How much does the 2021 Toyota 4Runner cost?

Prices have softened 4.25% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,656 listings available, which gives you a meaningful amount of inventory to compare.

If you find a listing below $35,674.38, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

Is the 2021 Toyota 4Runner a good car?

Yes — the 4.77/5 user rating points to strong owner satisfaction, and the expert rating is 6.17/10. The standout strength is Form and function at 9/10.

Owners consistently praise its rugged durability, spacious interior, off-road capability, and convenient technology. The 4Runner also earns credit for being a solid investment for families and off-road enthusiasts, while the main trade-offs are poor gas mileage and a few missing convenience features.

That lines up with the overview: you’re looking at a midsize SUV built for rugged capability and utility rather than polish. If you want easy-to-use tech, a stylish design, and a vehicle that leans into utility, this year fits that brief well.

With 33.4% of listings marked as good or great deals, you have some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Toyota 4Runner reliable?

Owners rate it 4.77/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction. The owner feedback also emphasizes rugged durability, reliability, and a trouble-free ownership experience, with buyers describing it as a solid investment and something you can count on over the long term.

The expert evaluation reinforces that theme by calling out dependability and long-term value, noting that you could theoretically keep one for a very long time. Toyota’s cost-effectiveness commentary also suggests the platform has already paid back much of its development cost, which helps keep pricing relatively low.

For used buyers, the main long-term risk is less about the 4Runner’s durability and more about whether prior use, maintenance, and wear have been handled carefully.

What should I look for when buying a used 2021 Toyota 4Runner?

Accident-free inventory is solid at 75.5% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a history report on any candidate, even if the listing looks clean. Prioritize a pre-purchase inspection that focuses on suspension, brakes, tires, and signs of hard use, since this model is often bought for demanding driving. Pay close attention to interior wear and overall condition, because the 4Runner’s rugged mission can hide a lot of abuse.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: The base setup is light on technology, and the lower-positioned Trail Special Edition does not come with much in the way of tech.
• Powertrain: Every 4Runner uses a 4.0-liter V6 with 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, paired with a five-speed automatic; fuel economy is poor, with 17 mpg combined and no better than 19 mpg on the highway.
• Safety package: Toyota Safety Sense P includes adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic forward emergency braking, lane departure warning, automatic high-beam headlights, and pedestrian detection, but blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning are not included.
• Infotainment: The standard system uses an 8-inch touchscreen and includes wireless-free basics like Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, SiriusXM, five USB ports, and OTA-style connected services through subscriptions.
• Fuel efficiency: The EPA says this SUV will get 17 mpg in combined driving and no better than 19 mpg on the highway, and the test vehicle averaged 16.8 mpg.

Which 2021 Toyota 4Runner trim should I buy?

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner is offered in 4 trim levels: SR5, TRD Off-Road, Limited, and TRD Pro.

Here's the short version:

• Base trim: SR5 is the entry point, but it starts from a more basic equipment set and lacks the richer feature content found higher up the range.
• Sweet-spot trim: TRD Off-Road is the best fit if you want the core 4Runner experience with stronger off-road hardware and more capability.
• Premium/top trim: Limited is the most comfort-oriented choice, with the most upscale presentation among the standard trims.
• Off-road trim: TRD Pro is the most extreme choice, but it makes the most sense if you truly plan to use the 4Runner’s backcountry capability.

Toyota Safety Sense P is standard, but blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning are not available on this model year.

Is now a good time to buy a used 2021 Toyota 4Runner?

This is a moderate buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully without expecting every listing to be a bargain.

• Deal availability: 33.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,656 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.25% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 75.5% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $35,674.38, that's toward the low end of the year-round range and worth acting on quickly.

What is the 2021 Toyota 4Runner's resale value?

The current average of $37,370 sits slightly below last year's $39,026.

That kind of price movement suggests the market has eased a bit, which can help you buy more confidently now. For a future seller, it also means there is still a meaningful value floor supporting the model, especially if you keep mileage, condition, and maintenance history in good shape. The 4Runner’s reputation for durability and utility should continue to help it hold buyer interest.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.77/5, tend to retain buyer demand, which supports resale value over time.

Is the 2021 Toyota 4Runner safe?

The IIHS gives the 4Runner’s roof crush strength its top rating of Good, while the IIHS also rates driver protection in a small overlap frontal-impact collision as Marginal. The NHTSA gives the SUV a three-star rollover resistance rating and a three-star rating for front passenger protection in a frontal-impact crash.

It earns a 3/10 safety score from our experts.

Toyota Safety Sense P includes adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic forward emergency braking, lane departure warning, automatic high-beam headlights, and pedestrian detection. However, blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning are not included.

The main safety caveat is that the crash results reflect the 4Runner’s age, so you should weigh its standard driver-assistance features against those older structural ratings.

Should I buy a 2021 Toyota 4Runner or consider a different year?

If you're weighing the 2021 against nearby model years, here's how to think about it:

Choose the 2021 if:

• 33.4% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 75.5% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 4.25% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.77/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It balances rugged utility with easy-to-use tech and strong resale appeal.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $35,762, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $37,370 average.
• It emphasizes rugged capability and durability over refinement.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $39,972, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $37,370 average.
• It adds modern infotainment and safety tech while keeping the same adventure-ready character.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of price, satisfaction, and current-year inventory, the 2021 is the primary target. If you’re more price-sensitive, the 2020 is the value play; if you want to spend more for a slightly newer take, the 2022 is the upgrade path.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from August 21, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.