Though it's been around a few years
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00:00 This is a 2021 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro,
00:03 Toyota's midsize SUV that's ready to hit the trails
00:07 straight from the factory.
00:08 But it's more than ready,
00:10 as it is one of the most capable off-roaders in its segment.
00:14 But do these capabilities really make up
00:16 for its lack of performance and refinement on the road?
00:19 Let's find out.
00:21 The 4Runner has been around for a very long time.
00:27 It originally debuted for the 1984 model year,
00:30 but back then it was pretty much a truck with an enclosed bed.
00:34 This is a fifth-generation 4Runner,
00:35 and it's been around since 2009.
00:38 And that's a very long time to go
00:39 without any significant update.
00:41 Who does it compete against?
00:43 On the one hand, we have the Ford Bronco,
00:45 and on the other, we have the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon,
00:48 both of which are body-on-frame SUVs
00:50 and have that off-road appeal built into them,
00:54 just like the 4Runner.
00:55 The 4Runner was built for those
00:57 who want to go off-roading pretty often,
00:59 but especially the TRD Pro model enhances that
01:02 with its long list of trail-ready equipment.
01:05 And that starts with its tough design.
01:07 The 4Runner isn't exactly a pretty SUV.
01:11 It's a rather tough-looking SUV.
01:13 And as part of the TRD Pro package,
01:16 you do get a lot of details
01:18 that are different in other 4Runners.
01:20 For example, that starts here in the grille.
01:22 The Toyota letters are spelled out.
01:24 That's something unique to the TRD Pro model.
01:26 As well as the hood scoop and the skid plate.
01:29 The skid plate, of course,
01:30 helps you when you're going off-roading.
01:33 It helps protect the underbody
01:34 from any rocks that you might hit.
01:36 I love here from the side, I love those wheels.
01:39 They are 17-inch wheels,
01:41 which are tiny for today's standard,
01:42 but my gosh, they just go so well with the whole package.
01:46 Of course, you're not going to see any chrome here.
01:48 Everything is going to be blacked out.
01:50 And that's, again, to enhance that ruggedness
01:53 that designers were looking for in the TRD Pro model.
01:56 And you do get a basket, which, you know,
01:58 why not get a basket like that?
02:00 Here in the back, my favorite feature
02:02 is the ability to roll down the tailgate window,
02:05 which allows you not only to have large items,
02:07 maybe like a surfboard or something like that,
02:09 but also helps the cabin to feel a little bit more airy
02:13 whenever you're off-roading.
02:14 And I have to say, this Lona Rock color,
02:17 it works really well in the 4Runner.
02:18 We've seen it previously in the Tundra also,
02:21 but here in the 4Runner, it really stands out.
02:25 Inside, the 4Runner is starting to show its age.
02:27 But like in any car, there's good things and bad things.
02:30 Let's start with the good things.
02:31 First of all, is the cabin and cargo space.
02:34 You can bring up to five people and their gear
02:37 for any camping trip or road trip,
02:39 and they will fit just fine.
02:41 Also, you get this TRD knob, which is grabby,
02:44 that I like for a truck this big.
02:46 And you also get the terrain management system buttons
02:49 up here.
02:50 What needs some improvement?
02:52 Well, first of all, the eight-inch touchscreen,
02:54 although it has been updated recently,
02:56 the system itself is not as intuitive.
02:58 It does have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto,
03:00 but we've seen larger screens and better systems
03:03 in other manufacturers.
03:05 Also, the switch gear, it just feels like it was designed
03:08 maybe 15 years ago.
03:09 So overall, there's a lot of usability
03:12 inside of the 4Runner, but its design feels dated.
03:16 Every 4Runner is powered by a 4.0 liter
03:20 naturally aspirated V6 engine that makes 270 horsepower
03:25 and 278 pound-feet of torque.
03:28 While those numbers are probably a little more closer
03:30 to what you would hear from a turbo four engine,
03:34 it's because the V6 engine has been around
03:36 for as long as the 4Runner has been around,
03:38 which is a pretty long time.
03:40 Same case with the five-speed transmission.
03:42 It's a five-speed automatic transmission
03:44 that's pretty much unheard of these days,
03:46 and it's not as refined.
03:47 It doesn't help its fuel economy either.
03:49 That stands at 16 miles per gallon on the city
03:52 and 19 miles per gallon on the highway.
03:55 However, the TRD Pro model, which is this model right here
03:59 and includes a long list of standard off-road equipment,
04:02 starts with the Fox shocks that not only make the ride
04:04 a little bit more capable, but smoother off the road.
04:08 Also, you get a two-speed transfer case
04:10 thanks to its four-wheel drive system,
04:12 9.4 inches of ground clearance, and a rear locking diff.
04:16 So although the 4Runner is not as good on road,
04:19 off-road, it really stands out.
04:21 Safety is not the strongest point for the 4Runner.
04:25 The NHTSA gave it four stars out of five,
04:28 and the IIHS crash-tested it five different times,
04:31 giving it four good scores and one marginal.
04:34 In terms of safety technologies,
04:36 we just don't see the same kinds of technologies
04:39 that we see in today's new cars,
04:40 but you do get automatic front emergency braking,
04:44 lane keep warning, and adaptive cruise control
04:46 that works at speeds of over 25 miles per hour.
04:49 So safety-wise, the 4Runner does okay.
04:52 How much for a 4Runner?
04:55 The base trim starts at just under $38,000,
04:58 and this TRD Pro right next to me, it's just under 53 grand.
05:02 That's a few thousand bucks below the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon,
05:06 and it's pretty much in line with the Ford Bronco.
05:09 Now, 53 grand for a V6 12-year-old truck
05:14 is a little too much for my taste,
05:17 especially because you're not getting
05:18 the on-road refinement or the new technology
05:21 that we see in today's cars.
05:23 However, the 4Runner is known
05:25 for having a great resale value,
05:27 and that's always something nice to know
05:29 whenever you're making a new vehicle purchase.
05:31 The one thing you should take away is this.
05:34 The 4Runner is a very honest SUV.
05:37 It's not trying to impress you with its design.
05:39 It's not trying to impress you with its technology,
05:42 but it does have the capability
05:43 to conquer some of the most challenging trails.
05:46 If you're looking for an off-road SUV
05:48 and you don't mind the bouncy ride on the road
05:51 or the poor fuel economy,
05:53 the 4Runner should be on your list.
05:55 To see our vehicle rankings and complete buyer's guide,
05:58 visit motortrend.com/cars.