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High Inventories Make for Hot DealsNew vs Used: Toyota 4Runner
The Toyota 4Runner is one of the most reliable SUVs on earth but which is the better buy – New or Used? We find out.
Toyota’s All-Around Off-Roader
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For more than a decade, the current generation of the Toyota 4Runner SUV has soldiered along, carrying with it the aspirations of off-roaders and families in-town alike. It’s a robust platform with decent power, above-average capability, and unquestionable reliability.
Today though we’re going to pit the new 4Runner against itself from 2020 to find out if buying a used Toyota 4Runner is the better way to go. We’ll compare specs, trim levels, driving comfort, and interior quality before crowning a king.
Specs
The 2020 Toyota 4Runner is an old-school SUV with a wildly reliable engine and transmission. That combo is made up of a 4.0-liter V6 with 270 hp and 278 lb-ft of torque and a five-speed automatic transmission. Power is sent to either the rear wheels or all four depending on trim level of which there are eight.
It gets about 16 mpg in the city and 19 on the highway. Pricing varies based on condition, mileage, and other factors but one can expect to pay somewhere between $38,000 and $52,000 when the contract is signed. If all that you’re planning on is to make a wicked fast prerunner, we’ve found some high-mileage examples for under $30,000.
The new 2023 Toyota 4Runner uses the exact same drivetrain as the 2020 model and has the same number of trim levels. Notably, some of the 4Runner models have different names, like the 40th-anniversary special edition but we’ll get into deeper detail down below. Considering the drivetrain is the same it should come as no surprise that fuel economy is identical too, with an EPA-estimated rating of 16 mpg in the city and 19 on the highway.
Toyota says that the base 2023 4Runner SR5 should cost its customers $40,390 and that the top-level Toyota Racing Development spec’d TRD Pro Trim should ring up for $55,355. That’s a lot of cash for a vehicle last fully re-designed a decade ago. What makes it even wilder is that we expect dealers to mark up the top-end trims of the 4Runner despite the negative data surrounding that practice.
Driving and Performance
We’ve felt for a long time like the 4Runner could be described as an adequate driver. It’s not particularly quick and it’s far from nimble but it’ll get the job done. It provides good forward visibility and smooth power delivery.
At the same time it’s behind the competition in terms of ride comfort and driver feedback. That’s to be expected from a vehicle of this sort and thankfully, owners get a little of that performance loss back when the road runs out. Few SUVs can claim to be as comfortable or capable off-road.
There are almost no differences between these two model years. As such, they drive identically in almost every form. The changes come regarding the 2023 TRD Pro model which features retuned shock absorbers compared to the 2020 model. Beyond that, you’d be hard-pressed to find a significant difference in ride quality, comfort, or performance.
Comfort and Interior
Similarly, the interior features are largely identical too. In fact, we picked the 2020 Toyota 4Runner for this comparison because of how closely the two model years align. 2020 was the first year where this SUV received Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. It also has USB power ports set up for rear-seat passengers. The 8-inch infotainment system is responsive and easy to use.
Both year models benefit from a fairly spacious front row, a decently-sized second row, and about 46 cu-ft of cargo space behind that second row. A third-row seating option is available but it’s really only intended for small children.
Adding the third-row also deletes the vast majority of cargo space. The 2023 model doesn’t have much that would make it easy to differentiate it from its older sibling. Notably, it does have blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert as a standard feature but only the driver will notice those changes.
Trims and Features
For 2020, Toyota sold the 4Runner with eight trim levels starting with the SR5. It came with skid plates, a 120-volt power outlet, a rear window that slides down and out of the way, 17-inch wheels, and an 8-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Above that is the SR5 Premium with heated faux-leather seats, a power-adjustable passenger seat, integrated navigation, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
Next is the TRD Off-Road with its Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System, TRD shift knob, TRD floor mats, an eight-speaker sound system, heated power wing mirrors, an overhead console with multi-terrain drive modes, and a locking rear differential.
The TRD Off-Road Premium adds the luxury items from the SR5 Premium to the off-road-focused TRD Off-Road.
The 4Runner Venture is nearly identical to the TRD Off-Road Premium but adds black exterior trim bits, dark grey TRD wheels, and a Yakima roof rack.
Above it is the TRD Pro, the most serious off-road 4Runner. It takes everything from the TRD Off-Road and adds Fox shocks, revised springs, all-terrain tires, and a unique front skid plate. It also gets a JBL 15-speaker sound system.
At the top of the pile is the Limited which gets leather upholstery, a softer suspension, dual-zone climate control, and the choice of rear-wheel drive as opposed to 4WD.
A Limited Nightshade Edition adds black exterior trim in place of the standard chrome stuff.
For 2023, Toyota also sells eight 4Runner trim levels but some are different from those in 2020.
The most modest trim level is the SR5 again. It gets cloth upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, LED headlights, and the same 8-inch infotainment system that 2020 buyers get.
Above that is the TRD Sport which adds an upgraded suspension, faux leather upholstery, and heated front seats.
The SR5 Premium removes the TRD Sport’s suspension upgrades but includes keyless entry and ignition, a power-adjustable front passenger seat, a universal garage door opener, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
The TRD Off-Road offers a locking rear differential, multi-terrain drive modes, an HD radio, and the same KDSS feature from the 2020 model.
Adding a bit of luxury is possible through the TRD Off-Road Premium that combines the SR5 Premium features with the TRD Off-Road.
New for 2023 is the 40th Anniversary Special Edition with throwback graphics and bronze 17-inch wheels. It also gets faux leather upholstery and special interior badges denoting the anniversary.
The Limited returns with identical features from those in 2020 including driver’s memory settings, a surround-view parking system, and parking sensors.
The top spot is now taken up by the TRD Pro with unique wheels, a roof rack, TRD springs, and a TRD skid plate.
The Verdict
2023 Toyota 4Runner – Toyota.com | Shop Toyota 4Runner on Carsforsale.com
And the winner is… both of them. It’s tough not having a definitive winner here but let me explain:
There aren’t any major upgrades between the used and new models and pricing on the lower trims is nearly identical. In that case, the new 2023 Toyota 4Runner makes a lot more sense as it comes with a full warranty among the other benefits of buying brand new.
On the other hand, dealers that mark up the upper-end trims ruin their value making a used 4Runner Limited the better buy. If you can find a dealer selling a 4Runner Limited or TRD Pro at MSRP it’s a screaming deal. Either way, this is an SUV that lives up to its reputation as a reliable, capable, and family-friendly vehicle.
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