Used 2019 Toyota 4Runner Limited Nightshade Edition for sale 

The 2019 Toyota 4Runner is a midsize SUV available in seven trim levels: SR5, SR5 Premium, TRD Off-Road, TRD Off-Road Premium, TRD Pro, Limited, and Limited Nightshade. All share the same 4.0-liter V6 (270 horsepower, 278 pound-feet of torque), five-speed automatic transmission, and 5,000-pound tow rating. SR5 and Limited trims are available with rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive and a two - or three-row seating configuration. The remaining trim levels are 4WD-only and seat five.

A low-range transfer case comes on 4WD versions of the SR5, TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro trim levels. Toyota provides two years of complimentary scheduled maintenance.

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Considering value for money we would recommend you to go in for the TRD Off-Road Premium trim that is priced at $40,195. This trim is available only in the All-Wheel Drive drivetrain makes it the perfect SUV to own. Equipped with 20 inch machined aluminum wheels and exquisite interior features such as driver and passenger seat heating, makes this machine extremely desirable. There are a few other trims that offer a lot more panache, but they are priced at around five grand more. Hence we recommend you go in for the TRD Off-Road Premium.

There is only one engine available with the Toyota 4Runner, a 4.0 liter V6 that pumps out 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque. It is potent enough to pass traffic on highways and surge from a standstill with ease. SR5 and Limited trims are available with rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive while the remaining trim levels are 4WD. All of the trim levels have a similar 5,000 - pound tow rating. The V6 is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission, which performs well. Shifts are smooth and precise, and the transmission always finds the right gear for the situation. The all-wheel-drive variant has low-range gearing. The 5-speed automatic works fine, but could use another cog for composed highway driving.

After just a brief look at the table of comparison, you'd notice that the 4Runner being pricier than most of the vehicle's delivers the almost same performance but the transmission falls short in front of the competitors. The GMC Acadia delivers the least power figures among the rivals while the Jeep Grand Cherokee has the highest horsepower rating among the competitors.

Acceleration

The 4Runner being a 7 seven-seater SUV is surprisingly smooth and quick. Aged though, the acceleration from its V6 is linear and powerful. The 60 mph mark is achieved in 7.5 seconds while taking 15.3 seconds to pass the quarter mile flag. Due to the tall gearing ratios, the power is evenly distributed with no lag. It's not fast but comes with real off-road capability and ruggedness. 

On paper with rivals, the Ford Explorer is the fastest SUV to 60mph @ 6.4 seconds. The Toyota 4runner takes as much as 7.5 sec to do the same. The Japanese car isn't the slowest in the segment, the Ford Explorer ranks last clocking 8.2 seconds for the same. The ranks are the same even for the quarter mike dash, Toyota ranks second between the GMC and Ford.

Ride and Handling

The 270 hp and torque-rich V6 is a heavenly motor, with a lot of muscle for passing, towing, and getting up to the mountains. Remember, the brake pedal can be uncertain sometimes. On the rough landscape, the 4Runner exceeds expectations, because of its narrow-body structure and useful 9.6 inches of ground clearance. The 4Runner is one among the few SUVs that still uses a body-on-frame setup. It makes the handling more like a truck than a car, with some body roll while cornering hard. At highway speed, it is less stable because of its taller height and body shape, you have to work with the steering a lot.

The ride is composed of smooth asphalt but it turns into a bouncy and stiff ride on rough terrain. In any case, the steering is light and precise for easy mobility. TRD models have the most upgrades for going off the beaten path, like a locking rear differential, multi-terrain select, and crawl control. Other features include fox shocks, TRD-tuned springs, a kinetic dynamic suspension, and special skid plates, all these features are offered at a higher price in higher trim.

Braking

The 4runner's braking effect is vague and one needs to squish the pedal to the floor for a sudden stop. The majority of the stopping power remains in the last third of the pedal travel. The car takes 183 feet to stop from 70 mph which is below average for this segment. It tends to nosedive during an emergency situation. You can also hear weird squeals from tires while enthusiastic driving on corners, these remarks go against the repute of the Japanese build. 

