For many, there’s only one way to get out of town and into the wilderness, and that’s behind the wheel of a Toyota 4Runner. Sure, there are plenty of 4x4-capable SUVs available, but none will get you there and back with the same level of dependable confidence as Toyota’s rugged, simple, straightforward, body-on-frame utility.

I’m a big fan of low-tech when it comes to off-roaders. While diesel-power is best (and smartly available in the new Jeep Wrangler), especially when factoring in this 4,750-lb beast’s 16/19-mpg city/highway fuel economy, I’m ok with a utilitarian V6 powering fewer forward gears than are currently fashionable. The more complex, the more potential problems, which makes the 4Runner’s proven 4.0-litre mill, good for 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque, and five-speed automatic transmission ideal.

Part-time 4WD and impressive off-road tech can get you almost anywhere

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner Venture Edition's interior is more refined than you might think.
Trevor Hofmann / HotCars.com

Part-time four-wheel drive turns the rear wheels until manually engaged into four-high. The stiff, sometimes stubborn secondary shifter requires a rearward tug, exactly as it’s been since I first drove a 4Runner back in ‘87. The same lever selects four-low, but you’ll need to stop and select neutral before slotting it to the right and forward.

Related: These Small SUVs Can Demolish Off-Road Trails

It seems kind of silly to comment on the 4Runner’s off-road prowess, as its 4x4 exploits are legendary. It shares underpinnings with the global-market Land Cruiser Prado after all, so it comes by its rock-crawling, mud-slewing, sand-spitting tenacity naturally. With “L4” engaged and serious obstacles ahead, I turned on my Venture Edition tester’s standard Active Trac (A-TRAC) brake lock differential, which stops a given wheel from spinning and redirects torque to the wheel with traction, and also locked the electronic rear differential, these buttons on the overhead console.

Set the controls to let Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select do the rest

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner Venture Edition comes with plenty of dedicated off-road technologies.
Trevor Hofmann / HotCars.com

Better yet, a big, beefy dial sets the Crawl Control system to one of five steady throttle speeds that allows driving without a foot on the gas pedal. This frees both feet to lift body and head higher in order to see over the apexes of hills. Our family’s old FJ40 used a hand throttle/choke to do much the same, but its manual transmission relied on engine braking to slow when going downhill, instead of the 4Runner’s comparatively sophisticated electronically applied brake pressure.

Related: Best Off-Road-Ready Trucks and SUVs Available This Year

Additionally, Toyota’s automated Multi-Terrain Select system can dial in specially engineered drivetrain/driving aid settings for light- to heavy-duty off-roading conditions. The most capable is rock mode that provides traction over just about any obstacle. Other selections include the second-most capable mogul mode, followed by a loose rock setting. All of the above are only operable with low (L4) gears engaged, incidentally, whereas the lightest mud and sand mode can be used in both L4 and H4.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner Venture Edition is outrageously good on the trail.
Trevor Hofmann / HotCars.com

The 4Runner’s 9.6 inches of ground clearance and 33/26-degree approach/departure angles make sure it won’t get hung up on rocks or roots, complemented by skid plates protecting the engine, front suspension and transfer case, but the Venture’s low-hanging optional side steps could easily interfere with your progress (they’re killer on the shins too, so watch your step).

4Runner is more refined than you might think

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner Venture Edition has a clear, easy to read gauge cluster and superb infotainment system.
Trevor Hofmann / HotCars.com

Back inside, all knobs, buttons and switches look and feel as heavy-duty the rest of the truck. Their fitment is tight, quality substantive, and finishing quite good, at least compared to past 4Runners. Come to think of it, I don’t remember Toyota using faux carbon fiber trim inside any previous 4Runner, let alone the large, high-definition 8.0-inch touchscreen atop the center stack. The latter comes filled with all the latest tech, such as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, accurate Dynamic Navigation, and a good, clear rear camera with stationary “projected path” graphics (combined with rear parking sensors), not to mention a decent audio system with satellite radio, a weather page, traffic condition info, apps and more.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner Venture Edition's buttons, knobs and switches are much better made than in previous generations.
Trevor Hofmann / HotCars.com

The primary gauge cluster is less advanced yet still performs its job admirably, with easy-to-read backlit Optitron dials and a tall, narrow, colour multi-information display at center, featuring the usual assortment of functions.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner Venture Edition's driver's seat is very comfortable and supportive.
Trevor Hofmann / HotCars.com

The interior design theme is rectangular and purposefully utilitarian, but it’s not without refinements. Front and rear door uppers are covered in contrast-stitched, padded leatherette, just like the inserts and armrests below, which are actually padded all the way to the front of the door panel to protect knees from chafing. The center armrest receives the same black and red treatment, as do the SofTex upholstered seat bolsters, whereas the front headrests even get some eye-catching “TRD” embroidery. That’s it for soft-touch surfaces, but the harder composite dash top is nicely textured to reduce glare, while along with the noted carbon fiber-look trim on the lower console is a metallic gloss-black background for the center stack and door pulls, plus requisite bright and brushed metallic accents throughout, all dressing up the cabin nicely.

