2014 Toyota 4Runner

The 2014 Toyota 4Runner is offered in a total of five trim levels. The powertrain option remains standard across the trim levels and the SUV gets two drivetrain options- RWD and 4WD. Right from the base trim, the SUV comes with a handsome list of features and justifies the price tag. Since all the trims get adequate features and equipment according to the price, there are only a handful of optional extras to go for. Some of the excellent standard features of the base SR5 trim include a windshield wiper de-icer, a six-way power driver seat, 40/20/40-split-folding rear seats with reclining function, and an eight-speaker audio system with a touchscreen interface. For serious off-roading, the Trail trim can be equipped with the optional Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System and it enhances the experience with improved wheel articulation over boulders and steep grooves.

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We would suggest the base SR5 trim with the 4WD layout if you’re on a budget constraint. The Trail and Trail Premium trims are best suited for serious off-roading. The top-end Limited trim would be the best option for those who seek premium features along with some serious off-roading capabilities.

The 2014 Toyota 4Runner is powered by a standard 4.0-liter 1GR-FE V6 motor and also employs Toyota’s impressive Dual VVT-i tech to improve fuel efficiency and performance. The motor is capable of producing a maximum of 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of maximum torque. The powertrain proves to be a perfect match to the SUV since it never feels strained or out of breath while on duty even under full load. The engine is mated to a standard 5-speed automatic transmission and it does a good job of managing all the power from the motor efficiently and effectively. The RWD layout is best for towing while the 4WD is appropriate for off-roading and regular driving as well. The stiff suspension setup does make the SUV move around quite much on day-to-day driving scenarios but has a nearly unmatched off-road prowess when compared to the segment rivals. The SUV also takes care of the serious off-road enthusiasts out there and offers an optional Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System with the Trail trim for superior off-roading performance. The 0-60mph sprint time and the quarter-mile time are decent for the segment.

The Ford Explorer gets a more powerful but smaller 3.5-liter V6 powertrain and can tow 300lbs more than the 4Runner but has similar acceleration times to the latter. The Jeep Grand Cherokee generates similar horsepower and slightly more torque than the Explorer but impresses with its segment-leading 6,200lbs of towing capacity. The Dodge Durango shares the same powertrain with the Grand Cherokee hence has identical power and torque figures but a lower tow rating.

SUVs offering some impressive off-roading capabilities and housing sizable powertrains of V configuration are not quite synonymous with fuel efficiency. The 2014 Toyota 4Runner gas mileage ratings are decent as compared to the segment rivals. It returns 17mpg within the city limits, 22mpg out on the highways, and combined mileage of 19mpg. With a big 23-gallon gas tank, the SUV offers some decent driving range numbers as well.

The Ford Explorer has identical city mileage to the 4Runner but better highway and combined mileage figures. But it falls short in terms of driving range since it gets a much smaller 18.6 gallons gas tank. The Jeep Grand Cherokee truly impresses with its fuel economy ratings as well as driving range numbers owing to its sizable 24 gallons gas tank. The Dodge Durango shares its mechanicals with the Grand Cherokee but delivers 1mpg more city mileage than the latter.

The 2014 Toyota 4Runner interior is a decent place to be in. Even though there is an abundance of hard plastics all over the cabin even in the top-end Limited trim, the overall build quality is excellent. The base trim might feel too barebones with the cloth upholstery, the SofTex vinyl upholstery offered from the SR5 premium trim feels quite good and upscale. The heating and power-adjustment functions for the front seats also enhance the experience to a great extent. The top-end Limited trim gets perforated leather upholstery and dual-zone climate control feature among other premium techs which lets you venture off the roads without compromising much on the comfort levels. The design of the dashboard is simple and straightforward with neatly placed controls. The analog gauge cluster is easy to read. The rear seats offer decent comfort levels with a reclining function and adequate headroom along with decent legroom. The optional third-row seats are too small and cramped even for average-sized adults. The cargo capacity on offer is quite impressive, however.

