Estimated read time: 7-8 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SALT LAKE CITY — The 2017 Toyota 4Runner has few direct competitors that don’t wear a Jeep badge.
True off-road capable SUVs are now few and far between as more fuel-efficient and elegant crossovers dominate the landscape. Even Nissan’s Pathfinder has been relegated to crossover status.
However, what sets the 4Runner apart is the body-on-frame construction with low-range four-wheel drive.
The styling is likely to be love-it-or-leave-it, and some retro touches will appeal to some and seem dated for others, but the 4Runner fills a need in the marketplace for SUVs that are rugged and sophisticated but don't break the bank.
As I left Brent Brown Toyota in Orem, sales manager Kelly Christensen reminded me one final time that I wasn’t leaving with “only” a crossover.
Exterior styling
Truck design has shifted in the past couple of years, and sharply angled lines and aggressive plastic body trims are giving way to a more rounded and streamlined look. The 4Runner is still sporting the aggressive angles of the past: attractive, but some will find the look outdated.
The 4Runner gives a shark-nosed first impression as the front grill pushes downward and forward from the line created by the hood and headlights. The headlights scowl at you, pushing outward past the body and are rimmed in chrome. Aggressive bumper bolsters at each side house fog lights and pushes the grill forward.
While the hood scoop is nonfunctional, it looks great, both from outside the vehicle and from behind the wheel. This particular TRD Off Road model has silver front and rear bumper covers that contrast beautifully with the charcoal exterior.
Things are a bit more subdued in the rear than up front, with the exception of the spoiler sitting atop the rear lift gate. The spoiler angles sharply when looking from the side and extends farther back than most.
Aggressive fender flares in the front and back complete the look, which thankfully lacks black, plastic body molding. The 17-inch alloy wheels are attractive and trimmed in black. Traditionally, the 4Runner still has a power rear window built into the rear hatch.
Interior styling
The aggressive touches carry over to the interior. Toyota clearly wants driver and passengers to get the sense of this vehicle’s capabilities with every styling cue.
The center console protrudes from the center of the dash, a style reminiscent of the big brother Tundra full-size truck. The dials for media and climate controls are oversized and trimmed with deep ridges for grip. Silver dials contrast with the metallic-looking darker console, which meets the console at a sharp angle. There are few smooth angles inside the 4Runner.
A few retro touches jump out immediately to the driver. To shift into four-wheel drive, there's a knob rather than a push button, and, contrary to first impressions, drivers can shift into four-wheel drive at any speed under 60 mph.
There is still a physical key for the vehicle rather than a push start. This compliments the foot-operated parking brake and the separate stalk for cruise control that replaces the more common steering wheel controls.
While the TRD model I drove had cloth seats, the steering wheel and door panels were trimmed in leather and contrasting stitching. The controls for power windows and mirrors are located on top of the door panels, rather than the traditional position farther down. While it seemed odd at a glance, the controls were perfectly located for almost any driving position and turned out to be genius.
Soft-touch materials compliment a well laid-out interior that is comfortable and more spacious than it seems from the outside, though replacing a few plastic metal-looking parts with actual metal would enhance the interior design.
I wondered if the 4Runner’s aggressive styling would appeal to women, and my wife assured me it does. Visibility is the 4Runner's forte and adds to the driver's confidence.
Technology
The 4Runner has plenty of power outlets front and rear, including USB and 110-volt outlets. Dual climate controls are not included in this model and, while they're not a necessity, I would have expected it in this price range. Rear vents are provided for backseat passengers, along with power outlets.
The truck has Toyota’s brake assist and Smart Stop Technology, but this vehicle lacks adaptive cruise control and blind spot warnings. The touch screen for the audio and navigation controls is undersized at only 6.1 inches but has a very well thought-out split-screen system.
Toyota’s Entune entertainment and phone system is a very good one, but the 2017 4Runner uses an older version than some current Toyota and Lexus cars. Voice and phone controls worked very well.
This TRD model includes a kinetic dynamic suspension system, which allows for farther off-road travel, and Toyota’s Active TRAC four-wheel drive system. Settings for crawl assist are located above the rearview mirror and allow the driver to control the speed of descent and braking force in difficult off-road situations.
While the system is a bit less user-friendly than the one found in the Jeep Grand Cherokee, it worked very well in limited testing and lets the driver forget about braking and acceleration and focus on steering through tricky descents and climbs.
While most applications worked well, a minor detail struck me early on during my four days with the 4Runner. It has become commonplace for new vehicles to offer a standard three-turn signal setting when lightly depressing the turn signal stalk. The 4Runner lacks this feature, and I forgot nearly every time I changed lanes, resulting in only a one-time blink of the signal.
Performance and handling
The 4Runner is a true truck and must be judged as such. Handling is not on par with most car-like crossovers though is somewhat better than the Grand Cherokee. The 4Runner was comfortable to drive both in the city and at highway speeds, and the lack of road noise was impressive.
The acceleration is excellent for a truck. Toyota reports 7.5 seconds zero to 60, though it does feel less inspired than that. A drive to Sundance and the Alpine Loop was pleasant, and the 4Runner handles well and has sufficient power to muscle up steep climbs.
The 4Runner is less comfortable to drive off road than the Grand Cherokee, but nothing about the experience was disappointing. While I didn’t test the 4Runner's limits, I felt confident in being able to go anywhere I needed.
The lack of engine options and older five-speed automatic transmission may be a detriment for some buyers who would like an SUV with more inspired city driving. The 4Runner is, though, a very pleasant vehicle to drive and would make an excellent daily driver compared to most mid-sized trucks.
Conclusions
The 2017 4Runner is all truck, and the styling and handling won’t be confused with the crossover vehicles taking over our highways.
It’s unfortunate that true frame-on-body, low-range, four-wheel drive, mid-sized SUVs are becoming a thing of the past. Toyota has struck a near perfect balance of utility and comfort, although some will find the 4Runner lacking in modern appointments. Some will certainly find the styling dated. Much of what’s lacking, however, is what makes the 4Runner great. It’s a throwback to another time.
As I returned the vehicle I mentioned to Christensen that my Jeep-obsessed daughters wanted a 4Runner. Now.
Higher praise the 4Runner could not receive.
Specs
Vehicle Type: four-door, five-passenger 4X4 SUV
Drivetrain: four-liter V6 engine, five-speed automatic transmission
Power: 270 horsepower, 278 pound to feet of torque
Wheelbase: 109.8 inches
Min Ground Clearance: 9.6 inches
Cargo volume with rear seat folded: 88.8 cubic feet
Fuel tank: 23 gallons
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/20 miles per gallon
Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles bumper to bumper; five years/60,000 miles powertrain; roadside and maintenance included for two years
Price as tested: $40,414
Specs
Vehicle Type: four-door, five-passenger 4X4 SUV
Drivetrain: four-liter V6 engine, five-speed automatic transmission
Power: 270 horsepower, 278 pound to feet of torque
Wheelbase: 109.8 inches
Min Ground Clearance: 9.6 inches
Cargo volume with rear seat folded: 88.8 cubic feet
Fuel tank: 23 gallons
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/20 miles per gallon
Warranty: 3 years/36,000 miles bumper to bumper; five years/60,000 miles powertrain; roadside and maintenance included for two years
Price as tested: $40,414
