Used 2021 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium for sale 

"The 2021 Toyota 4Runner comes in nine trim levels, ranging from the entry-level SR5 to the off-road-conquering TRD Pro"- Cars.USNews

What is the Price and Features of the 2021 Toyota 4Runner?

Toyota has expanded the 2021 4Runner's lineup to total 9 trim options with an addition of a new Trail Special Edition model that builds upon the base SR5 trim. The base rear-wheel-drive 2021 4Runner starts at an MSRP of $36,765, plus a $995 destination charge. The base SR5 trim of the 4Runner is well equipped and includes 17-inch alloy wheels, LED low beams, LED fog lights, heated mirrors, wiper de-icer, skid plates, 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, leather-wrapped steering wheel, and the Toyota Safety Sense driver aids. The new Trail Special Edition builds on the entry-level SR5 and costs $38,740. Under $40k, the mid-level SR5 Premium has a base price of $39,825. The remaining two trims with the standard RWD are the Limited and Nightshade Special Edition, set at $45,670 and $47,085, respectively. Adding a 4-wheel drive costs about $2,000 depending on which trim you choose. 

 The rest of the 2021 4Runner lineup with 4WD as standard includes TRD Off-Road at $40,730 (reviewed separately), TRD Off-Road Premium at $43,325 (reviewed separately), Venture Special Edition at $44,620, and the TRD Pro with the highest price of $50,745 (reviewed separately).

Available Packages and Accessories:

While building your 4Runner there are number of optional features available including packages and standalone accessories. Starting with the entertainment options, the Premium audio system can be equipped on the models for a price ranging between $1,040 and $1,585. For large families who need third row seating, can install them on all but 4Runner TRD, Venture and Trail trims. On the base SR5 trim it will cost you $805 for seats in fabric while on the SR5 Premium the price increases to $1,085 with third row dressed in SofTex. On the Limited and Nightshade the third row seating comes with leather upholstery and costs $1,365. 

For performance upgrades, Toyota offers a Kinetic Dynamic Suspension system available to TRD trims as part of a $2,790 package. This package also includes the Premium Audio package. However, the trims which already have an upgraded sound system as standard the price of suspension system reduced to $1,750. Shoppers can add a moonroof to the Premium or Venture trims by paying $630, and a sliding rear cargo deck can be equipped for $350.

View more 2021 Toyota 4Runner Features and Specs >>

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• Is the TRD Pro 4Runner worth it?
• 2021 Toyota 4Runner vs 2021 Jeep Cherokee

We recommend you to buy the $39,550 SR5 Premium trim if you wish to buy the 2021 Toyota 4Runner. This trim adds heated front seats, synthetic leather upholstery, power front passenger's seat, keyless entry to the interior. It also adds a navigation system and HD radio to the infotainment system. 

Though the safety ratings aren't that good for the Toyota 4Runner but it is a remarkably reliable vehicle. For the fact, the SUV is backed up by zero recalls issued for the 2020 model year. However, there were numerous consumer complaints pertaining to brakes and airbags. The 2021 4Runner recieves three years/36,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage, while the powertrain warranty is valid for five years/60,000 miles. Check out the 4Runner's J.D. Power Ratings for overall reliability. 

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The 2021 4Runner will lean noticeably if a corner is taken with anything like gusto- Kelly Blue Book

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner comes with the 4.0L V6 motor which churns out 270-hp and 278 lb-ft of torque. Transmission duties are handled by a 5-speed shiftable automatic transmission, which can send power either to the rear wheels or all four wheels. The engine delivers punchy torque figures that allow it to tow a maximum of 5,000 lbs too.

As long as you acknowledge that you are driving a truck you'll be able to look past its unrefined handling. The 2021 4Runner is ideal for off-road performance but due to its stiff suspension, the ride quality gets nasty on roads. At high speeds, the 4runner tends to lean around the corners. The steering is perfectly weighted but it feels dull and slow at times.

When it comes to acceleration, the V6 engine pushes the 4Runner from 0-60 MPH in 7.7 seconds while maxing out at a top speed of 115 MPH. The quarter-mile test is completed in 15.3 seconds. The 2021 4Runner achieves a braking distance of 134 feet thanks to its strong ventilated 4-wheel ABS disc brakes. It is quite evident that the powerful Ford Explorer is the quickest sprinter from 0-60 MPH. The second place is occupied by the Dodge Durango with decent performance stats. With just 270 hp on tap, the 4Runner gives a tough challenge to the Durango. Meanwhile, the Jeep Grand Cherokee has the slowest acceleration.

