Humble Beginnings
It’s fair to say that, in 1983, we didn’t have everything automotive figured out yet. While new innovations are always just around the corner, sometimes we should look back to see how far we’ve come.
The original Toyota 4Runner was a 3-door SUV designed to keep up with Toyota’s line of trucks. This model had five gas engines, topping out at 185 horsepower and 189 lb-ft of torque with the 3.0L 3VZ-E V6 engine. This engine could be equipped with either a 5-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic transmission.
As you can see, drives have gotten more powerful and smoother over the last 40 years, and we’re going to go over what you can expect.
Modern Power
In 40 years, we’ve come a long way, and the 2023 Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary Special Edition is here to show you just how much. This unique trim has 4.0L V6 engine with 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque. This adds up to a maximum available towing capacity of 5,000 pounds, which means you’re free to bring along a small hardside SUV for your annual camping trip.
Inside, you’ll have amenities folks in 1983 could only dream of. Cellphones had barely hit the market, let alone become ubiquitous as they are today, so no one could have imagined having cellphone integration in their SUV. The 2023 4Runner 40th Anniversary Special Edition has standard Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ packaged in an 8-inch touchscreen.
What Makes It Special
What makes the 2023 Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary Special Edition unique? Several flourishes make this trim level special for the occasion. This edition comes in three exterior colors: Ice Cap White, Barcelona Red Metallic, and Midnight Black Metallic. To give it some retro flair, these three colors have a triple stripe of red, orange, and yellow across the side.
Inside, you’ll find similar accoutrements. There’s a bronze-colored 40th Anniversary emblem on the dash as well as the 40th Anniversary Special Edition logo on both the driver and passenger headrests. The black SofTex® upholstery is accented with bronze contrast stitching for a dynamic look.
