Used 2021 Toyota 4Runner for Sale nearDurham, NC

How much does the 2021 Toyota 4Runner cost?

Prices have softened 2.84% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,653 listings available, which suggests solid inventory for comparison shopping.

Is the 2021 Toyota 4Runner a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Toyota 4Runner earns a 4.77/5 user rating and a 6.17/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Form and function at 9/10.

Owners consistently praise its rugged durability, spacious interior, off-road capability, and convenient tech like adaptive cruise control and Apple CarPlay. The trade-offs are familiar: poor fuel economy, poor ride quality, and interior materials that feel cheap.

That makes it a strong fit if you want a durable SUV with real utility and go-anywhere ability, especially if you value toughness over refinement. The market also shows 35.7% good or great deals, which gives you 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 points to rugged durability, dependable ownership, and a vehicle that feels solid over time. The expert evaluation also emphasizes dependability, describing it as something you can keep driving for decades if you accept its compromises.

Toyota’s cost-effectiveness commentary adds that you can depend on the 4Runner’s dependability, and that it has real long-term value. For used buyers, the main ownership risk is not mechanical fragility so much as living with age-related drawbacks like fuel use, ride quality, and outdated cabin execution.

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

At 73.9% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.

You should start with a vehicle history report and then prioritize a careful inspection of bodywork, alignment, and underbody condition. Because this model is often bought for rugged use, pay close attention to signs of hard off-road driving, neglected maintenance, and wear that could affect long-term durability.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: Toyota offers the 4Runner in SR5, TRD Off-Road, Limited, and TRD Pro trim levels. The SR5 and TRD Off-Road can be equipped with premium packages, and the Trail Special Edition is based on the SR5. The Limited is the notable exception if you want a more chrome-heavy look, while the Trail Special Edition adds a cargo basket, all-weather mats, a sliding rear cargo tray, and a cooler.
• Powertrain: Every 4Runner uses a 4.0-liter V6 with 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is standard unless you shift the part-time 4WD system into 4-Hi or 4-Lo, and the Trail Special Edition does not offer automatic 4WD.
• 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. Blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning are not included.
• Infotainment: The standard setup is an 8-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, SiriusXM satellite radio, five USB ports, Safety Connect, and WiFi Connect trial access. The premium audio upgrade adds dynamic navigation, dynamic point-of-interest search, and dynamic voice recognition.
• Fuel efficiency: The 4Runner is rated at 17 mpg combined 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:

• SR5: This is the entry point and the best-value starting place if you want the 4Runner’s core ruggedness without paying for extra hardware. It can be optioned with a premium package, and the Trail Special Edition is based on it if you want a more distinctive appearance and added cargo gear.
• TRD Off-Road: This is the trim to target if you want the strongest balance of capability and value. It adds the off-road focus that suits the 4Runner’s mission, and it can also be equipped with a premium package.
• Limited: Choose this if you want the most upscale presentation in the lineup. It stands apart as the chrome-festooned version and is the trim most oriented toward a more polished look.
• TRD Pro: This is the top capability-focused choice if you want the most serious factory off-road setup. It sits at the top of the range and is the most expensive trim mentioned.

Toyota Safety Sense P is standard, but blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning are not available on the 4Runner.

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

This is a moderate market for selective buyers, so it pays to compare listings carefully and move quickly on strong examples.

• Deal availability: 35.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,653 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 2.84% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 73.9% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $35,613, 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 $36,805 sits slightly below last year's $37,882.

That softer pricing can help you buy more confidently now, but it also suggests the model has already absorbed some of its near-term depreciation. For a future seller, that can be a positive sign if you buy at the right price and keep the vehicle in strong condition.

The 4Runner’s reputation for durability and strong owner satisfaction should help support demand over time. Buyers in this segment often pay for proven utility and long-term appeal, which can help preserve value better than many mainstream SUVs.

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 2021 Toyota 4Runner earns a Good roof crush strength rating from IIHS and a three-star rollover resistance rating from NHTSA. It also earns 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 caveat is the combination of a marginal small-overlap frontal result and the three-star rollover rating, which reflects the 4Runner’s older design and truck-like character.

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:

• 35.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 73.9% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 2.84% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.77/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Despite its design age, the 2021 still delivers rugged utility, strong reliability, and go-anywhere capability.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $34,874, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $36,805 average.
• It emphasizes capability and standard advanced safety features.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $39,383, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $36,805 average.
• It adds modern infotainment and safety tech while keeping the 4Runner’s rugged character.

The bottom line: If you want the 4Runner’s core strengths and a better-than-average market position, the 2021 is the right target. If price matters most, the 2020 is the value play; if you want a newer-feeling setup and can spend more, the 2022 is the upgrade path.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from October 13, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.