By: Krish Persaud
January 24, 2023
Toyota has never shied away from the SUV market and has consistently created products that are appealing to a wide audience. The CH-R, Corolla Cross, RAV4, Venza, Highlander, 4Runner, and Sequoia are all for sale on this side of the Atlantic.
This week, we’ll concentrate on the 4Runner. Thanks to Toyota Canada, we were able to spend a week behind the wheel of a 2022 Toyota 4Runner with the TRD Sport package.
Our 2022 Toyota 4Runner TRD Sport test vehicle is finished in Magnetic Grey Metallic. The TRD Sport package also borrows 20-inch alloy wheels and bumpers from the Limited trim. LED fog lamps, LED headlamps, LED tail lamps, TRD Sport badging, a power slide and tilt moonroof, hood scoop, an eight-speaker sound system, and an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system are found in this SUV as well.
A 4.0-liter V-6 engine with a 5-speed automatic transmission producing 270 horsepower and 278 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,400RPM powers the 4Runner. We aren’t grumbling despite the 5-speed’s unquestionable disadvantage in terms of significant fuel savings because it has power on demand. It takes 7.6 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 96 km/h, in case you were curious. The 4Runner exhibits no signs of struggle during any acceleration and feels strong throughout.
The TRD Sport trim was created to add comfort without sacrificing off-road capability. This is achieved by adding the X-REAS Sport Enhancement Suspension. With the engine humming along at 2,000RPM on the highway, we have no complaints as it is nimble and offers a balanced ride in all conditions.. With a few turns of the dial, the 4Runner can be placed in 2-high, 4-high, or 4-low. The hydraulic steering was always predictable, and the on-center feel met our expectations.
The eight-inch touchscreen infotainment display in the 4Runner appears dated, but it is common across the majority of the Toyota lineup. You can easily integrate Apple CarPlay and Android Auto by connecting your device with a USB cable. With an abundance of buttons and knobs, it is simple to control important components such as the climate and sound system. The eight-speaker system performs its intended function, but the low frequencies are not adequately reproduced by it.
The ride is extremely comfortable for short or long drives thanks to the power-adjustable, black SofTex-trimmed front seats with ample support and bolstering. Despite the fact that the 4Runner is slightly higher off the ground, the seating position does have a more car-like feel to it. While there is adequate legroom in the back, it is not advisable fitting three grown adults back there. There is up to 1,337 litres of cargo space available in the 4Runner, and it also has the capability of towing up to 5,000 pounds.
There are many different 4Runner trim levels available, with prices starting at $47,550 for the base “Trail” model, $50,570 for the “Standard” model, $53,780 for the “TRD Sport” model we tested, $53,780 for the “TRD Offroad, “Limited” at $$54,970, and $65,550 for the top-of-the-line “TRD Pro” model. These prices do not include the cost of destination, taxes, and fees.
According to Natural Resources Canada, the expected fuel economy of the 4Runner is 14.8L/100km in the city, 12.5L/100km on the highway, and 13.8L/100km combined. During our 600-kilometer journey over the course of a week, we recorded a marginally better combined fuel efficiency of 13.5L/100km. The 87-litre fuel tank should be filled with 87-octane fuel.
The 5th generation 4Runner has held up well even after being on the market for more than ten years. The 4Runner has received some necessary technical updates and suspension adjustments over the years, proving that not all vehicles require a complete makeover. The body-on-frame mid-size SUV distinguishes itself from rivals like the Jeep Wrangler, Ford Bronco, and Nissan Pathfinder, and we thoroughly enjoy the 4Runner just the way it is.
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