New 2024 Toyota 4Runner SUV Review: Here’s Everything You Need to Know

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2024 Toyota 4Runner It’s hard to deny that the Toyota 4Runner remains one of the most charming SUVs on the road. It’s capable, bulletproof – and, perhaps most importantly, it just looks cool.

The problem is, that the fifth generation — which went into production in 2009 — is outdated. It gets less than 20 mpg on the highway, and its five-speed automatic transmission offers half the number of gears the new Ford Bronco has.

Time for Toyota to give us an upgrade for the 4Runner; luckily, someone will arrive soon.

Here’s what you need to know about the upcoming sixth-generation Toyota 4Runner.

When will the next generation Toyota 4Runner come to market? What will it be like? This SUV update is highly anticipated. Here’s everything we know and don’t know so far.

Before we dig deeper into the next 4Runner, let’s step back and review the other new vehicles Toyota is rolling out over the next few months. The all-new 2022 Toyota Tundra has already gone on sale.

The new Tundra hybrid will be online soon. The all-new Toyota Sequoia hybrid 2023 will go on sale later this year. The two share the new frame-based TNGA-F platform and methodology.

All the rumors and unofficial information we have so far say that the next generation Toyota Tacoma and 4Runner will use the same platform but on a smaller “mid-range” scale.

It looks like the next generation Tacoma will be released, possibly as a 2023 model. Take a look at the Tacoma prototype we recently saw in the wild (video below).

This puts the next-generation 4Runner up for a redesign once the new Tacoma arrives. In other words, a complete redesign will likely be the Toyota 4Runner 2024 model.

2024 Toyota 4Runner Review

The next 4Runner will likely stay the same size as it is now. Why mess with success? 4Runner is currently still selling well. Toyota sold 13,228 4Runner SUVs in the United States in April 2022.

2024 Toyota 4Runner

The chassis will likely have independent front suspension. At the rear, it will likely have a sturdy rear axle with a new multi-link coil spring suspension.

The 2024 4Runner is rumored to have a new 2.4-liter turbocharged I4 engine that debuts in the 2022 Lexus NX.

At Lexus, this new engine makes 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque @ 1,700 rpm. The 4Runner gas/electric hybrid is also very possible.

The new 4Runner will have to compete with the formidable Jeep Wrangler and 4-door Ford Bronco.

The 4Runner should have similar capabilities, features, and prices to the Wrangler and Bronco. We expect to have the official reveal of the next generation 4Runner in the next 12 months or so.

This is all we have so far. As soon as more information becomes available – you can find it here and at AllTFL.com.

Read next: The New 2024 Toyota Tacoma Mid-Size Pickup Truck Review: Spec, Price and Release Date

2024 Toyota 4Runner Redesign

Many people feel the new Toyota 4Runner is on its way. Faster too.

Little to no information has been released about the next-generation 4Runner, but rumors and speculation can be felt swirling around Toyota’s watercoolers across the country.

The thought is that we’re going to see a complete redesign for the Toyota 4Runner 2024. Mainly due to slight changes for the 2023 4Runner (except for the very cool 40th Anniversary Edition, the standard Blind Spot Monitor across the board, and the Solar Octane TRD Pro. ).

2024 Toyota 4Runner Colors

The exterior paints for the 4Runner 40th Anniversary Special Edition include Midnight Black Metallic, White, and Barcelona Red Metallic.

As a sign of the 40-year milestone, Toyota will only sell 4,040 units of the 4Runner 40th Anniversary Special Edition.

2024 Toyota 4Runner Rendering

But what does the new 4Runner body design look like? Potentially similar to this rendering of the “Auto Press” YouTube channel.

This line of thinking makes sense, as it follows the strong stylistic cues of the Tundra and Sequoia.

2024 Toyota 4Runner

4Runner 40th Anniversary Edition

Toyota will offer a limited-availability 4Runner 40th Anniversary Special Edition model that is classed as the SR5 Premium.

