2023 Toyota 4Runner Review

Name: 2023 Toyota 4Runner
Brand: Toyota

Price Range: $31,000 - $56,590

2023 Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary Special Edition 4dr SUV Exterior

Average

7.6

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

The 2023 4Runner isn't the most polished SUV around, and its V6 is thirsty compared to the engines in a lot of similarly priced crossovers. Still, it's hard to find a vehicle that offers this much capability with this much utility and seating for up to seven people. The 4Runner isn't the SUV for everyone, but it might be perfect for some.

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Average price: $41,614

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Appraise My 2023 Toyota 4Runner

Toyota 4Runner model years

Toyota 4Runner for Sale

Pros

Impressive off-road capability
Wide variety of configurations to suit many buyers
Versatile cargo area, especially with the optional slide-out floor

Cons

Choppy ride quality compared with more modern crossover SUVs
V6 engine is not particularly fuel-efficient
Tall step-in height makes for awkward entry and exit

What's new

Retro-inspired 40th Anniversary Special Edition
Previous Trail Special Edition has been discontinued
Blind-spot and rear cross-traffic warning system now come standard
Part of the fifth 4Runner generation introduced for 2010

Overview

Written by automotive expert Michael Cantu

10/26/2022

The Toyota 4Runner is a rugged, old-school body-on-frame midsize SUV that's found success in a world filled with stylish car-based SUVs filled to the brim with tech. It's not fuel-efficient, comfortable or high-tech, but it's loved for its tough looks, off-road heritage and versatility. Like many truck-based SUVs, the 4Runner is very capable off-road, has plenty of towing capacity and offers loads of cargo space. Some rivals try to mimic the 4Runner's rugged look with body cladding and all-terrain tires, but few are truly built for off-roading.

Continue reading Edmunds Expert Rating below

For sale near Ashburn, VA

1,201 listings

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2023 Toyota 4Runner
Limited 4dr SUV
$45,000
great price
$3,982 below market
- 26,220 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use only
- 7 Seats, 16 City / 19 Hwy MPG
- Koons Tysons Chevy GMC (16 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Leather Seats
- Sunroof/Moonroof
Close
Located in Vienna, VA
ANDROID AUTO / APPLE CARPLAY, 4WD, Redwood Leather, Dual Zone Auto Climate Control, Fully automatic headlights, Garage Door Opener, Heated Outside Rea...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
17 Combined MPG (16 City/19 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JTEKU5JR0P6159319
Stock: KTGS230321
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 02-26-2026
2023 Toyota 4Runner
TRD OFF-ROAD Premium 4dr SUV
$46,500
good price
$3,556 below market
- 27,833 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use only
- 5 Seats, 16 City / 19 Hwy MPG
- CarHub (39 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Back-up camera
- Bluetooth
- Navigation
- Keyless Entry/Start
Close
Located in Stafford, VA

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
17 Combined MPG (16 City/19 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JTERU5JR8P6139771
Stock: 139771
Certified Pre-Owned: No

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The 2023 model year marks the 40th birthday for the 4Runner. To celebrate, Toyota introduces the 40th Anniversary Special Edition based on the popular (and budget-friendly) SR5 model. Featuring unique bronze wheels and badging, this 4Runner wows with a heritage-inspired graphics package. The red, orange and yellow racing stripes pay homage to the old Toyota pickups that the original 4Runner was based on.

If you aren't into the 4Runner's classic looks or don't need its impressive off-road capability, there are a few alternatives to consider that perform better in city driving and offer more modernity. The newly redesigned Jeep Grand Cherokee and Ford Bronco boast solid off-road chops while offering lots of comfort and tech. There is also the Honda Passport, which has sufficient off-road capability for most and packs many modern features. If you'd like to know more about how the 4Runner performed during testing, check out our Expert Rating below to get our test team's full review of its performance, fuel efficiency and more.

Edmunds Expert Rating

edmunds TESTED

by the Edmunds Experts

Average

7.6

out of 10

We drove the 2023 Toyota 4Runner on our test track and on real roads. Our Edmunds team conducts rigorous independent vehicle testing, driving 500,000 miles a year.

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

7/10

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.

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

8/10

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

8/10

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. The vehicle is also prewired for not only four-pin but also seven-pin trailer plugs that come on trailers with electric trailer brakes.

