The 4Runner is one of Toyota’s most popular SUVs. It doesn’t have a massive following like the Ford Bronco, Jeep Wrangler, or even the Toyota Tacoma, but most 4Runner owners adore it. Edmunds and U.S. News both found a lot to love about the 2023 Toyota 4Runner, and both agree on the pros. 

Edmunds and U.S. News are in agreement 

There were three pros that both U.S. News and Edmunds believe helped the 4Runner stand out in its segment. These include a huge cargo hold, stellar off-road capabilities, and a long list of standard features.

The 4Runner has a square shape, which makes loading and unloading objects simpler. There are no weird angles that randomly catch on larger cargo as you’re trying to shove it in. The cargo capacity with all seats in place is 47.2 cu-ft, and this increases to 89.7 cu-ft with the seats laid down. The 4Runner also seats up to seven people.

There are also quite a few standard features, such as traffic-adaptive cruise control and forward collision mitigation, an 8.0-in infotainment display size, Android Auto/Apple CarPlay, USB connection, and a rearview camera, to name a few.

Finally, the 4Runner is designed with the great outdoors in mind. Or those that have 4WD are, anyway. It has several features such as rock rails, skip running boards, roof rack crossbars, and TRD front skid plate, which are optional for an extra fee.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner has a niche market 

The Toyota 4Runner isn’t for everyone. This has a lot to do with the fact that it doesn’t look modern. It looks focus more on catering to the off-road community rather than the daily drivers who are looking for something stylish to pull into the parking lot at work.

Many drivers who want the latest and greatest will be turned off by it because it’s not designed for modern consumers. There are still many drivers out there who don’t like the idea of the car being the one in control and will love the feeling of cruising around in a 4Runner.

It’s a throwback to old-school body-on-frame SUVs. Nowadays most SUVs are built on the same platform as cars and lack that rugged SUV feel.

It’s easy to see why the 2023 Toyota 4Runner is popular 

In a world where many drivers crave the Kia Telluride because it’s a great family vehicle or the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon because it’s the epitome of luxury, it may seem like the 4Runner would be overlooked. The 4Runner has its own sort of charm, however, and many off-roaders prefer it to more luxurious choices. You never have to worry about mud in your 4Runner because it’s designed to handle wear and tear.

It also makes a great work vehicle. The lack of a truck bed means hauling things like mulch isn’t an option, but it’s perfect for towing tools. The optional slide-out floor makes cleaning up simple.

For those who love to play hard, it’s also tough to top the 4Runner. It can haul up to 5,000 lbs, so it’s easy to bring along your ATV or small campers. Because of this, it will always have a place in the market that other vehicles are hard-pressed to fill.