One of the greatest “Mommy mobile options” in comparison to a minivan is frequently thought to be an SUV like the Toyota 4runner. They are dependable, have lots of cargo room, and sit up nicely high. Given their size, you’d assume they’d also be among the safest vehicles available, but is that really the case?
In general, Toyota 4runners are regarded as safe automobiles. However, that only tells half of the picture. Contemporary generations have excellent crash test ratings. In terms of overall safety, collision avoidance is another important factor, and the 4Runner isn’t always the best at it.
In This Article...
What are the 2021 Toyota 4Runner configurations?
In addition to the SR5, TRD Off-Road, Limited, and TRD Pro trim levels, Toyota also provides Premium trim packages for the SR5 and TRD Off-Road. They all have room for five passengers, but if you need to fit seven, Toyota will add a third row.
There are also three special edition models available. The Trail Special Edition, which will debut in 2021, is based on the 4Runner SR5. TRD Off-Road trim is expanded upon in the Venture Special Edition. And a Nightshade Special Edition is essentially a 4Runner Limited that has been completely blacked out.
A 4.0-liter V6 engine with 270 horsepower and a 5-speed automated transmission are standard on every 4Runner. Although rear-wheel drive is an option, it negates the purpose of the 4Runner. To ensure that you reach where you’re going and back again, part-time and full-time 4-wheel-drive systems are available, along with a variety of off-roading technology.
What is the 2021 Toyota 4Runner price?
The 2021 Toyota 4Runner costs between $36,765 for the rear-wheel-drive SR5 and $50,745 for the 4-wheel-drive basic TRD Pro. For destination fees, add $1,175.
What is the 2021 Toyota 4Runner cargo space/trunk space?
The 4Runner can accommodate five passengers comfortably and has a huge 47.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the back seat. When the back seat is folded down, the vehicle can contain up to 89.7 cubic feet of space.
The measures are 9 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.3 cubic feet behind the second row, and a maximum of 88.8 cubic feet when the optional third-row seat is added.
You can choose for a movable cargo deck instead of the third-row seat option. The numbers are the same (except for the 9 cu.-ft. measurement, of course), but you get more usefulness. Up to 440 pounds can be supported by the cargo deck.
For the 4Runner, Toyota does not provide a motorized liftgate, but the rear window glass can be powered down to allow for better airflow inside the SUV and to transport lengthy objects when the liftgate is closed.
What is the 2021 Toyota 4Runner gas mileage?
The Toyota 4Runner is not the SUV you want if you’re searching for one that uses little fuel. With an EPA rating of 17 mpg regardless of trim level or driveline, this car is a gas guzzler.
We averaged 16.8 mpg during the course of our testing, which included an hour-long exploration of an off-highway vehicle park with the 4-wheel-drive system enabled.
Based on this outcome and the 23-gallon gasoline tank capacity of the 4Runner, you may anticipate a driving range of little over 385 miles. Naturally, you’ll stop before emptying the SUV, so aim to stop at a gas station every 345 miles or so.
Is the 2021 Toyota 4Runner safe?
When Toyota last redesigned the 4Runner, he was in his first year as president. In other words, the platform and architecture of this car are practically antiquated by automotive standards. As a result, it is not unexpected that the 2021 Toyota 4Runner received poor safety ratings.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awards the 4Runner a total rating of four out of five stars in its testing. If you look closer, you’ll find a 3-star rating for rollover resistance and a 3-star rating for front passenger protection in a frontal impact collision.
The 4Runner receives a Marginal rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for its frontal impact and small overlap accident safety. The passenger’s side was not tested by the IIHS for comparable performance.
There are safer SUVs, even though other models with comparable off-roading capability have their own occupant protection issues.
What is the 2021 Toyota 4Runner towing capacity?
The Toyota 4Runner can haul 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. You could anticipate more, and the platform of this SUV is capable of towing 6,500 lbs. The 4Runner only has a V6 engine, but the Lexus has a V8.
Do 4runners readily flip over?
The Toyota 4Runner vehicles from 2014 through 2021 are subject to the current safety ratings. The most recent 4Runner belongs to the fifth generation, which underwent a redesign in 2010. However, the 4Runner received major safety improvements in 2014, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).
The side curtain airbags on the 2014 Toyota 4Runner are longer. To increase occupant safety, they were lengthened and reprogrammed to deploy in frontal, side, and rollover incidents. The New Jersey man seemed to have been protected when he rolled, indicating that the airbags completed their job.
The 4Runner is generally rather secure. For each accident location, you can assign a grade of Good, Acceptable, Marginal, or Poor. The 4Runner’s ability to safeguard occupants in frontal and side collisions earned it a Good rating. The roof is regarded as being robust, but the structure and safety cage only received a Poor grade.
The headlights on the 4Runner were also given a Poor rating. Low beams produce glare and are insufficient for visibility around curves. The vision around curves is likewise only marginally improved by high lights.
The 4Runner gets a four-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). However, in the rollover resistance test, it only received a rating of three out of five stars. The huge SUV is actually the one that is most likely to flip.
