Item: 2021 Toyota 4Runner
Rating: 6.94
Author: Nathan Dyer

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2021 Toyota 4Runner

Rating6.9

Ranked #21 in Midsize Suv

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Starting MSRP

$36,765 - $49,120

Key Spec of 2021 Toyota 4Runner

fuel economy

fuel type

Regular unleaded

horsepower

270 hp @ 5600 rpm

basic warranty

3 yr./ 36000 mi.

New Cars

Old Cars Build In & Price

2021 Toyota 4Runner Price, Review, Ratings and Pictures

Updated on: December 28, 2021

Nathan Dyer

Senior Editor

In an age where the monocoque FWD SUVs are taking over sales charts due to their high-end features and accessible pricing, the 2021 Toyota 4Runner seems like a relic of the past. Featuring body-on-frame construction and all the markings of an SUV from yesteryear, the 4Runner offers lackluster on-road dynamics for an equally immersive off-road experience.

See detailed review

Pros	Cons	What's New
Off-road ready in any of its variants	Isn't as composed on roads as some rivalsÂ	Trail, Venture, and Nightshade Special Editions unveiledÂ
Practical cabin with space for everything and everyone	The V6 engine offers meager performance and little fuel economy	TRD Pro receives an upgraded alloy and tire combo, as well as re-tuned TRD dampers
Old-school SUV with new-age technologyÂ	Durability takes precedence over premiumness in the cabin	LED headlights are now standard across the range

Over All Rating 6.9 Out of 10
Pricing and Features	6.00
Engine and Performance	7.00
Fuel Economy	9.00
Interior	6.00
Exterior	7.00
Safety	6.00
Competition	7.00

Notable Rankings

#21 in Midsize Suv

#22 in Suv

Pictures & Videos

Exterior [6]Interior [5]

Trims

SR5$36,765 onwards

ABS and driveline Traction control

Build Car

Trail Special Edition$38,740 onwards

17-inch gray aluminum Wheels

Build Car

SR5 Premium$39,825 onwards

Heated Front Seats
Siriusxm AM/FM/HD/Satellite
Softex leatherette Seat trim

Build Car

Venture$43,895 onwards

17-inch black TRD aluminum Wheels
Navigation system

Build Car

Limited$45,670 onwards

Parking assist
Sliding and tilting glass Sunroof

Build Car

Nightshade$47,085 onwards

20-inch black aluminum Wheels

Build Car

Colors and Styles

Nautical Blue Metallic

Expert Review, Pricing Analysis and Buying Guide

Right from the lowest trim onwards, the 4Runner is well suited to take on challenging terrain, especially in its TRD Pro trim. While the engineers at Toyota haven’t taken any steps towards refining the 2021 4Runner up to modern standards, they have been sure to bestow the SUV with advanced off-roading tech and electronics. The 2021 Toyota 4Runner goes up against the likes of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Dodge Durango, and the Ford Explorer.

Features

The 4Runner is genuinely an SUV of old times. It is offered in various combinations to suit different purposes, and its trim levels have varying degrees of off-road capability. Toyota also knows that the 2021 4Runner isn’t exactly equipped to take on more refined SUVs in the market, so its trims have taken an off-roading focused approach, increasing ability as you go higher up the trim ladder.

Trims	SR5	TRD Off-Road	SR5 Premium	TRD Off-Road Premium	Limited	Nightshade Special Edition
MSRP	$38,640	$40,730	$41,700	$43,325	$47,705	$49,120
Key Features	Manual Air Conditioning	17” alloys	SofTex Seats	Heated power outside mirrors with turn signal indicators	Automatic running boards	Premium JBL Audio System
	Reverse Camera with guidelines	Heated power outside mirrors	Heated front seats	TRD Off-road badging	Dual-zone automatic climate control with air filter and second-row vents	8-way power-adjustable driver seat with memory function
	Fabric Seats	Roof Rails	Sliding rear cargo deck with under-floor storage compartment	Aerodynamic variable intermittent windshield wipers with mist cycle	Perforated leather seats with heated and ventilated front seats	Door handles with touch-sensor lock/unlock
	LED Headlights and Taillights	In-key remote keyless entry system	Premium Audio system	Power rear liftgate window with auto up/down and jam protection	Auto-dimming rearview mirror	Black Nightshade specific badging

