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Toyota 4Runner Reviews

Owner Reviews

5(50%)
4(20%)
3(16%)
2(7%)
1(7%)

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

Great, for what it's intended to do.
5 out of 5 stars
Woodsman, 10/25/2020
2021 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
If you plan to spend much more time on the highway than in the woods with your 4Runner, the Limited is the model to get. More amenities, and a slightly more roadworthy ride. Commanding driving position gives you a feeling of confidence behind the wheel. Just keep in mind this is still an old-school truck, albeit with modern safety and electronic technology, disguised as an SUV. … Personally, I find comfort in that. This is my second 4Runner, and I've found both to be flawless in engineering and manufacture. Drivetrain is bulletproof, and fit and finish are excellent. With the exception of electronic upgrades, Toyota has been building this same vehicle for a dozen years now. They've had plenty of time to get it right, and they did. UPDATE AT 7,500 MILES: Still waiting for something to go wrong. Not a single problem yet. Average MPG at 18.2. UPDATE AT 15,000 MILES: Not a problem yet. Not one. Should I be getting bored? UPDATE AT 25,000 MILES: Still waiting for my first problem with this vehicle.
Love the new 4runner
5 out of 5 stars
Donna S, 12/09/2020
2021 Toyota 4Runner TRD OFF-ROAD 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
This is my 3rd Toyota 4Runner and I have to say I am very impressed with the TRD Off Road Premium edition, I love the Magnetic gray metallic and the interior is wonderful I love everything about it bumper to bumper and the 4 wheel is great also defiantly has a lot of traction, Haven't even had it a week and almost 1000 miles already I usually travel 5000 miles a month, so I am really … going to enjoy this as a day driver.
Honda Pilot Convert. 4Runner is Better
5 out of 5 stars
J Bradley, 04/29/2021
2021 Toyota 4Runner Venture Special Edition 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
We traded in a 2017 Honda Pilot Touring AWD on a new 21' 4Runner Venture. The Honda had been replete with mechanical and quality control issues since the day we bought it new. It was approaching the end of its factory warranty. We also have a Toyota Land Cruiser, so we know what Toyota reliability is. We really tried to love the Pilot for its room, fuel economy, road manners and crisp … handling. But, the reliability was terrible. During the first 90 days, it spent 30 days at the dealership while most of the rear suspension was replaced. That's just the beginning... but enough about the Pilot. Suffice to say it was one of the least reliable cars we've owned. The 4Runner is a lot things, but one thing it isn't is highly-refined. It's a bit rough around the edges like any super-tough vehicle. It's a Tacoma pickup truck underneath and it acts like a truck because it IS a truck. Know that going in. The mileage isn't great, we have averaged 18.1 over the 4k miles we've owned it. There's nothing really aerodynamic about it. The on-road tech is a generation behind the current state-of-the-art. All this considered, the 4Runner is probably my favorite vehicle I've ever owned. Reasons: I don't have to baby it - it's just tough - and I am longer no longer trying to tune-in to every sound the vehicle makes for fear that something else might be going wrong that could strand us. The build quality is superb. The materials are excellent and made to last for decades. The body style is great (yes, it's dated, but still turns heads everywhere I go). The 4WD system is manual and bulletproof. Lots of people complain that it only has a 5 speed transmission. It's bulletproof too. I'd take it any day over the 9 speed Honda transmission in our Pilot that has a high failure rate. Our Venture edition has the same off-road tech that the Land Cruiser has - and - that's really handy when/if you need it (we live in a remote area where lots of our roads aren't paved and are hilly and a total mess when wet). In the Venture edition, you get lots of TRD tech, but you also get standard SUV tires (M&S) which are plenty good for 90% of the casual off-road driving that most people do, yet ride super-nicely on the interstate and are quiet. Overall, the 4Runner is just rock solid, built to last for hundreds of thousands of miles with minimal repairs or hassles. You just know that wherever you're going, you're going to get there and back. Whether your vehicle is up to the task, or if it will fail mechanically during a trip, becomes the least of your worries and you can relax and enjoy the drive, with confidence and peace of mind. There is nothing I regret about trading the Pilot for the 4Runner. The cost benefit in the Honda's better MPG would be deleted completely with the cost of 1 transmission or 1 fuel injection system (both fail on Gen 3 Pilots). Our 4Runner give every indication that it will with us for years and years. Keep up the good work Toyota and I truly hope that if you ever update the 4Runner, it won't be at the expense of the decreasing the 4Runner's incredible reliability and longevity, along with the many other things which make it the workhorse it is.
Fantastic! Toyota converted!
5 out of 5 stars
DesertGirl, 11/10/2020
2021 Toyota 4Runner TRD OFF-ROAD 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
I have owned Jeep products in the last 9 years and wasn’t really looking to take the leap to a Toyota. As soon as I sat in the 4Runner Off Road I was sold! I love the height, the clean lines, aggressive look and ruggedness! I know there are a lot of complaints about the interior but I like the fit and finish of the dash, simple, clean, understated, I like the variety of surfaces with … dimpling on the dash and the carbon fiber on the console. The control center is fabulous and looks good, controls are easy to access! My 2021 4Runner has everything I need! The ride is comfortable and not abusive and I have no complaints! It’s better than my prior two Jeeps! Enjoying this new ride! Looking forward to a new adventure in my 4Runner!

