You are likely familiar with the expression, “They don’t make them like they used to.” When it comes to the 2023 Toyota 4Runner, that’s certainly not the case because the current generation is in its 14th year of production (with the model also celebrating its 40th anniversary). Despite receiving an interior update for 2014, along with various exterior facelifts over the years, the 4Runner remains relatively unchanged as a very capable off-road vehicle. The fact that it’s old and long in the tooth might lead you to believe sales have declined as more modern machinery have joined the market, but it’s quite the opposite: for 2010, the first model year for this generation, the 4Runner sold just over 46,000 units in the U.S., and it would break the six-figure mark in 2016. So far, the 4Runner has had its best model year in 2021 with over 144,000 units produced. So, why do people continue to buy the 4Runner when it’s clearly long in the tooth? That’s what we set out to learn.
Overview
The Toyota 4Runner has eight trim levels, starting with the SR5 2WD at $40,155 and topping out with the $54,620 TRD Pro. The main variations in trim levels come from off-road performance (arguably the main focus of the 4Runner), along with various interior tweaks and technology. All 4Runners since 2014 have utilized a 270-horsepower 4.0-liter V6 paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. Our test vehicle was the most aggressive off-road trim level of the bunch: the TRD Pro.
Exterior
This is a rugged, good-looking SUV, but you already knew that. Our 2023 4Runner was painted in a TRD Pro-exclusive Solar Octane hue, which is a vibrant orange with a bit of metallic that makes it easy to find in parking lots or forest roads (even at night). Aiding this 4Runner’s stout appearance are the TRD hood scoop, aluminum skid plate, roof rack, 17-inch matte black alloy wheels, and unique “TOYOTA” front grille. The TRD Pro sits a half-inch higher than lesser 4Runners (not including the roll bar), with an improved 9.6 inches of ground clearance. Along with the physical changes, you can actually see the TRD Tuned front suspension and TRD high-performance Fox shocks.
Drivetrain
Power comes from a 4.0-liter V6 rated at 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque, which has remained unchanged since 2010 and is tried and true for Toyota’s high-reliability standards. As standard across all trim levels, the V6 is paired with a five-speed automatic transmission, but the TRD Pro includes a transfer case offering HI and LO four-wheel-drive settings — mandatory for off-road enthusiasts. The powertrain’s drawbacks become apparent on paper when you realize the 4runner TRD Pro has a curb weight of 4,750 lbs., which suggests a power-to-weight ratio that is not the envy of any competitor. Clearly the 4Runner is not a sports car, but it would benefit from more grunt to keep its performance and economy contemporary … speaking of which:
Economy
The 2023 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro has an EPA rating of 16 mpg city/19 highway/17 combined, which is worse than the much larger 2022 Tundra 1794 Edition we tested earlier in the model year — that despite a twin-turbocharged V6 with 119 more horsepower and 201 lb-ft more torque. Of course, fuel economy is not the primary focus of a vehicle like this, but other contemporary off-road vehicles outclass the 4Runner in this regard. When budgeting for your 4runner, don’t forget to account for fuel.
Interior
The interior of the 2023 Toyota 4Runner instantly transports you back to 2010, but the TRD Pro does feature some extra off-road gadgets. Look past the old and you will find SofTex-trimmed seats (Toyota’s spill-resistant synthetic leather), leather steering wheel, 15-speaker premium JBL audio system, a mix of carbon fiber-patterned bits, TRD shift knob, and the ceiling buttons for multi-terrain off-road controls. The seats themselves are fine — no comfort complaints here — and all of the controls are within reach, though the seating position gives the impression you are driving a tank. When you need to break out four-wheel drive, you can switch from 2H to 4H on the fly below 50 mph, but for 4L you need to stop. The four-wheel drive shifter requires some manhandling but does offer solid, confident clunks as you switch in and out of 4L, which is where you’ll be spending most of your time if you want to use the rear differential lock and crawl control. While the cool off-road tech certainly adds to the cost, it’s hard to get the sense of the value proposition considering the dated interior.
Drive
Driving the Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro certainly leans towards the off-road side of things. As hinted earlier, this vehicle is sluggish and, during regular city driving, there is plenty of body roll from the big Fox suspension, which is soft enough to feel the TRD Pro leaning back and forth under acceleration and braking. The 4Runner feels relatively smooth underway, even over potholes and speed bumps. Steering is fine — not too over-boosted yet feels direct enough to point where you want the vehicle to go (though you will certainly feel its size). Visibility is good, as one would expect in an SUV of this stature, as the squared and upright windshield gives the impression of an all-conquering rugged tank. However, there is nothing to fear in the nether regions where visibility is lacking, as cameras below the grille assist with viewing the terrain during off-roading, where the TRD Pro feels most at home. The four-wheel drive easily moved the 4Runner through some of the thickest mud I have ever seen, and it was easy to crawl up casual hills. The added off-road modes can be helpful in some instances, but I feel some are unnecessary, like the sand mode, which slowed the vehicle down when more speed is generally needed for soft sandy hills. The crawl control is never a bad thing to have, although the 4Runner’s system makes some terrible noises in the first speed that may bother all but the most mechanically sympathetic, but the clashing goes away as you increase speed on the fly. The real benefit of the 4Runner TRD Pro comes from the out-of-box off-road capabilities that don’t require any real upgrades. However, it is not the best daily driver from the added road and vehicle noise, if not the possible parking difficulties.
Conclusion
The 2023 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro offers all the benefits and utility of an SUV with a ton of off-road capability. It does have a good-looking, stout appearance, but the interior and powertrain have been showing their age for quite a while. Appearances aside, the interior is still functional, but there is quite a bit of engine and road noise that makes its way back to the cabin. The powertrain can’t be granted any leniency, however — while it is a tried-and-true reliable engine from Toyota, the low power/displacement quotient, along with terrible fuel economy figures, leave a lot to be desired despite strong sales suggesting otherwise. With a redesigned 4Runner coming for 2024, we expect all our quibbles to be addressed; though 4Runner information is lacking at the moment, Toyota has announced the standard 2024 Tacoma will feature an i-FORCE 2.4-liter turbo four with 270 horsepower, with an available i-FORCE MAX hybrid putting out 326 horses and 465-lb-ft of torque. Ultimately, if you are considering the 2023 Toyota 4Runner, you should head to your local Toyota dealership and test it for yourself.