We Recommend

Toyota gives the 4Runner plenty of off-roading importance with its TRD models, and there is no doubt that the TRD Off-road variants are more adept at crossing undulating terrain. Nevertheless, the 4Runner is actually very tough and reliable without the TRD badging and extras, and only the TRD Pro offers the best of features along with pure off-roading prowess. If you wish to contain your expenses, the TRD Off-Road Premium is an excellent choice for those who’d like to venture off-road often, while the Limited edition is perfect for those planning to spend as much time on the road as possible.

Engine and Performance

7.0/10

Toyota takes off-roading very seriously, as seen in their countless models dedicated to crossing the worst of terrain. Sound engineering helps the 2021 4Runner achieve a wading depth of 27.6 inches, and its off-road focused features only make things easier. However, none of it would be possible without the old school 4.0L naturally aspirated V6 sending power to all four wheels of the SUV. The power delivery of the engine is spread out evenly across the rev range, allowing for multiple points of traction to get yourself out of a tricky situation.

Models	2021 Toyota 4Runner	2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee	2021 Dodge Durango	2021 Ford Explorer
MSRP	$43,000	$47,000	$45,000	$46,250
Engine	4.0L V6	3.6L V6	3.6L V6	2.3L Turbocharged Inline Four-Cylinder
Drivetrain	4WD	4WD	4WD	4WD
Transmission	5-speed automatic	8-speed automatic	8-speed automatic	10-speed automatic
Power (hp @ RPM	270 hp @ 5,600 RPM	293 hp @ 6,400 RPM	293 hp @ 6,400 RPM	300 hp @ 5,500 RPM
Torque (lb-ft @ RPM)	278 lb-ft @4,400 RPM	260 lb-ft @ 4,000 RPM	260 lb-ft @ 4,000 RPM	310 lb-ft @ 3,500 RPM
0-60 MPH (seconds)	7.7	7.9	7.6	6.8
Quarter-Mile (seconds)	15.3	15.2	15.8	15.3
Top-Speed (MPH)	115	120	120	143

Unlike its three competitors, the 2021 Ford Explorer makes use of a turbocharged four-cylinder that manages to offer the best figures for both power and torque in its segment, although we can’t imagine how strained the engine might feel compared to the free-flowing naturally aspirated V6 engines in the segment. The V6 engines are all tuned for torque at every point of the rev range and do not offer great straight-line acceleration either.

How does the 2021 Toyota 4Runner handle?

While the Toyota 4Runner does show its age now, the refinement levels are clearly ahead of the time whence it was released, as it manages to match some of its more modern competitors in terms of handling prowess. The old-school architecture of the 4Runner comes with inherent body roll, and certainly a bit of wobbliness as standard, but doesn’t get to an unnerving extent as in the case of some cheaper off-roading SUVs.

The 4Runner can actually be driven to prioritize comfort, although it wouldn’t match the likes of the more refined competition you would find today, and controlling chassis movements comes at the cost of spirited, or even enthusiastic driving. The 2021 4Runner is best operated at lower speeds, at which it is tuned for more comfort in order to prove its mettle as an off-road-focused model.

2021 Toyota 4Runner Braking Performance

The 2021 4Runner houses disc brakes on all four wheels, with 13.3” rotors on the front wheels, and 12.3” rotors on the rear. These dutiful brakes manage to stop the lumbering SUV from 60 miles an hour over a distance of 134 feet. While this isn’t the best in the segment, it's great to expect such braking from an SUV.

Models	2021 Toyota 4Runner	2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee	2021 Dodge Durango	2021 Ford Explorer
Brake Rotors: Front (inches)	13.3	13.8	13.8	13.6
Brake Rotors: Rear (inches)	12.3	13	13	12.6
Curb Weight (lbs)	4,750	4,513	4,689	4,345
60-0 (feet)	134	124	127	125

The best braking distance belongs to the 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee, which has a lighter curb weight than its mechanical counterpart - the Dodge Durango while housing the same brake sizes for a braking distance of 124 feet. The SUV most well suited to straight-line speeds is the Ford Explorer, and it has an equally impressive braking distance of 125 feet, which complements its acceleration figure of 6.8 seconds from 0 to 60.

