2021 Toyota 4Runner Pros and Cons: What To Know When Weighing Your Decision

in Car Comparisons
white toyota 4runner

Source: Pixabay

The Toyota 4Runner is one of the most popular selections from Toyota, offering a fantastic, classic appearance with a more mid-sized ride. It offers some incredible off-roading abilities, but the car is not without its issues. It’s a good idea to check out the 2021 Toyota 4Runner pros and cons before deciding if it’s the best choice for you.

Though a car might seem like a good selection at first glance, it’s always ideal to dive into the vehicle a little more in-depth to determine if it’s proper for you. After all, you don’t want to buy the 4Runner for its performance and find it impossible for your passengers to get in and out. Let’s dive into this information together.

What We Love: 2021 Toyota 4Runner Pros

If you want to look at the best parts of the 2021 Toyota 4Runner, we’re here to help you out. Let’s dive into the best of the 2021 Toyota 4Runner pros and cons.

Excellent Off-Roading Abilities

One of the things we love about the 2021 Toyota 4Runner, and what helps to set it apart from competitors, is its off-roading abilities. Many people invest in the 4Runner specifically for off-roading purposes and good reason. Every single trim has an optional 4x4 selection for the best experience on a first road. 

An excellent frame and suspension system ensure the 2021 Toyota 4Runner can handle the various bumps and lumps the car will encounter on the go. It has an excellent ground clearance and offers a locking rear differential to add power to the back wheels. Also, the addition of Crawl Control allows for more traction on the dirt.

Off-roading is a strong benefit here. You can’t go wrong if you seek the 2021 Toyota 4Runner for its abilities on the dirt. 


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Ample Space for Passengers and Cargo

Another item we enjoy in the 2021 Toyota 4Runner is the ample space it allows for passengers and cargo. The machine can fit up to five people inside and still has plenty of room to put things in the rear. Also, there is the option to add another row of seats if you want to fit more people. Of course, more rows mean less room for everyone inside. 

Behind the second row, you will get around 46.3-47.2 cubic feet of storage. If you decide to fold down the second row, you will increase that cargo hold to a whopping 89.7 cubic feet. There’s much to enjoy with the cargo space. It’s so big you can even camp in the back with one other person - so long as you aren’t six feet tall. 

Valuable Performance

Finally, we enjoy the valuable performance opportunities you will find in the 2021 Toyota 4Runner. Every single version of this car comes equipped with a 4.0-liter V6 engine, which means you can get around 270 horsepower and 275 pound-feet of torque. Even if you have passengers, cargo, or something else to haul, the 4Runner will perform accordingly.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner isn’t too hard to drive, but it’s still a powerful performer on the road. You get the best of so many worlds with the 2021 Toyota 4Runner.

What We Dislike: 2021 Toyota 4Runner Cons

Unfortunately, there are some more troublesome areas in the 2021 Toyota 4Runner pros and cons. It’s just as valuable to go over these items to make a good choice about the 4Runner.

Troublesome to Get In and Out

The Toyota 4Runner has a high ground clearance, which is excellent for off-roading but can make it tricky to get in and out of the car. If you have older relatives or know anyone with limitations in their mobility, they might find themselves frustrated with the getting in and out process of the Toyota 4Runner.

Of course, it shouldn’t be a surprise that there is a high entry point with the 2021 Toyota 4Runner, as is common with most midsize to large SUVs. However, it is something to keep in mind if you’re unsure you’ll be able to climb in and out of the 2021 Toyota 4Runner on the regular. 


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Painful Ride Experience

The off-roading in the 2021 Toyota 4Runner is spectacular, but the overall ride quality is less-than-ideal. The system is based on the platform of a truck, and that will become obvious with all the lumps and bumps you experience during a drive on any pavement with dips and imperfections.

The Toyota 4Runner can feel stiff and choppy, which is unfortunate because many of its competitors have managed to master this ability with no issue. The 2021 Toyota 4Runner does not provide a great ride quality, which can ruin the off-roading experience for many. 


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Less-Than-Ideal Fuel Economy

Finally, you’ll find less-than-ideal fuel economy in the 2021 Toyota 4Runner. Of course, no SUV has ideal fuel efficiency, but the Toyota 4Runner is one of the worst in this category. You’ll get a combined fuel economy of 17-19 mpg, which means plenty of stops at the gas station if you’re on a road trip or need to commute long distances to work. 

Of course, this means spending more money on your car when all is said and done. It’s an unfortunate aspect of owning an SUV, but it’s well worth it if you want something a little sportier under your control. 

Final Thoughts

There are many 2021 Toyota 4Runner pros and cons to consider. This car provides excellent off-roading abilities, ample space for passengers and cargo, and a valuable performance. However, it also is troublesome to get in and out of, offers a painful ride experience, and has a less-than-ideal fuel economy.

We hope this information comes in handy! There will always be benefits and disadvantages when considering a new car, but the critical thing to do is to determine which outweighs the other. If the cons are stronger than the pros, you shouldn’t get the car. If it’s the other way around, it might be a wise decision.



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