A two-tone dashboard houses the instruments. Gauges illuminate orange, set in three deep binnacles that prevent the front-seat passenger from reading them. The fuel gauge uses an inclinometer for accurate readouts when the 4Runner is tilted in the rough.

Automatic climate control is standard on all models, while the Limited comes with his-and-hers dual-zone temperature controls. The fan, airflow and temperature controls, are big and easy to locate; they are long on design and a little awkward at first, but become easy to use with familiarity.

The stereo buttons are easy operate. The Auto down button for the power windows is illuminated but the central lock button is not and can be difficult and awkward to find in the dark, leaving impatient, would-be passengers tapping on your window as you fumble around for the switch, a daily annoyance. A display located just above the climate controls reveals time, ambient temperature, and trip data. A 115-volt AC power outlet is available, a real bonus in the backcountry.

An unusual feature is a pair of small convex mirrors at the rear corners of the interior, designed to help the driver see approaching vehicles when backing out of a parking space. The mirrors work on the same principal as those big convex mirrors mounted at the corners of large parking garages. In the 4Runner, they help the driver detect motion in a busy parking lot. Using them effectively, however, takes some practice, as it's hard to distinguish details. We're guessing most people don't use them.

The rearview video camera works incredibly well. A video camera hidden in the rear bumper projects the image onto the seven-inch navigation screen on the center dash whenever the 4Runner is in reverse. The pictures are sharp, even in complete darkness (with the backup lights on), and cover the area directly behind and a couple of feet on either side of the car. The extreme fish-eye view of the lens makes distances difficult to judge, but skilled drivers quickly learn how to use it to their advantage. When parallel parking the camera allows the driver to easily back to within an inch of the car behind. The camera adds safety by giving the driver an opportunity to see what's immediately behind the 4Runner, whether it's a short metal pole or a child on a tricycle or someone pushing a grocery cart.

The navigation system is among the best, intuitive and relatively easy to use. It features a touch-screen monitor, voice guidance and Bluetooth capability. Toyota says that its route-searching capabilities are more than twice as fast as competitive systems. Map data for the contiguous United States and major cities in Canada is stored on one DVD. The integrated Bluetooth feature provides a hands free communication system using a cellular phone; calls can be dialed by using the navigation screen's keypad, while calls can be received and ended by pushing a button on the steering wheel. The system is integrated into an eight-speaker JBL AM/FM/CD stereo, which is automatically muted when a call is received. The stereo speakers then act as the phone receiver and transmitter.

The ultimate stereo system is a 360-watt JBL Synthesis setup with 10 speakers and controls integrated into the steering wheel. Standard on SR5 and Sport Edition is a six-speaker AM/FM/cassette/CD stereo with MP3 and WMA capability. An all-new universal mini-jack port connects to most portable music players.

New for 2006 is an optional rear-seat DVD entertainment system with a nine-inch screen and wireless headphones, available on all three trim levels.

Getting into the back seats to watch it, however, is a little more challenging than in a sedan. The rear doors provide a relatively narrow opening, and you have to duck your head to get in and out. Once in, however, the second-row bench seat is roomy for two. The seat is raised slightly in the center position, so the middle passenger sits on this uncomfortable hump. Better to fold down the wide center armrest and enjoy its two cup holders and its tray for French fries or whatever. An unusual feature, but perhaps a good idea, is a small trash bag holder for rear passengers. The rear ventilation ducts that bring comfort in the form of warm or cool air are more easily appreciated.

The optional third-row seat adds an element of flexibility. It's actually two separate seats that fold up to the sides of the cargo compartment, parallel to the rear side windows. These seats are easy to stow, and access from the curbside rear door, via a spring-loaded sliding mechanism on the second seat, isn't too difficult. But even large children, like a healthy 11-year-old, will sit in these rear seats with knees pressed up toward the chest and hair brushing the headliner. And the third-row seats take up cargo space even when folded. Fortunately, it's not too difficult to remove them for maximum cargo volume. But drivers who need to seat seven on a regular basis would be better off with a Sequoia, Highlander or Sienna.

Cargo space is designed well. The second-row seats can be folded down with the headrests in place, though we sometimes found it easier to pull them off before flipping the seat bottoms up and the seatbacks down. The seat folds nearly flat, flatter than a Ford Explorer's, and the seatbacks are reinforced to support heavy loads. The cargo area includes structurally attached steel tie-down hooks in the floor, with additional hooks on the sides. A clever double-decker rear storage shelf helps organize cargo in two levels. Using just one hand, the collapsible shelf can be folded flat or lifted up easily. When deployed, it's rated a sturdy 66 pounds. A large storage box is provided on the right side of the cargo compartment. Storage bins are provided in all four doors, and every seat gets a cup holder.