Fuel Economy

9.0/10

Both the high displacement and number of cylinders in the standard-issue engine of the 4Runner work against fuel economy, and that is seen in its dismal mpg figures of 16 and 19, city and highway respectively. Its 23-gallon fuel tank does allow for the 4Runner to travel long distances on a full tank of gas, but not as long as some of the competition.

Models	2021 Toyota 4Runner	2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee	2021 Dodge Durango	2021 Ford Explorer
MPG (City)	16	18	19	17
MPG (Highway)	19	25	26	24
MPG (Combined)	17	21	21	20
Fuel Capacity (Gallons)	23 gallons	24.6 gallons	24.6 gallons	19.2 gallons
Range (City/Highway/Combined, in Miles)	368/437/391 miles	442.8/615/516 miles	467.4/639.6/516 miles	403.2/537.6/384 miles

Uncharacteristically of the FCA engines, the Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee post the best fuel efficiency figures at a combined 21 mpg, and having the largest fuel tank in the segment comes as a boon for the dual purpose SUVs. What’s even more surprising is the four-pot motor of the 2021 Ford Explorer posting poorer fuel economy figures than the V6 engines in the Dodge and Jeep, as the Explorer fails to extract a better figure within the city and out on the highway. Despite a small fuel tank, it has a better range than the 2021 Toyota 4Runner.

Interior

6.0/10

There is certainly welcome practicality about the new Toyota 4Runner and its cabin. Spacious seating rows and a ton of cargo room make for a very useful SUV for camping trips and weekend getaways alike. That being said, the arbitrary layout and design of the cabin is ages old and isn’t as visually appealing as it once was. While the usefulness of the cabin is certainly maxed out, the materials used across the interior of the 2021 Toyota 4Runner have been picked with durability in mind, having a negative effect on prospective buyers as compared to more premium interiors offered by the similarly priced competition.

Models	2021 Toyota 4Runner	2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee	2021 Dodge Durango	2021 Ford Explorer
Seating Capacity	5	5	7	7
Front Row (Headroom/Shoulder Room/Leg Room, in inches)	38.6/57.8/41.7	39.9/58.7/40.3	39.9/58.5/40.3	40.7/61.8/43.0
Second Row (Headroom/Shoulder Room/Leg Room, in inches)	38.6/57.8/32.9	39.2/58.0/38.6	39.8/57.7/38.6	40.5/61.9/39.0
Third Row (Headroom/Shoulder Room/Leg Room, in inches)	N/A	N/A	37.6/50.4/31.5	38.9/54.6/32.2
Trunk Capacity (cubic feet)	47.2	36.3	17.2	18.2

The generous interior room in the 2021 Toyota 4Runner can be seen in its well-rounded headroom and legroom figures for the front row of seating. The second row is far less practical than the first, but that makes for an abundance of cargo capacity behind the seating rows, as the 4Runner provides a segment topping 47.2 cubic feet of storage space. The Jeep Grand Cherokee offers significantly less space, while the 7 seater SUVs offer less than half of the 4Runner’s cargo capacity. Interior features to keep an eye out for in the 2021 Toyota 4Runner:

Dual-zone climate control
Heated and Ventilated front seats
Perforated leather seats
Auto-dimming inside rearview mirror
8-way power-adjustable driver seat with memory function

How intuitive is the infotainment system in the 2021 Toyota 4Runner?

The infotainment system in the Toyota 4Runner isn’t as old-age as the rest of this page would have you believe. An 8.0” touchscreen placed in the center of the dash handles most of the infotainment duties and comes connected to one of three different audio systems on offer in the 2021 4Runner, the most premium of them being a 15-speaker JBL setup.

