Built on a foundation that delivers impressive capability, excellent longevity, and strong resale values, the Toyota 4Runner stays true to its reputation year after year.
Relying on its 70 years of truck-building experience, Toyota kept refining the 4Runner until it was almost perfect, particularly as a true off-roader.
Body-on-frame SUVs are a dying breed, but there are still a few that compete with the Toyota 4Runner: the Nissan Xterra, Jeep Wrangler, and the much more expensive Land Rover LR2.
Even though I’ve driven just about every car and truck sold in North America, I was impressed enough with the ever-strong 4Runner that I recently purchased a brand new 2016 4Runner Limited. If a picky automotive journalist like myself selects this vehicle, you know it has to be pretty good. One of the big factors for my decision is that the 4Runner keeps an amazing level of resale value, year after year.
The 4Runner is built at the award-winning Tahara plant in Japan, where many Lexuses are also manufactured.
Design
Toyota released an updated 4Runner back in 2014, and therefore not much has changed on the outside for 2016. The 4Runner, however, has a slightly different “face” among its four available models.
For a more rugged and aggressive appearance, the SR5 and Trail Edition have a gaping grille and crescent-shaped intakes below the headlights. But the Limited models lose the sharp intakes and add a chrome bumper to divide the grille for a more luxurious look.
Carrying on the style of its predecessors, the 2016 4Runner retains a boxy overall shape. All models come standard with a roof rack, but the Trail Edition adds a hood scoop and higher ground clearance.
Inside, the high quality materials make the 4Runner feel comfortable, but not quite at the level of the Highlander. The blocky layout reminds you the 4Runner is based on a truck, though there is plenty of usable storage.
The 4Runner is basically a five-passenger vehicle but the more luxurious Limited model is available in either five-passenger or seven-passenger configurations.
Performance
The 4Runner gained its popularity through strong performance and its reputation as being indestructible. This is something the 2016 model continues to offer.
In that effort, the 4Runner is built around a proven and powerful yet efficient 4.0-litre V-6. At its peak, it generates 270 h.p. and 278 foot-pounds of torque, but what it does best is balance power delivery and efficiency across its operating range.
Although the latest technology features six or seven speed gears, the 4Runner is equipped with a proven five-speed super ECT automatic transmission. Using a transmission cooler, it delivers confident acceleration and endurance in any weather or driving condition, while also returning a combined fuel economy rating of 12.8 litres/100 kilometres.
The 4Runner’s suspension delivers a decent combination of ride comfort and cornering ability. However, its height and weight causes it to lean considerably if pushed hard through a switchback.
While the 4Runner is not as agile as a car-based SUV, its narrow body makes it easier to manoeuvre in tight spaces than a full-size SUV. The same holds true in terms of noise and vibration.
Driver feedback is certainly truck-like, but that works well off-road. Trail Edition models come with four-wheel Crawl Control and a Kinetic Suspension System with disconnecting stabilizer bars to help in this area.
All 4Runner’s come equipped with a tow package that includes a heavy duty tow-hitch receiver, 4+7 pin wiring harness, trailer brake controller pre-wire, and supplemental transmission cooler. This allows the 4Runner to easily haul 5,000 pounds.
As a daily driver, the 4Runner is so silky smooth and comfortable that it rivals luxury cars costing twice its price in terms of ride quality.
Environment
The cabin of the 4Runner could be described as simple, but it certainly is roomy and versatile. The power-adjustable front seats are supportive and well designed.
The split 40/20/40 second row can be arranged in numerous seating and cargo configurations. These seats can also recline to provide a more comfortable feel all around.
In seven-passenger 4Runner models, the third row is best suited for children. When not needed, the seats fold flat into the floor to reveal nearly 90 cubic feet of cargo space. It does raise the trunk floor in terms of height somewhat, making it a bit awkward to load and unload.
Bolstered with more standard features, the base 2016 4Runner should be adequate for most families. It boasts Toyota’s 6.1-inch display audio system with eight speakers, Bluetooth capability, navigation, and a power moonroof, among many other features.
All dials and buttons are large and easy to figure out. You can operate everything from the radio to the low-range gearing with gloves on.
The vehicle is available with a 120V AC power outlet. This is helpful to keep all the accessories used by the modern family fully charged.
Features
Prices for the 4Runner start at $44,090 for the base SR5, and range up to $50,790 for the Limited 7-Passenger.
Standard equipment includes heated front seats, navigation, Sirius satellite radio, Bluetooth, voice recognition, a backup camera, and a power moonroof.
Additional features, available as options or on higher trims, include leather seats, driver seat memory system, ventilated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless entry with push-button start, automatic headlights, and clearance and backup sensors.
Fuel efficiency numbers (litres/100 kilometres) are 14.2 city and 11.1 highway.
Thumbs up
The 2016 4Runner is a reliable daily driver that can double as a trail warrior. Also, if you need three rows of seats in a comfort package, there aren’t too many choices out there.
Thumbs down
If you expect your SUV to ride like a “sport” utility or cross-over, the 4Runner’s truck-like handling won’t impress. It also isn’t the most affordable on the market.
The bottom line
The 2016 4Runner is rugged enough to please its loyal fans, and its high resale value and top-notch reliability make it an easy purchase decision.
Competitors
Nissan Xterra: While the Xterra may not have all the features of a pure off-roader, it is every bit as rugged. The Xterra also has a strong reliability record, though it’s not as luxurious as the 4Runner.
The Xterra is available in two models and has a starting price of $34,013.
Jeep Wrangler: The Jeep Wrangler offers commanding off-road capability and the Pentastar V-6 is the perfect fit for this vehicle. However, if you are not going to use the Wrangler’s off-road prowess often, it may be an overkill as a daily driver.
Prices start at $25,495 for the base Sport model, and range up to $42,490 for the Unlimited 75th Anniversary Edition.
Land Rover LR2: The LR2 has historic Land Rover DNA and is therefore equally at home on a forest trail as it is in the urban jungle. Land Rovers are for people who want to go everywhere in supreme comfort, though the LR2 is getting old in design.
Land Rover LR2 starting prices range from $39,990 to $48,190.
