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At the top of Monarch Pass on the Continental Divide, elevation 11,312 feet. It was cold, with Deanne choosing to wear a parka in mid-June. It was even snowing as we crossed over the divide.

Craig Conover, Daily Herald

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Snow in the mountains outside of Montrose, Colorado, on the Grand Mesa as we wandered our way into Grand Junction. It was too cold for Deanne to get out.

Craig Conover, Daily Herald

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From snow to heat. It was 80 degrees in Grand Junction, Colorado, as we stopped and went on a hike into the Colorado National Monument.

Craig Conover, Daily Herald

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Inside the new 2023 Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary Edition.

Courtesy photo

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Inside the new 2023 Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary Edition.

Courtesy photo

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Inside the new 2023 Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary Edition.

Courtesy photo

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This week, we embarked on a journey to the annual Rocky Mountain Driving Experience (RMDE) in the picturesque mountains of Colorado. As we needed a reliable vehicle to travel from the Denver Airport to Golden, where the event began, Toyota graciously provided us with the new 40th Anniversary Edition of their renowned 4Runner SUV.

This retro-inspired version of the 4Runner caught more attention than any other model we’ve test driven over the years. Everywhere we went, whether stopping for gas or enjoying the scenic views at Monarch Pass on the continental divide, people were curious about the 4Runner. Many were intrigued by its enhanced vintage appearance, unaware that we were driving a 2023 model.

Toyota plans to produce only 4,040 copies of this special edition, and the 40th anniversary theme resonated with us. The 4Runner 40th Anniversary Edition comes in three colors: white, black and the striking Barcelona Red, which we had the opportunity to drive. The SUV’s standout feature was the large heritage accent stripe adorning both sides, providing a distinct retro vibe to the 4×4.

Furthermore, all 40th Anniversary Editions come equipped with bronze 17-inch wheels, bronze stitching on the seating surfaces and a bronze shift knob, adding to its nostalgic charm.

Toyota’s website highlighted some fun facts about the 4Runner’s debut year. When the first 4Runner hit the market, “Star Wars: Return of the Jedi” dominated the box office and the Police’s “Every Breath You Take” claimed the top spot on the Billboard 100. For those who remember, 1983 was undoubtedly an extraordinary year!

The highlight of our week was having the opportunity to spend quality time in the 40th Anniversary 4Runner. After flying to Denver, Toyota allowed us to drive the SUV back home to Springville. Instead of taking the usual route on I-70, we decided to extend our adventure and explore the Colorado mountains. The 4Runner urged us to savor the drive home, prompting us to spend the first day traveling from Golden to Salida — a three-hour journey through breathtaking mountain passes and valleys. Salida, also known as the “banana belt town,” greeted us with its warmer temperatures and dryer climate.

Inside the 4Runner, we discovered a remarkably comfortable ride. Despite its larger size, the elevated seating position offered an excellent view of the road, especially since we were limited to two lanes throughout the drive. Salida proved to be a vibrant town, hosting the FIBArk festival during our visit. FIBArk, short for “First in Boating on the Arkansas River,” celebrated its 73rd year, attracting top whitewater competitors for three days of thrilling competition.

We enjoyed an evening wandering around downtown Salida, watching kayakers brave the river and listening to fantastic live music in the park. The 4Runner continued to draw attention with its retro aesthetics, making us feel like local celebrities!

The 40th Anniversary 4Runner carries on Toyota’s legacy of off-road excellence, spanning four decades. Its body-on-frame construction features a four-link rear axle with coil-on-spring suspension, resulting in an exceptionally smooth ride, even during our 700-mile journey.

Powered by the reliable 4.0-liter V-6 engine generating 270 horsepower and 278 foot-pounds of torque, the SUV exhibited impressive performance whenever we needed it. Unfortunately, due to the inclement weather, we were unable to venture off-road during our trip. While we had considered taking different routes for some off-road exploration, snowfall in our desired locations prevented us from doing so.

With generous ground clearance (9.6 inches in the four-wheel drive variant), the 4Runner effortlessly maneuvered challenging terrain and facilitated easy entry and exit. The cavernous rear space provided ample room for our two carry-on bags, two backpacks and various items we accumulated along the way.

One of the best features of the 4Runner, regardless of trim level, is the inclusion of Toyota Safety Sense-P as a standard offering. This comprehensive safety suite encompasses pre-collision warning and avoidance, pedestrian detection, lane departure alert and trailer sway warning, automatic high beam headlamps and dynamic radar cruise control. Additionally, this year’s model introduces blind spot monitoring and rear cross path alert. While many manufacturers offer these features as optional extras, Toyota’s commitment to safety is commendable.

Our four-day journey home included stops in Montrose and Grand Junction, Colorado, providing us with an exhilarating adventure on our way back from Denver. However, due to the continuous rain and snow in the mountains, we chose to opt for Grand Junction instead of Silverton, where snowfall impeded our planned visit.

Having the 4Runner accompany us on our trip made the entire experience more enjoyable. It proved to be the perfect companion, and we extend our congratulations to Toyota on 40 years of delivering one of the finest off-road vehicles on the market.

Base price: $46,370

Destination charge: $1,335

Price as driven: $47,085

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