The higher curb weight of the 2019 Toyota 4runner than most of the rivals does affect the braking performance. It takes a considerable amount of time to stop in an emergency situation. The Ford Explorer has the best brakes when it comes to sudden stops. The Ford measures 108 feet to come to a halt while the Toyota takes as much as 183 feet to do the same.

Towing Capacity

The rugged body on frame construction and torque-rich engine account for a 5,000-pound tow rating. It is good for camping trailers and small boats. The 4Runner does not come with a factory electric brake controller and you have to search aftermarket to get the feature.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee has the lowest towing capacity as compared to the competitors on the list but the Ford Explorer matches evenly with the Toyota 4Runner in terms of towing capacity.

The 4Runner's powertrain is a pretty solid unit from Toyota but it shows the age with fuel economy. With standard rear-wheel drive, the 2019 Toyota 4Runner gets 17 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway. Those estimates are average for a midsize SUV. A four-wheel-drive 4Runner gets 17 mpg city and 20 mpg highway.

V6-powered rivals like the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Toyota 4Runner are better. The Grand Cherokee gets up to 19 mpg city and 26 mpg highway, while the Highlander earns up to 20/27 mpg city/highway. That places the Toyota 4Runner at the back of the mid-size SUV class alongside the similarly off-road-focused Jeep Wrangler.

The Toyota 4Runner comes standard with five seats, however, you can include a third row that expands the ability to seven. Accommodating seven individuals in an off-roader with such capabilities makes the vehicle feel like a tanker. The front seats are firm and steady, yet the outward visibility is limited because of thick rooftop columns and a high dashboard. There's plenty of legroom for passengers in the front seats and the second row for long rides, however, the third-row seats are best left to kids as the third row is found to be crampy. With the third row, the second row slides and offers one-touch folding for easy access to the back. 

With regards to the 4Runner's rough persona, the cabin is without most frills and extravagances. The structure is basic with lots of hard plastic. The base model's fabric upholstery isn't exceptionally alluring, yet the available leather upholstery enhances the quality.

On paper with rivals, the 4Runner is actually the smallest in terms of passenger space. Both GMC Acadia and Ford Explorer share almost the same head/shoulder/led room but the Ford manages to find the top spot with its mighty big 151.7 ft. cube. Passenger volume. The interior features that you would find in the vehicle are:

• Dual-zone automatic climate control with air filter and second-row vents
• Multi-Information Display (MID) with outside temperature, clock, average fuel economy and
• Fabric-trimmed front seats; 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat with power lumbar support
• Fabric-trimmed 40/20/40 split reclining and fold-flat second-row seat
• Fabric-trimmed 50/50 split fold-flat third-row seat and sliding the second row with passenger-side one-touch access to the third-row seat
• Cruise control
• Leather-trimmed tilt/telescopic steering wheel
• The in-key remote keyless entry system
• Power door locks with programmable auto door lock logic
• Backup camera with projected path
• One cargo area 120V 100W/400W AC power outlet
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror

Infotainment System

The Toyota 4Runner is a decade old now and its limited technology offering shows it. The interface feels dated when compared to modern systems. The Entune touchscreen infotainment system is standard in the 4Runner, it could use some improvement in the area of a better infotainment system. However, It is a simple, intuitive setup that responds quickly with a minimal amount of lag. For 2019 it still lacks Android Auto and Apple car play.

• 6.1-inch screen
• Satellite radio
• 120-volt power outlet
• Navigation
• Bluetooth audio and USB port
• 15-speaker premium JBL stereo (TRD Pro variant)

Cargo volume

A crucial reason to buy the 4Runner, along with its off-road capability, is its cargo space. It has the ability to hold 46.3 cubic feet of sizable cargo while 68.8 cubic feet are with the rear folding split seat. A squared-off shape and available slide-out tray aid the loading of different belongings. Campers can easily stretch out a sleeping bag in the rear and grab a nap. The hatch opening is wide which enhances the utility, also the rear liftgate power window allows you to load stuff without opening the tailgate entirely. This adds to the ease of functionality of the vehicle.

The cargo room offered for the Toyota 4runner is unknown, considering the other vehicles the Jeep Grand Cherokee offers the most in its trunk space. The tables turn over when we go to fold the second row of seats, the Ford Explorer offers a generous 80 cubic feet of space for accommodating your cargo.

