Old school. The Toyota 4Runner wears that mantle proudly, which is a good thing, because there aren’t many truly off-road–capable SUVs out there anymore.
The midsize 4Runner’s burly body-on-frame construction, available 4WD with low-range gearing, and nearly 10 inches of ground clearance enable it to tackle some seriously gnarly trails. Our TRD Pro test model upped the ante with a front skid plate, locking rear differential, and Toyota’s clever Crawl Control (think low-speed, off-road cruise control). All 4Runners come with LED headlights and have a 5,000-pound towing capacity.
A comfortable interior also makes this rugged SUV pretty easy to live with every day. The cabin gets props for its straightforward controls, updated infotainment center, roomy backseat, and 90-cubic-foot cargo hold. Toyota’s Safety Sense P package of advanced safety features is standard.
As you might expect from such an anachronistic vehicle, there are downsides, including a stiff ride. We also found that the thirsty 4.0-liter V6 (17 mpg combined) had a somewhat touchy throttle. But if your goal is to go where the crowds aren’t, the 4Runner TRD Pro is a hard beast to beat.
