2018 Toyota 4Runner Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byCarlos LagoCarlos Lago has worked in the automotive industry since 2008. Along with an extensive background in performance testing and evaluation, he has produced hundreds of car-related articles and videos.

　　

What's new

The 4Runner is essentially unchanged for 2018Part of the fifth 4Runner generation introduced for 2010

　　The Toyota 4Runner is an SUV in the traditional sense, with a body-on-frame construction and a solid rear axle like a pickup truck. It is one of the last SUVs built this way, giving it the rugged capability that made this type of vehicle attractive in the first place.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2018 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$202/mo  for 4Runner SR5

　　4Runner SR5

　　SR5 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A) - $34,810 MSRPSR5 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A) - $36,685 MSRPSR5 Premium 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A) - $36,640 MSRPSR5 Premium 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A) (Most Popular) - $38,515 MSRPTRD OFF-ROAD 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A) - $37,985 MSRPTRD OFF-ROAD Premium 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A) - $39,895 MSRPTRD PRO 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A) - $43,075 MSRPLimited 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A) - $43,125 MSRPLimited 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A) - $45,160 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　While serviceable as a daily driver, the 4Runner is home on adverse terrain. Off-road prowess comes from its high ground clearance and available hardware such as a locking rear differential, low-range gearing and Toyota's trick Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS). The latter consists of special stabilizer bars that automatically adjust to allow for greater wheel travel (and therefore traction) in off-road driving situations.

　　An available third row expands seating capacity to seven at the expense of some cargo space and versatility. But really, don't get a 4Runner if all you need is a mall crawler or family taxi. In that case, there are better choices, including Toyota's Highlander. But the 4Runner is one of the few vehicles left from the traditional SUV mold, and that's something to appreciate if you need a vehicle for frequent off-road weekend excursions.

　　Notably, we picked the 2018 4Runner as one of zzdcar' Best Midsize SUVs for 2018.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

7.2 / 10

　　The 2018 Toyota 4Runner favors the kind of terrain you won't find in a shopping mall parking lot. This truck-based SUV has all the hardware you'll need for off-road adventures. But those looking for daily-driver civility will find more comfortable and technologically superior solutions elsewhere.

　　

Trim tested

　　Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions, although trim levels share many aspects. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the 2018 Toyota 4Runner Limited(4.0L V6 | 5-speed automatic | 4WD).

　　

Scorecard

Overall	7.2 / 10
Driving	7.5
Comfort	7.0
Interior	7.0
Utility	7.5
Technology	6.0

　　

Driving

7.5

　　The 4Runner accelerates with authority, with no ropey lag inherent in smaller engines with fuel-thrifty transmissions. This V6 is stout, and the five-speed keeps it in the power. The 4Runner is practically the last one standing for midsize 4x4 SUVs with real off-road capability and rugged sensibility.

　　

Acceleration

7.0

　　The 4Runner exhibits surprisingly smooth, linear and powerful acceleration. Tall gearing and five speeds keep it in the powerband longer, unlike many of today's crossovers that shift to highest gears as quickly as possible. There's no insufferable lag, just ample thrust. It's not fast, but the V6 is surprisingly strong.

　　

Braking

6.0

　　The brake pedal has a nebulous feel through two-thirds of the pedal travel, so drivers might need some time to get accustomed to pedal feel for consistently smooth stops. Plenty of stopping power remains in the last third of the pedal travel. There's an abundance of nosedive in emergency stops.

　　

Steering

7.0

　　Similar to the brakes, not a lot of real feel comes through the wheel, but the truck responds quickly and accurately. Steering effort is a bit heavy at higher speeds, but it's not fatiguing. At low speeds, it offers an appropriate amount of assist.

　　

Handling

7.0

　　The 4Runner is surprisingly stable, even in tight, short turns. Body roll isn't excessive. Controlling it requires deliberate easing off throttle, braking, settling, then stabbing the throttle midcorner. The Limited-specific suspension system is at work here, trying its best to make the 4Runner feel slightly luxurious.

　　

Drivability

7.5

　　Smooth throttle delivery and seamless shifting make the 4Runner feel less like a truck and more like a crossover, but it's not quite either. The transmission's five available gears enable the driver to wring maximum thrust from the six-cylinder engine, but additional gears would be better in the name of fuel economy.

