2014 Toyota 4Runner review

1. Feature-rich trims 

Toyota packed the 2014 4Runner full of features to please. The SR5 trim has projector beam headlights, air conditioning, a power rear liftgate window, a rearview camera, and cruise control. The SR5 Premium trim adds a power sunroof and heated front seats. On top of the SR5 trim’s features, the Trail adds body-color details and electronic off-road controls. The Trail Premium trim adds the features from the SR5 Premium trim on top of these. Highlights of the Limited trim include 20-inch alloy wheels, adaptive suspension, and keyless entry. 

2. Rugged looks 

The Toyota 4Runner is updated for 2014 with new styling — the redesigned front fascia with the new front grille and smoked headlights make the 4Runner more distinctive. The SR5 and Trail trims have a color-keyed grille insert and foglights, while the Limited trim has a chrome grille insert and front bumper. All trims have LED rear tail lights and a roof rack. If you really want to stand out, choose one of the new Barcelona Red Metallic or Nautical Blue Metallic paint colors. 

3. Off-road ability 

The Toyota 4Runner’s dual personality as a spacious road-going family hauler or capable crag-hopper comes alive when you take it off-road. Whether traversing mountain trails, or riding uneven surfaces, the 9.6 inches of ground clearance, and standard part-time 4WD and locking rear differential of the Trail and Trail Premium trims let you go almost anywhere. The SR5, SR5 Premium, and Limited all have 4x2 rear-wheel drive, which is great for on-road exploits. Available part-time 4WD (SR5 and SR5 Premium) or full-time 4WD and locking center differential (Limited), give you added confidence should the going get unexpectedly bumpy. 

4. Entertainment to enthrall 

There is onboard entertainment to keep kids big and small happy in the 4Runner. A 6.1-inch color touchscreen is standard on all trims, along with the eight-speaker Toyota Entune^™ integrated audio system with Bluetooth^® connectivity, HD Radio^®, and USB port. The SR5 Premium and Trail Premium trims add Entune^™ smartphone services and navigation.

5. Space to spare 

The Toyota 4Runner has five seats, but if you need to take the kids and their friends to the skate park or the campsite, choose the available third-row seats on SR5, SR5 Premium, and Limited trims. If it’s cargo and not people you need to carry, there is 47.2 cu-ft of luggage space behind the second-row seats. Fold them down to reveal 89.7 cu-ft of luggage capacity, the 40/20/40 split-fold function giving you added flexibility when you have both cargo and passengers. If you need to haul extra gear, the 4.0L 270-hp V6 engine of the 4Runner can tow an estimated 4,700 lbs, when properly equipped.