Why not purchase a 4Runner?
1. Low Fuel Efficiency
Any SUV rarely offers outstanding fuel economy, but the Toyota 4Runner does particularly poorly in this area. Its combined fuel efficiency is only 17 miles per gallon. On the interstate, you might get up to 19 miles per gallon at best. Even for cars of this class, this is below average.
2. Unacceptable Ride Quality
Based on a truck basis, the 2021 Toyota 4Runner drives and feels like a truck. The ride might be rough, uncomfortable, or downright unpleasant. In their SUVs, a lot of automakers have made significant improvements. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case with Toyota’s 4Runner.
3. Uncomfortable Entry and Exit
The Toyota 4Runner from 2021 is elevated. With larger SUVs designed with off-road capabilities in mind, this is to be anticipated. The 4Runner’s off-road skills are aided by its considerable ground clearance. Unfortunately, this can make getting in and out of the car a little difficult.
How It Stacks Up to the Competition:
2021 Honda Passport vs. 2021 Toyota 4Runner:
In 2021, the Honda Passport will be one of the Toyota 4Runner’s main rivals. Both cars have a maximum seating capacity of five passengers, however only the Toyota has the option of a third row that can seat seven. Both cars use a V6 engine as standard equipment. When compared to the Toyota 4Runner, the Honda Passport boasts a little more power. The 4Runner has 270 horsepower whereas the Passport has 280.
There is a tiny bit more cargo room with the Honda Passport. The majority of customers won’t give any thought to the Honda-winning categories, which are nonetheless quite competitive. The Toyota performs best off-road, which is where it really excels. Once you take the Passport and 4Runner off of paved roads, they are just no match for each other. Although comfort and convenience levels are comparable between the two, the Toyota comes out on top overall.
Toyota 4Runner vs. Jeep Wrangler in 2021:
The Jeep Wrangler triumphs in this category even though the Toyota 4Runner outperforms the Honda Passport in terms of off-road capability. Off-road characteristics were a major consideration in the design of the Jeep. This is actually one of the main characteristics of the Jeep Wrangler. The Toyota balances practicality, off-road enjoyment, and daily driving amenities better.
Although the Toyota 4Runner is superior in almost all other utility-related areas, the Jeep Wrangler excels at rock crawling. The Wrangler can draw about 3,500 pounds while the 4Runner can tow up to 5,000 pounds. Unlike the back of a Wrangler, which has limited storage space, the 4Runner has enormous quantities of cargo area. One of the best cars for off-road enjoyment is the Wrangler, but the 4Runner is much more adaptable.
Anyone seeking for a new SUV should consider the 2021 Toyota 4Runner. It is a dependable and useful vehicle. There are several convenience, comfort, and safety amenities on board. Additionally, it is adaptable and can even be enjoyable to own. The 4Runner can be utilized for off-road excursions or to tow a bulky trailer. It perfectly balances enjoyment, usefulness, and practicality.
Is a 4Runner kid-safe?
The Toyota 4Runner was put through crashworthiness, crash avoidance and mitigation, and child seat anchor tests by the IIHS. It’s crucial to remember that the IIHS ratings for this car are valid for model years 2014 through 2020.
The 4Runner received a solid overall score in the IIHS’ moderate overlap front test for its frontal collision tests. It mimics a frontal collision between two similarly sized vehicles at a speed about 40 mph.
The small overlap front test is intended to simulate a collision between a car’s front left corner and another car or a stationary item like a tree or a pole. For the driver’s side of this test, IIHS rated the Toyota 4Runner a mediocre overall rating. The safety cage and structure were given a low score since the driver wasn’t adequately protected. The instrument panel and door hinge pillar encroaching on the driver’s leg area, which raises the possibility of lower leg injuries, was another issue that this test revealed.
The 4Runner did well in tests for side crashes, roof strength, and head restraints and seats, which is a positive. The 4Runner does have standard daytime running lights, according to the IIHS, which makes it easier for other motorists to see it on the road.
The SUV’s halogen headlights tested differently and received a bad overall rating. They lack high-beam assistance and are not curve-adaptive. On both sides of the road and inadequate on turns, low-beam visibility was acceptable. Another issue was the glare from the low beams. On both sides of the road, visibility from the high beams was excellent. However, they were graded as adequate for abrupt bends and fair for gradual curves.
The child seat anchors on the Toyota 4Runner were another issue. They received a mixed overall score from IIHS. All three seating positions, including the outside two with LATCH hardware, have additional hardware that could be mistaken for the anchors. Anchors that are too deep in the seat and need too much energy to attach were among the other issues.
The 4Runner is it top heavy?
Its top-heavy structure has a benefit while making it more prone to rolling over. Consider a collision in which a sedan rear-ends a 4runner as an illustration. The good news is that the sedan’s increased ride height makes it more likely for the front end to squeak underneath the rear bumper. For the sedan driver, this is bad news, but for the 4Runner driver, it’s good news.
