The rear-drive SR5 trim of the 2020 Toyota 4Runner has a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $37,140, which includes the $1,120 destination fee. The rear-drive Limited costs $46,005 while the TRD Off-Road starts at $40,860 and goes as high as $50,885 for the Pro.
In This Article...
How much does a Toyota 4Runner with all the options cost?
The Limited and TRD Pro, the top two 4Runner variants, cost $47,190 and $52,420, respectively. The destination price for each 2022 Toyota 4Runner is $1,215.
The 2020 4Runner: Is it pricey?
The 2020 4Runner’s basic design may be dated, but the technology has at last advanced to the modern era. All grades now come standard with Toyota’s Safety Sense P suite of safety features. Yes, your dated 4Runner now has features like adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, pre-collision warning with pedestrian recognition, and automatic high lights. The unfortunate thing about this, though, is that the adaptive cruise doesn’t function below 25 mph, making it essentially worthless in stop-and-go traffic, which is when I would most like to utilize it. Furthermore, blind-spot detection is noticeably lacking.
With an Entune infotainment system that is finally Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible, in-dash technology also receives an upgrade. Heck, even Amazon Alexa has entered the fray. Although the 8-inch color touchscreen isn’t particularly remarkable, its usability is adequate. One USB port, one 12-volt outlet, and a third 12-volt outlet are provided for the front passengers. There are two 2.1-amp USB charging outlets available for backseat passengers. There is a 12-volt outlet and a 120-volt/400-watt three-prong plug in the cargo area to power all of your camping equipment.
The 4Runner’s interior can best be characterized as utilitarian. All of the off-road controls are located on the headliner over the rearview mirror and are large, heavy, and simple to operate even while wearing gloves. There will never be a dispute over whose Diet Dr. Pepper is whose thanks to the cupholders’ staggered placement, and the spacious door pockets may contain a variety of trinkets. I can’t explain why, but the built-in tissue box holder on the center console’s inside lid just charms the living daylights out of me.
The 4Runner is quite roomy, with ample of space for the back seat and 46 cubic feet of cargo space. It also has a handy slide-out deck for quicker loading and tailgate seats. The rear hold may extend to house 89 cubic feet of goods when the back seats are folded flat. Both figures exceed those of the 4Runner’s primary off-road rivals, the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Wrangler, but are about equal to those of a brand-new unibody crossover like the Kia Telluride.
With the 4Runner, you can tow 5,000 pounds, which isn’t bad. While the Grand Cherokee can pull a maximum of 7,200 pounds, the Wrangler can only manage a pitiful 3,500 pounds.
Yes, a Toyota 4Runner is available with two-wheel drive, although I’m not sure why. The 4Runner’s compromises in terms of on-road comfort are just not justified if you don’t intend to use its four-wheel drive capacity. Get a more effective crossover based on a car and call it a day.
However, if you absolutely require all-terrain capability or, like me, simply enjoy the appearance and feel of a truck, I highly recommend the TRD Pro trim. You receive rear remote piggyback reservoirs, 2.5-inch Fox internal bypass shocks, and Nitto Terra Grappler tires. The Pro also includes a 1-inch front lift and a cat-back exhaust. Along with the aforementioned off-road goodies, all of this is available.
My ideal 2020 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro costs $50,885 in total, $1,120 of which goes toward destination; the vehicle you are currently viewing costs $52,147. You can enter one of them for a lot less, so don’t worry. Starting at $37,140, including destination, is the standard 4Runner SR5. The Venture and Nightshade, two new special versions, are priced at $45,405 and $49,780, respectively.
But I have to ask: Why get a brand-new one if you’re buying this as an off-roader? Although the improved infotainment and driver-assistance technology are excellent, the 4Runner has virtually remained the same for more than a decade, making it much easier to get them used for much less money. There is a strong case to be made for buying a pre-owned vehicle when a 2020 model is little different from a 2010 in my new car reviews.
The 2020 Toyota 4Runner is primarily a specialty vehicle. This truck-based SUV is a terrific option if you intend to spend a lot of time in nature. It has a beautiful appearance and will scale a mountain upon request. Unfortunately, this excellent off-road performance is accompanied with a rough ride and poor fuel efficiency. You won’t be dissatisfied if you accept the 4Runner for what it is and use it appropriately.
Is buying a 4Runner still worthwhile?
The Toyota 4Runner is a passable SUV, but it has too many obvious problems for most people to consider it good. The V6 engine provides sufficient power, and this Toyota’s off-road prowess is unmatched by the majority of other midsize SUVs. There are two rows of large seats inside, as well as a sizable quantity of cargo room.
Which 4Runner model is the priciest?
