Toyota 4Runner 4x4 TRD Pro (2015)

Test Drive Notes Library

Pros
This thing looks bad --s.  It looks like it could go absolutely anywhere.  Some Africans who saw it described it as a “Chief’s car.”  Our test car looked particularly good in white, with black wheels. Think Tonka. Brings out the eight-year-old boy in most grown men.  Looks even better when it’s dirty.
It actually does go anywhere. Part of our test happened to include a very steep, potholed dirt road, heading down to a river, with the car loaded with people and belongings. Other cars couldn’t do it, but the 4Runner went down and back with no problem — it even backed up the hill one time.  
Using the electronics that already work the stability control and ABS systems, Toyota has added several, electronically controlled off-road modes that make this thing even more unstoppable.  We never had to use them, because even in basic, 4WD-high, the 4Runner never faltered.
Toyota durability and reliability.
Reminds us of what the Toyota Land Cruiser used to be, before Toyota upscaled it and starting charging $80,000 bucks for it. The 4Runner TRD Pro is more of a basic, capable, non-luxurious, go-anywhere truck. Although the definition of basic is now $43K, and includes things like a touch screen, Bluetooth, and a few modern safety features.  
Good amount of room in the cargo area, especially with the back seats folded down. Sliding platform helps with loading things.
We got a little more than 18 MPG combined.  For a real truck, that isn’t awful. The much more comfortable (but less off-road competent) Highlander only gets 20 combined.

Cons
Unless you’re actually using this thing to do what it’s designed to do, you’ll probably come off looking like a poser. I mean, who needs a quasi-monster truck to go to Starbucks for a decaf latte with 1% milk?
Women are either intimidated or uninterested in it.  So if you’re looking for a vehicle to help you attract women, this is not it. If you’re looking to attract men, however, this is your ride.
It’s tall. Not a single person entered this vehicle without emitting a grunt while heaving him or herself up onto the seat.
Rear cargo floor is high off the ground, too, which makes loading heavy objects difficult.
The huge, off-roady tires are noisy and contribute to loose handling on the highway.  
The ride and handling reflect the 4Runner’s original pickup-truck roots.
The engine, while it has plenty of grunt off road, wheezes a bit in normal highway driving. It’s an old-style, big, four-liter V6. In these days of much smaller, twin turbo V6s and powerful turbo 4s, this engine feels like it’s ready for an update. 
Touch screen is small, and it’s not always easy to make selections while driving.