When carbon-dating a car’s age, there are a few options for taking the necessary samples. Consider this Toyota 4Runner. You might know that it’s old because the truck’s basic structure (dressed up with new styling for the 2010 model year) can be traced to its last full redesign for 2003. Or perhaps you’d notice that its order form lacks even the option to add increasingly common safety features such as automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning, or blind-spot monitoring, all of which are available—mostly as standard equipment, even—on nearly every other Toyota.
HIGHS
Extremely capable off-road, square-jawed appearance, nicer than a Jeep Wrangler.
LOWS
Geriatric platform and feel, tight rear seat.
Instead, the 4Runner has a steering wheel, accelerator and brake pedals, windows to see out of, four-wheel drive, and big ground clearance for off-roading. The focus is even narrower with the TRD Off-Road trim level tested here; the biggest update on this model for 2017 is a name change from the previous Trail. Sitting just beneath the hard-core TRD Pro and above the base SR5 on the 4Runner’s performance pyramid, the Off-Road lacks the Pro’s Bilstein shocks, special springs, and TRD-branded (Toyota Racing Development) skid plates and black-painted wheels. Even so, it’s set up to get dirty with a standard electronically locking rear differential, Toyota’s Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control electronic traction aids, and substantial Dunlop Grand Trek tires.
For an extra $1960, the TRD Off-Road is available in Premium trim (previously, this was referred to as the Trail Limited model), adding standard goodies such as a 6.1-inch touchscreen with navigation, faux-leather seat upholstery, heated front seats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and TRD lettering on each front-seat headrest. Our non-Premium model had the $345 Entune Premium Audio and Navigation package, which brings the aforementioned 6.1-inch infotainment system.