The 4Runner 40th Anniversary Special Edition stands out with its retro-inspired yellow/orange/red body graphics. In addition, it also features “17-inch bronze alloy wheels, a body-color matching TOYOTA heritage grille, and a bronze 40th Anniversary exterior tailgate badge.

The 4Runner 40th Anniversary Special Edition features a unique badging on the center console, bronze seat stitching, 40th Anniversary floor mats, bronze cross-stitch shift knob, and the 40th Anniversary logo on Black SoftTex-trimmed. seat.

Also, this limited edition SUV has a standard powered moonroof.

Read next: 2023 Toyota Highlander: New Highlander SUV Get Bigger and Stylish Review

2024 Toyota 4Runner Interior

The front seats are quite comfortable either upholstered in fabric, synthetic leather, or genuine leather. The 4Runner has only 33 inches of rear seat legroom, and the optional third row is cramped even for children.

Even better is the cargo space, which can grow from 48 to 90 cubic feet which is hefty with the rear seatbacks folded. Sliding trays that can accommodate heavy loads also cancel out high lifting heights.

4 The runners we rode had a quality feel to them, but they didn’t feel luxurious at all.

For most drivers, the SR5 is fine with its 8.0-inch touchscreen including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, its powerful features, and its fabric seats. The synthetic leather r and sunroof are a pretty affordable upgrade if you have to.

Toyota is building 4,040 examples of the 40th Anniversary model, which has custom stripes and wheels plus embroidered trim inside but no functional upgrades.

The Limited and TRD Sport versions have a more road-oriented suspension and custom trim, but for us, they drop points from the 4Runner. You’re better off with a crossover if you don’t plan on going off-road.

NHTSA says it’s a four-star SUV overall, while IIHS gives it a mixed rating with many “Good” scores marred by “Marginal” in challenging small overlap tests on the driver’s side.

Notably, IIHS has not carried out those tests on the passenger side, looked at the headlight designs of this new model, or evaluated the collision avoidance features.

Toyota 4Runner Engine

It is familiar to the Toyota 4Runner with its smooth 4.0-liter V-6 engine under the large hood of the 4Runner producing a low 270 hp, which is not enough to power this massive SUV with any authority.

It works in conjunction with a dated 5-speed automatic gearbox and, in most versions, a simple part-time four-wheel drive system.

The impressive off-road bit overturned that poor powertrain, putting us in 5 out of 10.

The heavy steering and smooth, sometimes rocking ride make the 4Runner a grueling companion on the pavement and in the city.

Handling is sluggish at any speed, although the optional Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System does a wonderful job of reducing body tilt during cornering.

The same system also improves off-road wheel travel, so it’s worth checking out. With plenty of ground clearance and wide availability of a locking rear differential, the 4Runner is the best on the road.

The TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro versions both have several traction control modes and a rather harsh system called Crawl Control that keeps this large SUV going at walking speed for very tough terrain.

The TRD Pros also add higher suspension and Fox shocks for more capability and a lower price tag than equivalent technology from the aftermarket.

Toyota 4Runner MPG

Last year’s EPA ratings of 16 mpg city, 19 highway, and 17 combined regardless of trim were among the lowest you’ll find in any new SUV. That earned him a point here.

Even some competitors with decent off-road capabilities can hit 20 mpg on the highway.

The fault here is with the old engine and the light transmission in the gears—oh, and that checkerboard shape.

2024 Toyota 4Runner Release Date

We could still see the next-generation Toyota 4Runner 2025, but my bets are still up on 2024. If this is the case, it will debut sometime in the calendar year 2023.

2024 Toyota 4Runner Price

We expect the 2024 Toyota 4Runner to have a starting price of around $38,000 and the TRD Sport model, which trades some of the off-road ruggedness of the TRD Pro for some extra power on the tarmac.

Expect this Toyota TRD Pro to start at around $41,000 whereas the 4Runner TRD Pro expects to pay around $53,000.