Item: 2022 Toyota 4Runner
Rating: 2.6
Author: Justin Cupler

Overview

What's New

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner packs more standard equipment, including LED high beams and rear occupant alert. Most trims also gain blind-spot monitoring, and the TRD Pro and Limited get surround-view cameras as standard. The new TRD Sport combines aggressive styling with enhanced on-road handling.

The 4Runner remains a traditional SUV with truck-like construction and capability. The current design dates back to 2009.

Choosing Your Toyota 4Runner

The 4Runner now comes in eight trim levels: SR5, Trail Special Edition, TRD Sport, SR5 Premium, TRD Off-Road, TRD Off-Road Premium, Limited, and TRD Pro. Pricing starts at $38,520 including destination and goes to $53,335 for the TRD Pro.

Engine Choices

Every 4Runner comes with a 4.0-liter V6 engine that produces 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed automatic transmission does the shifting.

The SR5, Trail Special Edition, TRD Sport, and SR5 Premium start out with rear-wheel drive. Part-time (selectable) four-wheel drive is available on these trims for $1,875. The Limited also comes standard with RWD, and a full-time 4WD system is optional at $1,610. The TRD Off-Road and Pro models come exclusively with part-time 4WD.

With either rear- or four-wheel drive, the 4Runner can tow up to 5,000 pounds and is EPA-rated for fuel economy at 16 miles per gallon city, 19 mpg highway, and 17 combined.

Passenger and Cargo Capacity

The 4Runner is a midsize, two-row SUV with generous room for five, along with 46.3 cubic feet of cargo space. Folding the rear seat opens up 88.8 cubic feet of load space. Both figures are excellent for this class.

A two-person third row is optional on the SR5 ($805), SR5 Premium ($1,085), and Limited ($1,365). Cargo space shrinks to just nine cubic feet with three rows in use.

Safety Features

Despite its age, the 4Runner does well in this department. Every model comes with adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, automatic high beams, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert is standard on the SR5 Premium, TRD Off-Road Premium, Limited, and TRD Pro. This feature is available on the new TRD Sport for $1,310.

A surround-view camera system is included in the Premium Plus Package for the SR5 Premium ($600) and TRD Off-Road Premium ($850). It's standard on the Limited and TRD Pro. Front and rear parking sensors are exclusive to the Limited.

Connectivity

The 4Runner's standard infotainment system includes an eight-inch touchscreen, eight speakers, five USB ports, satellite radio, and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility.

The Premium Audio Package ($1,585) adds navigation and HD radio to the SR5, Trail Special Edition, TRD Sport, and TRD Off-Road. These items are standard on the other trims.

The Limited and TRD Pro also carry a 15-speaker JBL sound system.

4Runner SR5 — MSRP From $38,520

The SR5 comes with all the expected equipment for a base model in this class. Buyers get cloth upholstery, an eight-way power driver seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, heated side mirrors, proximity key access, and a power tailgate window. The outside wears full LED lighting and 17-inch alloy wheels.

4Runner Trail Special Edition — MSRP From $40,490

The Trail Special Edition comes ready for adventure with mud/snow tires, a 40-quart food and beverage cooler, a sliding cargo tray, floor liners, and a Yakima LoadWarrior rooftop cargo basket. Style elements include dark wheels, black badging, and black seats with tan stitching. Other equipment and options are shared with the SR5.

4Runner TRD Sport — MSRP From $41,365

The TRD Sport features a road-tuned suspension, a hood scoop, and 20-inch wheels. The interior receives SofTex imitation leather upholstery and a four-way power passenger seat.

4Runner SR5 Premium — MSRP From $41,930

The SR5 Premium builds on the base SR5 with SofTex upholstery, heated front seats with passenger power, push-button start, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a universal home remote, and turn signals in the side mirrors. A sunroof can be added for $630.

4Runner TRD Off-Road — MSRP From $42,350

Along with standard 4WD, the TRD Off-Road offers a terrain selector, a locking rear differential, a transfer case skid plate, all-terrain tires on matte black wheels, and TRD badging throughout. Otherwise, the equipment mirrors the SR5.

4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium — MSRP From $45,295

The TRD Off-Road Premium combines the SR5 Premium's comfort and convenience features with the upgraded hardware of the TRD Off-Road.

4Runner Limited — MSRP From $48,105

The Limited takes the 4Runner upmarket with perforated leather upholstery, ventilated front seats with driver memory, dual-zone automatic climate control, automatic headlights, and the JBL audio system. Other features include the sunroof, chrome door handles, and 20-inch wheels. Like the TRD Sport, the Limited's suspension is tuned for sharper on-road handling.

