USED: The 2020 Toyota 4Runner is Great for Every Road Trip You’re Planning This Year

Reesa Lewandowski   |  

Updated: Aug 10, 2023

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You gotta get away. Make it a good trip.

From cruising the highways to climbing over the mountains, the rugged 2020 Toyota 4Runner Nightshade Edition gets you where you’re going in style, and that matters, right? We recently had the chance to test drive the 2020 Toyota 4Runner Nightshade Edition during our getaway to the Poconos in Pennsylvania. Not only was this $49,000 SUV perfect for the highway drive, but it handled the rustic roads we encountered just fine.

We headed to the Poconos with another family for a getaway. The kids loved being able to all hop into the seven- passenger 4Runner together. They were instantly ready to go! 

Related: 2020 Toyota Highlander 3-Row SUV: It Starts with 35 Amazing Hybrid Miles Per Gallon and Then, Gets Better

Media Matters When You’re On the Road Together

Toyota listened to 4Runner fans and upgraded its multimedia display. The 2020 4Runner features Android Auto, Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa, so everyone can bring their own media, phone contacts and music apps. We loved using the navigation system throughout our trip, too. It’s nice to not have to turn to someone’s phone to navigate. And of course, who doesn’t love an awesome road trip playlist echoing through the speakers?

The kids loved that they were able to charge their devices throughout our road trip thanks to the USB ports on the back end of the center console. 

Related: Road Trips Need Tunes: Here’s Our Ultimate Playlist

So What Exactly Does “Nightshade Edition” Mean?

For a sportier, more styled look, Toyota added the Nightshade Edition to its lineup in 2019. Besides the black glossy accents on the 4Runner’s exterior that contrast with the body color– in this case, pearly white for a classic crisp look– the 2020 Toyota 4runner Nightshade Edition also has black chrome adorning the front grille and rear bumper.

The 4 Runner Nightshade Edition is near the top of the 4Runner lineup. It also has leather seats, a sunroof, premium audio and a smart key entry system. But under the hood, it’s all 4Runner. It powered through the mountainous roads of the Poconos with ease thanks to the large off-road tires, 5-speed automatic transmission and 4-wheel drive.

Related: Used 2017 Toyota 4Runner 4×4 TRD: This SUV Feels More Like a BadAss Truck

TSS: Toyota Safety Sense is Standard

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner has seen a big addition in the safety features with Toyota Safety Sense (TSS-P). Toyota Safety Sense in the 2020 4Runner includes a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, dynamic radar cruise control, lane departure alert and automatic high beams. Alongside adaptive cruise control, which makes driving on highways a breeze, our time traveling on the road felt safe and secure.

This is What We Love About An SUV

Getting in and out of the 4Runner is just as fun as climbing the mountains that the 4Runner will take you to. With the added ride height, you feel like you are on top of the world. Inside of the 4Runner, there’s a ton of space for all kinds of gear, groceries, luggage and more.

Legroom That Goes On Forever

I am not sure I have ever seen my 6’2” husband ever sit so comfortably in a passenger seat before. While the 4Runner is meant for adventure, the inside feels luxurious with comfortable, easy-to-clean leather seating. It’s impressive that there’s plenty of legroom not only for the driver but passengers too!