The level of visibility that all generations of the 4runner offer is another feature that makes it safer. Large windows with few blind spots are also a feature of the traditional 4runner style. The greater your field of vision, the greater your probability of avoiding a collision. Due to their excellent visibility, 4Runners are incredibly simple to drive.
Which five cars are the most lethal?
- The ten automobiles that have been deemed the riskiest on American roads are listed below:
- Mustang GT Coupe by Ford (2015-18)
- Rio Kia (2015-18)
- Versa Nissan (2015-19)
- Ford Kia (2015-18)
- Infiniti Elantra (2011-16)
- Fiat 500 (2012-19)
- Versa Note by Nissan (2016-2019)
What SUV makes the most flips?
Because of their greater centers of gravity, taller cars and trucks, SUVs, and passenger vans are more likely to roll over and cause casualties in auto accidents. Although there have been significant improvements in car design and safety systems, rollover accidents are still common with several classes of vehicles. The following vehicles have high rollover safety concerns, according to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Nissan NV3500
The 2017 Nissan NV3500 is at the top of the list of NHTSA high-risk rollover vehicles. One of the biggest passenger automobiles on the market, it is categorized as an SUV. The Nissan NV3500 received the highest rollover rating of any truck or SUV now available on the market with a 2-star safety rating in crash tests and a 30.6 percent likelihood of rollover in automobile crashes.
Toyota 4Runner
According to ratings, the 2017 Toyota 4Runner is the large SUV most likely to flip over in a collision. According to NHTSA crash tests, the vehicle’s high center of gravity gives it a 24.6 percent probability of rolling over. Both the all-wheel drive and the rear-wheel drive models are rated according to this scale. Chicago auto accident attorneys who specialize in rollover accidents frequently see the Toyota 4Runner.
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4WD
For many American drivers, the Jeep Wrangler is a well-liked four-wheel-drive off-road vehicle, however it is classified as a high-risk rollover vehicle. It had a rollover score of 27.9% in NHTSA crash tests. Serious rollover car accident cases involving Jeep 4-wheel drives have always been handled by accident attorneys.
Cadillac Escalade
The 2017 Cadillac Escalade, which costs more than $70,000, has a significant rollover risk of 22.9 percent because of its high center of gravity. Although the vehicle’s size, weight, and interior safety systems protect passengers in the event of an accident, its significant rollover risk increases the likelihood of fatalities and severe head damage.
Passenger Vans
Compared to 33 percent of all passenger vehicle accidents, 52 percent of passenger van incidents, according to NHTSA, include rollovers. The majority of these collisions are fatal. Compared to vans carrying 5 or fewer passengers, passenger vans carrying 10-15 persons had an 85% increased danger of rolling over.
Which SUV has the lowest risk of rolling over?
The 5 Most Dependable SUVs (And 10 That Are Actually Rollover Hazards)
- 2019 Lexus GX is dependable.
- 14 Trustworthy: the 2019 Toyota RAV4.
- 2019 Porsche Macan: Reliable.
- The 2019 Kia Sorento is dependable.
- Mazda CX-5 is dependable.
- 2017 Cadillac Escalade: 10 Rollover Hazard.
- Rollover risk number nine: 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe.
Do Toyota 4Runners encounter issues?
Rust has been listed as one of the top issues by Toyota Problems. Many vehicles and SUVs rust easily, especially those that are used in colder locations. Additionally, older SUVs, trucks, and cars tend to have more rust. Toyota was charged with failing to adequately treat the frames of these older vehicles, which led to more rust than typical. Toyota settled claims with thousands of owners for $3.4 billion, but the 4Runner was not included.
The most vulnerable 4Runners to rust were those made between 2002 and 2006, but the problem persisted even after that. Before buying any older 4Runner, make sure to get it inspected to make sure there isn’t hidden significant rust.
According to Car Complaints, the 2004 4Runner has the most issues overall. Leaks, squeaky breaks, and broken dashboards are common complaints from owners.
What was the 4Runner’s best year?
The fourth generation Toyota 4Runner is a wonderful option for someone seeking for a capable and dependable secondhand SUV. These 4Runner vehicles were available with a 4.7 liter V8 engine with a maximum output of 265 hp or a basic 245 hp 4.0 liter V6 engine. In general, the fourth 4Runner generation, which was produced from 2003 to 2009, is dependable. However, certain years are more trustworthy than others.
The fourth generation Toyota 4Runner’s most dependable model year is 2008. Vehicle History suggests the 2008 Toyota 4Runner. The 2008 4Runner also received J.D. Power’s Dependability Award.
It received a “Great dependability score” of 87/100 and was rated as the top SUV in its class by customers. In addition to winning a Quality Award, the 2007 model year stood out among its rivals as the best SUV.
The Toyota 4Runner model years from 2004 and 2005 each received a Quality Award from J.D. Power. Early model years are less dependable than those made after 2005, according to Vehicle History. The greatest versions for the fourth generation of the Toyota 4Runner may be found between 2005 and 2009, but it doesn’t necessarily imply used SUV shoppers should steer clear of these.