2021 Toyota 4Runner Review

　　

2021 Toyota 4Runner Review

byBrent RomansSenior Manager, Written Content

　　Brent Romans has worked in the automotive industry since 1996. He has written or edited thousands of expert car reviews and road-tested hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Brent is a senior manager of written content at zzdcar and previously contributed to publications such as Super Street and Petersen's 4-Wheel & Off-Road. His personal car is a 2019 BMW M2 Competition, which he bought for its ideal combination of performance, style and practicality.

　　A relic of a bygone era, the 2021 Toyota 4Runner is definitely not your typical crossover SUV. Indeed, with its high stance and big-shouldered styling, the 4Runner looks like Bill and Ted time-warped it in from the 1980s. Yet this classic style is undoubtedly a big part of the 4Runner's appeal.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2021 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.04 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$219/mo  for 4Runner SR5

　　4Runner SR5

　　SR5 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A) - $36,765 MSRPSR5 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A) - $38,640 MSRPTrail Special Edition 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A) - $38,740 MSRPTrail Special Edition 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A) - $40,615 MSRPSR5 Premium 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A) - $39,825 MSRPSR5 Premium 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A) - $41,700 MSRPTRD OFF-ROAD 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A) - $40,730 MSRPTRD OFF-ROAD Premium 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A) (Most Popular) - $43,325 MSRPVenture Special Edition 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A) - $44,895 MSRPLimited 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A) - $45,670 MSRPLimited 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A) - $47,705 MSRPNightshade Special Edition 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A) - $47,085 MSRPNightshade Special Edition 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A) - $49,120 MSRPTRD PRO 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A) - $50,745 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　Toyota last redesigned the current-generation 4Runner back in 2010, which in automotive terms might as well be the '80s. This is a truck-based SUV that makes only slight concessions to the latest market trends. You've dialed up the wrong SUV if you want great fuel economy, a comfy ride and a tech interface that orders you a pizza while it parallel parks itself. But it does give you rugged off-road ability, plenty of towing capacity and a versatile cargo area.

　　Changes are slight for 2021. There's a new Trail Special Edition that comes with a Yakima roof rack and a custom 40-quart beverage cooler. The top TRD Pro trim gets new, stronger wheels and Fox shock absorbers retuned to improve off-road performance. Is this the right SUV for you? Check out our Expert Review to get our in-depth take on the 2021 4Runner.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Average

　　7.6

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

7.5/10

　　How does the 4Runner drive? The 4Runner's performance is adequate. It's not terribly fast, but the engine and transmission are smooth. It can hold its own in traffic. The brakes are a bit jumpy, and there's some nosedive when you really mash the brake pedal, but you'll get used to it. Around corners, the 4Runner turns in quickly and provides a pleasing amount of stability for a truck-based SUV. Even so, other car-like crossover SUVs are more nimble.

　　The 4Runner becomes a superstar if you're the sort who would take it off-road for exploring or adventure camping. Its multimode 4WD system, high ground clearance and special TRD features make it capable of taking on rocky trails. If that's important to you, then the 4Runner's otherwise mediocre performance will be more or less insignificant.

　　

Comfort

7.0/10

　　How comfortable is the 4Runner? You wouldn't be far off the mark if you sized up the 4Runner's comfort potential just by looking at it. You actually can judge this book by its cover. Its truck-based construction results in a somewhat bouncy and stiff ride. It's not terrible, but just about any other crossover SUV rides more smoothly.

　　The same goes for wind noise as the 4Runner's boxy shape stirs up more than the generally sleeker and more low-slung competition. Interestingly, road noise from the tires is relatively tame because body-on-frame construction provides an extra layer of sound suppression between road and cabin.

　　

Interior

7.5/10

　　How’s the interior? Living with a 4Runner is a pretty pleasant experience, but it has one fairly obvious drawback: its tall ride height. That makes getting in and out somewhat difficult, though side steps are available to help out. It's really no worse than any full-size pickup in this regard, but other crossover SUVs are easier to access.

　　Once you're inside, you'll find easy-to-understand controls and a highly adjustable driving position that affords a commanding view ahead. There's plenty of space in both the front and back rows. Visibility to the sides and back is surprisingly good because of the 4Runner's squared-off shape and windows.

　　

Technology

8.0/10

　　How’s the tech? The 4Runner's touchscreen audio system has clear graphics and numerous fixed shortcut buttons that make it easy to drill down into the menus without staring at the screen as much. It also supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity. Standard driver aids include traffic-adaptive cruise control and forward collision mitigation.

　　

Storage

8.0/10

　　How’s the storage? The 4Runner's squared-off cargo area is big. Fold the rear seats down and you can even roll out sleeping bags back there. Cargo can be accessed by opening the hatch, of course, or by lowering the 4Runner's power rear window.