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The 4Runner's powertrain combinations show their age at the pump- CarAndDriver

The rear-wheel 2021 4Runner manages a gas mileage of 16 MPG in the city, 19 MPG on the highway, and 17 MPG combined. Interestingly, The 4Runner's fuel economy numbers do not diminish when equipped with the 4WD drivetrain. By comparison, the V6-powered Toyota Highlander gets up to 21/29 mpg city/highway. The 2021 4Runner is equipped with a 23-gallon fuel tank which is good for 391 miles of combined driving range. 

Running on regular fuel, this Toyota's midsize SUV delivers below-average MPG ratings in the class. The Ford Explorer is the most fuel-efficient SUV in this competition. The FCA siblings come in second and delivers 4 MPG combined more than the 2021 4Runner. 

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The 4Runner also has generous cargo space, and its roomy cabin can be outfitted with a small third row- Car And Driver

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner offers standard seating for five passengers, which can extend up to seven on some trims with an optional third row. Optional last row is only available in the SR5, SR5 Premium, Limited, and Nightshade trim only. The seats are covered with a cloth on lower trims while higher trims get leather upholstery. The seats are wide enough and offer good support thanks to its high driving position. The steering wheel comes wrapped in leather and there are various controls on it. 

The interior space on offer with the 2021 4Runner is not as impressive as compared to its rivals. The second-row seats are comfortable as well but they lack enough legroom to accommodate six-footers. The optional third row is cramped and only suitable for kids. Dedicated cargo capacity of 9 cu-ft. is offered in the 2021 4Runner. Folding them gives access to 46.3 cu-ft. and a maximum of 88.8 cu-ft. is obtained behind the first-row seats. Overall, the 4Runner's interior is practical and sturdy but lacks modern touches.

Only the Jeep Grand Cherokee has a seating capacity of five. The Ford Explorer has the roomiest passenger space in all three rows followed by the Dodge Durango. On the other hand, the 4Runner is the least practical SUV here. The 2021 4Runner gets an 8-inch touchscreen display which is standard throughout the lineup.  It is paired with an 8-speaker stereo system on lower trims and a 15-speaker JBL premium audio system from the Limited trim onwards. 

The infotainment system supports both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Voice recognition makes it easy to access a few digital controls without distracting the driver. The 2021 4Runner also gets a 3 month trial to satellite radio and in-car WiFi with up to 2 GB within 3 months. The interface is user-friendly and the menu structure is intuitive as well. There are many buttons around the screen for easy change of settings. Following are some of the notable interior and infotainment features:

• Dual-zone automatic climate control
• Android Auto,  Apple CarPlay, and Amazon Alexa
• 15-speaker JBL audio system
• An 8-inch touchscreen display
• 8-way power driver's seat with power lumbar support
• Cloth & leather upholstery
• Leather-trimmed tilt & telescopic multi-function steering wheel
• Auto-dimming rearview mirror

Also Read:

• Read more about the 2021 Toyota 4Runner Interior, Cargo Space, and Infotainment.
• What Features make the 2021 Toyota 4Runner safe?

The boxy Toyota looks to capitalize on its off-tarmac capabilities by way of a new Trail special edition model- MotorTrend

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner gets a tough and rugged look, retained from the previous models as the car hasn’t gone through a major redesign for the last 10 years. This year, Toyota has decided to offer standard LED headlamps and fog lamps throughout the lineup. Being an off-roader specialist, the 2021 4Runner boasts the highest ground clearance of 9.6 inches. This helps it to tackle off-road adventures seamlessly. The wheel arches give space to 17-inch alloy wheels on most trims while 20-inch wheels are available on higher trims.

The 4Runner looks plain and smooth from the side view with LED brake lights at the rear. The wheelbase measures 109.8 inches, which is comparatively less than its rivals. This directly reflects its interior room. Overall, the 2021 4Ruuner's exterior design is outdated and requires serious facelifts. The Dodge Durango's wheelbase is exactly 10 inches more than the 4Runner. This extra wheelbase contributes to a spacious interior. With 1.7 inches of ground clearance more than the 4Runner, the Ford Explorer sits low than its rivals. Meanwhile, the Jeep Grand Cherokee's overall length measures only 189.8 inches.

4Runner Dimensions:

The Toyota 4Runner is a midsize SUV with respectable dimensions, with length measuring between 190.2 and 191.3 inches depending on the trim. Though the wheelbase is the same regardless of the trim you choose, at 109.8 inches. Width is standard at 75.78 inches. With RWD configuration the ground clearance of nine inches and 9.6 inches on the 4WD makes it a more thn decent off-roading companion. Moreover, the height of the shortest trim stands a proud 71.5 inches, providing an excellent view of the road. The curb weight ranges between 4,400 pounds and 4,805 lbs.

