2024 Toyota 4Runner Review: Old Faithful

You can't throw a rock in the USA without hitting an SUV or two. The 2024 Toyota 4Runner competes in the midsize segment with the likes of the Ford Bronco and Jeep Grand Cherokee. Like many such cars, it squeezes a third row of seats inside the cabin, and it gets 270 horsepower and 278 lb-ft of torque from its four-liter V6. This may seem a little low for such ambition, but the setup has been tried and tested over the years. It has a strong reputation as a dependable off-roader that can take a licking and keep on ticking. This alone is enough to keep fans coming back for more, despite the fact that the 4Runner is still using a platform introduced over a decade ago, but is it enough to attract buyers who want something a little more modern?

New for 2024

The new Toyota 4Runner SUV is almost entirely unchanged, with just new exterior colors joining the palette for 2024.

2024 Toyota 4Runner Price: Which One to Buy

The price of the 2024 Toyota 4Runner starts at a little over $40k for the base SR5 - $40,455 to be precise. From there begins the TRD range with the Sport at $43,315, and the TRD Off-Road at $44,300, and the TRD Off-Road Premium at $46,880. The SR5 also gets a Premium variant, which will cost you $43,515. Bordering on the $50k mark is the Limited, which sells for $49,690, while the TRD Pro tops the range at an MSRP of $54,920. You'll still need to budget for the $1,395 destination charge and various other administrative fees and $1,875 if you want to add AWD to any of the trims that don't have it as standard/

With such a broad range of options, it can be difficult to pick the right trim. But at this price, the SR5 is already quite well-equipped, and since every model shares the same powertrain and offers AWD, it should suffice for most basic needs. The SR5 Premium is only a little more expensive, though, and adds a lot more value. Of course, if you want to do some off-roading, there is no beating the TRD Off-Road unless you are willing to go all out and pay the hefty price for the TRD Pro and its Fox shocks.

Interior and Features

One of the most glaring examples of the 4Runner's age is its interior, where basic would be a compliment. There is no daring modern styling and the center console is a bit cluttered with the various controls. On the plus side, they are ergonomically placed, so accessing the various features shouldn't be too much of a chore. The materials are decent enough, though there is a lot of plastic on display. Nevertheless, space is plentiful and you even have the option to slot in a third row of seats. Overall, the impression given is extremely old-school, and while that may appeal to some older shoppers, it won't impress younger buyers who have come to expect a lot more.

Space

For a midsize SUV, the 4Runner has enough interior space for five adults and a third row of kids, too. It isn't particularly accommodating of tall or long-legged individuals in the second row, but headroom is good in any position thanks to the high roof that never slopes, which also makes it easier to get inside. However, legroom is a little trickier, and if you opt for the seven-seater configuration, you'll have to reserve the back row for small children only. Accessing said third row is made a little easier when you get the sliding second row, but it still requires some minor acrobatics. As standard, the driver's seat is power-adjustable, making it easy to find a comfortable position, but while forward visibility is good, the long body and large C-pillars create some difficult blind spots. Luckily, the necessary driver-assistance features to overcome these are standard.

Cargo

Since it has enough spare room to slot in a third row of seats, it's unsurprising that the 4Runner boasts some impressive cargo volume as standard. Of course, if you do opt for those extra seats, you have to accept the sacrifice that leaves you with just nine cubic feet. Fold down these excess seats, and you'll have a far more reasonable 46.3 cu-ft to work with or an impressive 88.8 cubes if you fold down everything but the front seats. If you forego the third row altogether, standard trunk space is 47.2 cu-ft, and the maximum area is 89.7 cubic feet.

As you'd expect from an SUV designed for large families, there are a lot of little nooks and crannies to store cups, loose change, and the occasional tablet. These include sizeable door pockets, a total of ten cupholders, and a standard glove compartment. The center armrest cubby can accommodate slightly larger items, and you can opt for a sliding rear cargo deck with underfloor storage.

Materials and Colors

Toyota prioritizes reasonable pricing, so you won't find ultra-luxurious leathers right off the bat. Instead, the 4Runner is upholstered in basic fabric as standard, with Sand Beige and Black/Graphite being your only options for interior colors. The TRD Off-Road only gets the latter. All the remaining TRD trims get SofTex instead, though they also get stuck with the same singular color choice. The SR5 Premium also makes use of SofTex, but it offers Sand Beige, too. Only the Limited gets genuine leather as standard, and it also expands the regular palette with Redwood as a new option. This top-tier trim is also the only one to get wood accents on the dash and gear shifter.

