Toyota 4Runner 2022 Review

Big, boxy and built for off-roading, the Toyota 4Runner is one of the few traditional truck-based SUVs left these days. Sure, there are plenty of family haulers with high ride heights and tall roofs, and some crossovers even spice things up with knobby tires or plastic body panels. But few things are as capable as a truly dedicated SUV.

The 4Runner's rugged underpinnings, high ground clearance, and available four-wheel drive with low-range gearing can help get you pretty far off the beaten path. Want to go even farther? The specialized TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro trims have additional features, such as a locking rear differential and Toyota's sophisticated suspension system called KDSS, that provide even greater capability on rocky terrain.

As a city-based runabout SUV, however, the 4Runner might not be the best choice considering its subpar comfort and fuel economy. A few other newer rivals also offer similar off-road capabilities such as the Land Rover Defender and redesigned Jeep Grand Cherokee. Which one should you get? Read our test team's Expert Rating on the 4Runner to help you decide.

Which 4Runner does MatoCar recommend?

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner is a midsize SUV available in eight trim levels: SR5, Trail Special Edition, TRD Sport, SR5 Premium, TRD Off-Road, TRD Off-Road Premium, Limited and TRD Pro.

All come with a 4.0-liter V6 (270 horsepower, 278 lb-ft of torque) and a five-speed automatic transmission. The SR5, Trail Special Edition, SR5 Premium, TRD Sport and Limited trims are available with rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive (4WD). The other 4Runners have standard 4WD. Five-passenger seating is standard, and a third-row seat is optional on certain trims to boost capacity to seven people.

SR5 Starts you out with:

• LED headlights
• 17-inch wheels
• Roof rails
• Power rear window
• Underbody skid plates
• Power-adjustable driver's seat
• 40/20/40-split reclining and folding second-row seats
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• 120-volt power outlet in the rear cargo area
• 8-inch touchscreen
• Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration

Every 4Runner also comes with:

• Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the 4Runner and the car in front)
• Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios)
• Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)

Trail Special Edition Based on the SR5, this trim level adds:

• Yakima roof rack
• Dark-painted wheels and exterior trim
• Portable beverage cooler
• Sliding rear cargo deck with underfloor storage

TRD Sport Based on the SR5, the Sport adds unique styling with a few extra features, such as:

• Suspension for firmer on-road handling
• Hood scoop
• TRD (Toyota Racing Development) branded interior trim
• Simulated leather upholstery
• Heated front seats

SR5 Premium Upgrades the SR5 trim with:

• Simulated leather upholstery
• Heated front seats
• Power-adjustable front passenger seat
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• Keyless ignition and entry
• Optional sunroof

TRD Off-Road and TRD Off-Road Premium These trims are similar to their respective SR5 trims but have:

• Additional drive settings for off-roading
• Locking rear differential (helps with maximizing traction off-road)
• Optional Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) that can improve wheel articulation when off-roading

Limited This is the 4Runner's luxury-level trim. It uses a different 4WD system and suspension setup that aims to make it more comfortable. It also comes with:

• 20-inch wheels
• Chrome exterior accents
• Sunroof
• Leather upholstery
• Ventilated front seats
• Integrated navigation system
• Premium JBL sound system

TRD Pro The most expensive 4Runner, the TRD Pro is meant for serious off-roaders. It has the TRD Off-Road Premium's standard features plus the sunroof, navigation system and JBL sound system. It also features:

• Off-road focused suspension with Fox dampers
• TRD wheels with all-terrain tires
• Special front skid plate
• TRD roof rack