Item: 2016 Toyota 4Runner
Author: Malcolm Hogan

Overview

The market is brimming with likable five- and seven-passenger crossovers, but only a few midsize SUVs like the Toyota 4Runner. What's the difference? The 4Runner sits atop a truck platform and can easily take you through the deepest snow and potholes on your way to work, or on a true off-road adventure if that's your thing.

What's New for 2016

The 4Runner receives minor equipment upgrades only.

Choosing Your Toyota 4Runner

Every 4Runner gets a 4-liter V6 with 270 horsepower and a five-speed automatic transmission. Four-wheel drive with low-range gearing is either standard or available on all trim levels. Owing to the 4Runner's truck roots, all examples come with a tow hitch, underbody protective plates, and hill start and descent assists. The third row available on some models boosts seating capacity to seven.

Toyota offers the 4Runner in six trim levels to suit almost every need:

CarsDirect Tip

The SR5 and Limited are geared toward active families who want a go-anywhere vehicle with room for everyone. The Trail is the choice for drivers who regularly leave the road for recreation, while the TRD Pro (which is actually a tad more expensive than the Limited) is best suited to dedicated off-road enthusiasts and competitors.

Get your price on the Toyota 4Runner »

Read our review on the Toyota 4Runner »

John Diether

Automotive Editor - February 26, 2016

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Expert Review

Expert Rating

Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

Malcolm Hogan

Contributing Editor - January 14, 2016

The 2016 Toyota 4Runner endures as one of the most rugged and off-road-capable body-on-frame midsize SUVs. It remains mostly unchanged, sustaining its duties to serve the dual purposes of a daily driver and occasional trail-going vehicle with seating for up to seven when properly configured. For the 2016 model year, the 4Runner gets an upgraded audio system standard with cell phone navigation integration and a slight bump in towing capacity.

Pricing and Equipment

The 2016 Toyota 4Runner is offered three trim levels starting at $33,510 for the base SR5. Moving up a notch is the 4Runner Trail starting at $36,415, and then the Limited priced from $41,825. The TRD Pro, with its unique style and off-roading prowess, starts at $41,550.

At the top of mainstream 4Runner trims, the Limited adds many creature comforts and styling for an attractive package that competes with many two- and three-row crossovers, such as:

20-inch alloy wheels
Dual-zone automatic climate control
Front and rear parking sensors
Chrome-colored body accents and door handles
Keyless entry and ignition
15-speaker JBL audio system
Leather upholstery

The 2016 Toyota 4Runner in either trim is a rather unique offering in the growing SUV market, being one of the rare body-on-frame offerings in the midsize segment. The 4Runner SR5 and Limited trims offer optional three-row seating raising the total capacity from the standard five to seat seven.

Performance Pros

The Toyota 4Runner has a 4-liter V6 with 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. The proven engine and transmission give the 4Runner plenty of low-end grunt to tow up to 5,000 pounds in the SR5 two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive trim, as well as in the Limited trim rear-wheel drive variant.

On road, the 4Runner exhibits confident power, with assured and predictable acceleration to 60 mph from a standstill in 7.8 seconds.
An available four-wheel-drive system incorporates low-range gearing, locking rear or center differential, crawl control, and selectable terrain modes.

Performance Cons

Excessive body roll on the street when taking tight corners or sharp exit ramps at speed.
Underwhelming EPA fuel mileage estimates at 17 mpg city and 21 mpg highway for the four-wheel drive models. (17 mpg city/22 mpg highway with rear-wheel drive.)
Exceptionally light and artificial steering feel.

Interior Pros

Good fit and finish through clever user of molded plastics throughout the cabin conveying long-lasting durability.
Simplistic control layout on the dashboard with user-friendly infotainment tech features.
Plentiful seating room up front and in second-row seats.

Interior Cons

Unwanted body motions going over bumps are transmitted into the cabin, especially in the Trail and TRD Pro trim variants.
Abundant use of hard plastics diminishes perception of quality.
Cramped third-row seating, which is best suited to small children.

The Most Pleasant Surprise

The 4Runner has a multi-purpose demeanor -- it excels at going off-road but still proves to be an acceptable vehicle for commutes, family trips, and utilitarian duties.

The Least Pleasant Surprise

With the growing precedence of car-like crossover utility vehicles that get exceptional fuel mileage figures, the 4Runner seems to fall quite short of being economical at the gas pump.

The Bottom Line

In a segment that has switched almost entirely to car-based crossovers, the 2016 Toyota 4Runner endures as a truck-based SUV that delivers off-road ruggedness, utility, versatility, and a history of providing reliable transportation.

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Specs & Features

Highlights

Overall Crash Safety Rating

Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque

4.0L V-6 / 270 HP / 278 ft.lbs.

Transmission

5-spd sequential shift control auto w/OD

Drive Type

Rear-wheel

Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined

17 / 22 / 19 Mpg

Passenger Capacity

5 / 7

Bumper to Bumper Warranty

36 Months / 36,000 Miles

Mechanical Specs

Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque	4.0L V-6 / 270 HP / 278 ft.lbs.
Drive Type	Rear-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined	17 / 22 / 19 Mpg
Brakes	4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension	Double Wishbone
Rear Suspension	Rigid Axle Multi-link
Spare Tire And Wheel	Full-size Steel
Fuel Tank	23.0 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type	Regular Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank	$88

Dimensions & Capabilities

Maximum Cargo Volume	89.7 Cu.ft. / 88.8 Cu.ft.
Passenger Volume	97 Cu.ft. / 128 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length	190.2 "
Exterior Width	75.8 "
Exterior Height	71.5 "
Front Headroom	39.3 "
Rear Headroom	38.6 "
Front Legroom	41.7 "
Rear Legroom	32.9 "
Front Shoulder Room	57.8 "
Rear Shoulder Room	57.8 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight	4,400 Lbs.
Wheel Base	110 "
Turning Radius	18.7 '

Exterior Features

Door Count	4 Doors
Wheels	17.0 " Silver Aluminum / 17.0 " Painted Forged Aluminum / 20.0 " Black Aluminum
Paint	Clearcoat Monotone / Clearcoat Monotone With Stripe
Exterior Mirrors	Dual Power Remote Heated
Bumpers	Body-colored With 1 Front Tow Hook(s)
Grille Moldings	With Body-colored Bar / Aluminum
Rear Spoiler	Lip
Exhaust	Stainless Steel / Stainless Steel With Polished Tailpipe Finish / Stainless Steel With Chrome Tailpipe Finish

Interior Features

Seating

Passenger Capacity	5 / 7
Seat Trim	Cloth / Leather
Front Seat Type	Bucket
Heated Front Seats	Driver And Front Passenger Heated-cushion, Heated-seatback
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls	(8-way Power)
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls	4-way
Front Armrests	(8-way Power)
Rear Armrests	Center
Rear Seats	40-20-40 Split-bench

Radio & Infotainment

Radio	Siriusxm Am/fm/hd/satellite, Seek-scan
Speakers	8
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity

Convenience Features

Steering Wheel Type	Telescopic Tilt
Climate Control
Cruise Control	With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof
Rearview Mirror	Day-night / Auto-dimming Day-night
One Touch Open Window	Front And Rear
Tinted Windows	Deep
Vanity Mirrors	Dual Illuminated
Remote Keyless Entry	Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets	5

Safety Features

Overall Crash Safety Rating
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Front Impact Airbags	Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags	Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag	Driver And Passenger
Passenger Side Impact Airbag	Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners	Front
Anti-Lock Brakes	4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning
Blind Spot Sensor
Lane Departure Warning
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection
Driver Attention Alert
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams
Adaptive Headlights
Parking Sensors
Security Systems	Security System
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable	Immobilizer

Warranty

Bumper To Bumper Months Miles	36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Major Components Months	60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months	24 Months / 25,000 Miles
Roadside Assistance Months	24 Months / Unlimited Miles
Corrosion Perforation	60 Months / Unlimited Miles
Accessories Months	36 Months / 36,000 Miles

Used 2016 Toyota 4Runner for Sale

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