　　

Off-road

9.0

　　The 4Runner excels off-road, but the Limited model is the least capable due to its 20-inch wheels and low-hanging front fascia. SR5 and TRD models have superior chin clearance and better-suited wheels and tires. The TRD Off-Road trim has a lockable rear diff, and it's the only one with available disconnecting stabilizer bars.

　　

Comfort

7.0

　　The Toyota 4Runner Limited offers a reasonable mix of comfort that's consistent with its overall mission and truck-based roots. It's not as cushy as today's typical crossovers, but few looking for this kind of rugged capability will take exception to that.

　　

Seat comfort

7.0

　　The broad cushions and seatbacks offer a wide surface area for long-distance comfort, although lumbar support feels overly firm. With the optional third-row seating package, the second-row seats can slide and recline, but the third row is for kids only or short trips with average-size adults.

　　

Ride comfort

6.5

　　The ride is not quite crossover-smooth, but it's not truck-brutish either. It bounces around on crummy pavement. But if you've driven trucks and can tolerate the kind of vibrations and jostling that can creep into a truck's ride, you'll find the 4Runner more than acceptable because it rides better than a pickup.

　　

Noise & vibration

7.0

　　The isolation of road noise is good most of the time, but the squarish shape isn't particularly adept at quelling wind noise. It's not unreasonable or out of place here, though.

　　

Climate control

7.0

　　If you can get past that the controls look like they're from a Tonka set, they're otherwise large and easy to use. The climate system works swiftly and without delay, too. That's a big ask since the cabin is quite large, but front passengers get relief in two minutes or less. The seat cooling fans are noisy.

　　

Interior

7.0

　　The interior is a schizophrenic mishmash of materials. On the dash is a piece of faux dark walnut capped by silver spray-painted plastic trim. The gauges look pulled from a mid-2000s Toyota Matrix. The design appears genuinely confused about whether it's a nice crossover or a rugged truck. But the leather upholstery looks nice.

　　

Ease of use

7.5

　　The switchgear is big, logical and easy to use, but it looks ancient in 2018. This stuff looked dated in 2008. The infotainment screen is laughably small, too.

　　

Getting in/getting out

6.5

　　This off-road-biased 4x4 naturally comes with a higher step-up height relative to standard crossovers. Access to the front and rear is similar, but grab handles make it easier to gain leverage on entry. Shorter drivers will need to learn to spring up into the seats. The doors open nice and wide.

　　

Driving position

7.0

　　The driving position is better and more natural than in previous generations. The 4Runner offers all the command of a crossover with all the off-road chops of a mountain goat. Drivers of all sizes will be able to find a good position, although adjustable pedals would be a nice addition.

　　

Roominess

7.0

　　There's plenty of front head- and legroom for tall passengers, although the Limited trim's sunroof consumes some headroom. The back has plenty of headroom but a bit less legroom. But the sliding and reclining rear seats should help even 6-foot-tall passengers find a comfy setting.

　　

Visibility

7.5

　　It's surprisingly easy to see over the hood and toward the front corners, perhaps due to the simple and boxy design. There's good visibility out the back window, further enhanced by a backup camera. The rear quarters have the usual SUV blind spots, but a fairly level sightline out the sides offers good around-view visibility.

　　

Quality

8.5

　　The 4Runner has tight gaps outside and an attractive interior. The leather upholstery looks good and should hold up over the long haul, even if it spends most of its time off-roading.

　　

Utility

7.5

　　This is why you buy the 4Runner: loads of room and a clean, squared-off shape to enhance cargo capacity and cabin usefulness, along with off-road build quality and capability. Load up the 4Runner with outdoor gear, pets, clothes, duffel bags and go. That's part of this SUV's primary appeal.

　　

Small-item storage

6.5

　　For such a roomy cabin, there's not a lot of places to stash personal items. The door pockets can hold a slim water bottle and some smaller, flat items. The center console is deep and wide enough for a cluster of wallets, phones, keys, small items, and maybe an iPad Mini. You'll be hunting for stash spaces.

　　

Cargo space

8.0

　　The rear seatbacks fold flat, and it's easy to pack the sizable cargo hold (88.8 cubic feet with seats down; 46.3 cubic feet with seats up) because of its squarish shape. Car campers will love it since it's easy to stretch out a couple of sleeping bags in the back. The cargo floor is almost but not quite flat.