The TRD Pro, the most expensive 4Runner, is designed for avid off-roaders. In addition to the sunroof, GPS system, and JBL sound system, it boasts all of the standard amenities of the TRD Off-Road Premium.
RAV4 or 4Runner, which one is superior?
Overall, the Toyota 4Runner provides more space and power, while the Toyota RAV4 gets better gas mileage while maintaining high performance levels. After reading the comparison between the Toyota 4Runner and RAV4 for 2021, get in touch with Jim Hudson Toyota to schedule a test drive of each vehicle.
What is the lifespan of a 4Runner?
The 4Runner continues the tradition of dependability that Toyota vehicles have established. One of the most dependable models from the manufacturer is the Toyota 4Runner, which frequently travels up to 300,000 miles.
The Toyota 4Runner came in at number five out of 16 vehicles in an iSeeCars research headlined “Longest-lasting Cars to Reach 200,000 Miles and Beyond,” with 4.1 percent of the SUVs going over 200,000 miles.
Additionally, the SUV is predicted to travel close to 200,000 miles, as stated by many trustworthy automotive sources and confirmed by owners on well-known enthusiast communities like Toyota 4Runner. They’ll run even longer with good maintenance, and 300,000 is not an outlandish number.
Will all 4Runners eventually travel 200,000 miles? No. The secret to a 4Runner’s long-term survival is routine maintenance. Fortunately, Repair Pal estimates that the 4Runner’s yearly maintenance expenditures are $514 less than the national average.
Is a 4Runner a reliable everyday vehicle?
Two inquiries should be made by anyone considering the 2021 Toyota 4Runner.
And by off-road, I don’t mean driving through the grass clippings that your neighbor sprayed on the street or the half-mile journey to a tiny vineyard’s tasting room up a well-kept gravel road. Off-roading in the serious, there’s a danger we may get stuck here, in the middle of nowhere, hoping we didn’t forget the toilet paper sort.
An answer to that question, however, still raises another. Am I prepared to forego good manners, fuel efficiency, and refinement to make such journeys?
The capability and general performance of the 2021 4Runner are reminiscent of the early days of SUVs. The 4Runner continues to prioritize tackling untamable areas while offering workhorse capability and headstrong ruggedness, despite the fact that SUVs predominate in places like the school drop-off line and the Target parking lot, where most of them spend about as much time on unpaved paths as a coffee maker.
The Toyota 4Runner does quite poorly on regular commutes, much like the Jeep Wrangler. It maneuvers with roughly the same level of grace as a cumbersome pallet jack. It looks similar to and uses gas like SUVs from bygone eras. In addition, it is not a utilitarian tool from the discount bin like the Wrangler; rather, it is fairly expensive given the quality of fit and finish.
Given that the Toyota still uses body-on-frame construction, it makes sense that it feels like a truck when driving on pavement. The ride is bouncy, the steering is incredibly vague, the body roll is enormous, and the brake pedal is spongy.
Even in premium trims, the cabin is awash in harsh plastics and materials that seem cheap, and it has a dated aspect overall.
Despite producing 270 horsepower and 278 torque, the 4 Liter V6 feels underpowered due to the heavy curb weight of the 4Runner. The outdated 5-speed automatic transmission does nothing to help the 4Runner’s 18 mpg combined fuel economy rating in either two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive variants.
Additionally, the exhaust is loud, especially given that the sound coming from the back may best be described as a drone.
The 4Runner is still a desirable option for consumers who place a premium on off-road prowess for those who can get beyond this lengthy list of problems, though.
Skid protection for the undercarriage, LED illumination, and 17-inch wheels for uncharted terrain are included on all versions.
A special Trail Edition 4Runner has been unveiled by Toyota for 2021. It will be produced in a small batch of 4,000 units and feature 17-inch TRD off-road wheels with knobby tires, a rear cargo box, a rooftop basket, all-weather floor liners, and other distinctive aesthetic elements. There is a choice of two- or four-wheel drive.
Off-road fans will probably favor the base SR5 trim, TRD Off-Road or TRD Pro vehicles due to the Trail Edition’s constrained production run.
With a hood scoop, rocker panels, and other stylistic additions, the TRD Off-Road has a more masculine appearance. It also has Toyota’s Multi-terrain Select tool for a variety of off-road driving scenarios with Crawl Control. In low-speed settings, the technology automatically modifies the brakes and throttle to free up the driver’s attention for steering through rough or rocky terrain.
Off-Road Premium variants come with extra amenities and leatherette seats that are easier to maintain.
The top-tier TRD Pro model costs significantly more, but it comes with a lot of extra goodies.
