The standard cloth interior is nice, and the cloth seats in the SR5 and Sport models are comfortable, with side bolsters to keep the driver in place when cornering or driving off road. All seats offer adjustable headrests and three-point seatbelts, and the driver's seat adjusts eight ways. The driver and front passenger sit up high, as one expects in an SUV, but with its low roof and high floor, it seems you're sitting flatter on the floor, as in some low cars like a Ford Mustang. The driver's legs stretch out, rather than down, toward the pedals.
A two-tone dashboard houses the instruments. Gauges illuminate orange, set in three deep binnacles that prevent the front-seat passenger from reading them. The fuel gauge uses an inclinometer for accurate readouts when the 4Runner is tilted on an incline. Automatic climate control is standard on all models, while the Limited comes with his-and-hers dual-zone temperature controls. The stereo buttons, and particularly the fan, airflow and temperature controls, are big and easy to locate. A display located just above the climate controls reveals time, ambient temperature, and trip data. An optional 115-volt AC power outlet ($100) means you can bring all the electrical conveniences of home with you. It's a truly useful feature, especially if you're inclined to spend a lot time in the great outdoors.
An unusual feature is a pair of small convex mirrors at the rear corners of the interior, designed to help the driver see approaching vehicles when backing out of a parking space. The mirrors work on the same principal as those big convex mirrors mounted at a corner in an underground parking garage. They may prove helpful when backing up in a busy parking lot because they help the driver pick up on movement. Using them effectively takes some practice, however, and it's hard to distinguish details. Better than the convex mirrors is the optional navigation system.
The navigation system includes a rearview video camera hidden in the rear bumper that projects images on the seven-inch navigation screen when the 4Runner is in reverse. The pictures are sharp, even in complete darkness, and cover the area directly behind and a couple of feet on either side of the car. The extreme fish-eye view of the lens makes distances difficult to judge, at least initially. Like the lower tech convex mirrors, the electronic system takes some getting used. We don't recommend using it for maneuvering, but it adds safety by giving the driver a good view of what's immediately behind the vehicle, whether it's a short metal pole or a child on a tricycle.
Getting into the back seats is a little more challenging than in a sedan. The doors offer a relatively narrow opening to get into the rear seats and you have to duck your head to get in and out. Once in, however, the second-row bench seat is roomy. It's best for two. The seat is raised slightly in the center position, so the middle passenger sits on this uncomfortable hump. The second row features a wide center armrest that folds down to provide two cup holders and a tray for French fries or whatever. An unusual feature, but perhaps a good idea, is a small trash bag holder for rear passengers. The rear ventilation ducts that bring comfort in the form of warm or cool air are more easily appreciated.
The 4Runner's optional third-row seat adds an element of flexibility. It's actually two separate seats that fold up to the sides of the cargo compartment, parallel to the rear side windows. These seats are easy to stow, and access from the curbside rear door, via a spring-loaded sliding mechanism on the second seat, isn't too difficult. But even large children, like a healthy 11-year-old, will sit in these rear seats with knees pressed up toward the chest and hair brushing the headliner. Those who need to seat seven on a regular basis should check out the Sienna minivan or the minivan-based Highlander or the full-size Sequoia. Also, the third-row seats take up cargo space even when folded. For maximum cargo volume, they must be removed from the truck, which is not too difficult.
The cargo space is designed well. The second-row seats can be folded down with the headrests in place, though we sometimes found it easier to pull them off before flipping the seat bottoms up and the seatbacks down. The second-row seat folds nearly flat, flatter than a Ford Explorer's, and the seatbacks are reinforced to support heavy loads. The cargo area includes structurally attached steel tie-down hooks on the floor, with additional hooks on the sides. A clever double-decker rear storage shelf ($125) helps organize cargo in two levels. Using just one hand, the collapsible shelf can be folded flat or lifted up easily. When deployed, it's rated at a sturdy 66 pounds. A large storage box is provided on the right side of the cargo compartment. Storage bins are provided in all four doors, and every seat gets a cup holder. After all, this is America.
The rear hatch comes standard with a power rear window that can be operated from the key fob. If it senses a small hand in the way, the window will reverse directions and open. The hatch itself also has a power opener, which is great during nasty weather. An electric power-close function sucks the hatch shut and ensures secure sealing without slamming.
An overriding impression when we climbed out of the 4Runner was its quietude. Rugged it may be, but the lack of road, driveline or ambient noise in the cabin is impressive, given its off-road capability. Wind noise is all you'll hear if you turn the stereo off.
