AUTOS assitieds A Legitimate Difference Toyota 4Runner Is a Real SUV in a World of Less Capable Crossovers By Derek Price Pricing Sor the 4bunner starts at S31,910 for the base SRS trim. The TRD Of Road here's someching to be said for conmrast, and the Toyota Banner defininely peovides that on the shomroon floor The Limited trim with a luxurious chrorse look starts at $43,225, while the glorious, aggressive TRD Pro tops the Parked next to Toyota's more refined and freshly designed Highlander, the unner oters a ddramatie lesson on the di Terence between I990s-style SUVs and today's wildly popular crossovers For people who want or need a real TOYOTA What was tested? 2019 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro $46,415). Options: Running -with both the capability and drawbacks that entaisthe 4hanner oflers buyers a choice that many brands Designed rst and foremost tor oft-road driving, the 4Ranne feels heavy, haage and tall People who ards ($345). paint protection film ($395), hitch ball mount $60). Price as tested (indluding $1,045 destination charge): and high seating position that you climb Wheelbase: 109.8 in Length: 191.3 in. Width: 75.8 Height: Engine: 4.0-iter V6 (270 hp, into, making every drve feel a bit Compared to the Highlander which drives moce like a big Camry sedan, it's a night-and-day diflerence. My lavorite flavor o4 4Runner, the made-for-trails TRD Pro, gets a noticcable upgrade this year that Transmission: Five-speed ALNNER system and a skid plate with big, bo SUV feels and looks like it could conquer any trail I was pleasantly surpeised at just how obwiously not designed to l comfortable the Fox shocks fell en my commuter cas, I was expecting this TRD Pro test vehicle. Whie it's still tler, roughet ride more like the ciy and 20 on the highway. At a time of TRD Pros of the past. Bun just lke they lowas prices, both now and in the do in the incredible Ford Raptor pickup 1990s, that's not such a big deal, but i the intemal hypass shocks manage to will be more painful every time pcs Style: 10 soak tap potholes and bumps impressively well while also deliveringThe Runner also bas an interior good control and traction off the RATINGS meanest olf-road grade to have a that shows its age. A small digital screen feels odd in such a big vehicle Handling: 5 Vhile my test vehicle was not cheap in contemporary America, and ringing up at nearly $50,000, it also feli plastics and overall blocky design ae a bargain compared to luxury of don't match the sleekes, soft-touch roadets. The new TRD Pro's mixturecabins that are available today. If of a siper-smooth ride and extreme traction reminded me of the Ranuge you can overlook that, the layout is ite smat arl useul, inchiding a side-out floor and band and are simple to gral Rover and Toyotas pricey Land Cruiser. buge cargo area with an optional both of which start wel over 580,000, albcit with much fancier cahins and control knobs that feel becfy in W u it Designed to withstand brutal off-road conditions, the 4Runner offers real SUV capability with Sull, there's a reason car-like crossovers such as the Ilighlander understand If you beleve as I do, that funetion should dietate form, you a surprisingly smooth outsell traditional, tnuck-based Ss he the 4Runner by a wide margin There are some meaningfd duwasides New Fox internal bypass Also netw for 2019 is a Nightshade shocks on the TRD Pro are EditionRunner with blacked-out The 4Runner's high seating position provides good visibility and makes climbing in and out an adventure t the top of the list is whedls and trim for a mose custom ry impressive on and off