Toyota News & Reviews

Forty Years of the Toyota 4Runner

The 2023 model year Toyota 4Runner marks the 40th anniversary of the brand’s adventure-ready SUV. That calls for a celebration and Toyota is always up for a party. (So are those of us here at Napleton News!) The company is offering a four-wheel drive Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary Special Edition to mark the occasion. As you may be aware, nobody does a special edition vehicle like Toyota and U.S. buyers will have 4,040 chances to get one for themselves. That’s how you celebrate selling more than 4 million 4Runners worldwide.

The interior of the 2023 Toyota 4Runner.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary Special Edition gets its roots from the 4Runner SR5 Premium model. Colors range from Midnight Black Metallic, White and Barcelona Red Metallic with bronze 17-inch alloy wheels. The grilles of the various 4Runners will match the body colors and feature a commemorative 40th Anniversary badge on the tailgate.

But Toyota isn’t finished yet. As part of this package, the brand reaches back into its historical vault for the yellow, orange and red graphics used on the Toyota pickup truck platforms of the day.

The 40th Anniversary 4Runner in profile.

What about inside?

Toyota carries over the 40th Anniversary theme inside the 4Runner as well. Start with exclusive badging on the center console. Above that is a shifter covered with bonze-colored cross stitching for added style. Bronze seat stitching accents the black SofTex-trimmed seats. Above all of this is a standard power moonroof.

The Toyota 4Runner will be available in various trims ranging from the SR5, SR5 Premium, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, TRD Off-Road Premium, Limited and TRD Pro.

The 4Runner 40th Anniversary Badge.

TRD Off-Road and TRD Off-Road Premium models include color-keyed bumpers and overfenders, a hood scoop and other exclusive features. Add to this a silver-colored front and rear bumper accent.

Added Oomph for the Toyota 4Runner

The 40th Anniversary 2023 Toyota 4Runner.

Power for the new 2023 4Runner comes from a stout 270 horsepower 4.0-liter V6 engine making 278 lb-ft of torque. Using Toyota’s variable valve timing with intelligence (VVT-i) helps this engine optimize its torque band for faster response under varying conditions.

An ECT-i five-speed automatic transmission matches to this engine. It features a sequential gearbox in case you want to go manually. Every 4Runner includes an integrated tow hitch receiver and wiring harness. All trim levels of the 4Runner can tow up to 5,000 pounds.

The 2WD 4Runners feature 9.0 inches of ground clearance. If you select the 4×4 version, you’ll get 9.6 inches of clearance. Every half-inch counts, you know.

The 40th Anniversary 4Runner interior.

There are two types of 4×4 models of 4Runner. A part-time system uses Active Traction Control (A-TRAC) with a two-speed transfer case. The 4Runner Limited includes a full-time 4WD system with a Torsen Center Differential. It employs a 40:60 torque split which varies traction according to the degree of slippage it encounters.

On sale soon!

The complete lineup of Toyota 4Runner SUVs will arrive at dealerships shortly. Stop by Napleton Toyota as soon as possible. Quantities are limited.

This post was published on August 16, 2022

Mark Elias

I've loved everything on wheels: Trains, Planes and definitely Automobiles. I am constantly in search of the latest in new technology, which makes our lives better each day, but will always respect the classics. You can't continue forward without first taking a look back at where you've been.

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