I got to spend some time behind the wheel of the 2020 Toyota 4 Runner Nightshade. I loved the appearance, features, technology, and driving dynamics. I have had a chance to drive this Nightshade across the state of Maryland and parts of West Virginia.
I enjoyed the experience and was impressed by its capabilities. The 4Runner is capable of towing 5000 lbs.
It features a 4.0-liter V6 engine that makes 270 horsepower and 278-pound feet of torque. It is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission.
I really liked the premium JBL audio 15 speakers with the subwoofer and amplifier. I’m an audiophile and musician so the sound quality is important to me.
I use my new song with the students at Carnegie Mellon, Paradise to evaluate the sound quality. The Nightshade is also Android Auto and Apple Carplay compatible. It has many USB ports including 2.1-amp ports for fast charging. It also comes standard with Toyota safety features. Safety sense, pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warning all come standard.
The driving dynamics were sturdy and trucklike. The 4Runner shares a platform with the Tacoma pickup. For a more carlike ride, one should look at the Highlander. The model I drove also had 3 rows of seating.
Beyond the great sound system and safety features, the Nightshade I drove also has Toyota’s Alexa integration.
On the Nightshade Edition, you get 20 in black alloy wheels. You also get several black accents including bumpers, door handles, and rocker panels. I also love the smoked-out taillight look.
The model I drove came in Magnetic Grey Metallic. You can also order the Nightshade in Midnight Black Metallic, and Blizzard Pearl for a $425 option. The base price of this model is $46,725. It gets an EPA rated 19 MPG on the highway. For more information visit www.toyota.com