It’s quite astonishing, but the Toyota 4Runner is celebrating an impressive 40 years on the road this year. To commemorate this milestone, Toyota has introduced the 4Runner 40th Anniversary special edition, which integrates vintage design elements inspired by the original 1980s 4Runner model.
The 40th Anniversary 4Runner is a variation of the standard 4Runner, which has not seen a complete overhaul in more than a decade. This distinguishes the 4Runner from its rivals, given that Toyota has only made minor enhancements to this model over the past 14 years.
In contrast to many SUVs, the 4Runner is constructed on a chassis based on trucks, affording the essential ground clearance for off-road escapades. While the 4Runner excels on trails, it can feel somewhat rugged on paved surfaces.
The 40th Anniversary 4Runner special edition is centered around the SR5 Premium trim level, showcasing bronze 17-inch wheels, a TOYOTA legacy grille, distinctive badges, and vintage yellow, orange, and red decals. It comes in black, red, or white, with Toyota intending to manufacture only 4,040 units.
While the 40th Anniversary 4Runner displays a retro design, it also encapsulates the sentimental driving encounter connected with the 4Runner. Carrying the same ancestry as the 2004-2015 Tacoma, the present generation 4Runner indeed embodies its maturity.
Powering the 4Runner is a 4.0-liter V6 engine delivering 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, paired with an outdated 5-speed automatic transmission. The traditional V6 feels rough, necessitating a bit of patience to propel the 4Runner.
The supple suspension leads to excessive nosedive, the brakes could use enhancement, and the steering lacks responsiveness while seeming excessively light.
Internally, the 4Runner’s cockpit radiates a vintage ambiance with its sizable rotary knobs, 8-inch touchscreen, and obsolete gauge cluster.
Despite these shortcomings, the 4Runner remains a top-selling model for Toyota, flaunting a devoted fan base and esteemed dependability. The imminent launch of a new 4Runner, founded on the same framework as the 2024 Tacoma, brings captivating prospects for the future.
Image Source: Roman Chekhovskoi @ Shutterstock