Comfortable and capable on the open road

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner Venture Edition's rear seating area is large and accommodating.
Trevor Hofmann / HotCars.com

While the 4Runner Venture was plenty comfortable in all of its five seating positions (some trims offer seven-occupant seating), the driver’s seat is where it’s at. I found it supportive enough, thanks to power-adjustable controls including two-way lumbar that nicely fit the small of my back, while the tilt and telescopic steering column allowed for ample reach. The rim was leather-wrapped for a nice meaty feel, with sporty thumb spats providing good control. All around, it was as comfortable for running errands around town as it was on the trail.

Related: 2020 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro Fuses Modern Tech With Off-Road Chops

The 4Runner nevertheless comes across like a boxy appliance on the outside, especially in white, but that’s part of its aggressive appeal. After all, 4Runner/Tacoma-inspired styling is one reason Toyota’s new RAV4 is wiping the proverbial floor of its compact crossover class. This bigger ute might look like a brick, but it rolls smoothly and cuts through the wind quieter than most expect.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner Venture Edition might look like a boxy appliance, but that's what makes it so endearing.
Trevor Hofmann / HotCars.com

I spent most of my test week on paved roads, and thanks to a compliant off-road optimized suspension and the 4Runner’s long wheelbase my Venture Edition tester tracked well on the highway, while easily soaking up potholes, frost heaves, bridge expansion joints and other irregular surfaces.

It managed fast-paced curves fairly well too, much thanks to an independent double-wishbone front and four-link rear suspension system integrating stabilizer bars at both ends, plus Toyota’s available Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) that reduces body lean by as much as 50 percent at high speeds, but keep in mind this SUV was designed first and foremost for conquering the wild, so it’s probably wise to temper your enthusiasm until pavement ends and uncharted territory begins.

Loads of cargo capacity in the accommodating cabin and rooftop basket

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner Venture Edition has a lot of cargo space, plus handy 40/20/40-split rear seatbacks.
Trevor Hofmann / HotCars.com

At 47.2 cubic feet, it’s big enough to carry a full load of cargo behind the ultra-useful 40/20/40-split rear seatbacks too (a retractable cover and cargo net come standard), or you can fold them completely flat for 89.7 cubic feet of gear-toting space. It’ll haul up to 1,625 lbs of payload, or alternatively all 4Runner trims can tow 5,000 lbs of trailer (a receiver hitch and wiring harness with 4- and 7-pin connectors are standard), so it’s perfect for pulling small camp trailers and boats.

Speaking of carrying cargo, the ultra-rugged, heavy-duty steel Yakima MegaWarrior Rooftop Basket attached to the roof rails comes standard with this Venture Edition. This said, pay attention when parking in a covered location, as it measures 52 inches long, 48 inches wide and 6.5 inches high. Together with this model’s gunmetal-gray 17-inch TRD wheels on 265/70 Bridgestone Dueller H/T mud-and-snow tires, the rooftop basket raises the entire SUV 7.6 inches above the standard 4Runner’s already tall 71.5-inch height, for a total of almost 80 inches. That makes it difficult if not impossible to park inside, so for practicality’s sake you may want to lose some of this SUV’s cool factor by removing it when not needed.

4Runner Venture comes well equipped

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner Venture Edition comes with plenty of unique features to improve off-road performance and utility.
Trevor Hofmann / HotCars.com

The Venture Edition also blackens the side mirrors, door handles (and proximity-sensing entry buttons), roof spoiler and badges, while adding the aforementioned Predator side steps for easier access. This is where you’ll be greeted by special all-weather floor mats, while other notable Venture features include a windshield wiper de-icer, mudguards, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a HomeLink universal remote, two front- and two rear USB ports, a household-style 120-volt power outlet, active front headrests, eight airbags, and an autonomous braking Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert, Automatic High Beams, plus Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. Options not already mentioned include a powered moonroof and a sliding rear cargo deck with an under-floor storage compartment.

Notably, the 4Runner Venture moves into 2021 mostly unchanged, although the newer model gets a sharp looking set of standard LED headlights along with LED fog lamps, plus new Lunar Rock exterior paint adds visual variety. New black TRD alloys get wrapped in Nitto Terra Grappler rubber as well, while retuned dampers are said to improve isolation on the trail.

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner Venture Edition can take you just about anywhere.
Trevor Hofmann / HotCars.com

At $44,620 plus freight and fees (or $55,390 in Canada with KDSS, the side steps and moonroof included), the 4Runner Venture Edition doesn’t come cheap, but factoring in one of the best residual/resale values in the industry makes it a smart decision. That it will likely run for decades without issue, even if you’re planning some extreme off-road adventures, might be the best reason to choose a 4Runner over competitors.

Next: 5 Reasons Why The New Ford Bronco Is The Best Off-Road SUV (5 Reasons Why We'll Rather Have A Jeep Wrangler)