by Anthony Fongaro - photos via Toyota - 03/11/2022
Well then, this feels familiar. I’m back in a Toyota 4Runner, this time in the TRD Sport trim. What else can I say about it than I already did? If you haven’t read the article, click here. Otherwise, talking about the 4Runner is quite easy. It looks rugged and old, both inside and out. Those were the two things that I talked about in that other article. This time, let’s do things a little differently. Instead of analyzing a Toyota 4Runner TRD Sport, why don’t we go somewhere I don’t usually go to? Let’s go on a little cruise, shall we?
The destination for this 4Runner: a restaurant with a bison burger. During this journey for the delicious burger, I went on a myriad of roads with some that need to be repaved. Thankfully, the 4Runner was able to do everything that I asked it to do, albeit reluctantly. Speaking of being reluctant, Toyota’s reluctance of making a new 4Runner for almost a decade is just plain odd. Similar to the Lexus GX460, the design of the 4Runner can be described as “bold”, “blocky”, “old”, or “cult-classic”. I say that it’s all four, which isn’t a bad thing.
My adventure started the same way my adventures go, through the local towns. When speed limits are around 40 MPH or so, the 4Runner just goes along with traffic. If you’re the type of person that likes to have their arm out when you drive, the driver’s side ledge is definitely too high. I know this is part of the 4Runner’s blocky and rugged-ness, but it doesn’t help when you're going slow. With the lower speeds, you won’t notice that the 4Runner’s 4.0-liter V6 only has five gears and makes 270-horsepower.
When things get faster, the 4Runner does start to suffer. It may have that big 4.0-liter engine, but the 0-60 MPH time is 7.6-seconds. Since this has that old transmission, it feels like it takes forever to downshift. Really, the best way to actually drive the 4Runner is to drive them with all the safety features on and slow, since it gets 14 MPG. Funny enough, the 4Runner TRD Sport I drove had a good amount of safety systems, but it’s quite noticeable that they’re old. How? Both lane-keep assist and adaptive-cruise control shut off under 30 MPH.
Of course, before the journey began, I had a good look at the 4Runner. It just seems like a classic design. Similar to when you look at a Ford Bronco or a Jeep Wrangler, this is has a design that doesn’t look too different. Maybe that’s because the 4Runner stands out, and mine definitely did with the Lunar Rock exterior and 20-inch six-spoke wheels. This 4Runner TRD Sport had optional electric running boards and they were quite handy for my 5’5” passenger. When you’ve seen a design for so long, there isn’t too much else to say. I do like the little air scoop on the hood and big TRD SPORT badging on the side.
You may be thinking: “if he keeps saying it’s an old design, it’s bad.” Quite the opposite. Sometimes, having an “old-fashioned” design is good. Case in point: the climate controls. Not only are they straightforward, but they are giant knobs that you can use with gloves. It’s the same with the steering wheel. It has the controls that you want on it and are are large enough to use with ease. I don’t mind that it doesn’t have digital dials since the small TFT display works fine. Toyota’s infotainment system is ok, but I instantly plugged in my phone since using Apple CarPlay felt and looked easier.
Getting to my destination where I was about to make a purchase, I thought back to the price of this 4Runner TRD. It starts at $42,000 and gets to $48,000 with the options I had. Some of the options were the electric running boards, navigation system, and 360-degree camera. Does the 4Runner feel like an almost $50,000 SUV? No, it barely feels like it’s worth $30,000. Will people buy a $48,000 4Runner TRD Sport? Sure, and I can now see a small appeal. This is an SUV with a robust engine and transmission which will last a long time. There are also consumers that don’t want to have their vehicles 100% digital.
Passing thoughts on the 4Runner? First, I’m surprised it still exists. Technically, Toyota has the Venza and other SUVs that could easily replace the 4Runner. Second, it doesn’t make sense to buy one new. I’m not saying don’t buy one at all. This is definitely a case of a good certified-pre owned SUV. A lot of 4Runners get modified so you’d want to find a stock one. I had a good time with my adventure in the Toyota 4Runner TRD Sport. It may be a dinosaur, but it’s more of a stegosaurus than a t-rex. Keep it off-road, and you’ll have a good time.
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