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2021 Toyota 4Runner review

Research, photos, specs, and expertise
7 photos

Toyota 4Runner highlights

Customer rating

Pros

  • Offers ample off-road capability, ideal for outdoor enthusiasts
  • Provides a variety of trims to cater to different needs
  • Optional slide-out floor is particularly useful

Cons

  • The ride lacks the refinement most crossover owners expect
  • The V6 engine can be rough and noisy
  • Requires an awkward step-in due to its taller entry height

Mileage (EPA estimate)

16 city, 19 highway, 17 combined

Pricing for current inventory

(no current inventory)

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Price
Year

Amazing off-road adventures await.

The Toyota 4Runner is a five to seven-passenger midsize SUV that delivers impressive off-road performance. The well-equipped 4Runner boasts a wide variety of standard and available features across its nine trim levels. If you're looking for a cool and capable off-road SUV, the 2021 Toyota 4Runner is a perfect choice. While we currently do not have many 2021 Toyota 4Runners on our lots, we look forward to selling more in the future. If you love the 2021 model, you should also consider prior model years of the 4Runner with similar features.

All Toyota 4Runner years

Not sure what year to select? Learn about each Toyota 4Runner generation from 2011 to 2024

What is new for the 2021 Toyota 4Runner?

  • The 4Runner is available in a new trim called the Trail Special Edition.
  • The Limited Night Shade and SE trims have been discontinued for 2021.
  • 4Runner trims have been upgraded with Running Boards as standard equipment this year.
  • The TRD Off Road trim now comes with Smart Key as standard equipment.

2021 Toyota 4Runner trims

Curious how Toyota 4Runner trims differ? Use our side-by-side vehicle comparison to see the differences and similarities

SR5:

  • 270-hp, 278-lb-ft of torque 4.0L
  • Power Seats
  • Overhead Airbags
  • Cloth Seats
  • Rear View Camera
  • Lane Departure Warning
  • Power Mirrors
  • Rear Defroster
  • Automated Cruise Control
  • View our Toyota 4Runner SR5 inventory

SR5 Premium:

TRD Off Road:

TRD Off Road Premium:

Venture:

Trail Special Edition:

  • Includes all features available on the Venture
  • No significant upgrades found on the Trail Special Edition

TRD Pro:

Limited:

Nightshade:

Toyota 4Runner photos

5 reasons to buy the 2021 Toyota 4Runner

1. Off-road capability

RTB 1 | CarMax

The Toyota 4Runner has been taking people off-road for more than 35 years. Known for its rugged looks and trail conquering abilities, you can rest assured that adventure awaits a 4Runner buyer. With 9.6 inches of ground clearance, plus reinforced skid plates built to protect the engine, front suspension, and fuel tank, it's got it where it counts. There's also available off-road tech like a locking rear differential, Crawl Control, Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS), and Multi-Terrain Select, so you'll be able to find the 2021 4Runner that suits your needs.

2. Seating flexibility

Reasons to Buy 2 | CarMax

Looking to bring the whole family on the next great adventure? Seating for five people comes standard, leaving you space for lots of gear behind the second row. However, you can also find an optional third-row bench seat on SR5, SR5 Premium, Limited, and Nightshade Special Edition trim levels. That brings the passenger total up to seven, but the memories will multiply infinitely!

3. Loads of utility

Reasons to Buy 3 | CarMax

The choice of seating configurations means that you can ramp up your storage utility, too. Two-row 2021 Toyota 4Runners deliver 47.2 cu-ft of cargo space behind the second row (89.7 cu-ft with the second row folded). That means you can bring more gear on a cross-country trek, or just for a weekend at the campsite. Even if you opt for the three-row 4Runner you'll start with nine cu-ft but will get 46.3 cu-ft with the third row folded, and 88.8 cu-ft with both rows folded. Add in cool options like a Yakima® LoadWarrior roof basket and a 40-quart cooler and you can't go wrong with a 2021 Toyota 4Runner.

4. Top-tier tech

The Toyota 4Runner is more than just a rugged off-roader, it's got the latest tech to accompany you on your journey. All trim levels receive an impressive eight-inch touchscreen that is Android Auto, Apple CarPlay®, and Amazon Alexa compatible. One USB connection upfront plus another two in the second row means that you can bring your own music on your trek. Finally, if the standard eight-speaker audio system isn't enough, you can opt for a 15-speaker JBL sound system to really crank the tunes.

