The current Toyota 4Runner has its roots in the days when “TiK ToK” was a No. 1 Billboard hit, not a social media app. In fact, another one of Kesha’s songs kept playing in my head while I was driving around in this fashionably anachronistic 2023 4Runner 40th Anniʋersary: “DINOSA, UR a Dinosaur.”
Whether referring to myself or the fifth-generation 4Runner, we may never know, but unlike me, the SUV has managed to hold up 13 years later – heck, 2021 is the year Best-selling in history. To be fair, Toyota has developed some content since the SUV’s launch, making Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning standard in 2020 and style. The look has changed a few times over the past decade. But the changes from 2010 to 2023 are at least negligible.
There’s also a port-injected 4.0-liter V6 and a high-speed automatic transmission, as well as an infotainment system that made my old Zune player feel refined. The ability to predict lane departures is not easy, and the SR5 Premium–based 40th Anniʋersary does not have a surround-view camera. And while the height-adjustable pilot seat makes for a comfortable and comfortable seat, the fixed-height passenger side cuts down on headroom for tall co-pilots. Making matters worse is a paltry 17 miles per gallon, a figure eʋen among the thirstiest Wrangler eclipses (though for the record, I saw 18.8 mpg during the drying time of the mixture).
And yet, the 4Runner “proʋen” elegantly delivers a captivating and pleasant driving experience. The 40th’s soft suspension is prone to vibrations in corners and some loss of speed – the TRD Pro’s remote-reserʋoir dampers are much better in this regard – but the ride remains smooth and unobtrusive. jarring during the worst of it. The powertrain numbers may not be impressive: 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet from 4.0 liters. But the big V6 makes torque seemingly everywhere, and the old-fashioned-sounding high-speed automatic shifts gears with more purpose than the hunted 10-speed in the Ford Bronco. .
The construction feels solid and ready for anything, the special Anniʋersary’s interior is made of class-competitive plastics and Softex faux leather upholstery, and the cargo area and rear seats are spacious and capable. contain. There is an excellent ground clearance of 9.6 inches. And while the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler convertibles are hard to beat for outdoor fun, the 4Runner does it best with roll-down glass on the liftgate – dogs love it.
With a starting price of $41,550 including $1,395 destination, the 4Runner isn’t a great value, especially if you lay in the snow and need the extra $1,875 needed for part-time four-wheel drive time. The 2023 4Runner 40th Anniʋersary is still more expensive at $49,115 as tested, although it comes equipped on the higher-trim SR5 Premiuм and thus has that model’s Softex upholstery, heated front seats, and satellite radio. The 40th also added a standard sunroof, three-color anniversary decals, classic “TOYOTA” lettering on the grille, and special instrument panel lettering denoting the 4,040 production run. company’s car.
Nearly 50 of those big ones could easily put someone in a four-door Ford Bronco Big Bend, which would offer a more powerful and efficient turbocharged inline-four engine, attractive exterior styling, Roof and doors change for outdoor fun. And while it might have been a smarter purchase, I still can’t deny how much fun I had this week with the 40th Anniversary. As Kesha might say if she was buying a 4×4, the party doesn’t start until you roll down the rear window and kick up the dirt.
