With a manufacturing facility sitting deep in the heart of the state, Toyota is always a lock to be in attendance at the Texas State Fair. Past years have shown the automaker debut models like the Toyota 4Runner Nightshade Edition to go with SX versions of the Toyota Tundra and Toyota Tacoma.

This year, Toyota is returning the to the fair with a more functionally inclined special edition model called the 4Runner Venture Edition. The exclusive touches are mostly of the cosmetic variety, but there’s enough of them in the 4Runner Venture Edition to go around to pique the interests of prospective owners of the special edition SUV. The Toyota 4Runner Venture Edition is already available for order so if you’ve got an eye for a new roof rack, among other things, you can buy Toyota’s latest special edition SUV for a tidy sum of $45,405.

What Makes the 2020 Toyota 4 Runner Venture Edition Special?

When you’re running out of ideas to trick out your ride for the outdoors, give the 2020 Toyota 4Runner Venture Edition a look. It’s not going to solve all of your problems, but Toyota put enough touch on it to at least make the special edition SUV worthy of its label.

So, what exactly can you get out of the 2020 Toyota 4Runner Venture Edition? If you’re looking for fancy upgrades and over-the-top exclusive touches, you might have to look around elsewhere. The 4Runner Venture Edition has little in the way when it comes to those items, at least if you don’t consider a smattering of dark vanity bits on the body of the SUV as over-the-top. Instead of asking for what’s not there, perhaps we can appreciate the 4Runner Venture Edition for what it does bring to the table.

It’s not fancy at all, but it's super functional, especially for those who live their lives on the outdoors. I know what you’re thinking. The 4Runner already boasts 47.2 cubic feet of cargo space on its own. That space grows to 89.7 cubic feet when the seats are folded. That’s one of the best marks in its segment. A roof rack only comes in handy for where there’s either not enough space in the interior for storage or if you have to carry something that’s too bulky inside the SUV. So don’t sleep on the Yakima Megawarrior roof rack. It’s not aesthetically pleasing, but it is very useful in freeing up space inside the 4Runner for more passengers or whatever else equipment you need for your out-of-town getaway.

The roof rack is one piece of the 4Runner Venture Edition puzzle. There are other useful bits, too, though most are of the aesthetic variety. For its part, Toyota gave the 4Runner Venture Edition some color depth through the addition of dark elements on the mirrors, door handles, and rear spoiler, proving that a little color contrast never hurt anyone, or anything, as is the case with the SUV. The typical chrome badges that you’ll see decked on the body of the 4Runner have also been replaced by black badges. Back on the functional side, the 4Runner Venture Edition sits on a set of 17-inch TRD wheels that are dressed to impress in a gunmetal shade.

The interior of the 4Runner Venture Edition also benefits from a few distinctive upgrades. The power and heated front seats are not only trimmed in fine SofTex, but they also feature the “TRD” logo stitched into the headrests. A rear cargo mat is also part of the special edition menu, as are all-weather floor mats in the cabin. For an added cost, you can also ask Toyota to equip the 4Runner Venture Edition with an optional sliding rear cargo deck. This isn’t compulsory for all future owners of the 4Runner Venture Edition, but it might come in handy for those who need way more storage space and access than what the 4Runner, in standard edition, can provide. It’s not just about the roof rack, folks.

As expected, the 2020 Toyota 4Runner Venture Edition is devoid of any engine upgrades. Not that you’re expecting one, but it’s always best to be upfront about any engine upgrades — or lack thereof, in this case — than being surprised about it once you already take ownership of the SUV. While I would’ve preferred something along the lines of a small engine tune, it’s hard not to complain about what the 4Runner Venture Edition does have at its disposal. By virtue of being based on the TRD Premium trim, the 4Runner Venture Edition is powered by a 4.0-liter V-6 engine that produces 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed automatic transmission serves the conduit of power, transferring all of it from the engine to a part-time four-wheel drive system. Since it’s built for the outdoors, the 4Runner Venture Edition also comes with a two-speed transfer case that provides increased flexibility and versatility, especially when the going gets rough. A selectable rear locker is also on-hand, ready to help the cause when needed.

Some people might not be as impressed with the power and performance of the V-8 unit relative to the size of the SUV. It’s not particularly thrifty when it comes to fuel returns — only 17 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway — but the good news is that, even in this setup, the 4Runner Venture Edition still boasts a maximum payload of 1,500 pounds and a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. Take your victories where you can get them.

Speaking of victories, I don’t know if the Toyota 4Runner Venture Edition’s price tag — $45,405 — counts as a victory for our bank accounts. While it does just $2,000 more than the standard 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium model, the words “TRD” and “Premium” suggest that this isn’t your typical, run-off-the-mill people hauler. The 4Runner is a tremendous SUV, particularly for those who are in the market for a low maintenance ride that can take you to places that very few of its kind can do. So even with that price tag staring you at the face, the 4Runner Venture Edition has the look and feel of a special edition SUV that should be taken seriously.

Toyota’s already accepting orders for the special edition SUV. What more are you waiting for?

Further Reading

Read our full review on the 2017 Toyota 4Runner.

Read our full review on the 2015 - 2017 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro