Purchase recommendation

Folks, New to this forum and I am looking for assistance on a 4Runner purchase. Intended use for the vehicle are 3-5 hour road trips to get to offroad use to trout streams, hauling the labs (yes they will likely be wet much of the time), trips to the cabin in the winter (mostly plowed/open roads), getting to skiing and occasion light hauling.

Not interested in any real offroading and more interested in something that is comfortable onroad with some reasonable offroad capabilities to get to better fishing holes. I would likely have a light winch for times of need.

Is there a big difference in the models from 2010-current in terms of clearance, light offroad capabilities, fuel economy, comfort, room, durability, etc?

Looking for new or something with less than 25,000 miles on it so is there any big difference between likely models? Anything I need to be aware of in terms of finding a reliable, durable, capable 4Runner?

As an aside, happy to find this forum as I am amazed at the number of internet experts spewing bad info.

Thanks in advance

 

Thanks Ring and great info. Especially on the 3rd row seating and test drives. We are in the foothills of the sierras so I will test drive one to see how it pulls some of the grades.

Are there existing solutions to put a box reciever in the front so I can move a light duty winch between front and back? I looked but have not seen that.

Any info on ground clearance or a place that shows that info for production years 2010-current? Or is it the same? While the offroading will be limited to old roads and mild 4wd trails for fishing I dont want to get a new model only to find out that, lets say, a 2012 was much better in the offroad catagories.

Thanks......