Used 2021 Toyota 4Runner for Sale nearMalibu, CA

How much does the 2021 Toyota 4Runner cost?

Prices have softened 2.77% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,736 listings available, which suggests you have a solid amount of inventory to compare.

Is the 2021 Toyota 4Runner a good car?

Yes — the 2021 Toyota 4Runner earns a 4.8/5 user rating and a 6.2/10 expert rating. The standout strength is Form and function at 9/10.

Owners consistently praise its rugged durability, spacious interior, and off-road capability, and they also like the convenient tech features such as adaptive cruise control and Apple CarPlay. The expert review points to the same core appeal: strong utility, go-anywhere capability, and a design that suits buyers who want toughness over refinement. The trade-offs are clear, though, with poor fuel economy and a rough ride standing out as the main compromises. If you want a midsize SUV that fits family duty and off-road use better than a softer crossover, this one makes sense. The market also shows 33.7% good or great deals, which gives you some room to shop selectively.

Is the 2021 Toyota 4Runner reliable?

Owners rate it 4.8/5, a strong signal of long-term satisfaction.

User feedback emphasizes rugged durability, dependable ownership, and a vehicle that feels like a solid investment over time. The expert review reinforces that theme by describing it as something you could keep for decades, with real long-term value in its toughness and dependability. Toyota also notes that the 4Runner has long since paid for its investment, which helps keep pricing relatively low for what it offers. For used buyers, the main ownership risk is less about mechanical fragility and more about accepting age-related compromises and higher fuel costs over the long haul.

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

At 74% 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 signs of prior repair. Because this model year leans heavily on rugged utility, condition matters a lot: focus on how the truck has been used, not just how it looks in photos. If you plan to keep it for the long term, make sure the listing matches your expectations for wear, maintenance, and equipment.

Key things to evaluate:

• Trim level: Toyota offers the 4Runner in SR5, TRD Off-Road, Limited, and TRD Pro trim levels. Premium packages are available for the SR5 and TRD Off-Road, and special editions are built from those trims as well. The base setup is intentionally old-school, with hard plastics, manual climate controls, and a simple cabin that fits the vehicle’s mission more than luxury expectations.
• Powertrain: Every 4Runner uses a 4.0-liter V6 with 270 horsepower and a five-speed automatic. The part-time 4WD setup is built for off-road use, and the Trail Special Edition does not offer automatic 4WD. Fuel economy is a weak point, 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. Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning is 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 interface is easy to use, and the physical controls are glove-friendly.
• Fuel efficiency: The EPA says this SUV will get 17 mpg in combined driving and no better than 19 mpg on the highway.

Which 2021 Toyota 4Runner trim should I buy?

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

Here's the short version:

• SR5: This is the entry point, and it gives you the core 4Runner formula without the extra hardware or pricing of the more specialized trims. It makes the most sense if you want the basic rugged SUV experience and plan to add a premium package only if you need more equipment.
• TRD Off-Road: This is the best-value trim for buyers who want the 4Runner’s off-road character to show up more clearly. It adds the kind of capability-focused hardware that better matches the vehicle’s mission, and it is the trim to target if you care most about trail use.
• Limited: This is the more comfort-leaning choice, with the chrome-festooned look and a more upscale presentation than the other trims. It suits you best if you want the 4Runner’s utility but prefer a more polished appearance.
• TRD Pro: This is the most expensive and most capability-focused version, aimed at buyers who want the strongest off-road setup in the lineup. It is the trim to choose if you want the most serious factory hardware and are willing to pay for it.

Toyota Safety Sense P is standard, but blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning is not available.

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 the right one.

• Deal availability: 33.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,736 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 2.77% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 74.0% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $35,611, 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 $36,743 sits slightly below last year's $37,789.

That modest decline suggests the market has eased a bit, which can help you buy at a more favorable point. For a future seller, the current pricing trend is still encouraging because it shows the 4Runner holding close to its prior value rather than dropping sharply. Its strong reputation for durability and buyer loyalty should continue to support demand when you decide to sell.

Vehicles with strong owner satisfaction ratings, like this model year's 4.8/5, 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, but it also has a Marginal result for driver protection in a small overlap frontal-impact collision 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. Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning is not included. The main caveat is that the safety results reflect the vehicle’s age, and the weaker crash-performance ratings are worth taking seriously if safety is a top priority.

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:

• 33.7% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• At 74% accident-free, a meaningful share of listings has prior incidents — history verification is especially important.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 2.77% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.8/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• Despite its design age, poor fuel economy, rough ride, iffy handling, and marginal safety ratings, the current-generation Toyota 4Runner remains a popular choice in a midsize SUV.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $34,721, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $36,743 average.
• It leans even more clearly into rugged, purpose-built capability.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $39,347, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $36,743 average.
• It adds more modern infotainment and safety tech.

The bottom line: If you want the strongest mix of value, capability, and buyer demand, the 2021 is the sweet spot. If price matters most, the 2020 is the cheaper path; if you want a newer-feeling setup, the 2022 is worth the extra money.

How does the 2021 Toyota 4Runner compare to the 2021 Ford Bronco?

Expert Pros & Cons (per CarGurus review team)

2021 Toyota 4Runner:

• Pros: Excellent off-road capability, Stylish design, Easy-to-use technology.
• Cons: Poor ride quality, Poor fuel economy, Interior materials feel cheap.

2021 Ford Bronco:

• Pros: Excellent off-road capability, Stylish design, Great ride quality.
• Cons: Poor fuel economy, Noisy, Stereo is lacking.

Our experts score the 2021 Toyota 4Runner 6.2/10 and the 2021 Ford Bronco 8/10. The Bronco comes out ahead on overall expert score and ride quality, while the 4Runner counters with easy-to-use technology and a reputation for rugged durability. Both are strong off-road choices, but the 4Runner feels more old-school and the Bronco sounds like the more refined daily driver.

Read our full side-by-side expert comparison here.

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