2021 Toyota 4Runner review

2021 Toyota 4Runner Review: 

The Toyota 4Runner is an old-school SUV that prioritizes capability on- and off-road more than on-road comfort. It's also a very old SUV, having last been redesigned back in 2010. But if you're looking for a big SUV for off-roading, you don't have a lot of options: The Chevy Tahoe and Ford Expedition are two of the 4Runner's last remaining competitors. 

LED headlights became standard on all 4Runner's in 2021, which is a nice quality-of-life improvement. The 4Runner received a big refresh in 2020 that added a more modern infotainment system along with Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™. But if you're looking for a modern SUV that prioritizes on-road comfort, you're better off looking at a crossover like the Toyota Highlander or Kia Telluride.

• Technology

• Comfort

• Cargo and storage

• Ease of use

• Driving

What tech does the 2021 Toyota 4Runner have?

Connectivity

Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ became standard features in 2020 in a big refresh for the 4Runner. More USB ports were added, bringing the total to four. That's a big improvement on the original 4Runner, but there are other vehicles that give you more options for charging your device. Bluetooth® connectivity is also standard. The available JBL® audio system is a nice upgrade over the standard system. 

Infotainment

Toyota added an eight-inch touchscreen in 2020 that is much easier to use than what existed previously. Thankfully, the 4Runner still includes large knobs and buttons for volume and climate control. While the post-2020 refresh significantly improved the touchscreen, the native Toyota software may feel dated to anyone accustomed to driving a newer vehicle. 

Driver-Assist Tech

Helpful driver aids like adaptive cruise control, which automatically adjusts speed to match traffic ahead, and forward collision mitigation (warning in case of a forward collision) come standard and work well. This is another example of 2020's big improvements; previous 4Runners didn't have any of these features available at all, but they became standard in 2020. 

How comfortable is the 2021 Toyota 4Runner? 

Front Seating

The front seats are wide and well-cushioned for long-distance driving. Edmunds' editors had no trouble adjusting the front seats to find a comfortable position. Heated seats, along with power-adjustable passenger seats, are available on TRD Sport and higher trims, and top-of-the-line 4Runners get cooled seats, too. 

Rear Seating

The 4Runner comes standard with two rows of seating but can be had with three rows on lower trim vehicles. The second-row seats are comfortable and spacious, similar to those in the front row. That's impressive given that the seats can be folded flat. The available third-row seats, on the other hand, are not comfortable for adults and are best used in a pinch rather than for daily driving. 

Ride Quality and Interior Noise

It's never clearer that the 4Runner is a truck than it is when you take it on a highway. The ride is not as smooth or polished as a modern crossover SUV, and it bounces around on crummy pavement. If you're used to the ride on a pickup truck, this might not bother you. If you aren't, definitely take the 4Runner for a long test drive before making a decision. The 4Runner does a decent job of blocking out road noise, but its boxy shape means you'll hear a lot of wind noise when going highway speeds. 

Does the 2021 Toyota 4Runner have good storage?

Cargo 

Two-row 4Runners have a massive 47.2 cubic feet of storage; for reference a standard grocery bag is approximately one cubic foot. That expands to 89.7 cubic feet if you fold down the second row. Better yet, the storage area is very easy to use thanks to the SUV's boxy shape. Getting in camping gear, suitcases, and more is very easy in the 4Runner. Some 4Runners are equipped with a slide-out cargo tray. It cuts down on cargo space by about a cubic foot, but it makes accessing items in the back easier and can be used as a table as well. 

Storage

There's not a ton of space for storing small items in the cabin. Your cellphone will likely end up in a cupholder if it's plugged in; otherwise, the bin between the front seats has plenty of room for phones, keys, etc. The door pockets can hold a standard (or small by today's standards) water bottle and some other small odds and ends.

How easy is the 2021 Toyota 4Runner to use?

Entry, Exit, and Car Seats

The 4Runner sits higher off the ground than most vehicles, which is great when you're getting off the beaten path. It's less great for shorter passengers, and especially kids, trying to scramble into the back of the vehicle. There's plenty of room in the second row for installing car seats, which is great, but shorter folks might have a hard time getting it in there in the first place. 

Interior Layout and Visibility

It's easy to see out the front of the 4Runner despite the SUV's large hood. The backup camera is functional, but the image is a bit grainy. Overall, the controls are large and easy to use. Controls in the touchscreen are also clearly laid out, but you can do a lot of basic stuff using knobs and buttons, which is much easier when driving. 

What’s the 2021 Toyota 4Runner like to drive?

Driving

The 4Runner gets up to speed relatively quickly thanks to a powerful V6 engine. The transmission and engine work well together, making for smooth acceleration. Braking, on the other hand, is not the 4Runner's strong suit. You have to push the brake pedal farther than you'd expect to get the brakes to engage, and the SUV nosedives a lot in emergency stopping. 

Towing

The 4Runner can, when properly equipped, tow 5,000 pounds.

Fuel Economy/Electric Efficiency

Fuel economy is not good, but frankly you wouldn't expect it to be. This is a boxy truck with a V6. The transmission is an older five-speed, which also hurts fuel economy. 

EPA Fuel Economy Estimates