2021 Toyota 4Runner videos

2020 Land Rover Defender vs. Wrangler vs. 4Runner — The New Defender Goes Off-Road With the Big Boys

NOTE: This video is about the 2020 Toyota 4Runner, but since the 2021 Toyota 4Runner is part of the same generation, our earlier analysis still applies.

In this video, see how the new Defender stacks up against the best off-roaders on the market. Our experts evaluate the new 2020 Land Rover Defender on the road and off-road with two of the best and most popular off-road vehicles, the Toyota 4Runner and the Jeep Wrangler. How does the new Defender stack up? Find out in a good old-fashioned off-road comparison test.

Safety

Our experts like the 4Runner models:

Downhill Assist Control
Improves directional control during descent on steep or slippery surfaces.
Pre-Collision System
Uses radar and cameras to scan the road for people or other objects, alerting the driver. May automatically brake if the driver doesn't.
Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
Uses radar to maintain a set speed and distance to a vehicle in front of you. Will slow down and speed up based on traffic speed.


FAQ

Is the Toyota 4Runner a good car?

The Edmunds experts tested the 2021 4Runner both on the road and at the track, giving it a 7.6 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2021 4Runner gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 56 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that carrying capacity for the 4Runner ranges from 46.3 to 47.2 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Toyota 4Runner. Learn more

What's new in the 2021 Toyota 4Runner?

According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2021 Toyota 4Runner:

  • New 4Runner Trail Special Edition
  • Standard LED headlights for all 4Runners
  • TRD Pro trim gets new wheels and retuned shock absorbers
  • Part of the fifth 4Runner generation introduced for 2010
Learn more

Is the Toyota 4Runner reliable?

To determine whether the Toyota 4Runner is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the 4Runner. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the 4Runner's 4-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more

Is the 2021 Toyota 4Runner a good car?

There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2021 Toyota 4Runner is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2021 4Runner and gave it a 7.6 out of 10. Our consumer reviews show that the 2021 4Runner gets an average rating of 4 stars out of 5 (based on 56 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2021 4Runner is a good car for you. Learn more

How much should I pay for a 2021 Toyota 4Runner?

The least-expensive 2021 Toyota 4Runner is the 2021 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $36,765.

Other versions include:

  • SR5 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A) which starts at $36,765
  • SR5 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A) which starts at $38,640
  • Trail Special Edition 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A) which starts at $38,740
  • SR5 Premium 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A) which starts at $39,825
  • Trail Special Edition 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A) which starts at $40,615
  • TRD OFF-ROAD 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A) which starts at $40,730
  • SR5 Premium 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A) which starts at $41,700
  • TRD OFF-ROAD Premium 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A) which starts at $43,325
  • Venture Special Edition 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A) which starts at $44,895
  • Limited 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A) which starts at $45,670
  • Nightshade Special Edition 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A) which starts at $47,085
  • Limited 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A) which starts at $47,705
  • Nightshade Special Edition 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A) which starts at $49,120
  • TRD PRO 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A) which starts at $50,745
Learn more

What are the different models of Toyota 4Runner?

If you're interested in the Toyota 4Runner, the next question is, which 4Runner model is right for you? 4Runner variants include SR5 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A), SR5 4dr SUV 4WD (4.0L 6cyl 5A), Trail Special Edition 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A), and SR5 Premium 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A). For a full list of 4Runner models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more