2014 Toyota 4Runner vs. Its Competition

Martin Padgett Editorial Director

The vast majority of SUV drivers don't really need an off-road vehicle--they're looking for all-weather traction.

The handful that do want to be true explorers really do need something like a Toyota 4Runner, at least in its base SR5 or Trail trim.

There's authentic off-road capability here that's long gone from the Ford Explorer, which now shares some running gear with the Taurus sedan.

The Nissan Xterra is a five-seater only, but it's essentially a Frontier pickup with a wagon body, so rugged isn't just a keyword.

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is still a formidable all-terrain vehicle, especially with its new EcoDiesel edition, but it gets quite expensive quite easily--and who wants to ruin a really nice $50,000 SUV? The 4Runner has two rivals within its own company to consider: its cousin, the Lexus GX 460, has the same underpinnings, but more luxury appliques like running boards and a V-8 engine.

The GX doesn't cost much more than the 4Runner Trail, but with its complicated power-folding third-row seat and side-opening hatch, we'd rather have the Toyota.

And the most dedicated off-road weekend-warrior types should also consider the slightly more compact Toyota FJ Cruiser, which uses some of the same off-road hardware.