Jump Links The luminaries at Toyota must be quietly uncomfortable to learn that a three-year-old version of one of their current bestsellers is perhaps more popular than their current one. They may not want to hear that some enthusiasts view the 2023 Toyota 4Runner as more desirable than the latest, sixth-generation version. Or that some people prefer old-school solutions in place of the turbocharged I-Force engine and eight-speed gearbox. Casual observers think that the specs of the 2023 4Runner look dated compared to what is currently available, but real enthusiasts beg to differ. They wish Toyota had continued on this iteration's trajectory after spending 14 years perfecting this match-made-in-heaven combination of a 4.0-liter V6 and an Aisin-built five-speed automatic box. And in 2026, that 2023 model's attributes are still what some folks want, with that old-school five-speed transmission in particular offering the possibility of bulletproof long-term service. UPDATE: 2026/03/16 13:06 EST BY GERHARD HORN The 4Runner's Gearbox Troubles This feature was updated with additional information regarding the 2025 Toyota 4Runner and its eight-speed automatic gearbox. The A750F Transmission And Why Five Gears Outlast Ten Bring a Trailer In 2023, Toyota equipped its 4Runner with the A750F five-speed automatic transmission. This unit takes the idea of overbuilding to its extremes, and it's become an industry benchmark for bulletproof reliability, with much of its appeal coming down to inherent simplicity. These days, many manufacturers opt for ten-speed transmissions to give them more flexibility, but the five speeds in the A750F also offer much better thermal management. There are fewer moving parts and a larger internal gear set with a cooling system that Toyota has designed for heavy-duty cycle loads. And while other transmissions may spend time hunting for gears and driving up internal temperatures as they do so, the A750F just goes on about its business with less stress. The A750F may have been one of the most reliable gearboxes in the consumer SUV world over the years because engineers focused more on mechanical tolerances than on fuel economy. The strategy is what makes the 2023 4Runner so good in off-roading situations and particularly low-range crawling. It doesn't suffer from the hesitation you may find with newer gearboxes, and instead delivers linear, predictable performance that's critical in these off-road environments. In these situations, if a newfangled transmission were to shift suddenly, resulting in a power drop, it could lead to a loss of traction and stalled forward progress. The A750F is also quite serviceable from a traditional point of view, which is a far cry from today's complex and computer-locked eight- or ten-speed units. With those newer gearboxes, you'd often have to go to the local dealer to take advantage of its diagnostics and special tools, even for basic troubleshooting. The 1GR-FE V6 And Its Naturally Aspirated Resilience Bring a Trailer If the A750F gets the Oscar for Best Actor, then the Best Supporting Actor trophy goes to the 1GR-FE V6 engine. The 4.0-liter V6 is reliable and relatively simple. The naturally aspirated powerplant produces 270 hp and 278 lb-ft of torque. It doesn't suffer from the same kind of reliability woes as some turbocharged competitors. Instead, the engine uses a dual-independent VVTi system that helps optimize torque across the rev range while avoiding some of the extreme internal pressures and heat cycles found in a turbocharged powerplant. Look back at some high-mileage turbocharged SUVs from the early 2020s, and you may begin to see reports of carbon build-up problems or turbo seal failures. By contrast, you wouldn't see many complaints about the 2023 4Runner and its port-injected V6. This engine can run on 87-octane fuel in some of the most inhospitable places on Earth, and so it's still in its element in the typical American environment. The powerplant doesn't come with intercoolers that could puncture or wastegates that could fail. Instead, it delivers lazy power from an engine that's never stressed to the limit. And this means that the 1GR-FE powerplant in the 2023 4Runner is a poster child for reliable simplicity. Mechanical 4WD And The Tactile Connection Toyota The 2023 4Runner has an excellent mechanical setup that makes it so adept in off-road environments. And unlike the 2026 models, which have electronic dials and push-button selectors to worry about, you'll find a physical floor-mounted transfer case lever in 2023 TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro trims. This gives you a direct mechanical link to the drivetrain, so you physically engage the gears yourself whenever you shift into 4-Low. And while this is clearly an analog approach that seems to be frowned upon these days, the 4Runner in 2023 doesn't stop there. A kinetic dynamic suspension system is available on some 4Runner models and uses hydraulic pressure to disconnect the sway bars, improving wheel articulation. Modern vehicles seem to rely on electronic actuators instead, which tend to be more fragile. But a 2023 4Runner driver can set off down a dirt track while feeling every inch of their progress through the steering rack and the throttle. The level of feedback is not easy to achieve with the 2026 version, where everything seems to be managed by a CPU, and the feeling of the terrain has to make its way through a dozen layers of digital interference. Cabin Ergonomics For The Real World Ian Wright / CarBuzz / Valnet On board the 2023 4Runner, you'd find a design that focuses on function. You won't encounter a 14-inch floating tablet or capacitive sliders. Instead, you can twirl those massive, rubberized knobs for functions like volume or climate control. Toyota designed these dials so that drivers could operate them in any situation, and even in freezing temperatures or with work gloves on. They are part of an interior that screams utility rather than technological relevance, even though the 2023 4Runner is not archaic by any means. You can still find standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa connectivity on its 8.0-inch screen. This vehicle also has one of the most famous features in the SUV world due to its power-sliding rear tailgate window. It's a model trademark that goes back to the first-gen 4Runner. The piece can help owners with loading and unloading or provide an additional level of air flow, and it seems to be one of the most sought-after features on the used market at the moment. The Last Of The “Forever” Trucks Ian Wright / CarBuzz / Valnet The 2023 Toyota 4Runner is certainly an end-of-an-era production, and it was the last year of the fifth generation. This platform enjoyed a historic 14-year production run, and that type of longevity only happens in the automotive world when manufacturers are getting the mix right. Toyota didn't change the 4Runner much along the way because it didn't have to, as its market was buying those vehicles in record numbers, mostly because they were durable, predictable, and honest. And by the 2023 model year, the automaker had ironed out most of the bugs while fully integrating its Toyota Safety Sense Suite. So, the 2023 example must represent the gold standard for someone who appreciates the 4Runner’s history and also wants to keep a vehicle for decades into the future. They may feel that if they buy one of these SUVs, they'll be taking out a mechanical insurance policy against the complexities of the modern world. They'll also know that while today's SUVs are typically more efficient and often faster, they're not always as dependable. It seems a shame that the modern automotive industry has largely abandoned the features that make the 2023 Toyota 4Runner as good as it is. After all, the industry tends to look at naturally aspirated V6s and tough-as-nails five-speed transmissions as outdated rather than proven. But the 2023 4Runner still stands as a strong testament to the power of mechanical simplicity, and its A750F box quietly laughs in the face of software-driven vehicles. Gearbox Troubles For The New 4Runner Ty Duffy/CarBuzz/Valnet The new Toyota 4Runner went on sale as a 2025 model, sporting an all-new four-cylinder engine mated to an eight-speed gearbox. It's the same powertrain combination that went on sale in the Tacoma the year before. The Tacoma suffered some serious teething issues soon after its release. Owners experienced slow acceleration and jerky shifts, but Toyota soon rectified the problem. The 4Runner went on sale after the gearbox issues had been rectified. Owners seem to be very happy with their new cars, and the only official recall on file is for a glitchy instrument panel on non-hybrid models.
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