Yahoo Autos 2023 Toyota 4Runner Review: The Last Real Sport Utility Vehicle
Our Take on the 2023 Toyota 4Runner
The 2023 Toyota 4Runner is one of the very last SUVs that still drives like a truck. While most competitors have gone to more modern, sensible unibody platforms, the 4Runner has remained the same since 2009, using a body-on-frame chassis setup now mostly seen only on pickups.
The design gives the 4Runner a unique driving experience that's distinctly old-school and analog. While some may not enjoy the vintage feel of a body-on-frame vehicle, we love the nostalgic rush that comes along with the boat-like body control and slow steering ratio. While we wouldn't call the ride soft, it is impressively sturdy, giving you the impression you could tackle any conceivable terrain without fuss.
That throwback feeling makes its way into the cabin, too, thanks to copious physical buttons and nice, big knobs for things like climate control and volume. This is stuff we took for granted a few years ago. Now, most cars have capacitive buttons or sliders for critical controls.
Not all of the old-school equipment dates the 4Runner in a positive light. The drivetrain feels well behind anything modern and turbocharged, with lackluster acceleration and below-average transmission tuning.
What's New
This generation of Toyota 4Runner has been around since 2009, making one of the oldest vehicles on sale right now. For 2023, Toyota has added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alerts as standard equipment. The 2023 model year is also the 40th anniversary of the 4Runner in the United States, and Toyota is celebrating with the special edition variant you see here.
The 4Runner 40th Anniversary Special Edition gets tri-color graphics on either side of the car, as well as on the nose. It also gets a set of sweet 17-inch bronze wheels, bronze interior stitching, and a handful of unique badges.
Pros
Old-school truck-like driving experience is a refreshing feeling in a world of soulless crossovers
Excellent, muscular looks match the rugged on-road demeanor
Aging interior pairs big knobs and buttons to modern tech like Apple CarPlay
Cons
Naturally aspirated engine and five-speed auto feel like last-gen equipment
Missing tech available on competitors might irk some buyers
Won't be on sale forever
Performance, Engine & Horsepower
The 2023 Toyota 4Runner is available with just one engine: A 4.0-liter naturally aspirated V-6 making 270 hp and 278 lb-ft of torque. It's paired to a five-speed automatic transmission and, in the case of our 40th anniversary tester, a transfer case with switchable 4WD and a low range setting.
Weighing in at nearly 5000 pounds, the 4Runner is no lightweight. Zero to 60 mph takes 7.7 seconds, onto a quarter-mile time of 16 seconds flat. Top speed is electronically limited to 113 mph.
Read our full Toyota 4Runner review
Features & Specs
Despite its age, the Toyota 4Runner is packed with useful features. That 4.0-liter V-6 has variable valve timing, allowing a peak of 270 hp and 278 lb-ft of torque. Out back you'll find a tow hitch receiver with seven- and four-pin connectors, meaning you can tow most types of trailers. Towing capacity for the 40th Anniversary Special Edition you see here is 5000 pounds.
Inside you'll find an eight-inch touchscreen as standard, there for navigating through standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It's connected to an eight-speaker stereo system. The truck you see here also gets special 17-inch bronze alloy wheels a handful of nifty tri-color graphics, and copious special badging inside and out.
MPG/Range
The 4Runner's aging powertrain and blocky design means it's not very efficient. The EPA rates the 2023 model at 16 mpg city and 19 mpg highway, for a combined 17 mpg. That's about what we saw during our 300-mile test, where we drove through a mix of high- and low-speed stop-and-go scenarios.
