We cover the Toyota 4Runner a lot here on Hooniverse. So it was with that in mind that I decided to pile on with my review of the 2020 Toyota 4Runner Nightshade Special Edition. Because, here’s the thing – I don’t really like the Toyota 4Runner. Never have. I’ve always found it overpriced with a poor interior, bad ride quality, and mediocre styling. Let’s see if this new “special edition” changes my mind.
Background
In case you need it, here is the path that led us to the 2020 4Runner. The 4Runner dates back to the 1984 model year, but many view its predecessor as being the Toyota Trekker (1981–1983). It was a weird collaboration between Toyota and Winnebago that produced something that looked like what we now consider a 4Runner, at least in shape. The first generation N60 4Runner lasted from 1984–1989 and was mechanically identical to the Toyota Hilux. First-gen 4Runners even had two doors like a pickup truck.
The second-generation N120/N130 series was sold from 1989 through 1995 and became more similar to what we know now as the 4Runner. It looked much less like a Toyota truck with a cap on the back but it remained a compact SUV. The third generation N180 4Runner (1995–2002) saw Toyota make the move to a midsize platform and shared many of its mechanical bits with the newly minted first-gen Tacoma.
Toyota made some big moves for the fourth generation 4Runner, basing it the Land Cruiser Prado 120 series. It became bigger and a bit more rounded, with a mid-cycle refresh happening in 2005. That brings us to today. The fifth-generation, the N280, has been with us since the 2010 model year. It has shared platform bits with the FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser Prado and Lexus GX. So it’s been around for some time, just like the Tundra and a bunch of other aging Toyota models.
These cost how much?
So the 4Runner has gotten bigger, and comparatively more expensive, than most of the original generations. Let’s take a quick look at the current 2020 4Runner lineup.
So, clearly they ain’t cheap. Of note, the base SR5 starts at a cool $4,325 more than the base JL Wrangler Unlimited Sport. Not that I compare all off-roaders to the Jeep Wrangler, but I imagine many do, it’s not a bad metric. The most expensive 4-door Jeep, the Rubicon Recon, starts at $46,880, well under the price of our Nightshade Special Edition test loaner. More on that in a bit.
So just how much was our loaner 4Runner? Well, it’s shown above at $46,725, but that is for a 2WD version. Add 4WD and you’re at $48,760. Plus, our loaner came with additional options, including:
- Automatic Running Boards ($1,500)
- Leather-trimmed 50/50 split fold-flat third-row seat and sliding second row with passenger-side one-touch access to third-row seat with options ($1,365)
Of note, the 4Runner Nightshade already has leather, so this is different leather. So we’re well over $50,000. Let’s see if it’s worth it.
Inside and Out
My biggest gripe about the 4Runner has always been on the inside, so I’ll start there. I always found the 4Runner to be too basic on the inside for the price. The seats weren’t comfortable, the materials felt cheap, there just wasn’t anything I liked about it. I can say that Toyota has done an admirable job of improving things on the interior.
I went back and re-read some of my grips about previous model year 4Runners, the Limited included. A lot of them were assuaged (fixed) in this iteration (version). The seats were quite comfortable on longer drives, with nice leather and good support throughout.
There are still some oddball aspects to the 4Runner’s interior, call them “character” I guess. For example, the air-conditioning system has a decimal place, but you can only adjust the temperature by whole degree.
Also, the clock at the top of the dash was occasionally set at a different time than the one on the screen.
Those little aspects weren’t a big deal but might annoy me if I spent $50K+ on an SUV.
None of those foibles (*flaws) are near as annoying as the fact that the turn signal does not flash multiple times when you just push it once. I tested the Lexus GX recently, and that was also the case there as well (naturally, since they share a lot) and it about drove me absolutely nuts. Enduring it for another week was rough, I spent quite some time in stop-and-go DC traffic. I imagine that I just stopped signaling at some point.
Also, it really needs a motorized tailgate as a $50,000 “Limited” model. Still, it’s a vast improvement over previous 4Runners.
On the outside, I can say that this is definitely one of my favorite 4Runners. I am a sucker for the blacked-out look, and aside from the TRD PRO, this is definitely the best looking 4Runner in the lineup.
Driving
Off-road focused (themed?) SUVs are typically not amazing to drive on the road. That dichotomy (*difference) between what they are built to do vs. what they normally do has always been interesting to experience. Regardless of off-road ability, some buyers just won’t accept a rough ride. Which was my observation of previous 4Runners, they rode very rough. This one though, I was actually pretty impressed! It absorbed a lot of what DC threw at it without complaint.
Where it did complain was at the pump. Somehow it only manages 17 City/20 Highway EPA estimated MPG. I understand why a Wrangler gets poor MPG, it’s shaped like a brick (although the JL’s 3.6L gets 17/23 and the new mild-hybrid setup gets 21/23) but the 4Runner is shaped like your average crossover. I know, it’s old and heavy, I’m sure the newer generation will do a bit better. Still, it drove well and the 4.0L V6 was solid and provided adequate power in most driving situations.
The automatic headlights were neat, but mainly in back road driving. The system got surprised by errant lights and interference from buildings, houses, etc. and kept turning on and off. That’s pretty common on most systems that I’ve tested recently.
Subtitle: Kamil Was Right, Mostly
The only remaining issue is that I can still get the range-topping Wrangler Rubicon Recon, similarly equipped, for less money. The era of the Jeep having a piss-poor interior is over, or at least have risen to be on par with the 4Runner Limited. Heck, a base Rubicon is $42K and with tons of options doesn’t crest $50K (and I can get it with a manual). Even the 4Runner TRD Pro is tempting at the $50K mark.
So, it is pretty nice inside, the outside is really cool, it’s pretty good to drive, but it’s got some stiff competition. I know, there were parts of this review where it sounds like I don’t like it. But that’s actually not true. So Kamil was right when he yammers on about how good the 4Runner is. It is truly somehow more than a sum of its parts. That cliche is 100% applicable here, and I stand by it. In a sea of wimpy crossovers, the 4Runner is still pretty special. I’m just excited to see the upcoming sixth-generation 4Runner coming somewhere around 2022. By that time the new Bronco will be out and the competition will likely be even stronger!
(*these are for my editor Kamil <3)
Bonus Pics
[Disclaimer: Toyota provided this 4Runner for the purpose of this review. All images copyright William Byrd/Hooniverse 2020]
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