2024 Toyota 4Runner SUV

　　

2024 Toyota 4Runner Review

byJared GallCorrespondent

　　Jared Gall started his career in the auto industry in 2001 with an internship at Car and Driver. He has written and edited many thousands of car reviews, technological deep-dives, industry analyses, and personality profiles. He is a correspondent at zzdcar and still has the 1969 Chevrolet C20 he dragged out of his parents' barn and drove until Car and Driver started giving him cars to evaluate.

　　, rating written byJared GallDirector, Vehicle Testing

　　Jonathan Elfalan has worked in the automotive industry since 2005. As a director of vehicle testing at zzdcar, Jonathan has tested and reviewed thousands of cars and written thousands of car-related articles over the course of his career. Jonathan got his start testing cars for Road & Track magazine as a newly minted mechanical engineer grad from University of California, Irvine, and has also contributed to Motor Trend and the Associated Press. He likes to say he learned to drive a manual transmission in a rear-wheel-drive mid-engine vehicle but often omits it was his family's 1991 Toyota Previa minivan.

　　In the modern world of car-like crossovers, the Toyota 4Runner is proudly old-school in more ways than one. First off, Toyota hasn't given it a full redesign since the 2010 model year, which makes this midsize SUV pretty much geriatric by automotive standards. Plus, the 4Runner is a rugged truck-based SUV, while most other models have moved on to be more car-like crossovers. Still, plenty of 4Runner buyers seem quite fine with this. Versions like the TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro are ideally suited for off-road adventures, or at least looking the part.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2024 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 $3.06 per gallon for regular unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$220/mo  for 4Runner SR5

　　4Runner SR5

　　SR5 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A) - $40,705 MSRPSR5 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A) - $42,580 MSRPTRD Sport 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A) - $43,565 MSRPTRD Sport 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A) - $45,440 MSRPSR5 Premium 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A) - $43,765 MSRPSR5 Premium 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A) - $45,640 MSRPTRD OFF-ROAD 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A) - $44,550 MSRPTRD OFF-ROAD Premium 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A) (Most Popular) - $47,130 MSRPLimited 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A) - $49,940 MSRPLimited 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A) - $51,975 MSRPTRD PRO 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A) - $55,170 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　

zzdcar spotlight: Towing and off-road capability

Being truck-based provides some advantages. The 4Runner is rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. That's a bit more than most of the more car-like crossovers can tow and is certainly enough to pull a small trailer without issue. The 4Runner also has a good amount of ground clearance and low-range gearing for its four-wheel-drive system to help it get along on rocky trails. But if fuel efficiency is your priority, Toyota has other SUVs for you.

　　

Competitors to consider

The Toyota 4Runner's most direct competitors are the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler. All three compromise on-road comfort and handling in favor of greater off-road capability. The Bronco and Wrangler are the most capable off the highway and even have removable roofs. But for around-town driving, the 4Runner is the most civilized. Jeep's Grand Cherokee is another option. Alternatively, crossovers such as the Honda Passport or Subaru Outback will work out just fine for occasional recreational use. Also know that a fully redesigned and modernized 4Runner is finally set to debut for 2025. Read our Expert Rating below to see how this year's 4Runner stacks up.

　　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, 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 the body-on-frame construction provides an extra layer of sound suppression between road and cabin.

　　Continue reading zzdcar Expert Rating below