LIKES
- Rugged capability
- Still looks pretty good
- Lots of choices
- Decent standard safety tech
DISLIKES
- Bouncy ride
- Dismal fuel economy
- Tight cabin
- Felt outdated a decade ago
BUYING TIP
- The 4Runner is at its best off-road, and the TRD Off-Road trim lives up to its name without breaking the bank. Add the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System for improved all-around ability, too.
As a backwoods exploration companion, the 2023 Toyota 4Runner excels. For any other use, shop its competition.
What kind of vehicle is the 2023 Toyota 4Runner? What does it compare to?
With the 4Runner, Toyota offers a relatively inexpensive and highly capable SUV that emphasizes off-road ability over on-road plushness. The 4Runner squares off against the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler, plus the Honda Passport and Subaru Outback.
Is the 2023 Toyota 4Runner a good SUV?
That depends on what you’re after. For most drivers, the choppy ride, sloppy handling, and lousy fuel consumption are a tough tradeoff for a rugged personality. If your weekend adventures involve treks along the Continental Divide, however, the 4Runner offers some semblance of refinement to go with its knobby tires. We rate it a 4.8 out of 10 overall.
What's new for the 2023 Toyota 4Runner?
The 4Runner enters its 40th model year this year, and to celebrate the automaker has a new limited-edition model with retro-inspired graphics and badges. Blind-spot monitors are newly standard.
All 4Runners have chunky styling that hasn’t changed a whole lot since the 2010 model year. Yeah, it’s been a while. Inside, they’re slightly more up-to-date with an 8.0-inch touchscreen featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
Certain versions offer cramped third-row seating, but the 4Runner is best suited to five—or preferably just those up front. Its big cargo area is a plus, though, as is the available slide-out cargo floor.
While the 4Runner wants for little in terms of standard safety tech—automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure and blind-spot monitors, and adaptive cruise control are all standard—its crash-test ratings are subpar.
How much does the 2023 Toyota 4Runner cost?
Pricing for 2023 has not been announced, but don’t look for the 4Runner to stray far from a smidge under $40,000 to start.
The best bet here is the TRD Off-Road for not that much more, which adds four-wheel drive, all sorts of off-roading traction control modes, and a locking rear differential.
Where is the 2023 Toyota 4Runner made?
In Japan.
Styling
The 2023 Toyota 4Runner looks best covered in dirt.
Is the Toyota 4Runner a good-looking car?
By conventional measures, the blocky lines and angles that compose the 2023 Toyota 4Runner do not make an especially pretty face. Maybe it’s the test of time—this model has only had one update in 14 model years—but we still dig it.
It’s a 6 out of 10 on our scale thanks to its brawny exterior.
Inside, the 4Runner has an overwrought dash with gigantic knobs and buttons. They’re easy enough to sort through, but the look was tired a decade ago.
Performance
Though poorly suited to daily-driver use, the 4Runner has the goods for serious off-roading.
Is the Toyota 4Runner 4WD?
Rear-wheel drive is standard, but the 4Runner makes far more sense in four-wheel-drive configuration.
How fast is the Toyota 4Runner?
Impressive off-roady bits cancel out that lousy powertrain, landing us at a 5 out of 10.
Heavy steering and a soft, occasionally bouncy ride make the 4Runner a tiring companion on pavement and in town. Its handling is ponderous at any speed, though the optional Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System does an admirable job reducing body lean in cornering.
That same system also increases wheel travel off-road, so it’s worth seeking out. With loads of ground clearance and wide availability of a locking rear differential, the 4Runner is at its best on a trail.
Comfort & Quality
The 2023 Toyota 4Runner is not a comfortable choice.
Don’t look for expansive passenger space or luxurious furnishings inside the 2023 Toyota 4Runner.
The high step-in height and limited room for adults in rows two and three earn the 4Runner no points, though its big cargo area is an asset. We land at 6 out of 10 for comfort and quality.
The front seats are comfortable enough whether upholstered in cloth, synthetic leather, or real leather. The 4Runner has just 33 inches of rear-seat leg room, and the optional third-row is cramped even for kids. Better yet is cargo space, which can grow from 48 to a hefty 90 cubic feet with the rear seatback folded. A slide-out tray that can accommodate heavy loads cancels out the high liftover height, too.
Safety
There are far safer SUVs out there than the 2023 Toyota 4Runner.
How safe is the Toyota 4Runner?
If you prioritize crashworthiness, keep shopping. The 2023 Toyota 4Runner comes standard with plenty of crash-avoidance tech including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, its safety record needs improvement.
We rate the 2023 4Runner at 4 out of 10.
Features
The 2023 Toyota 4Runner scores 7 out of 10 thanks to decent in-car tech, standard crash-avoidance features, and a broad lineup.
While not a conventional bargain, the 4Runner squares off well against its admittedly pricey Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco rivals. Figure around $39,000 for a base SR5, or about $2,000 more with much-recommended four-wheel drive.
For most drivers, the SR5 is just fine with its 8.0-inch touchscreen including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, its power features, and its cloth seats. Synthetic leather and a sunroof are reasonably affordable upgrades, if you must.
Toyota is building 4,040 examples of its 40th Anniversary model, which have special stripes and wheels plus embroidered trim inside but no functional upgrades.
Which Toyota 4Runner should I buy?
Our money—around $42,000 of it—would be on the TRD Off-Road with its additional traction control modes and locking rear differential. We’d also add the optional Kinetic Dynamic Suspension system.
How much is a fully loaded Toyota 4Runner?
Fuel Economy
The 2023 Toyota 4Runner is not a fuel-efficient vehicle.
Is the Toyota 4Runner good on gas?
Hardly. While 2023 figures aren’t out yet, last year’s EPA ratings of 16 mpg city, 19 highway, 17 combined regardless of trim were among the lowest you’ll find in any new SUV. That gets it one point here.
Even some competitors with decent off-road capability can top 20 mpg on the highway.
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