Features and Infotainment

Toyota is generally known for its value, but the 4Runner is quite an old model at this point, and it may be missing some of the gadgets you'd expect to be standard at this price point. Still, you do get keyless access with push-button start, manual aircon, and an eight-way power driver's seat. From there, the SR5 Premium adds an auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink, while the Limited gets dual-zone automatic climate control, and heated and ventilated front seats. Similarly, the standard eight-inch infotainment touchscreen comes with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM, and Wi-Fi capability, upgraded with HD Radio in the TRD Off-Road and adding navigation from the SR5 Premium upwards. The eight-speaker sound system is replaced with a premium 15-speaker JBL setup once you reach the Limited or TRD Pro. The TRD models also get a few unique features as you move up the trim levels, including a multi-terrain monitor for the TRD Pro.

Performance

Despite the impressively long list of trims, there is only one engine to be found under the hood of the Toyota 4Runner. The 4.0-liter naturally aspirated V6 supplies the hefty SUV with an adequate 270 hp and 278 lb-ft of torque. This won't see the vehicle winning any races, as it takes the 4Runner around 7.5 seconds to go from 0-60 mph, and it hits a top speed of just 113 mph. Managing the gears is an old-fashioned five-speed automatic transmission, which sends outputs to a rear-wheel drivetrain in all but the TRD trims, which get the optional 4WD as standard.

Thanks to its good ground clearance, the 4Runner is an apt off-road SUV, and the TRD trims bolster this with their locking rear differentials, while the Limited boasts a Torsen limited-slip locking center differential. In terms of performance, though, the Toyota is not particularly impressive. Acceleration is linear but not punchy, and the steering is lackluster. The 4Runner feels like a truck, but this won't bother you if you're shopping for a car that allows off-roading adventures and not plush, pillowy comfort. Correctly equipped, the SUV has a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds.

Fuel Efficiency

Not satisfied to simply handle like a truck, the Toyota 4Runner also gets mpg figures similar to one. Whether with two- or four-wheel drive, gas mileage is abysmal at 16/19/17 mpg across the city/highway/combined cycles. Rivals like the Ford Bronco achieve far better results, with a combined average of 21 mpg. A turbocharged or mild-hybrid setup would definitely suit the 4Runner better and put it more in line with the rest of Toyota's range.

Luckily, the heavy SUV has a high fuel capacity of 23 gallons, so it can still cover a maximum range of 391 miles before needing to refuel.

Safety

The Toyota 4Runner's safety review feels just slightly subpar. It receives four out of five stars from the NHTSA overall, with weak points being the front and rollover crash tests. The IIHS hasn't completed testing on the 2024 models, but the identical 2023 version received a score of Good in every category save for the small overlap front test, where it got Marginal, and noting that using the LATCH child seat anchor points is not an easy affair.

Standard safety features include ABS, traction control, EBD, brake assist, and a total of eight airbags. Alongside these, you also get more advanced driver-assistance tech, like pre-collision assist, lane departure warning, blind-spot assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. Higher up the range, front and rear parking sensors are added, with a surround-view camera coming standard on the top-most trims.

Reliability

While it may fall short in a few areas, the Toyota 4Runner's reliability is unquestionable. In a consumer survey undertaken by JD Power, the SUV scored 86 out of 100. So far, there have been no recalls for the current model, and the 2023 iteration only had a very minor issue - an incorrect load-carrying capacity label.

The 2024 Toyota 4Runner's warranty covers basic repairs for three years/36,000 miles, and the drivetrain for five years/60,000 miles. Roadside assistance is offered for two years, and there is a two-year/25,000-mile maintenance warranty.

Warranty

Design

Despite some refreshes along its long life cycle, the Toyota 4Runner still very much looks its age, with a very chunky style that speaks of classic SUVs. This will sit well with older shoppers who have grown accustomed to such a design. The front fascia is particularly blocky, with a perfectly rectangular grille housed within a U-shaped bar. The LED headlights are large, completely dominating the corners of the hood, while the foglights are mounted lower down. There is also a front-end skid plate and a transfer case skid plate. Standard on most models are 17-inch alloy wheels, while the TRD Sport and Limited get 20-inch wheels. The rear is quite bland, but it does have a roof-mounted spoiler that juts out over the trunk.

Verdict: Is The 2024 Toyota 4Runner A Good SUV?

Seven-seater SUVs are becoming even more popular, but with so many modern options hitting the market, the 2024 4Runner feels quite old. But it doesn't just look dated; the interior is bland, too, and the list of features isn't as long as we expect from new family cars. The engine doesn't overwhelm with power, and fuel economy is middling at best. However, it's not a complete loss, as the SUV is remarkably adept at off-roading, which is something many seven-seaters struggle with. Backing this up is a solid reputation for reliability, though the car's safety record could be a bit better. Still, it gets a good helping of driver-assistance tech that, combined with its practicality and versatility, help to ensure the 4Runner still has a lot of fans.