a lot of other off-roading SUVs can’t.

Weights And Capacities

(Specifications sourced from Toyota)

Another area of concern if you’re buying this rough-and-tumble SUV is payload and towing capacity. Luckily, Toyota has you covered in this department. The 4Runner manages 5,000 pounds of towing capacity, which beats out rivals like the Jeep Wrangler. Its payload capacity is decent too, making it great for someone looking for a workhorse.

The TRD Pro 4Runner Stacks Up

As you may have picked up on, the Toyota 4Runner is all about its off-road capability. However, its lineup features several different trims, some of which target a different demographic. Despite this, we’re here to tell you that the 4Runner is best got in an Off-Road centric trim, and going for bells and whistles just doesn’t make any sense.

Off-Road Specifications

(Specifications sourced from Toyota)

Both historically and in terms of the 2023 model year, the 4Runner is best when taken off the road. All the talk about it feeling outdated and rugged falls away when you’re able to conquer all manner of obstacles with ease. As far as SUVs go, the 4Runner is one of the best choices for overlanding.

The TRD Off-Road And Pro Are The Best Choices

There are six different trim levels for the 4Runner but the stand-outs are quite easily the TRD Off-Road and the TRD Pro. Along with a different look, the TRD comes with an electronically locking rear differential, selectable drive modes that help it perform in several different scenarios, and optional Kinetic Dynamic Suspension. The off-road-ready TRD Pro adds several creature comforts to the mix along with a roof rack and unique trim items. The TRD Off-Road is by far the better value for money of the two.

Comparatively, the other trim levels don’t make all that much sense. The SR5 is only $4,000 cheaper and the TRD Sport doesn’t make sense on an SUV that is anything but sporty. The Limited and the Trims which feature the Premium package add some luxury to the mix, but in a car that is sorely outdated and lacking in just about any kind of luxury it just doesn’t seem like a wise investment.

The 4Runner Is As Rugged Inside As It Is On The Outside

Stepping into the cabin of the 4Runner, you’ll soon see that it is just as old as its long lifespan suggests. The last time that the 4Runner received a facelift was all the way back in 2014 and it shows. However, for many looking for a rough and tough SUV, this may be a benefit rather than a downside.

Infotainment And Tech Features

The 4Runner is nothing short of old-fashioned. Despite this though, Toyota has still included an 8.0-inch touchscreen in this rugged SUV. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, which seems like a feat in this relic. A 15-speaker JBL audio system is also an available extra. The gearshift and manual knobs look as if they came from a different era, but for those looking for a more analog experience, this may be a pro.

Comfort And Cargo

As far as comfort goes, the 4Runner is fairly mediocre. Its seats aren’t obtrusive, but they aren’t exactly state-of-the-art either. There is, however, plenty of space for adults in the second row of seats and children in the optional third row. We’d suggest opting for the liftgate if you plan on loading anything into the 4Runner as its cargo hold is uncomfortably high up from the ground. On the bright side though, the cargo hold is decently spacious, offering 47.2 cubic feet of space with all the seats in place.

This Gas Guzzler May Be Outdated But It’s Still Reliable

The Toyota 4Runner is an old and outdated SUV, with just about every component feeling like it was designed at least ten years ago. Despite this, the 4Runner continues to sell well. While old used off-roaders have always been popular, even newer 4Runners are still bringing in money for Toyota.

Reliability

Outside of its off-road capabilities, one of the biggest factors that we think affect the 4Runner’s seemingly impossible popularity is its reliability. RepairPal gives the 4Runner a four out of five for reliability, with the average reliability of midsize SUVs being 3.5 out of five. Owners attest to this, with reviews on Edmunds reflecting a 4.7 out of five for the 4Runner overall. Reliability is an important factor to buyers, especially those wanting to take their cars over rocky terrain.

Sales Still Soar

The 4Runner remains an incredibly popular pick for buyers. Toyota has crafted a legacy that endures and that the 2023 model year carries onwards. Whether people are a little nostalgic and just loyal to the nameplate or the 4Runner is simply much better in practice than it is on paper is difficult to tell; perhaps it is a little bit of both.