Comparison - Toyota 4Runner Limited 2017 - vs - Toyota Highlander Hybrid Limited 2016

The last of an increasingly rare breed of truck-based SUVs, the 4Runner will take you off the beaten path like few other production vehicles. Adverse terrain is where it thrives, so if that's not where you generally tread, the Toyota Highlander is a better choice.

For 2017, the 4Runner is carried over with minimal changes. The Trail and Trail Premium are renamed TRD Off-Road and TRD Off-Road Premium, and the TRD Pro Series is available in three additional colors.

While day-to-day commuting isn't the 4Runner's forte, this midsize SUV is thoughtfully designed. Weekend excursions are what this traditional SUV does best thanks to rugged drivetrain hardware and enough ground clearance to deal with tricky off-road situations. Its cargo area is quite versatile, too, especially when equipped with the optional sliding rear cargo deck.

Pros
Serious off-road capability few other competitors can match
Variety of configurations to suit many buyers and price points
Versatile cargo area, especially with optional slide out

Cons
Choppy ride quality compared to more modern crossovers
Standard V6 is not particularly fuel-efficient
Tall step-in height makes for ungraceful entry and exit.

The 2017 Toyota 4Runner is offered in a number of trim levels, starting with the SR5, the SR5 Premium, TRD Off-Road, TRD Off-Road Premium, Limited, and TRD Pro models. All models are powered by a 4.0L 270 hp V-6 mated to a five speed automatic transmission. Maximum towing capacity on properly-equipped models is 5,000 pounds. Although similar in size to the Highlander midsize crossover, the 4Runner has a distinctly different mission in life, catering to those seeking a higher level of off-road capability. To that end, the 4Runner offers Toyota’s Crawl Control feature helping to maintain a constant speed in challenging off-road situations, regulating engine and braking force within five driver-selectable low-speed settings. The optional Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) facilitates extended wheel travel for greater off-road control and stability.

The 4Runner last received a major makeover in 2014, when it received a new and controversial front-end styling update, LED taillights, and interior revisions aimed at giving the traditional SUV a more upscale feel. Big news came in 2015 with the introduction of the TRD Pro model, joining the Tacoma and Tundra with a model specifically targeted toward off-road enthusiasts. New for 2017 are the TRD Off-Road and TRD Off-Road Premium grades. For the avid off-road enthusiast, the TRD Pro model returns for the new model year. The TRD Off-Road models offer unique interior and exterior badging, carbon fiber-look trim, and TRD red letter embroidery on the front headrests for the TRD Off-Road Premium model.

The 2017 Toyota 4Runner is a traditional body-on-frame midsize SUV related to the Tacoma midsize truck, the global Land Cruiser Prado, and U.S.-market Lexus GX. Five-passenger seating is standard, with an optional third row bringing total capacity to seven. The SUV is offered in rear- or four-wheel-drive configurations and the standard powertrain is a 4.0-liter 270 hp V-6 mated to a five-speed automatic transmission.

Pros
New TRD Pro model
Truck roots give it off-road ruggedness
Entune multimedia suite

Cons
Last-generation V-6 engine
Truckish feel and handling
Polarizing styling.