It's hard to deny that the Toyota 4Runner remains one of the most charming SUVs on the road. He's capable, he's bulletproof - and, perhaps most importantly, he just looks cool. The trouble is that the fifth generation, which went into production back in 2009, is outdated. It gets less than 20 mpg on the highway, and its five-speed automatic offers half as many gears as the new Ford Bronco. It's time for Toyota to give us an update for the 4Runner; fortunately, one of them should arrive very soon.

Here's what you need to know about the upcoming sixth generation Toyota 4Runner.

For 2022, the 4Runner family welcomes the new TRD Sport model, which has long been offered only on its Toyota Tacoma pickup. The 4Runner TRD Sport isn't as sporty as its 20-inch wheels, hood and Sport badges suggest, but unlike most other models, with the exception of the more luxurious Limited, it features adaptive dampers that are designed to improve body control. Inside, the TRD Sport has faux leather upholstery instead of fabric. All 2022 4Runners now light the way with LED high beams.

Toyota hasn't released pricing for the 2022 4Runner, but that will likely be announced before it goes on sale later this summer. Since we expect only a marginal increase in how much each trim will cost, we can still recommend the TRD Off-Road model. It's not as capable off-road as the uplifted TRD Pro, but its significantly lower price makes it a better value. Along with standard all-wheel drive and some TRD-specific exterior and interior details, the TRD Off-Road gets the equipment to help live up to its name.

This includes an electronically locking rear differential for maximum traction in slippery or muddy conditions. It also has selectable drive modes (called Multi Terrain Select and Crawl Control) that can change the off-road drivetrain's behavior to accommodate different driving scenarios. We would opt for the optional Kinetic Dynamic Suspension, which allows for better wheel articulation during off-road activities. We would also opt for a sliding rear cargo deck that makes it easier to move heavy cargo and even allows for tailgate landing.

Engine, transmission and performance

Each 4Runner is powered by a 270-horsepower 4.0-liter V-6 mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. Available with rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive or semi-all-wheel drive systems, the legacy powertrain delivers unremarkable acceleration, with the latest version we tested taking 7.7 seconds to reach 60 mph. The automatic's lethargic reactions certainly don't optimize the engine's erratic behavior, and downshifts often require heavy right-foot inputs to propel the 4Runner forward. However, the Toyota feels more composed on the pavement than the bulkier Wrangler. Our time behind the wheel of an off-road Venture model showed off the SUV's noticeable ground clearance, and its body-on-frame design was supported by a soft suspension that soaked up varied terrain.

The 4Runner's steering is light and inaccurate, and while those traits betray any sense of sportiness, they're good for trail crawling and around parking lots. While Toyota feels like it's in action, its performance is in tandem with its more modern rivals, including the V-6 Dodge Durango. And Toyota's solid frame and torquey engine give it a towing advantage; its 5,000-pound capacity surpasses the Ford Edge and Wrangler while falling short of the Durango's more powerful 8,700-pound limit.

Interior, comfort and cargo

The interior of the 4Runner is not what you would call modern, with switchgear that could have come from the last years of the last millennium. Aside from the lackluster materials and styling, it manages to comfortably fit people front and back despite its rear interior dimensions. We haven't tested the optional third row, but we suspect it's best for kids. Flexible cargo space and a few big, deep cubes in the front row mean the 4Runner is as versatile a hauler as it is a stone track. Just don't try to shove anything into the cargo hold unless you have a chiropractor on call - its floor is uncomfortably high off the ground.

The two-row models we tested had an optional retractable cargo deck designed to make loading and unloading heavy items up to 440 pounds easier. It can also be used as a tailgate for seating. This provides a flat cargo floor when the second-row seats are folded, but also robs the cargo area of several inches high. Regardless, we placed an impressive 14 carriers behind the second row.