2020 Toyota 4Runner

On the road and handling wise, there's as little to complain about, relatively speaking, as there is to praise for the 4Runner TRD Pro. The ride is as you expect for a truck-based SUV geared to get off of the smooth stuff, although freeways certainly aren't its best friend. We didn't spend much time on the tarmac, though, and quickly looked for the more challenging routes around the off-road park. We found rocky paths with steep ascents and descents, tight trails with big cambers, and as it had been raining recently, some thick muddy puddles.

It's not just how easily that the 4Runner in TRD Pro and Off-Road forms handle the rocky ground; it's how it takes the shock out of things for the driver and passengers. The TRD Pro's lifted FOX suspension does an excellent job of cushioning jolts when getting into the rocks, and aids traction with generous wheel articulation when things get rough.

The only extra preparation done to the SUV was decreasing the tire pressure to aid traction. We did try and get the 4Runner TRD Pro stuck in one of the long muddy puddles, and we really had to try but, with the Multi Terrain system engaged in mud mode and the rear differential locked, it didn't matter how slow we trawled through. We could have stopped, but it's one thing having to be pulled out because the vehicle can't handle it, and another because you made a wilful error.

Crawl Control offers five speed settings and, frankly, takes some of the fun out of descending down a steep incline, although it can save embarrassment or potentially dangerous situations out of a controlled environment.

What we didn't find ourselves needing was extra power. The torque mixed with the ever-present grip and ability of the suspension and its articulation to keep that grip on terra-firma is more than adequate for what the 4Runner in this spec is designed to deal with.

As reliable as ever, the 4Runner fills a gap in the market as one of the few truck-based mid-size SUVs around. It still looks good, and it still has the kind of off-road chops people will pay a lot of money for in other vehicles for showing off. The 4Runner isn't luxurious and doesn't show off though. Instead, it gets on with the job and does it relentlessly well. Upgrading to TRD Off-Road or TRD Pro opens up that off-roading ability while still retaining its capacity as a workhorse. You could cross-shop with a Lexus GX if you wanted that more refined interior, but if you want that extra dose of ability in the rough stuff, a TRD badge is still the way forward.

Ford has jumped ahead in the USA by giving the Explorer a full redesign for the 2020 model year, basing it on a new platform that offers improved handling, boosts towing capacity and offers a spacious and comfortable cabin. The highly-acclaimed infotainment system in all new-generation Ford vehicles sees a huge improvement over the 4Runner's system and offers seating for six or seven passengers as standard. Cutting down from a forced seven- or eight-passenger load to six allows for roomier seating, and slightly more comfort, which is certainly one-up on the 4Runner's capabilities. Very similar cargo volumes and even a similar under-floor storage bin in the Explorer puts these competitors neck-and-neck in this segment. A new 3.0-liter V6 EcoBoost turbocharged engine is also available from mid-range models and produces 365 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. Intelligent four-wheel-drive systems make this a capable off-roader, but in this regard, the 4Runner has all comers beaten. With a starting price only a few hundred dollars more than the 4Runner, opting for the newer, more modern Explorer is a no-brainer for all but the heaviest off-road trail-rats.

Comparing Toyota's of this caliber is a risky business, as both are exceptional off-road vehicles. They share many elements, as well, but the Highlander does come out near the top in most regards. Equipped as standard with a third row of seats, the Highlander doesn't require an additional purchase to seat more occupants, although when equipped like this, both vehicles suffer the same restricted legroom at the back. With various powertrain options, however, the Highlander allows for a bit of play in terms of fuel economy, offering much better EPA estimates of 20/24/22 mpg in its base guise. This is at the detriment of the powerful 4.0-liter V6 on the 4Runner, however, with the entry-level Highlander only producing 185 hp and 184 lb-ft comparatively from its 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine. Cargo space is top-notch in the 4Runner unless you equip the third row of seats. With both vehicles desperate for a good redesign and modernization, this is a hard choice. We choose the 4Runner simply due to its much-needed upgrades for the 2020 model year, and for its superior off-road ability that it makes no bones about.