2009 Toyota 4Runner 4-door SR5 Sport Utility

Few SUVs are held in such high regard as the Toyota 4Runner. Generation after generation has come to love this midsize SUV for its near-bulletproof reliability, excellent build quality and strong resale value. Although the 4Runner has grown larger and more luxurious over the years, at its core it remains a versatile and rugged SUV, as comfortable traversing a boulder-strewn desert as a four-lane highway. Still, it is easy to find newer SUV and CUV designs with more interior room, smoother rides and more electronic goodies. Budget-conscious buyers will probably suffer sticker shock, as even the most basic rear-wheel drive 4Runner model starts around $29,500.

You'll Like This SUV If...

You May Not Like This SUV If...

The 2009 Toyota 4Runner provides ample space for four adults and their gear but, in a pinch, can fit seven people. If you're looking for a rugged, powerful midsize SUV that has a reputation for superb reliability and great off-road manners, the 4Runner should be at the top of your list. It also has some exclusive features not found on other SUVs, such as power rear window that retracts into the rear liftgate.

If you're one of those people who needs an SUV more for its interior accommodations and sheer size than its ability to leave civilization behind, the Toyota 4Runner may not be the best choice.

For 2009, Toyota is offering a new Trail Edition package option for the V6-powered SR5 4WD. Trail Edition 4Runners gain a locking rear differential, Bilstein shock absorbers, Active Traction Control (A-TRAC), water-resistant seat fabric and a new audio system with a detachable TomTom navigation unit. The system also provides Bluetooth connectivity, iPod integration and satellite radio.