When you’re looking for a competent and confident off-road SUV, the 2023 Toyota 4Runner can be the right choice. This is one of the few old-school SUVs left.
In a market where nearly everything comes as a crossover, the 4Runner continues to deliver a body-on-frame old-school build to give you the desired off-road driving dynamics and an impressive package of great features. While this is the foundation of the 4Runner, there are several trims to choose from. If you’re ready to make this Toyota SUV the one you want to drive, it’s time to pick out the right trim.
One Old-School Powertrain for the 4Runner
Every model of the 4Runner uses a 4.0-liter V6 engine attached to a 5-speed automatic transmission. This is about as old-school as you can get when looking for some natural power on the trails. This powertrain returns 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque. Fuel mileage comes in at a paltry 16 city/19 hwy regardless of whether you have an RWD or AWD version of this Toyota SUV. If you want to head to a remote lake for some fishing, this SUV can pull your trailer with its 5,000-pound tow rating.
Let’s Review the Trims
The Toyota 4Runner comes in several trims to give you the right package of features for your drive. Starting from the beginning, here’s what this SUV brings for you.
SR5 Trim
The entry-level 4Runner is the SR5 trim, and it gives you many of the items you need at the most affordable price. The starting point for this model is $38,805. Here’s what you’ll find in the SR5:
- Toyota Safety Sense-P Suite of Safety Tech
- Forward collision warning
- Pedestrian detection
- Automatic emergency braking
- Lane-departure warning with sway warning
- Automatic high-beam headlights
- Adaptive cruise control
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Rear cross-traffic alerts
- Rearview camera
- Rear Seat Reminder
- LED headlights and fog lights
- Power heated side mirrors
- Windshield wiper de-icers
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Toyota Smart Key keyless entry
- Front skid plates
- Roof rails
- Rear privacy glass
- Rear liftgate with a power-retractable rear window
- 8-wa power driver’s seat
- 40/20/40-split reclining and fold-flat second-row seat
- Leather-wrapped tilt/telescoping steering wheel
- Multi-information display
- Two 12-volt outlets
- One 120-volt outlet in the cargo bay
- 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Apple CarPlay
- Android Auto
- Amazon Alexa
- Toyota Connected Services
- Bluetooth streaming
- Wi-Fi hotspot
There are a few optional upgrades for the SR5 trim of the Toyota 4Runner. Some of these are:
- Running boards
- Third-row seat
- Sliding rear cargo tray
- Navigation system
The SR5 can also be had with a 50/50 split-folding rear seat, which is only available for one other trim, which is the Limited model.
Sport Trim
Moving up to the next level, you’ll find the Toyota 4Runner Sport, which starts at $41,665. This model builds on the SR5 by adding:
- Sporty 20-inch alloy wheels
- Color-keyed TRD hood scoop
- Color-keyed exterior accents
- X-REAS sport suspension
- SofTex faux leather upholstery
- TRD sport floor mats
- TRD shift knob
The options for the Sport model include:
- Broader color palette
- Power deployable running boards
- 360-degree panoramic view monitor
SR5 Premium Trim
The SR5 Premium trim adds more to the 4Runner for the drive you want to make on the trails. This old-school SUV begins at $41,865, and it adds the following to the SR5 model:
- Turn signals in the side mirrors
- Heated front seats
- 4-way power passenger seat
- SofTex upholstery
- An auto-dimming rearview mirror
- HomeLink universal garage door opener
- 8-inch infotainment system with navigation
The options for the SR5 Premium trim are a power moonroof and a 360-degree Panoramic View Monitor.
TRD Off-Road Trim
The first model that uses the TRD packaging is the Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road which starts at $42,650. This old-school off-road SUV gives you:
- Standard 4WD
- Multi-Terrain Select system with Rock, Rock/Dirt, Mogul, Loose Rock, and Mud & Sand modes
- Crawl Control which is a low-speed cruise control for off-roading
- A-TRAC, which is the active traction control system
- Locking rear differential
- 9.6-inches of ground clearance (an increase from 9.0 inches for the base model)
- 17-inch alloy wheels
- Additional skid plate protection for the transfer case
- Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System
The TRD Off-Road can be optioned with a Premium Audio system with navigation and running boards.
TRD Off-Road Premium Trim
Going premium with the off-road version of the 4Runner brings a starting price of $45,230 while adding a few more features, including:
- Side-mirror turn signal indicators
- SofTex upholstery
- TRD red lettering on the front seats
- Navigation system
There are more options for the TRD Off-Road Premium than you might expect, including:
- A power moonroof
- External Multi-Terrain Monitor
- Birds-eye view Panoramic View Monitor
40th Anniversary Trim
The Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary model could be the one you want to drive. This version comes at $46,370, and it adds the following to the SR5 Premium trim:
- Bronze wheels
- Retro orange, yellow, and red body graphics
- Three paint colors: Barcelona Red, Midnight Black, Ice Cap White
- Standard 4WD
- Power moonroof
- Bronze stitching on the seats, steering wheel, and shift knob
- Special 40th Anniversary badges
There aren’t any optional upgrades for the 40th Anniversary version of the 4Runner. This model is limited to 4,040 units, making it a limited-run Toyota.
Limited Trim
The Limited trim of the Toyota 4Runner is the most luxurious model. This version starts at $48,040, and it brings you:
- Advanced full-time 4WD system
- Torsen limited-slip differential with locking feature
- Downhill Assist Control
- Dual-zone automatic climate control
- Power moonroof
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- Perorated leather upholstery
- Heated and ventilated front and rear seats
- 360-degree Panoramic View Monitor
- Front and rear parking sensors
- Auto on/off headlights
- 15-speaker JBL audio system
The options for the Limited trim are a third-row seat and a set of automatic deployable running boards.
TRD Pro Trim
The true off-road champing in the Toyota 4Runner lineup is the TRD Pro. This impressive off-road SUV starts at $53,270, and it gives you:
- Fox high-performance shocks with rear remote reservoirs
- TRD off-road springs
- Auto on/off headlights
- TRD-stamped aluminum skid plates
- 17-inch matte-black alloy wheels
- All-terrain tires
- TRD roof rack
- Unique front grille
- Power moonroof
- Multi-Terrain monitor
- Panoramic View monitor
- Dual-zone automatic climate controls
- 15-speaker JBL audio system
- GPS-based navigation system
Which version of the Toyota 4Runner should you buy?
When you want this Toyota SUV to be comfortable and packaged with good safety features, the base SR5 could be ideal for you. On the other hand, if you want some off-road capabilities, check out the TRD Off-Road trim.
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