The 4Runner's essential look has been around for about 10 years, it's an old-school, body-on-frame SUV. The front end has sharp edges and bulky headlights that frown at the street ahead. The high front bumper gives a good approach angle to ascend mountains and enhance off-road rides. Every variant is equipped with a roof rack as standard, that helps hold all the additional cargo.

When comparing all other dimensions with rivals, you can conclude that most of them are about the same size with a minor decrease or increase in dimensions. The exterior features of the vehicle are mentioned hereunder:

• Projector-beam headlights with smoked trim
• LED taillights with smoked sport trim
• Integrated fog lights & LED fog lights
• Heated power outside mirrors
• Chrome door handles with touch-sensor lock/unlock feature
• Black door handles with touch-sensor lock/unlock feature
• Power tilt/slide moonroof with sunshade
• Aerodynamic variable intermittent windshield wipers with mist cycle
• Privacy glass on the rear side, quarter, and rear liftgate windows
• Color-keyed rear spoiler with LED center high-mount stop light and integrated concealed rear wiper with mist cycle
• Skid plates — on engine/front suspension, fuel tank, and transfer case (transfer case on 4x4 models only)

The old platform on which the 4Runner is based is like a thorn in its flesh. Toyota has been able to accommodate only a few selective active safety aids on the 2018 model as well. The structural efficiency tests, however, rate the 4Runner TRD Pro as 'Good' in most of the sections. The 4Runner got an overall rating of 4 stars out of 5 from the NHTSA as well. The available standard safety features onboard the SUV are listed below:

• 4-Wheel Traction Control
• ParkSense Rear Park-Assist with Stop
• Electronic Stability Control
• Enhanced Accident Response System
• Tire Pressure Monitoring Display
• Advanced Multistage Front Airbags
• LATCH Ready Child Seat Anchor System
• Supplemental Front Seat-Mounted Side Airbags
• Supplemental Side-Curtain Airbags
• Supplemental Side-Curtain Front and Rear Airbags
• Hill Start Assist
• Parkview Rear Back-Up Camera

Toyota 4Runner vs Ford Explorer

The Ford Explorer and the Toyota 4Runner have been foes ever since they were launched. Both the vehicles have historically been good off-roading machines. But, Ford has veered off towards the masses and has made the Explorer a fine tarmac riding machine. Both comfortable and tech-loaded, Explorer is miles ahead of the 4Runner in the segment as it meets the market needs. The 4Runner on the other side has stuck with its rugged fascia. People who are not into extensive off-roading are better off with the Ford Explorer.

Toyota 4Runner vs GMC Acadia

The GMC Acadia was reduced in size two years ago, but still, it offers a great amount of interior space and decent performance. It offers two engine options, a standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine generating 193 horsepower and 188 pound-feet of torque and a 3.6-liter V6 engine that generates 310 hp.

Like the other rivals, the Acadia offers modern tech and a serene interior which is missing in the 4runner. The Toyota, on the other hand, is a more capable off-roader than the Acadia. The deciding factor will be if you want a roomy third-row seat which the 4runner does and Acadia doesn't offer. Seems like the Toyota 4Runner is performance-focused while the GMC Acadia is balanced between performance and comfort.

Toyota 4Runner vs Jeep Grand Cherokee

The Jeep Grand Cherokee offers a far more energetic ride than the 4runner. It has more creature comforts, safety aids, and tech features than the 4runner. The final nail in the coffin is the fact that it is fairly cheaper than the 4Runner as well, it hence makes a better option than the Japanese make.

So finally, Jeep Grand Cherokee has all the pedigree to become your daily ride. It, however, will fall short the moment you go off-road. This is where the 4Runner is ahead by leaps and bounds and not to forget, it has a large list of aftermarket parts available easily.

The Toyota 4Runner has been in the market for around 30 years. The SUV's aging 4.0 -liter V-6, five-speed automatic transmission, and old-school interior may not shine in a highly competitive SUV segment. While most SUVs have transitioned into crossovers with unibody chassis, the 4Runner continues its body-on-frame cradle. The 4Runner with its highly capable suspension and impressive terrain control systems sells more than enough to justify its existence. However, being a Toyota the quality and reliability of the vehicle doesn't seem to fade away even after three decades.