One glance and it’s immediately clear what the Toyota 4Runner is. and what it promises. A simple look and its role as a rugged, roomy, shoebox-like off-roading SUV is obvious. There’s no lure of wooded overlanding adventure backed up only by tacked-on bodywork that serves no actual off-roading or poor-weather purpose. The 4Runner keeps its visual promise—something worth bearing in mind when comparing vehicles. 

All 4Runners are powered by a 4.0-liter V6 engine that delivers 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet torque. The engine is adequate for the size and weight of the 4Runner, and there’s no expectation for it to burn rubber. All 4Runners also have a traditional five-speed automatic that shows its age in behavior, shifting with suddenness in certain medium-to-heavy acceleration circumstances. In normal driving and when off-roading, it does perform well and without surprises. 

Fuel economy also suffers from its off-road prowess. Being relatively heavy with a high quotient of four-wheel drive mechanicals, the 4Runner also is hit by the aerodynamic boogie man. It’s brick-like shape and all that weight result in an EPA rating of 17 mpg combined, lower than most of the other SUVs in the midsize class. 

The Venture Special Edition gets 17-inch dark grey metallic wheels, a Yakima MegaWarrior cargo basket, a black rear spoiler, door handles and bumper accents as well as exclusive exterior badging. Toyota

Inside, the 4Runner has a stark, honest functionality to everything with lots of little storage spaces and clearly marked controls. Rear seat passengers will appreciate the addition of two USB ports to charge their devices. There’s also a grounded rear electrical outlet. General comfort inside is good, but not outstanding. 

Another benefit of squarish size and shape is cargo capacity in the back. The 4Runner provides a whopping 46 cubic-feet of cargo space in the rear with the optional third seat row stowed (Toyota‘s own Highlander SUV has just 42 cubic feet). The 4Runner also is one of the few remaining vehicles on the market with a descending rear window, which makes easy work of loading and unloading light and small cargo from the back without having to open the whole tailgate. It’s also an ideal place for a dog to perch his snout during a weekend round of errands. 

The 4Runner’s infotainment is all-new for 2020. Toyota has been a holdout on Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility but has started fitting it to multiple vehicles. These, plus Amazon Alexa and Siri are joined by a new, large 8-inch touchscreen in the 4Runner.  Toyota

One of the biggest updates for 2020 is Toyota’s TSS-P active safety feature set adopted across all 4Runner trim levels. This makes forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control and automated high-beams standard. 

The loaded TRD Pro package comprises serious off-roading suspension, grippy all-terrain tires, multiple pre-set terrain modes for the four-wheel drive system, extra skid plates to protect the equipment underneath and a bevy of other special parts. In addition to the top TRD Pro, there are five other trims: SR5, SR5 Premium, TRD Off-Road, TRD Off-Road Premium and premium Limited. A limited Venture edition based on the TRD Off-Road Premium that adds exclusive trimmings; the Nightshade Edition, introduced in 2019, that adds a black grille and other blacked-out detailing to the Limited also is available. 

The current 4Runner retains the off-road credibility it built its reputation on. It can also tow a healthy 5,000 pounds. Toyota

The base SR5 and SR5 Premium models are configured with standard rear-wheel drive and offer four-wheel drive as an option. All other trims but the Limited feature part-time four-wheel-drive with active traction control and a two-speed transfer case with a low-range setting. The Limited has full-time 4×4 with high and low-range and a locking center differential.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 4Runner “Good” scores back in 2014 (their most recent 4Runner crash test) for four out of five Crashworthiness ratings, though only a “Marginal” rating for crashes where there’s an overlapping impact on the driver’s side. The 4Runner’s driver space was “not maintained well” in this test where the vehicle hits a solid barrier at 40 mph with 25 percent of its front end contacting the barrier, representing a crash into a telephone pole or large tree. Though the 2020 4Runner has not yet been tested, the 2014 model’s structure, seat belts and airbags have not changed materially since then. 

Though the 4Runner is not quite as poised on the road car-based SUVs such as Toyota’s own Highlander, the Ford Explorer and the Honda Pilot, it’s hugely rugged, reliable and capable of strenuous off-roading. It covers the normal duties of commuting, carpooling and shopping without much fuss, but its heart is in the woods.