TRD Pro models have P265/70R17 Nitto Terra Grappler tires, a cat-back exhaust, an aluminum front skid plate, 2.5-inch Fox internal bypass shocks on the front and rear, tuned front springs, a JBL audio system, a power sunroof, and other extras.
High/low transfer cases are included with the SR5 and TRD Off-Road variants, while an electronically controlled rear differential is standard on Limited vehicles.
Whatever the trim, the 4Runner’s interior is functional with harsh plastics, an outdated design, and cheap-feeling knobs and buttons. While it is to be expected from a vehicle made to carry dirty boots and dusty bottoms, it is difficult to overlook given the price tag on my TRD Pro test vehicle, which was over $52,000.
A Wi-Fi hotspot, five USB ports, and an 8-inch touchscreen with Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Amazon Alexa connectivity are included on all models of Toyota’s straightforward but feature-light infotainment system.
Pre-collision systems, lane-departure alerts, automatic high lights, a slew of airbags, and radar cruise control are included in all models.
Additionally hospitable, the cottage has plenty of storage spaces and capacity for grownups. There is an option for third-row seating with a sliding second row, but it reduces the cargo space to just 9 cubic feet. Cargo volume is an astounding 47 cubic feet with the third row folded down or not, and there is up to 90 cubic feet of space behind the front seats.
The 4Runner’s high back deck can make loading cargo a challenge, but a pull-out cargo deck is an option to lessen the strain.
The 4Runner is capable and useful whether used as a tool to tame the outdoors or as a toy to make them fun. However, its unimpressive on-road performance and low-quality cabin limit its appeal to those who stick to the trodden path.
More Information
Pros and disadvantages
Cons: Poor performance on paved roads, poor fuel economy, and an antiquated, plastic-filled cabin
Overall: The rugged 4Runner can be appealing to trail users, but it’s a tool or toy that forces users to make significant compromises in terms of performance on paved surfaces.
Is a long road trip with a 4Runner comfortable?
Everyone in the Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro was completely at ease. We could all adjust the leather seats as needed and, if we like, add a little extra recline. For extended road trips, the lumbar support in the driver’s seat is useful.
The snack bag and my handbag would obstruct the vents that are located on the backside of the central console of the front seat, which made it difficult to maintain ventilation in the back. But when we eventually understood that ensuring the vents were clear was simple. The dual-zone climate control only applies to the front row; there is no separate climate control panel for the backseat.
The dynamic radar cruise control is one of my favorite features as a driver because it’s so comfortable. With these settings, you can automatically slow down and speed up your automobile to keep up with the flow of traffic in front of you. You can also set your cruise and the following distance. I adore this function!
It is a little tough in terms of the ride. Definitely prefer a truck ride to a vehicle ride. Even with careful use of the gas and brake, the start and stop are a little choppy. So, even while I was glad to know I could drive on bumpy roads and shoulders, a smoother ride could have been preferable for a long road trip.
Cabin Space
Highlander: At 194.9 inches, the new 2020 Highlander is 4.7 inches longer than its more capable off-road sibling, the 4Runner. Even though their widths are nearly identical, the new Highlander sits three inches lower than the 4Runner. The Highlander is, it may be said, even more like a car than before. The Highlander makes better use of its interior space because it is built on the new TNGA unibody chassis.
The headroom is 39.9 inches without the panoramic moonroof and 39.4 inches with the optional glass roof. Without the sunroof, there is 37.1 inches of headroom in the second row and 38.4 inches with it. In any configuration, the third row offers 36.1 inches of headroom. In terms of legroom, the first two seats have enough of it. Even the tallest passengers can easily fit in the first two rows thanks to its 40.4 and 41.0 inch widths. However, the third row is a little congested at 27.7 inches.
4Runner: Despite standing a solid 71.5 inches tall and measuring 190 inches in length, the 4Runner lacks a tiny bit of headroom and shoulder room compared to its car-based predecessor. The truck-like structure, which utilizes robust but space-consuming suspension components, is partly to blame for this.
Comparing the 4Runner to its slightly bigger unibody sister, both vehicles offer comparable amounts of headroom. To be exact, 39.3 inches in the front and 38.6 inches in the back. Although it does manage to reclaim some space in the third row, which offers two inches more legroom than the Highlander, the legroom in the middle seat is noticeably shorter at 32.9 inches due to the body on frame structure.
Conclusion: The Toyota Highlander is larger than the 4Runner and has significantly more space inside for passengers. The way they are built is primarily to blame for this. The 4Runner is a body on frame, in contrast to the Highlander’s unibody design. As a result, the 4Runner sits on top of its frame as opposed to the Highlander, which means the cabin’s available area is immediately reduced.