Used 2012 Toyota 4Runner Limited for sale 

The 2012 Toyota 4Runner is available in three different trims, namely SR5, Trail, and Limited. The Trail trim model is a true off-roader and is equipped with features such as Hill-Descent Control, selectable terrain modes, water-repellent upholstery, mudguards, and crawl control. You can even opt for a Dynamic Suspension System for extreme maneuvers. With the optional off-road tires, you are ready for anything. 

Buying Advice

The Toyota 4Runner is all about off-road trails and adventures. Hence, if you wish for a real off-road experience, go for the Trail trim, because unlike other trims, the four-wheel-drive system in the Trail model is a full-time system. In the other two trims, the four-wheel-drive can be activated only for a limited time. 

The lone powertrain combo is a 4.0-liter naturally aspirated V6 engine mated to an exclusively-outdated five-speed automatic transmission. Despite 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque on tap, the 4Runners have to wait for wide gear ratios to put a sizable damper on acceleration. 

The fact the 4Runner is a truck-based SUV doesn’t help its ride or its handling. The suspension’s been softened to a point that’s almost a fault while the body has a lot of constant bobbing tight motions. The best word to describe it is buoyant. The handling is not that great and the steering is vague. There’s a lot of body lean as you go around the corners. One thing that the 4Runner excels at is off-road ability. It can easily climb a rough rock or hill.

Thanks to the low curb weight, both the Toyota 4Runner and the Nissan Pathfinder perform well in the acceleration test but lose their pace in the quarter-mile test. The 2012 Ford Explorer is slow in acceleration but increases its pace in the long run. Meanwhile, the Jeep Grand Cherokee is the slowest contender in this competition. Except for the Explorer which holds a 6-speed automatic, all the rivals come with a 5-speed automatic to execute the work.

The 2012 Toyota 4Runner is a decent vehicle in terms of fuel-efficiency in its class. The EPA-estimated fuel figures include 17 mpg in the city, 23 mpg on the highway, and 19 mp combined. A combined driving range of 460 miles is obtained when the 23-gallon fuel tank is fully loaded. The figures are not the best in the segment, they still manage to compete strongly in the competition.

With 20 mpg combined, the Ford Explorer offers the best fuel numbers in this segment. Just like the 4Runner, the Jeep Grand Cherokee also has decent fuel economy, but its large fuel tank delivers 492 miles of driving range. Standing last on the table is the Nissan Pathfinder with a combined mileage of 17 mpg. 

Inside the 4Runner, the interior kind of fits with its off-road truck-like character, and that it’s kind of rough and ready for adventure. There are a lot of hard plastics that don’t fit together, and certainly, nothing’s padded or some niceties that you see in more expensive vehicles. The seat cushions and seat backs are flat. You feel almost that you sit on top of them rather than in them. The driving position in the 4Runner could actually use some improvement. 

Unlike other SUVs that give you a very upright commanding view, the 4Runner’s a bit down and forward. The cabin is fairly quiet. The only noise that really comes into the cabin is some grumble from the V6. The square shape of the 4Runner makes the visibility better than some but not without issue. The high beltline makes the window feel a bit squatty and the roofline tends to come into your field of vision. Speaking of interior room, the front and rear-seat passengers will enjoy plenty of head and legroom. 

Compared to its rivals, the 4Runner offers less head and legroom in both rows but excels in cargo volume. In this competition, the Ford Explorer offers class-leading passenger space, and like the Nissan Pathfinder, it offers a seating capacity of up to seven. Grand Cherokee, along with 4Runner, only come with a seating capacity for five. Some key interior features include:

• Leather shift knob and steering wheel
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror
• Push-button start
• Heated front seats
• Tilt & telescopic steering wheel
• Power-retracting liftgate window

How intuitive is the 2012 Toyota 4Runner’s infotainment system?

The base SR5 trim is bare-bone to technology. It comes with features like SiriusXM, auxiliary audio input, and AM/FM radio. The Limited trim adds Toyota’s Entune infotainment system and offers features like smartphone integration, HD radio, SiriusXM, and Bluetooth connectivity. As far as the controls go, there are some contradictions in that. The knobs are big and easy to use and are placed at a good height. But the extreme right controls are positioned a bit far from the driver’s reach and you may have to lean out to get them. It’s very hard to see the audio font from the small screen. Some of the other features include:

• 8-speaker audio system
• HD radio
• USB port
• Audio jack
• AM/FM radio

While the 4Runner doesn’t have that iconic look like the FJ Cruiser, it definitely looks rugged enough that you’ll know it’s an off-roading vehicle just by taking a glance. You can distinguish a Trail model from the black plastic cladding that’s kind of all over the vehicle.

The blacked-out pieces here and there are specific to the Trail model, and it all adds to a very rugged, manly boxy appearance. Upfront, the 4Runner displays a very manly in-you-face look, while the rear is kept simple. 

The main highlight of the 4Runner is its 9-inch ground clearance. This is the signature trait of the 4Runner, which clearly says that it is an off-road SUV. With 144.8 inches of wheelbase, the Jeep Grand Cherokee’s interior is more spacious than its rivals. Length-wise, the Ford Explorer is the longest in this competition. Some of the other features include:

• Halogen headlights
• Power moonroof
• Halogen DRLs
• Puddle lamps
• Power mirrors
• Chromed grille
• Skid plates

The 2012 Toyota 4Runner performed good in all the crash tests. The SUV has scored an overall rating of four out of five stars from NHTSA. It also received ‘Good’ ratings for its performance in crash tests and an ‘Acceptable’ rating for roof strength. In the cabin, six airbags are installed to protect the heads of the passengers in the event of an accident. The SUV is also loaded with good safety systems that also assist in off-road abilities. These include:

• Stability & Traction Control
• Electronic Brake-Force Distribution
• Brake Assist
• Rear parking sensors
• Rearview camera

Thankfully, the Toyota 4Runner’s unfortunate packaging structure is counterbalanced by some of the strongest residual values in the industry. In the long-run, most midsize shoppers will prefer the superior fuel economy or comfortable ride and fresher features found in the competitor’s offerings. That said, the 4Runner projects a sense of boldness and strength that its rivals can’t match, and with a proven history of reliability under its belt, it’s fair to say that there is a spot in today’s market for a traditional SUV like the 4Runner. Unless you absolutely need the off-road capability of the 4Runner, there’s not a lot of other reasons to buy it as there are a lot better choices out there.