Toyota 4Runner

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

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 Trail Special Edition is a great place to start if your 4Runner will only occasionally play in the dirt. Available in either rear- or four-wheel drive, this trim comes standard with a rugged roof rack, cool-looking dark gray wheels and a portable cooler for day trips. But you'll want to get the TRD Off-Road or TRD Pro if you need serious trail-conquering capability.

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: