The 2024 Toyota 4runner isn’t like most of the other mid-size crossovers and SUVs you see on the streets and in suburban garages. That’s because the 4Runner is more like an old-fashioned truck than a modern car. It has a pickup truck frame and can really go off-road. In its most powerful versions, it has extra armor on the bottom, a rear axle that locks electronically, improved suspension parts, and knobby tires.
Every model has a 270-hp V-6 engine and an automatic transmission. The rear wheels can be driven or all four wheels can be driven. Unfortunately, that engine is a relic compared to those that power competitors like the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler, which have a body-on-frame design.
The 4.0-liter engine in the Toyota might be solid, but it always burns through gas at an alarming rate. The truck’s cabin has a lot of room for people and things, but the materials are dull. This SUV is built on a truck, so it drives like a truck on regular roads.
The steering feels loose, and the ride is rough. The 4Runner can go places that many of its peers can’t, but besides those restricted uses, it’s clear that it’s old. Here is the best 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser you can check performance and specs!
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Most of the 2024 Toyota 4runner classmates try to drive and feel like cars, but the 4Runner moves and feels more like a truck. That’s great if you want to take advantage of its great off-road abilities or its huge cargo space. I found the power-sliding rear window to be especially helpful, but it’s probably not what you want for your daily drive or as a family car.
The 2024 Toyota 4runner is definitely rough around the edges. Its driving is hard to control, and its engine is strong but loud. I had a lot more fun going through the mountain roads of New York’s Adirondack Park than I did on the streets in my suburb. The inside isn’t very fancy, but it’s comfy enough, and the infotainment system is easy to use even though it’s old.
Before you decide on a 4Runner, you might want to look at medium SUVs that are easier to drive, like the Hyundai Palisade or the Mazda CX-9. Check out the Jeep Grand Cherokee if you want a vehicle that can go off-road.
Is the Toyota 4Runner from 2023 a good SUV?
The Toyota 4runner 2024 is a good SUV. It can go places that most midsize SUVs can’t, and its storage space is near the top of its class. It also has comfortable seats, a long list of driver-assistance features that come standard, and an easy-to-use entertainment system.
But for many shoppers, the 4Runner’s problems could be worse than its pros. The engine in this Toyota is loud and rough, and it gets terrible gas mileage. The ride can be bumpy and floaty, and the style of the cabin is boring. Here is the best Toyota Rush 2023 you can check it.
Should I buy a Toyota 4Runner in 2024?
If you think the 4Runner’s strengths are more important than its flaws and can afford its high price, which ranges Toyota 4runner prices from about $40,000 to almost $55,000, you might want to buy one. But if your main goal is to go off-roading and you want to save money, check out the Jeep Wrangler. Look at Toyota’s three-row Highlander or the small but roomy RAV4 if you want a more all-around SUV.
Think you might want to rent a 2024 Toyota 4Runner?
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How much does a Toyota 4Runner 2023 cost?
The base SR5 trim level of the 2023 Toyota 4Runner costs $39,555. The TRD Off-road starts at $43,400 and has off-road features like a locking rear differential and crawl control. The TRD Sport costs $42,415 and has a better handling. The SR5 Premium costs $42,615, and it has nice things like faux leather interior and heated front seats.
For $48,790, the Limited model adds a 15-speaker JBL stereo and real leather seats, as well as a parking sensor system and a surround-view camera system. The MSRP for the top-of-the-line TRD Pro starts at $54,020. It has Fox front and rear shocks, TRD springs, a TRD skid plate, and a TRD roof rack.
2024 Toyota 4runner Engine, Transmission and how it works
Every 2024 Toyota 4runner has a 270-hp, 4.0-liter V-6 engine paired with an automatic drive with five speeds. The old powertrain, which comes with either full-time or part-time four-wheel drive, doesn’t have very good acceleration. The last version we tried took 7.7 seconds to reach 60 mph. The automatic’s slow responses don’t help the engine’s erratic behavior, and downshifts often take a lot of pressure on the right foot to move the 4Runner forward.
Still, the Toyota feels more stable on the road than the Wrangler, which is harder to handle. When we drove the off-road model, we got to see how the SUV’s high ground clearance and soft suspension helped it handle a wide range of terrain. The 4Runner’s steering is light and not very accurate. This isn’t very sporty, but it’s fine for crawling along trails and around parking lots.
Even though the Toyota feels old when you drive it, its performance is on par with that of more recent cars like the V-6 Dodge Durango. And the Toyota is better at pulling because of its strong frame and torque-rich engine. It can pull up to 5,000 pounds, which is more than the Ford Edge and Wrangler, but less than the Durango, which can pull up to 8,700 pounds. Here is the best 2024 Toyota Stout check it and buy now!
2024 Toyota 4runner Cargo, Interior, and Comfort
The 2024 Toyota 4runner inside isn’t what you’d call cutting-edge, with hardware that looks like it could have been made in the late 2000s. Even though the materials and design aren’t very good, it still has enough space inside for people to sit easily in both the front and back. We haven’t tried out the third row yet, but we think it’s best for kids. The 4Runner can be used as a hauler or a rock-crawler.
It has a flexible cargo area and several big, deep cubbies in the front row. Just don’t try to throw anything into the cargo hold unless you have a doctor on call, because the floor is too high. We tried two-row models with a cargo deck that could be pulled out to make it easier to load and unload heavy items (up to 440 pounds). It can also be used as a seat behind the back door.
This makes the floor of the luggage hold flat when the second-row seats are folded down, but it also takes away a few inches of height. Even so, we were surprised that we could fit 14 carry-ons behind the second row.
Conclusion
The 2024 Toyota 4runner is tough off-road, but it isn’t as good as most midsized SUVs in other ways. The powerful 4.0-liter V6 engine sounds rough and only gets 18 mpg total. The ride is rough, and the driving is clumsy, with the body leaning noticeably when turning corners. Both the height of the step-in and the height of the ceiling make it hard to get in and out of the car.
There is a lot of ground clearance, and skid plates are normal. The part-time 4WD system has a low range for difficult off-road conditions. The 4WD system on the Limited trims can stay active for as long as you want. We like that the tools are easy to use and have big buttons and knobs.
You can add a small third-row seat, and the power-retractable back window is useful. Standard features include AEB with pedestrian recognition, AEB highway, BSW, and RCTW. Here is the best performance and specs of the 2024 Supra you can buy now!