Fuel Economy

6/10

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 rival crossover SUVs with all-wheel drive.

Value

7/10

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 EPA-estimated fuel economy is in the teens in both the city and on the highway.

Wildcard

8/10

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.

2023 Toyota 4Runner trim level differences

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner is a midsize SUV available in eight trim levels: SR5, TRD Sport, SR5 Premium, TRD Off-Road, TRD Off-Road Premium, 40th Anniversary Special Edition, Limited and TRD Pro. All come with a 4.0-liter V6 (270 horsepower, 278 lb-ft of torque) and a five-speed automatic transmission. The SR5, SR5 Premium, TRD Sport and Limited trims are available with rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive (4WD). The other 4Runners have standard 4WD. Five-passenger seating is standard, and a third-row seat is optional on certain trims to boost capacity to seven people. Compare the 2023 Toyota 4Runner trim levels in-depth.

Which 4Runner trim does Edmunds recommend?

The 4Runner can be had in many flavors, and all of them are capable of venturing off the beaten path. But if you want serious off-road hardware to back up this SUV's rugged looks, get the TRD Off-Road trim. That model gets you off-road-specific drive modes, an off-road cruise control mode and a locking rear differential. The top-of-the-line TRD Pro is slightly more capable, but it also costs a good deal more.

Cost to Drive

Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia

$238/mo

$199/mo

Avg. Midsize SUV

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Reliability

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner has a 3 years / 36,000 miles basic warranty and 1 recall. RepairPal gives it a reliability rating of 4 out of 5, ranks it #7 out of 32 among Midsize SUVs. Below you’ll find our owner reviews.

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

4 out of 5 stars4/5Above Average

#7 out of 32 among Midsize SUVs

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

$469/yr

vs. $485/yr
for Average Midsize SUV

Frequency

0.83x/yr

vs. 1.18x/yr
for Average Midsize SUV

Severity

13%

vs. 13.5%
for Average Midsize SUV

Recalls

1 recall found

Checking if a car has a recall is simple. Just type the car's VIN number into the NHTSA website (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). If there's an unrepaired recall, you'll see it there.

If a recall shows up, just call your local car dealer. They'll know about the recall and will work with the car maker to fix it for free (if the recall happened within 10 years of the car being first sold).

Recall Number:: 23V680000
Manufacturer Recall Number:: SET23A
Number of vehicles affected:: 13
Defect Description:: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota 4Runner vehicles. The load carrying capacity modification label states the incorrect load carrying capacity, which can result in an overloaded vehicle. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Defect Consequence:: An overloaded vehicle increases the risk of a crash.
Corrective Action:: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC will mail a new modified label, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 4, 2023. Owners may contact SET's customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET23A.

Warranty

3 years / 36,000 miles Basic Warranty

Basic Warranty: 3 years / 36,000 miles
Drivetrain Warranty: 5 years / 60,000 miles
Rust Warranty: 5 years / unlimited miles
Roadside assistance Warranty: 2 years / unlimited miles
Free maintenance Warranty: 2 years / 25,000 miles

Toyota 4Runner Reviews

Owner Reviews

4.7

39 reviews

5(82%)

4(10%)

3(2%)

2(2%)

1(4%)

See all 39 reviews of the Toyota 4Runner

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Most Helpful Owner Reviews

2023 4Runner Features & Specs

Trim:

SR5

MSRP (New) Excludes Destination Fee	$40,155
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	17 MPG
Cost to Drive	$238/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	47.2 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	rear wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

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Safety

Our experts like the 4Runner models:

Downhill Assist Control: Improves directional control during descent on steep or slippery surfaces.
Pre-Collision System: Applies the brakes automatically to stop the vehicle to avoid or minimize a collision.
Dynamic Radar Cruise Control: Maintains a driver-set distance between the Bronco and the car in front.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver4 / 5
Passenger3 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover3 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover24.6%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Marginal
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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2023 Toyota 4Runner Review

Price & Payment

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

For sale near Ashburn, VA

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

2023 Toyota 4Runner trim level differences

Which 4Runner trim does Edmunds recommend?

Cost to Drive

Reliability

Reliability Rating by RepairPal

Recalls

Warranty

Toyota 4Runner Reviews

Owner Reviews

Most Helpful Owner Reviews

2023 4Runner Features & Specs

Safety

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