I've had many 4X4's over the years. My wife and I are now in our late 60's and need to consider something new. At this time we have a 2005 Ford F-150 4X4. Nice truck but it likes gas, normal highway mileage is 14-15 mpg. The bed is too high and is difficult to load. At this point I feel we need a SUV. I feel the Jeep Rubicon or the 4Runner Trail would be about right. We have always had domestic vehicles, this will be a big step for us. What is the real world gas consumption on this vehicle? Is there anything I should beware of before spending $40,000? I've been involved in built, modified (think lockers, winches and 35's) for a long time. This new vehicle would be used for shopping, commuting to our vacation home with the dogs and an occasional camping trip. Is this rig for me?
Ultimately its your decision to make, but from the way you talk, it sounds like something like a 4runner or jeep Rubicon would be an overkill for you. If you live somewhere way off the beaten path or you have to deal with crappy roads and terrain on a daily basis, then I could see why you would need something like a 4Runner.
Otherwise, if you are living in an area with good roads and plan on sticking to the good roads, I think something like a crossover (Jeep Grand Cherokee, Toyota Highlander, Ford Escape would be a much better fit for you (plenty of storage space, capable towing specs, big back trunk areas, and more than capable enough of getting through mild terrain). The 4Runner's body-on-frame design is rugged and robust, designed to take punishment...unless you plan on traveling over hard terrain on a frequent basis, that kind of setup is not needed (and IMO your ride quality and on-road handling will suffer compared to that of a modern day crossover).
That said, if you are set on getting a 4Runner, 2 suggestions:
1) Buy used, not new. As good as the Toyota brand is, your purchase will depreciate drastically the second you drive it off the lot. Look for a 4Runner that is a 2-3 years old with 30k miles, and still under warranty, and you should be able to save at least 20% if not 25% off of the MSRP.
2) Get a limited 4Runner, not the trail or SR5. Based on how you describe your planned activities, it doesn't seem that you really need the locking diff of the Trail Edition's. The limited offers better amenities and luxury options and also offers the full-time 4wd with the torsen center diff. So unlike the SR5 and Trail, you can actually use 4wd all the time, even on dry pavement, and then lock the center diff when you encounter extreme terrain. The SR5 and Trail have a part-time 4wd with no center diff, so you can't engage the 4wd on dry or evenly mildly wet pavement for risk of drivetrain binding.
Otherwise, if you are just a "toyota" guy and want the best, most capable 4runner, get the Trail or TRD pro and drive the heck out of it. They are good vehicles; solid, reliable, robust...I really don't worry at all about where I drive. This vehicle seems at home on a rocky jeep trail just as much as it does on the highway.