The Ford Explorer has segment-leading space inside its cabin and the comfort levels are far greater than what the 4Runner manages to offer. The cabin also feels more premium with a more modern design than the 4Runner but falls short in terms of overall cargo capacity. The Jeep Grand Cherokee has a spacious, comfortable, and practical cabin with an overall better design and feels than the 4Runner’s cabin. The Dodge Durango interior has some styling and design similarities to the Grand Cherokee’s cabin but has a rather disappointing cargo capacity with all the seats upright.

Some interior features:

• 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat with power lumbar support
• Heated and Ventilated Front Seats
• 40-20-40 Folding Split-Bench Rear Seat
• Leather Seat Trim
• Leather Steering Wheel
• Dual-zone climate control

How intuitive is the 2014 Toyota 4Runner’s infotainment unit?

The 2014 Toyota 4Runner comes with a standard 6.1-inch touchscreen infotainment display running on Toyota’s Entune system. The display is bright and shows crisp images along with offering a good touch response. The menu items are neatly laid out but setting up the system can be quite cumbersome sometimes. The system offers a handsome list of features right from the base trim level which includes Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, Entune suite of smartphone apps, and a CD player among other features.

Some infotainment features are:

• 6.1-inch touchscreen Entune Multimedia infotainment system
• 8-speaker audio system
• HD Radio and SiriusXM Satellite Radio 
• Advanced voice recognition
• Bluetooth wireless music streaming and hands-free telephone controls

The 2014 Toyota 4Runner exterior gets a proper SUV design with an intimidating road presence as compared to the segment rivals. It also looks more rugged than most of its rivals and suits its personality perfectly. It gets a bold and aggressive front fascia with tasteful chrome details. The side profile looks neat with no unnecessary design bits while the rear end looks appealing with compact taillight units and a decent tailgate design. The off-road specific trims look more rugged with the specific exterior styling cues. The towering 9.0-inch of ground clearance is almost unmatched in the segment and gives the 4Runner an edge over most of its rivals too.

The Ford Explorer has more toned-down and classy design language as opposed to the intimidating 4Runner and offers the least ground clearance too, making it an ideal urban SUV. The Jeep Grand Cherokee gets a traditional Jeep design at the front with a proper SUV design like the 4Runner and also offers an excellent 8.6-inch of ground clearance as well. The Dodge Durango, much like the Ford Explorer, is ideal for urban uses mostly since it has the longest wheelbase, making it a bit unfit for senior off-roading unlike the 4Runner or the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Some exterior features are:

• Fully Automatic Projector Beam Halogen Headlamps
• LED Brakelights
• Powered and Heated Side Mirrors
• Power Tilt & Slide Moonroof w/Sunshade
• Roof Rack Rails
• 20-inch Unique Dual 6-Spoke Alloy wheels with all-season tires

Toyota has always equipped its vehicles with a handsome list of safety techs and the 4Runner is not an exception. The 2014 4Runner comes with a decent 4-star rating from the NHTSA and an overall “Good” rating from the IIHS too. Some of the standard safety techs include stability and traction control, A-TRAC(4WD only), and a rearview camera.

Some standout safety techs are:

• Electronic Stability Control (ESC) And Driveline Traction Control
• Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Front, Knee and Seat-Mounted Side Airbags
• Curtain 1st And 2nd Row Airbags
• A-Trac
• Safety Connect Emergency SOS(Limited trim only)
• Front And Rear Parking Sensors

The Toyota 4Runner got even more enticing to the off-road enthusiasts with the facelift for the 2014 model year. The SUV might fall short in some areas when compared to the rivals such as ride comfort and interior but it has an unmatched exterior styling along with superior off-roading capability too. The SUV also gets some serious off-roading techs as optional extras that dial up the experience further. Overall, this utility vehicle is a must-have if you’re a die-hard fan of off-roading and wouldn’t mind splashing through waist-deep mud and slush.