2014 Toyota 4Runner Photo Gallery

The 2014 Toyota 4Runner is a member of an endangered species called the sport/utility vehicle. Confused? Let me explain. That Toyota RAV4 your neighbor is driving isn’t a real SUV. It’s a crossover vehicle, one that blends the space and styling of an SUV with the driving dynamics and fuel economy of a car. Once upon a time, the RAV4 would have been called a station wagon. But not today, of course, because that’s acceptable to people leading “active lifestyles.”

In any case, what you see here is a traditional, midsize SUV, one made for going places few other vehicles can. It is sold in SR5, Trail, and Limited trim levels, and prices range from $33,180 for a 4Runner SR5 with rear-wheel drive to about $45,000 for a 4Runner Limited with 4-wheel drive and all the upgrades.

2014 Toyota 4Runner Photo Gallery

For 2014, the Toyota 4Runner gets new front styling, new LED taillights, and new wheel designs. The SR5 and Trail models feature a more aggressive look than the Limited, which puts a more refined and elegant face on the 4Runner’s rugged capabilities.

2014 Toyota 4Runner Photo Gallery

When you’re inside of a 2014 Toyota 4Runner, almost everything is located exactly where you expect to find it and is clearly labeled as to its function. Note that most of the 4Runner’s buttons, knobs, and switchgear can be operated while wearing gloves. You do, however, need to remove them if you want to stab your fingers at the standard Entune infotainment system’s touchscreen display.

2014 Toyota 4Runner Photo Gallery

Wrapped in Redwood-colored leather, which is new for 2014, this 4Runner Limited proved exceptionally comfortable for long hours behind the steering wheel. The center console armrest is softly padded for comfort, as is the upper door panel trim. Plus, the leather-wrapped steering wheel is a genuine pleasure to grip for hours at a time.

2014 Toyota 4Runner Photo Gallery

Adults and children alike will find the 4Runner’s back seat comfortable, and kids in car seats sit up high for a good view out. Opt for the third-row seat, and it’s best used only for people who are less than 5.5 feet tall. Headroom and legroom are cramped. Plus, choosing this option means you don’t get the sliding cargo floor that comes standard in every 4Runner.

2014 Toyota 4Runner Photo Gallery

My test vehicle had the optional third-row seat, which eliminates the standard sliding cargo floor. Able to support 440 pounds, the sliding cargo floor makes it easier to load heavy items into the 4Runner, and is perfect for tailgate parties. Note how well the 4Runner’s tall cargo floor and big rear bumper make a perfect bench seat for kids while you dress them in snow gear.

2014 Toyota 4Runner Photo Gallery

Every 2014 Toyota 4Runner is equipped with a 4.0-liter V-6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 lb.-ft. of torque. Geared to feel powerful right off the line, and to take best advantage when off-roading, the 4Runner feels winded when accelerating onto a fast-moving freeway and definitely doesn’t inspire cruising speeds beyond 75 mph on a road trip. The EPA rates the 4Runner at 19 mpg in combined driving. I got 18.4 mpg, and the majority of my travel was conducted on highways leading to and from the Sierra Nevadas.

2014 Toyota 4Runner Photo Gallery

Based on historical reliability and dependability ratings from Consumer Reports and J.D. Power, the Toyota 4Runner isn’t going to break. So go ahead. Abuse it.

2014 Toyota 4Runner Photo Gallery

We’re a little mystified as to why the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) have not transferred crash-test ratings for the 2013 4Runner to the 2014 4Runner. Sure, the styling is different up front, but the vehicles are structurally identical underneath. Last year, the 4Runner received a 4-star overall rating from the NHTSA in combination with “Good” ratings from the IIHS in four out of five assessments. The IIHS did not subject last year’s 4Runner to the small overlap frontal-impact test.

2014 Toyota 4Runner Photo Gallery

If you’re looking for safety features such as a blind spot warning system, a lane departure warning system, or a forward collision warning system, let alone active versions of these technologies, the 2014 Toyota 4Runner is going to disappoint. What it does have, though, are sophisticated traction and stability control features coupled with a reversing camera. Get the Limited model, and Safety Connect service is included, which features an SOS button as well as Automatic Collision Notification.

Given the 4Runner’s off-road capabilities, that last feature really ought to be available for all models, don’t you think?

2014 Toyota 4Runner Photo Gallery

In addition to leather seats, the 2014 Toyota 4Runner Limited is equipped with an 8-way power driver’s seat, heated and ventilated front seats, a dual-zone automatic climate control system, a power sunroof, a Smart Key passive entry system with push-button starting, Entune App Suite technology, a navigation system, and a premium audio system.