The infotainment system in the 2021 Toyota 4Runner is as useful as the SUV itself and comes with all the necessary features, such as:

8” touchscreen
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
Built-in navigation system
15-speaker JBL audio system

❮❯

Exterior

7.0/10

The 4Runner has a tremendous road presence as a result of its burly structure and high ground clearance. It is quite the visual impairment for lower vehicles in traffic, as it is tough to see around or over it. That being said, the visually large SUV has its archaism demonstrated in its 109.8” wheelbase on a 190.2” long chassis, which is characteristic of an off-road SUV, but not as accommodating as rivals in today’s day and age.

Models	2021 Toyota 4Runner	2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee	2021 Dodge Durango	2021 Ford Explorer
Curb Weight (lb)	4,750	4,513	4,689	4,345
Length (inches)	190.2	189.8	200.8	198.8
Width (inches)	75.8	76.5	75.8	78.9
Height (inches)	71.5	69.3	70.1	69.9
Ground Clearance (inches)	9.6	8.6	8.1	7.9
Wheelbase (inches)	109.8	114.8	119.8	119.1

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner is also the heaviest of the lot, and its towering ground clearance of 9.6” makes it mechanically suited towards tackling rough terrain, more so than its rivals at least. The most people-friendly SUV in this segment is the Dodge Durango, followed by the Ford Explorer, as both these SUVs have extremely long wheelbases and are quite wide as well. Standout exterior features of the 2021 Toyota 4Runner include:

Roof Rails
LED headlights and taillights
Power Liftgate with anti-jamming
Heated, power-folding outside rearview mirrors
Rain-sensing intermittent wipers
Door handles with touch sensors for unlocking and locking

❮❯

Safety

6.0/10

The lumbering body-on-frame SUV has overused its platform for years now, at least when it comes to safety. Today, most SUVs exhibit high safety standards that are met with perfect safety scores from the likes of the NHTSA and IIHS. Unfortunately for the Toyota 4Runner, it receives a 4-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, which is further demeaned by a rollover risk rating of 3 stars only. The 2021 Toyota 4Runner does come with a host of safety features and driver assistance tech, including:

Engine Immobilizer
Remote Anti-Theft Alarm System
Post Collision Safety System
Accident Avoidance System
Emergency Braking Assist
Lane Departure Warning
Pre-Collision System with pedestrian detection
Vehicle Stability Control
Electronic Brake Force Distribution
Eight standard airbags
Tire pressure monitoring system
Dynamic radar cruise control
Automatic high beams

Competition

7.0/10

2021 Toyota 4Runner vs 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The Jeep Grand Cherokee has legendary off-roading status, and offers a collected ride and drive on the streets as well. On paper, it looks like the Jeep is superior to the generation-old 4Runner in every way, but it is hard to argue with mechanical and physical advantages such as ground clearance and a more reliable robust build, which is certainly a given in the 2021 Toyota 4Runner SUV.

2021 Toyota 4Runner vs 2021 Dodge Durango

The Dodge Durango sacrifices some of its go-anywhere attitudes, for comfort and people ferrying abilities, as the Dodge SUV is a 7-seater that prefers the road. Nonetheless, we wouldn’t go as far as to say the Durango is completely out of its element when off-road, as it is still a very capable SUV that shares the underpinnings of the Grand Cherokee.

2021 Toyota 4Runner vs 2021 Ford Explorer

The Ford Explorer takes an overly new-age approach to combat the SUVs of proven capabilities. The Grand Cherokee is quite known for its go-anywhere ability, and the 4Runner is an aggressive competitor that showcases its ability to do the same, especially in its TRD variants. The Ford Explorer attempts to use its previously earned credentials to convince younger buyers that it is an effective car, by establishing superiority on paper. Unfortunately, we old-school buyers still believe that when it comes to off-roading, a V6 is the way to go.

Final Verdict

The Toyota 4Runner is a confusing proposition for many reasons, and the newer buyers looking for an SUV might not know what to expect with this SUV. Simply put, it is an SUV fit for all kinds of adventurous activities and is perfect for larger families who like to go out together, with pets too. Practicality is unmatched, and the lack of refinement shines off-road as the 4Runner hops over most obstacles with considerable ease, even if some of you don’t have a clue what you’re doing. The on-road dynamics of the 4Runner can be a letdown, although Toyota hasn’t kept that a secret either.