4Runner TRD Pro — MSRP From $53,335

In addition to the TRD Off-Road equipment, the TRD Pro gets upgraded shocks and front springs, a roof rack, special badging, and its own wheels and grille. The sunroof, JBL system, and automatic climate control are also standard.

Compare 4Runner Trims Side-By-Side

CarsDirect Tip

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner is rugged and capable no matter how it's equipped. For mixed on- and off-road use, we'd look at the SR5, TRD Sport, or Limited. The TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro are for serious trailblazers who want all the traction they can get.

John Diether

Automotive Editor - October 28, 2021

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Expert Review

Pros

Rugged exterior look
Tons of off-road capability
Smooth on- and off-road

Cons

Really dated inside
Cramped cabin
Ancient transmission

Expert Rating

2.6

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.

Justin Cupler

Automotive Editor - October 29, 2021

Old-school look because it really is old-school. The Toyota 4Runner looks old-school because it is old-school. It went through its last redesign in 2010, though it has seen a few updates since. The old-school look remains a part of the 2022 Toyota 4Runner, enticing some nostalgic buyers.

However, with more modern rigs like the Jeep Wrangler and Ford Bronco also featuring these rugged exterior looks while also boasting modern cabins, can the 4Runner keep pace? Continue reading to find out.

Chunky design, but it's very dated. Buyers seeking that old-school look and feel from an SUV will find it in the 2022 Toyota 4Runner. It’s a chunky, body-on-frame SUV that begs to be driven off the beaten path more often than not. Very few crossovers and SUVs have these bold looks today.

That said, it’s also very dated in many ways, especially inside. The interior is very loud and overcooked with its metallic-look plastic accents, blocky steering wheel center, massive center stack, and plain dashboard. There is not much that’s overly exciting, and what is dressed up is simply trying too hard.

Buyers who want to combine rugged with modern can look to the Ford Bronco or Jeep Cherokee.

Toyota 4Runner

Big-time off-roading and big-time appetite. The Toyota 4Runner is a professional off the beaten path, especially in its TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro packages. The latter offers a lifted suspension and Fox shocks for enhanced off-roading capability.

It also offers a smooth drive with its 270-horsepower 4.0-liter V6 engine. However, its five-speed automatic transmission leaves a lot to be desired and allows it to run out of steam quickly. It is, however, perfectly capable of off-roading.

The real downside to the 4Runner is its standard four-wheel drive, which gobbles fuel. It gets just 16 mpg city, 19 highway, and 17 combined. Want similar capability and better fuel economy? The 2021 Bronco delivers that with its competent off-road skills and up to 20 mpg city, 22 highway, and 21 combined.

Plenty of safety tech, light on actual safety. The Toyota 4Runner has no shortage of advanced safety tech for an old-school, rugged SUV. Its list of standard tech includes automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-departure warnings.

While this collection of safety gear is great, the IIHS rates it only “Marginal” in the small-overlap crash test on the driver’s side. This means there could be serious injuries or death in an accident.

The Ford Bronco has no IIHS safety ratings, but its smaller sibling, the Bronco Sport, is an IIHS Top Safety Pick+.

Final thoughts. If you want a rugged, off-road-ready SUV that can also double as a family hauler, the 4Runner is one of just a few legitimate options. However, it is far from the best option with a cramped cabin, an old design, and a big appetite for fuel.

The Ford Bronco and the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited are two likely better options as all-around SUVs.

Check 2022 Toyota 4Runner Prices Near You

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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

16 / 19 / 17 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	16 / 19 / 17 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 / 20.0 " Black Aluminum / 17.0 " Painted Trd Aluminum / 17.0 " Black Aluminum / 17.0 " Bronze Aluminum / 17.0 " Black Trd Aluminum
Paint	Clearcoat Monotone / Clearcoat Monotone With Badging
Exterior Mirrors	Dual Power Remote Heated
Bumpers	Body-colored With 1 Front Tow Hook(s)
Grille Moldings	With Body-colored Bar / Black
Rear Spoiler	Lip
Exhaust	Stainless Steel / Stainless Steel With Black Tailpipe Finish / Stainless Steel With Chrome Tailpipe Finish / Stainless Steel With Dark Chrome Tailpipe Finish

Interior Features

Seating

Passenger Capacity	5 / 7
Seat Trim	Cloth
Front Seat Type	Bucket
Heated Front Seats
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/satellite, Seek-scan / 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
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	Pre-collision System (pcs) Forward Collision Mitigation
Blind Spot Sensor
Lane Departure Warning	Lane Departure Alert (lda) Lane Departure
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection	Pre Collision System With Pedestrian Detection Front Pedestrian Detection Prevention
Driver Attention Alert
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams	Auto High Beam Auto High-beam
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 2022 Toyota 4Runner for Sale

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