5. Cool special editions

Reasons to Buy 5 | CarMax

There are a grand total of nine trim levels of the 2021 Toyota 4Runner. Between the variety of trim levels, ten available colors, and the list of optional extras, you'll be able to find a 4Runner that stands out in the parking lot or out at the park. The Trail Special Edition and Venture Special Edition are both easy to spot with their cool roof basket and unique exterior trim. The top-spec 4Runner is without a doubt the TRD Pro. From the big TRD-stamped front skid plate to the trim-specific TRD wheels, the list of cool TRD Pro features keeps going.

Similar vehicles

If you're interested in the 2021 Toyota 4Runner, you should also check out these similar vehicles from Previous generation years.

Image of Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2017-2019 Hyundai Santa Fe is well-suited for zipping the family around town, on long trips out of the city, or taking the grandkids to the campsite. A powerful 3.3L V6 has all the grunt for fun weekends away as well as more practical errands. In addition, an available AWD system improves grip by intelligently putting power to the wheel with the most grip. In corners, it gently applies the brakes to the inside wheels, improving turning performance.

Standard equipment in a 2017-2019 Hyundai Santa Fe include:

  • A five-inch touchscreen and a rearview camera

  • YES Essentials stain-resistant cloth seats

  • LED running lights and taillights

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Ratings & reliability

Customer ratings

4
Above Average

RepairPal gave the Toyota 4Runner an overall reliability rating of 4 out of 5 stars, which RepairPal describes as Above Average. This rating ranks Toyota 4Runner 7th out of 32 among Midsize SUVs.

View RepairPal's full rating of the Toyota 4Runner

Toyota 4Runner features and specs

Nightshade 2WD 4D Sport Utility

Standard Features

  • 20 Inch Plus Wheels
  • A/C Seat(s)
  • ABS Brakes
  • Air Conditioning
  • Alloy Wheels
  • AM/FM Stereo
  • Apple CarPlay
  • Automated Cruise Control
  • Automatic Transmission
  • Auxiliary Audio Input
  • Bluetooth Technology
  • Front Seat Heaters
  • JBL Sound System
  • Lane Departure Warning
  • Leather Seats
  • Memory Seat(s)
  • Navigation System
  • Overhead Airbags
  • Parking Sensors
  • Power Locks
  • Power Mirrors
  • Power Seat(s)
  • Power Windows
  • Rear Defroster
  • Rear View Camera
  • Satellite Radio Ready
  • Side Airbags
  • Smart Key
  • Sunroof(s)
  • Tow Hitch
  • Traction Control
  • Running Boards
  • Tow Hitch

Drive Wheels

Rear Wheel Drive (2WD)

Engine size

4.0L

Horsepower

270

Torque (ft-lbs)

278

Engine type

Gas

Fuel capacity

23

Wheelbase

109.8"

Overall length

190.7"

Width

75.8"

Height

71.5"

Leg room

F 41.7"/R 32.9"

Head room

F 38.6"/R 38.6"

Front tires

P245/60SR20

Rear tires

P245/60SR20

Seating capacity

5

Max towing capacity

500/5000 lbs.

Transmission

Automatic

2021 Toyota 4Runner FAQ

More about the 2021 Toyota 4Runner

Color options

Top Colors | CarMax

Exterior colors:

  • Army Green (TRD Pro only)

  • Barcelona Red Metallic

  • Blizzard Pearl (Nightshade Edition only)

  • Cement

  • Classic Silver Metallic

  • Lunar Rock (TRD Pro only)

  • Magnetic Gray Metallic

  • Midnight Black Metallic

  • Nautical Blue Metallic

  • Super White

Interior details

  • Two-row 4Runners feature 47.2 cu-ft of cargo space (89.7 cu-ft with the second row folded). Three-row 2021 4Runners offer nine cu-ft of cargo space behind the third row (46.3 cu-ft with the third row folded and 88.8 cu-ft with all seats folded).

  • Eight-inch infotainment touchscreen

  • Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa capability

  • Heated seats (SR4 Premium and above)

  • Ventilated leather seating (Limited and Limited Nightshade)

NHTSA Safety Ratings

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner received an overall 4/5 rating by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Find out more about this rating and how NHTSA’s 5-Star Safety Ratings program evaluates the crash protection and rollover safety of new vehicles.

Keep in mind that certain vehicles may have unrepaired safety recalls. Click here to look up a specific vehicle.

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