The Toyota 4Runner might be on a dinosaur in the current automotive landscape – the current generation dates to 2010 – but it continues to sell briskly, certainly helped by its positioning as one of the few genuine SUVs not carrying the Jeep name available to consumers.
It’s easy to understand then why Toyota continues to tweak the model to keep it fresh. For 2019, two changes stand out.
New variant
There’s a rookie this year in the lineup of 4Runner models, and it’s called the Nightshade. It aims to offer all the luxury and comfort features of the Limited trim, but in an all-business package. The version thus gets style elements that are heavy on black: the bumper, side-view mirrors, door handles, lower chassis panels, and roof rails are all in bad-guy garb. Add in the 20-inch wheels, and the effect is pretty impressive. The model also gets automatic footboards.
Upgraded off-roading abilities
As for the popular TRD off-road variant, it now gets a locking rear differential, as well as a lever for selecting all-wheel-drive mode. Several Toyota-developed technologies, such as 4-wheel crawl control, the kinetic dynamic suspension system, multi-terrain ABS and the multi-terrain select system, have been added to the model to enhance performance.
The new 2019 TRD Pro will sell starting at $48,540, while the Nightshade version will be offered starting at $55,115.
