NO NEED TO FIX WHAT ISN’T BROKEN
Vehicle is due for an update, but it’s the suv you’ll want if you’re into serious off-roading
Stepping into a Toyota 4Runner is like stepping back in time. OK, not too far back in time, but its body-on-frame architecture and frill-free interior resemble what was hot maybe a dozen years ago. This is not all bad, especially if you’re the kind of driver who expects a rugged, long-lasting vehicle and are put off by the over-nurturing nature of having too many driver aids taking over the controls. Add the $7,480 TRD Pro package, as in this tester, and this is the SUV you’ll want if you’re into serious off-roading.
The TRD Pro package adds offroad front springs and Bilstein shocks all around, a locking rear differential, specially tuned ABS, sweet-looking 17-inch wheels finished in black and wrapped in 31.5-inch Nitto Terra Grappler off-road tires, blacked-out trim, and a bunch of TRD badging. Actually, the only real driver aid available, as part of the TRD Pro package, is Toyota’s four-wheel crawl control, which takes over throttle and brake control to get you out of sticky off-road situations.
Of course, this brings the total on our test vehicle to just below $55,000, which is a big price to pay for a vehicle that still has a five-speed automatic transmission and lacks adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep and park assists, or even LED headlights. Minor omissions include the absence of three-flash turn signals for changing lanes, and even the climate controls are manual. There is a touch-screen infotainment system with GPS navigation and Bluetooth connectivity, but at 6.1 inches, the screen is small by today’s standards.
The TRD Pro is, instead, a serious off-roader that will take you to your cottage if the path has been hacked out of the woods with a chainsaw. But it’s still practical and comfortable enough to handle the daily commute.
Under the hood is a 4.0-litre V6 that develops 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque. While these numbers are worthy of a mid-size SUV and the 4Runner gets going with gusto when you really get on it, the engine feels sluggish when taking off from a stop, requiring a fair amount of footwork to stay ahead of traffic. Shifting between two- and four-wheel drive is done via a manual lever, just like your dad probably did with that old Bronco.
This might seem like a dated design, but the cool factor of manually shifting the transfer case is immeasurable. It also has a multi-terrain management system that adjusts the four-wheeldrive parameters to handle sand or rocks or snow.
Off road, the suspension is not as effective at absorbing massive hits as the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2, though it does handle very rough terrain easily and without jarring passengers. The trade-off is a somewhat dated ride on the road that is bouncy, while displaying excessive nosedive when braking hard.
The 4Runner’s body-on-frame chassis feels a bit jittery on the road, much the way full-size pickups do. But those big pickups have become modern-day luxury vehicles with ultraquiet rides, unlike the 4Runner, which produces a fair bit of wind and tire noise, at least when compared to unibody SUVs. It essentially drives like a truck with big tires, because that’s what it is. Even if you never venture off road, though, the 4Runner is usefully practical, with up to 2,540 L of interior storage available, while claiming a 5,000-lb towing capacity.
The five-speed transmission lacks the refined feel of more modern, multi-gear automatics, but it manages gear changes without issue.
Aside from its off-road prowess, among the 4Runner TRD Pro’s most redeeming features is its appearance, drawing almost as much attention as an exotic car. Maybe it’s this tester’s Cavalry Blue paint, the blacked-out trim, or those cool, black wheels — or probably all of the above — but it garners numerous thumbsup and nods of approval from bystanders and other drivers.
The Toyota 4Runner is not an SUV for everyone. If you’re looking for a cushy, luxury sedan-like ride, there are countless other SUVs on the market to choose from. To somewhat justify its high price, the 4Runner scores high in reliability, as reported by owners, and it has an above-average resale value; it’s ranked third by Kelly Blue Book, behind the Toyota Tacoma and Tundra.
The 4Runner is reportedly due for a generational upgrade in a couple of years. Despite its dated and quirky design, I’m hoping the next generation doesn’t stray too far from the current generation. Aside from a powertrain and suspension upgrade, there’s no real need to fix what isn’t broken.