The 2021 Toyota 4Runner V/6 Trail Special Edition 4x4 SUV
You Are What You Drive — A Bottom Line Review
The Bottom Line: What is a 4Runner? The Toyota 4Runner is a midsize SUV sport utility vehicle and has been conquering off road trails for over 38 years now, and still counting. First introduced in 1983 the 4Runner has gone through 5 generations of refinement. Three trim levels were originally offered, SR5, Sport Edition, and Limited. Today the TRD Toyota Racing Division edition is at the top of the line, with more models on the way.
Toyota is so committed to the 4 Runner that they make this SUV in 9 different renditions. The base model is still an SR5, then the Trail Special Edition, SR5 Premium, TRD Off-Road, TRD Off-Road Premium, Venture Special Edition, the Limited Edition, the Nightshade Special Edition, and the top of the line, the TRD PRO Off-Road Edition.
Each model adds more content, options, and off-road accessories to build the SUV to the level of performance that you want. You start with a base model, then comfort, luxury, off-road, and end up at the TRD Toyota Racing Division PRO competition model. With several different models to choose from there is a Toyota 4Runner in everybody’s budget.
This week Toyota sent me a 2021 4Runner V/6 Trail Special Edition 4x4 SUV with a base window sticker price of $40,190, to test drive and review. The options on the press SUV are: the Premium Audio System with a 8” touch screen with Dynamic Navigation for $1,585, a cargo cover for $179, carpeted floor mats for $169, door edge guards for $79, high performance LED fog lamps for $169, and a set of wheel locks for $80.
The total MSRP manufacturer’s suggested retail price, including the $1,175 delivery fee, minus the Keep It Wild Savings $500 discount, came to $43,126. After you add in the state and local sales tax, DMV and dealer fees, the total purchase price came to: $48,517.
If your SUV budget is capped at $50,000, then the 2021 Toyota 4 Runner is the way to go. With a 4.0L DOHC 24 valve V/6 engine with 270 HP and 278 lb-ft pounds of torque, this rig has the power to take you anywhere you want to be, on road, or off. Then it’s bolted to a 5 speed ECT electronic controlled transmission with hill start and downhill assist control, running through a part time 4WD 4 wheel drive system with active traction control, for that perfect blend of power and stability for all road conditions, at any speed.
The 4Runner comes with Toyota Safety Sense that has pre collision assist with pedestrian detection, dynamic radar cruise control, lane departure alert, automatic high beams, a Toyota star safety system and Toyota safety connect. On the exterior it has a power sliding rear window, skid plates on the engine, front suspension, fuel tank and transfer case for full protection off road, and comes with a full size spare tire.
The special interior features are a premium audio and sound system with 8 speakers, a hands free Bluetooth phone and music select system in a 8” center stack touch screen, a USB media port, three USB charge ports, SiriusXM radio with all access, and it is Android Audio and Apple CarPlay compatible.
The special Trail Edition 4Runner comes with 17” dark gray alloy wheels, a sliding rear cargo tray, a 40 quart removable cooler with tie down straps, all weather floor liners, a Yakima load warrior cargo basket, and black badge overlays.
Plus the Toyota 4Runner has the best resale value in its class. It has been rated in the Top 10 list for eight years in a row, from 2013 to 2020, by Kelley Blue Book. Fuel economy is 16 MPG city, 19 MPG highway, and 17 MPG in combined average driving.
The overall safety rating from the NTSB National Traffic Safety Administration is 4 stars, and the smog rating is a 5 out 10. These are all pretty good numbers for a more than capable V/6 4x4 SUV that can cruise the highways all day long, and take you off road at the flip of a switch. Overall this is a fantastic SUV for less than $50K in today’s dollars.
When you’re ready to buy a new midsize SUV, the 2021 Toyota 4Runner should be on your ride and drive list, as it’s one of the best priced, and best off road equipped, midsize SUVs for sale today. Call, click or visit your local Toyota dealer for a test drive, and a Bottom Line price review, on a 2021 Toyota 4Runner. And note that the base window sticker starting price for a new 4Runner is only $36,765.
A word to the wise is sufficient: Be Smart, Stay Safe, and Just Breathe. Remember, “You Are What You Drive ©” And maybe, just for those reasons alone, you should “Drive one, Buy one, Today ©”.
This Bottom Line new vehicle review is a Nut & Bolt and Dollars & Sense © editorial provided by Tony Leopardo. “Tony the Car Guy” is an automotive writer, editor and publisher in the San Francisco Bay Area. If you have a question, or comment for Tony, send it to tonyleo@pacbell.net and visit Auto Wire. Net at www.autowire.net