Features

vehicle bio

base price

$41700

body style

4dr SUV

engine type

displacement

241 cu in

horse power

270 hp @ 5600 rpm

torque

278 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm

transmission

5 speed Automatic

dimensions

length

190.2 in

wheelbase

109.8 in

width

75.8 in

curb weight

4675 lbs

Height

71.5 in

Ground Clearance

9.6 lbs

capacity

passenger volume

97.3 cu ft

cargo volume

89.7 cu ft

passenger capacity

5 Seats

fuel economy

city/combined/highway

16/18/19 mpg

highway range

483 mi

warranty

basic warranty

3 yr./ 36000 mi.

See All Features & Specs

2021 Toyota 4Runner User Reviews

2.5

[26 Reviews]

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[15.0%] [4 Reviews]

[27.0%] [7 Reviews]

[38.0%] [10 Reviews]

[15.0%] [4 Reviews]

[4.0%] [1 Reviews]

POPULAR TAGS

Cons - Crude interior, Noisy, Gas mileage.

Tough looks I've always loved massive vehicles and that is the reason why I chose the 4Runner. This car has the dominating stance and design with a very spacious cabin and the kind of torque this thing makes is pretty massive. I was able to tow an F-150 with cargo on its without any issue but the 4Runner sure does get noisy and the interior styling feels very dated and raw. This also isn't a very...

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Toyota 4Runner 5 year Cost To Own

Cash Price(MSRP)

$41,439

5 Year Cost To Own

$50,495

Total 5 year Cost To Own - $50,495

	Year 1	Year 2	Year 3	Year 4	Year 5	total
Depreciation	$4,136	$1,542	$1,452	$1,654	$1,595	$10,379
Insurance	$1,272	$1,355	$1,355	$1,465	$1,477	$6,924
Fuel	$2,764	$2,841	$3,010	$3,042	$3,187	$14,844
Maintenance	$32	$508	$520	$1,983	$2,244	$5,287
Repairs	$28	$22	$99	$302	$381	$832
Financing Interest	$2,565	$2,111	$1,558	$998	$369	$7,601
Taxes and Fees	$3,498	$282	$231	$316	$301	$4,628
Total Cost-To-Own	$14,295	$8,661	$8,225	$9,760	$9,554	$50,495

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Key Spec of 2021 Toyota 4Runner

fuel economy

fuel type

horsepower

basic warranty

Own a Car?

2021 Toyota 4Runner Price, Review, Ratings and Pictures

6.9

Pictures & Videos

Trims

SR5$36,765 onwards

Trail Special Edition$38,740 onwards

SR5 Premium$39,825 onwards

Venture$43,895 onwards

Limited$45,670 onwards

Nightshade$47,085 onwards

Colors and Styles

Expert Review, Pricing Analysis and Buying Guide

Features

Engine and Performance

How does the 2021 Toyota 4Runner handle?

2021 Toyota 4Runner Braking Performance

Fuel Economy

Interior

How intuitive is the infotainment system in the 2021 Toyota 4Runner?

Exterior

Safety

Competition

2021 Toyota 4Runner vs 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee

2021 Toyota 4Runner vs 2021 Dodge Durango

2021 Toyota 4Runner vs 2021 Ford Explorer

Final Verdict

Features

vehicle bio

base price

body style

engine type

displacement

horse power

torque

transmission

dimensions

length

wheelbase

width

curb weight

Height

Ground Clearance

capacity

passenger volume

cargo volume

passenger capacity

fuel economy

city/combined/highway

highway range

warranty

basic warranty

2021 Toyota 4Runner User Reviews

2.5

Lacks heated seats.

Pros - Capable, Torquey engine.

Cons - Apple CarPlay, No Heated seats, Lane departure warning.

Looks badass

Pros - Powerful, Design, Spacious.

Cons - None so far.

Not the best comfort

Pros - Looks, Cabin space, Towing.

Cons - Crude interior, Noisy, Gas mileage.

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Top User Reviews

Lacks heated seats.

Looks badass

Not the best comfort

Affordable SUV with choppy ride

Carry earplugs while driving on highways!

Toyota 4Runner 5 year Cost To Own

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