　　

Child safety seat accommodation

8.0

　　A leather flap backed with Velcro covers the LATCH anchors, but it's easy to pull back and access them. Three tethers are located behind each rear seat. The roomy second row can accommodate car seats in any of the three positions, even bulkier rear-facing models. The square door openings make for easy access.

　　

Towing

7.0

　　There's 5,000 pounds of towing capacity, a useful figure that covers most boats and many small camping trailers. The 4Runner doesn't offer a factory electric trailer brake controller, though. You'll have to go aftermarket to add that capability.

　　

Technology

6.0

　　The infotainment system falls flat. Far better systems are available in Toyota's passenger cars, so there's no excuse for cheaping out on the 4Runner. Functionality is just OK. The system looks dated, feels dated and is dated, which could be a real deal-breaker, especially with better infotainment available in competitors.

　　

Audio & navigation

6.5

　　The navigation system is basic. Most smartphone-based nav apps are more powerful and sophisticated. The 6-inch display is small enough to make you wonder why Toyota bothered. The JBL audio system is decent but lacks power and volume.

　　

Smartphone integration

6.0

　　There's no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, just Toyota's basic Entune app suite. USB and Bluetooth audio/phone connections are here, though, and offer a suitable workaround to the clunky Entune interface.

　　

Driver aids

6.0

　　There's a surprising lack of common driver aids such as blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking sensors or automatic emergency braking. This 4Runner does truly keep it old-school.

　　

Voice control

6.0

　　The rudimentary controls require very specific syntax and speech patterns. Most drivers will have better luck using the voice assistants on their phones.

　　

Which 4Runner does zzdcar recommend?

　　Because the value of the 4Runner lies predominantly in its off-road capabilities, we recommend the TRD Off-Road Premium. This trim gives access to important hardware including the locking rear differential and KDSS, the latter of which improves all areas of the 4Runner's skill set. The Premium part of that name means it has comfort features, including heated front seats, easy-clean vinyl upholstery, heated power outside mirrors and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

　　

2018 Toyota 4Runner models

　　The 2018 Toyota 4Runner is a midsize SUV available in six trim levels: SR5, SR5 Premium, TRD Off-Road, TRD Off-Road Premium, TRD Pro and Limited. All share the same 4.0-liter V6 (270 horsepower, 278 pound-feet of torque), five-speed automatic transmission and 5,000-pound tow rating. SR5 and Limited models are available in rear-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive configurations and two- or three-row seating configurations. The remaining trim levels are 4WD-only and seat five. A low-range transfer case comes on 4WD versions of the SR5, TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro trim levels.

　　The SR5 is the base model but it's not bare-bones. Standard features includes skid plates, foglights, a rearview camera, a power liftgate (includes a power rear window), 17-inch wheels, keyless entry, power-adjustable front seats, 40/20/40-split reclining and folding second-row seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, and a 120-volt power outlet in the rear cargo area. The standard infotainment system boasts a 6.1-inch touchscreen, eight speakers, a USB port and satellite radio.

　　Stepping up to TRD Off-Road adds a locking rear differential, 17-inch wheels that are 0.5 inch wider than the SR5's, and a crawl control function. The interior wears additional TRD badging, and the overhead console gains switches for controlling off-road settings. The KDSS feature is optional.

　　Premium variants of the SR5 and TRD Off-Road get power-adjustable and heated outside mirrors, simulated leather upholstery, heated front seats, navigation, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.

　　Serious off-roaders should consider the TRD Pro, which starts with the TRD Off-Road Premium and adds revised front springs, Bilstein dampers with rear remote reservoirs, special all-terrain tires and a front skid plate.

　　Limited models top the 4Runner range and are more luxury oriented. These models get a Torsen locking center differential (4x4 models only), a separate suspension system Toyota calls X-REAS that's designed to reduce roll without adversely affecting ride quality, plus a host of features to make it better suited to on-pavement use: 20-inch wheels, a sunroof, dual-zone climate control, parking sensors, leather seat upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, and a 15-speaker JBL audio system. Power-deploying running boards are optional.

　　zzdcar Latest Toyota 4Runner News

　　zzdcar Top Rated 2024: These Cars, Trucks and SUVs Won Our Highest Honor

　　

2018 4Runner Highlights

Trim: SR5SR5 PremiumTRD OFF-ROADTRD OFF-ROAD PremiumTRD PROLimitedSR5

　　

Base MSRP	$34,810
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	18 MPG
Cost to Drive	$202/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	47.2 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles