Used Toyota 4Runner Buying Guide

• Some of the best used Toyota 4Runner years are in the 5th generation, with the model really hitting its stride in models that came from 2020 and after.
• If you find yourself looking at a fifth generation model, you can use it to tow a surprising amount with a 5,000-pound tow rating.
• If you’re looking for off-road fun, then you can look for a more recent TRD Pro, this is because it comes with all of the bells and whistles, with even more up its sleeve.

Being that this is the newest generation, they’ll be a bit tough to find right away, but if you do manage to find one, they come with some of the best equipment. This generation comes with 9 trims, 6 of which were part of the generation before. The trims that carried over are SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, TRD Off-Road Premium, Limited, and TRD Pro. The new ones are TRD Sport Premium, Trailhunter, and Platinum.

In this generation the number of rows in your 4Runner depends on if you get a traditional gas engine or a hybrid. While the hybrids aren’t currently out, we do have the metrics for the gas powertrain. This powertrain is powered by a 2.4L I4, and it comes with an EPA rated 23 MPG combined.

This gen has been around for more than a decade! Needless to say there’s a ton of things to keep in mind, and it can be a bit overwhelming, so we’ll highlight the biggest changes from this generation.

When this generation first hit the roads, it only came in three trims, these trims being the SR5, Trail, and Limited trims. With the start of this generation being rather bland, the first set of changes came in 2013. Some things that were added were that the steering wheel, and shifter now came leather wrapped, and electronic Trailer Sway Control programming came as a standard feature.

For the 2014 models, the TRD Pro trim was added. This brought some off-road gear to this family SUV. The gear that helps it tackle the trails is TRD Bilstein shocks with remote reservoirs, TRD-tuned front springs and TRD front skid plate. All of these work in tandem to make sure that your ride is smooth, and it safe from damage when the terrain gets extra rocky.

While there were a few changes over the next couple of years, they were mainly cosmetic, and didn’t change the overall vehicle, but that changed in 2020. In 2020, all 4Runner trims were outfitted with Toyota Safety Sense-P, as well as smart phone integration, making it easy to stay connected when on the road.

The lineup saw further changes for the 2022 model, this change outfits all 4Runner trims with Toyota’s smart key system with push button, making it easy to get in and go, making this a welcome addition for those who have a busy schedule.

If you’re someone who wants to do some serious off-roading, the TRD Pro from 2022 should be on your radar. This is because it comes with a multi-terrain monitor, and thanks to cameras placed in strategic areas, you can see any obstacles in your path.

Though this generation was around for a long time, the engine stayed the same for most of its life. This engine was the 4.0L V6 and it was able to tow up to 5,000-pounds, thanks to its “torque-rich engine” that is able to produce 278 lb-ft of torque. Despite this engine being powerful, it is also surprisingly efficient. This is because it comes with an EPA rated 17 MPG combined, making this ahead of some of its competitors.