2020 Toyota 4Runner TRD Review by Mark Fulmer

Well Suited for Tough Terrain and Wild Weather

By Mark Fulmer
The Auto Channel

The Army Green 2020 4Runner TRD is exactly what it looks like. It's big, tough, and thoroughly capable of performing on rugged terrain and in difficult conditions. This years top trim includes: standard four-wheel drive, tires with wider grip, a new Crawl Control, a KDSS suspension upgrade, a large roof rack, and LED foglights, to name a few. The 4Runner gets its power from its 270-horsepower 4.0-liter V-6 making 278 pound-feet of torque, and a five-speed automatic transmission.

Roominess abounds. The slide-out floor in the back (nice touch) anchors a mammoth 89.7 cubic feet of cargo space. When not used for cargo I imagine that the sliding floor could also be quite practical for pregame tailgate parties and camping. For long objects or materials the useful power rear window is a big help. Passengers enjoy plenty of legroom and the 2nd row reclines way way back.

Upgraded Tech and Safety. For obssively hungry mobile devices, there are three USB ports. The 8-inch touchscreen is compatible with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. It also controls satellite radio and an 8-speaker JBL sound system. In the safety arena there is ABS and 8 air bags, and accident avoidance technologies have been added: forward collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams.

The bottom line is that the 4Runner is a rock-climbing, any-kind-of-road transport for 5-7 passengers who enjoy off road adventures, need room for equipment and supplies, and the confidence that comes with Toyota's proven toughness and reliability.