4Runner Exterior Colors:

Opting for the SR5 and SR5 Premium trims gives you five colors to choose from: Super White, Midnight Black Metallic, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Nautical Blue Metallic, and Barcelona Red Metallic. The TRD Off-Road and Venture Special Edition trims adds Classic Silver Metallic to the color palette. The Limited further offers Blizzard Pearl for $425 in place of Super White. The top range TRD Pro limits the options by deleting Nautical Blue, Barcelona Red, and Classic Silver, but adding Lunar Rock. Moving on to the special editions, you will get very specific color choices. The Trail can be had in Super White, Midnight Black, Army Green, and Cement while the Nightshade gets only three options: Super White, Magnetic Gray, and Midnight Black.

Some top exterior features of 2021 Toyota 4Runner are mentioned below:

• LED headlamps, DRLs & tail lights
• Fog lamps
• 17 & 20-inch alloy wheels
• Optional TRD off-road wheels
• Rain sensing wipers
• Powered side mirrors
• Projector-beam headlights
• Chrome exhaust tips

"Outdated crash scores are helped by active safety features"- The Car Connection

The 2021 4Runnner earned an overall 4-star safety rating by NHTSA broken down into a five-star rating for side crash tests, three stars for rollover evaluations and four out of five stars in frontal crash tests. The Toyota 4Runner is mechanically unchanged for 2021 model year, thus the previous IIHS results should carry over unchanged. The IIHS gave the highest 'Good' ratings in most categories but it also received the second-lowest 'Marginal' rating for driver's side test and LATCH ease of use.

Toyota offers almost all the safety and driver-assistance features available to the 4Runner as standard across the entire lineup. Most of these features are part of umbrella of the Toyota Safety Sense-P suite and include pre-collision warning, pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, auto high beams, and dynamic cruise control. Apart from this, each 2021 4Runer trim gets hill start assist, ABS, stability and traction control, and eight airbags - dual front, front knee, rear side, and side curtain. Though the much desired Front and rear parking sensors are only added at the top-most levels, starting with the Limited trim.

The Key Safety Features include:

• Lane Departure Warning
• Forward Collision Warning with Pedestrian Detection
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Automatic Emergency Braking
• Rearview Camera
• Front & Rear Parking Sensors

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2021 Toyota 4Runner vs 2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The Jeep Grand Cherokee is nearly $1,300 cheaper than the Toyota 4Runner. It produces 23 hp more than the 4Runner and yet, it loses to it in both performance tests. Also, the 4Runner's towing capacity 1,500 pounds more than the Grand Cherokee. In courtesy of its larger fuel tank, the Grand Cherokee has better MPG figures. On the inside, it seats only five people but comes with good technological features and a modern interior design.  The 4Runner offers 20 cu-ft. of maximum cargo space more than the Grand Cherokee. 

2021 Toyota 4Runner vs 2021 Dodge Durango

The price difference between the Dodge Durango and the Toyota 4Runner is about $4,000. It packs a 295-hp V6 engine that gives a tough challenge in the 0-60 MPH test. The Durango can tow 1,200 pounds more than the 4Runner. In terms of fuel efficiency, it follows the same footsteps as the Grand Cherokee. Also, its interior is way spacious and the modern touches bring out a premium feel to the cabin. When it comes to practicality, the Durango is slightly less practical. Also, Toyota's reliability remains unbeatable. 

2021 Toyota 4Runner vs 2021 Ford Explorer

The Ford Explorer is the most affordable SUV in this competition. It also houses the most powerful engine and is the only rival to defeat the 4Runner in both performance tests. It is also the most fuel-efficient SUV among its rivals. Even it boasts a spacious interior and a practical layout. The 4Runner is preferable over the Explorer if you desire serious off-roading as it offers cool off-road gears. From the safety point of view, the Explorer earned the 'IIHS Top Safety Pick+' award, which is the highest accolade from IIHS. But Toyota's reliability assures long-term usability.

Also Read: 

• 2021 Toyota Sienna is 'IIHS Top Safety Pick+' award winner
• 2021 Toyota Mirai FCEV goes for sale at $50,495

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner is a rugged mid-size SUV capable of delivering big mainly in off-road terrains with 3-row seating and a roof basket for extra luggage. But it isn't the best choice when considering a mid-size SUV for daily use, a result of its low MPG figures and average performance on offer. Hence, we would recommend you to get the Ford Explorer, which is significantly cheaper and more capable than the 4Runner.

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