　　The roomy second row can accommodate car seats in any of the three positions, even bulkier rear-facing models. The square door openings make for easy access, but little kids will have a hard time climbing up into the cabin. Towing capacity is 5,000 pounds, a useful figure that covers most boats and many small camping trailers. And the vehicle is prewired for not only four-pin but also seven-pin trailer plugs that come on trailers with electric trailer brakes.

　　

Fuel Economy

6.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? The aging 4.0-liter V6 engine and five-speed automatic make for a rather thirsty pairing that does no better than 17 mpg combined (16 city/19 highway). This is, on average, 4 mpg worse than other rival crossover SUVs with all-wheel drive.

　　

Value

7.0/10

　　Is the 4Runner a good value? The 4Runner costs more than some of the crossovers it competes with, but in return you get more in terms of off-highway and towing performance. It also has a strong resale value, so much of the extra you'll pay up front will come back when you move on to something else later on.

　　While you own it, you'll have two years of free scheduled maintenance for things such as oil changes and tire rotations. The warranty, should you ever need it, is fairly standard. The 4Runner's big downside occurs at the pump, which you will be visiting often because its estimated fuel economy is in the teens in both the city and on the highway.

　　

Wildcard

8.0/10

　　On the road, it's fine. It gets you there. The fun comes in when you take it off-road. As every other SUV has descended into crossover pavement-and-snow mediocrity, the 4Runner still waves the flag for the body-on-frame SUV fans who want real off-road performance.

　　

Which 4Runner does zzdcar recommend?

You buy a 4Runner for its off-road capability, or at least you should. As such, we say go with the Venture Special Edition. It has the same features as the TRD Off-Road that help with off-road performance but stands out a little more with its gray-painted wheels and overlanding-style roof rack.

　　

2021 Toyota 4Runner models

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner is a midsize SUV available in nine trim levels: SR5, Trail Special Edition, SR5 Premium, TRD Off-Road, TRD Off-Road Premium, Venture Special Edition, Limited, Limited Nightshade and TRD Pro. Standard feature highlights include:

　　All come with a 4.0-liter V6 (270 horsepower, 278 lb-ft of torque) and five-speed automatic transmission. The SR5, Trail Special Edition and Limited trims are available with two-wheel drive and seating for up to seven passengers. The remaining trim levels seat five and are only available in four-wheel drive.

　　SR5

　　Starts you out with:

　　LED headlights 17-inch wheels Roof rails Power rear window Power-adjustable front seats 40/20/40-split reclining and folding second-row seats Leather-wrapped steering wheel 120-volt power outlet in the rear cargo area 8-inch touchscreen Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integrationEvery 4Runner also comes with:

　　Adaptive cruise control (maintains a driver-set distance between the 4Runner and the car in front) Forward collision mitigation (warns you of an impending collision and applies the brakes in certain scenarios) Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)Trail Special Edition

　　Based on the SR5, this new trim level adds:

　　Yakima roof rack Dark-painted wheels and exterior trim Portable beverage coolerSR5 Premium

　　Upgrades the SR5 trim with:

　　Simulated leather upholstery Heated front seats Auto-dimming rearview mirror Keyless ignition and entry Optional sunroofTRD Off-Road and TRD Off-Road Premium

　　These trims are similar to their respective SR5 trims but have:

　　Additional drive settings for off-roading Locking rear differential (helps with maximizing traction off-road) Optional Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) that can improve wheel articulation when off-roadingVenture Special Edition

　　Builds off the TRD Off-Road Premium by adding:

　　Yakima roof rack Gray-painted TRD wheels with all-terrain tires Black exterior accents Limited

　　This is the 4Runner's luxury-level trim. It uses a different 4WD system and suspension setup that aims to make it more comfortable. It also comes with:

　　20-inch wheels Chrome exterior accents Sunroof Leather upholstery Ventilated front seats Integrated navigation system Premium JBL sound systemLimited Nightshade Edition

　　Enhances the Limited trim with black-painted wheels and black exterior trim.

　　TRD Pro

　　The most expensive 4Runner, the TRD Pro is meant for serious off-roaders. It has the TRD Off-Road Premium's standard features plus the sunroof, navigation system and JBL sound system. It also features:

　　Off-road-focused suspension with Fox dampers TRD wheels with all-terrain tires Special front skid plate TRD roof rack

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2021 4Runner Highlights

Trim: SR5Trail Special EditionSR5 PremiumTRD OFF-ROADTRD OFF-ROAD PremiumVenture Special EditionLimitedNightshade Special EditionTRD PROSR5

　　

Base MSRP	$36,765
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	17 MPG
Cost to Drive	$219/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	47.2 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles