2023 Toyota 4Runner

Today's midsize SUV marketplace is packed to capacity with car-based soft-roaders, but there are still a few holdovers from the era when SUVs were created with body-on-frame construction. Of these old-fashioned offerings, the Toyota 4Runner is one of the great success stories. The current generation has been around since the 2010 model year, and, barring a facelift and some range adjustments, is still essentially the same truck as it was all those years ago. Buyers who value utility, durability, and genuine off-road ability above style and refinement won't care about that, though, because the 4Runner is as rugged and capable as any SUV could ever hope to be. The Toyota 4Runner's competitors include the conceptually similar Ford Bronco and even the car-based Jeep Grand Cherokee, both of which are more modern and comfortable.

The new Toyota 4Runner SUV is offered in eight trim levels, all sharing one body style and using the same engine. Power is provided by the venerable Toyota 1GR-FE engine, a 4.0-liter V6 without turbos or direct injection. It only produces 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque, which is sent to either the rear- or all four wheels through a five-speed automatic transmission. Toyotas have a reputation for being tough as nails - and the 2023 4Runner is no different.

The 4Runner isn't the cheapest option in this class. The entry-level SR5 2WD will set you back $39,555, excluding tax, registration, and a destination fee of $1,335. TRD Sport models start at $42,415, while the SR5 Premium has a sticker price of $42,615. Adding AWD to either of these will up the total price by $1,875 and $1,675, respectively.

The Limited closes in on the $50k mark with an asking price of $48,790 in 2WD configuration, with 4WD asking for $2,035 more. The 4WD-only TRD Off-Road costs $43,400, and the TRD Off-Road Premium hikes that price to $45,980. Set apart for its unique look, the 40th Anniversary Special Edition will require a $47,120 outlay. Finally, the off-road-ready TRD Pro will set you back $54,020.

Driving a 2023 Toyota 4Runner, the experience is much like driving an older light truck. Which, of course, is exactly what the 4Runner is, underneath that SUV body shell. It dislikes sudden direction changes at speed and washes out into understeer without any communication through the steering wheel. The ride quality is equally truck-like, with a bouncy gait as it moves over uneven surfaces.

But that's not what the 4Runner is about. What counts here is the Toyota 4Runner's ability to do some serious off-road work over the weekend, while being just about civilized enough to be useful on the daily grind as well. It may not ride as smoothly as a modern, car-based SUV, but it's not exactly bone-jarring, either. Compensation for the stiff-kneed ride comes in the form of plenty of wheel travel and good ground clearance to tackle fairly serious off-roading work.

If you're looking for a seven-seat SUV with some modern style, lots of modern amenities and a quiet, refined ride, you'd be better off with something like a Honda Passport, Kia Sorento or even a lower-trim Subaru Ascent. However, if you need your SUV to be as tough underneath as it looks on the outside, practical, with real go-anywhere ability and a generous helping of driver assistance systems to boost safety, the Toyota 4Runner will give a lot to smile about. It's not the most sophisticated SUV out there, but it's one of the hardest-working SUVs ever made. And it manages to be as useful in daily life as it will be when you take on rougher terrain. The IIHS provides an adequate safety review for the Toyota 4Runner, which could be better if it was modernized a little. But there's a reason it's remained so popular. It's just so good.

With such a massive range of options on the table, buyers can pick and choose at their leisure. If it's a basic family commuter and weekend adventure machine you're looking for, then the entry-level SR5 in AWD configuration will be perfect. This entry-level model still gets most of the driver assistance features and shares its infotainment system with the rest of the lineup. If you're after something with a bit more refinement, the SR5 Premium is an attractive option, and the Limited offers the most luxury features of all. The TRD Off-Road is a solid choice for the off-Road fans, but if you want to go all out, the TRD Pro fitted with standard Fox shocks is the only way to go.