It’s one of the most popular SUVs in the world, but its tried-and-true formula is getting a little long in the tooth. Its redesign is due in the coming years, so in 2023 Toyota decided to herald the aging 4Runner generation with a bang. Celebration comes in the form of the 40th Anniversary Edition, which adds a bit of old-school flare. Let’s take a closer look at what makes it so special.
2023 Toyota 4Runner 40y The Anniversary Edition is age appropriate
When the 4Runner first hit the car market, “Star Wars: Return of the Jedi” was the highest-grossing movie in America. The year was 1984, and the 4Runner was a modified version of the Hilux pickup truck. According to 4Runner, “It was based on the two-door van, and a fiberglass shell covered the bed, the rear seats were installed, and upholstery was added to make it more comfortable.”
. For the unaware, the SR5 Premium is the third trim level in the 4Runner lineup and offers enough tech features and amenities to satisfy most passengers without too many frills.
Some of the highlights of the SR5 Premium include:
- Softex leather upholstery
- Blind Spot Monitors with Rear Cross Traffic Alert
- Heated front seats
- Electric sunroof
- Intelligent key system with push-button start
- The steering wheel is heated
Under the hood is the same 4.0-liter V6 he’s had for over 10 years. That’s not a bad thing, as this engine has proven to be reliable “bulletproof” and delivers plenty of power for on and off road driving. The V6 engine makes 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, which is enough to tow a 5,000-lb.
How 4Runner 40y Anniversary campaign?
We had the pleasure of driving this version of the Toyota 4Runner and can say that it runs really well. Our main gripe is that it accelerates slowly and the brakes aren’t as firm as we’d like. Still, the 4Runner is comfortable on the road and pushes smoothly once you get started.
There’s also plenty of interior space in the first and second rows, and although it lacks some amenities like automatic climate control, we can forgive it for that. This SUV is a good mix of old and new school tech, which is refreshing in an age when retina and fingerprint scanners in cars are a thing.
Ultimately, we recommend 40y Anniversary runner 4 if you are fond of heritage badges and bold badges. But if you’re not, save your $5,000 and spend about $42,000 on an SR5 Premium.
Other than that, this special edition is a great way for Toyota to welcome a new era. We are sure that the next generation will be just as successful.
