After over four decades on the market and more than four million sales, Toyota designed the 4Runner 40th Anniversary SUV to celebrate. Thanks to that celebration, the 2023 Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary Special Edition has retro-inspired stripes and other trim-specific details. After spending a week driving this retro Toyota, I can confidently say that this SUV has more pros than cons. The 40th Anniversary 4Runner is a sweet and reliable ride many competitors cannot touch.

What colors are the 2023 Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary special edition?

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary comes in White, Midnight Black Metallic, and Barcelona Red Metallic. Based on the SR5 Premium trim, this limited-edition version comes with most of the features shoppers seek. Driving the 2023 4Runner for a few days proved there isn’t much this SUV doesn’t deliver.

Toyota received some flack for not redesigning the 4Runner for 2023, but it retains all of the charm from previous years. The automaker has been hard at work redesigning other trucks and SUVs, and this one patiently awaits a revamp. For now, the 4Runner 40th Anniversary starts at $47,720 and comes pretty well-equipped from the factory.

To that point, the 40th Anniversary Edition stands out among the other 4Runners in the crowd. The stripes help set it apart, and the bronze 17-inch alloy wheels nicely match the new color scheme. While many colors are offered for the other trim levels, the bronze wheels are reserved for the anniversary trim. Toyota used the same tri-color stripes found on its old off-road trucks and SUVs, which elicited quite a response from other drivers. The heritage-inspired graphics turn heads even if you were not there to see those glory days in person.

Tech on the Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary is easy to use

The technology isn’t overwhelming when you enter the 2023 Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary. It is nice to see some real knobs and buttons. The volume and air conditioning are controlled by real knobs, which makes it easy to adjust without taking your eyes off the road.

The standard eight-inch touchscreen is easy to use with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Toyota’s screen is clear and responsive. A Panoramic View Monitor (PVM) uses front, side, and rear cameras to better view everything around the SUV. This feature is available on some trims but not included on all. Those other trim levels and MSRPs are below.

The lack of an updated interior is a sore spot for some fans of the SUV, but it didn’t feel that way during our time driving it. More often than not, getting into a new vehicle can feel overwhelming to try and change settings. Toyota might not have updated the interior, but it did not register as a negative during testing. Most of the technology is along the lines of a tried-and-true situation over a modern take on things.

Making a limited edition 4Runner only adds value

There will only be 4,040 2023 Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary editions made. That might not seem like a lot now, but it certainly won’t seem like a lot in 10 years. If Toyota redesigns the 4Runner for 2024, this limited edition version will likely hold value well over time. The fifth-generation 4Runner has been on the market for many years, but none of the other options can be mistaken for this LE version. SUVs like the 4Runner and the Sequoia hold onto value well, and the limited edition versions tend to be good long-term purchases. It is unlikely the 4Runner will lose its large fan base anytime soon.

Just because the 4Runner is not redesigned for this year does not negate the fact that this SUV has a long and proven history of reliability. The infotainment system is simple, and the technology is too. Some people prefer that these days to fully automated touch screens, and the case of the disappearing knobs is not cause for concern.

With more than four million Toyota 4Runner sold in its time on the market, there are many things the Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary gets right. In a time where drivers value reliability over most other attributes, there is a reason this automaker continues to create new fans.