Used 2021 Toyota 4Runner for Sale nearPhoenix, AZ

How much does the 2021 Toyota 4Runner cost?

Prices have softened 3.72% compared to this time last year, making it a favorable time to shop this model year.

There are 2,636 listings available, which gives you a decent amount of inventory to compare.

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, and convenient technologies like adaptive cruise control and Apple CarPlay. The 4Runner also comes through as a solid investment for families and off-road enthusiasts, which fits its reputation for reliability and resale value.

The trade-offs are clear: poor fuel economy and a rough ride are recurring complaints, and the interior materials feel cheap. That makes it a better fit if you value toughness, utility, and go-anywhere capability more than refinement.

With 34.6% 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 user feedback points to rugged durability, reliability, and a vehicle that feels solid over time. The expert evaluation also emphasizes dependability and long-term value, describing it as the kind of SUV you could keep for years and keep using hard.

Toyota’s cost-effectiveness commentary reinforces that theme by noting the 4Runner’s indestructible reputation and real long-term value. For used buyers, the main ownership risk is less about durability and more about living with age-related compromises and fuel costs.

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

Accident-free inventory is solid at 75.9% — always verify the vehicle history report.

You should still run a vehicle history report on any candidate and prioritize a careful inspection of the body, interior, and mechanical condition. Because this model leans into rugged use, it makes sense to pay close attention to signs of hard driving, off-road wear, and neglected maintenance.

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, while the Trail Special Edition is based on the SR5, the Venture Special Edition is based on the TRD Off-Road, and the Nightshade Special Edition is based on the Limited. The base trims are more basic inside, with old-school controls and fewer of the latest infotainment and safety technologies.
• 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, part-time 4WD is available, and the Trail Special Edition does not offer automatic 4WD. The SUV is built for capability, but it feels slow, heavy, and clunky on pavement.
• 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 system is easy to use, and the premium audio upgrade adds dynamic navigation, dynamic point-of-interest search, and dynamic voice recognition.
• Fuel efficiency: The EPA says this SUV gets 17 mpg in combined driving and no better than 19 mpg on the highway. The expert test drive returned 16.8 mpg during a week of mixed use.

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 it gives you the core 4Runner formula at the lowest listed starting price. It makes the most sense if you want the rugged basics and plan to add equipment selectively.
• TRD Off-Road: This is the best-value trim for buyers who want more trail capability. It adds the off-road-focused hardware and is the trim to target if you want the 4Runner’s capability to be the main reason you buy it.
• Limited: This is the more comfort-leaning choice, and the Nightshade Special Edition is based on it. It suits you if you want the 4Runner’s utility with a more upscale presentation.
• TRD Pro: This is the most expensive trim and the most specialized off-road version. It is the right pick if you want the most capability-focused factory setup.

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

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

This looks like a moderate, selective buyer’s market, so you can shop carefully and still find worthwhile listings.

• Deal availability: 34.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Inventory: There are 2,636 listings available.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.72% compared with last year.
• Clean inventory: 75.9% of listings are accident-free.

If you find a listing below $35,627, 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 $37,202 sits slightly below last year's $38,638.

That softer pricing suggests the market has eased a bit, which can help you as a buyer today. For a future seller, it means the 4Runner is still holding value reasonably well, but you should not expect a rising-price environment to do the work for you.

Its appeal remains tied to durability, utility, and strong owner satisfaction, all of which support demand over time. If you keep mileage and condition in check, the model’s reputation should continue to help it retain interest from used buyers.

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. Blind-spot warning and rear cross-traffic warning are not included.

The main caveat is that IIHS rates driver protection in a small overlap frontal-impact collision as Marginal, which is a meaningful weakness for used shoppers to weigh.

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:

• 34.6% of listings are priced as good or great deals.
• Accident-free inventory is solid at 75.9% — always verify the vehicle history report.
• Price trend: Prices have softened 3.72% compared with last year.
• Owners rate it 4.77/5 — a strong satisfaction signal.
• It keeps the rugged, utility-first formula with strong off-road capability and easy-to-use technology.

Consider the 2020 if:

• At $35,334, the 2020 costs less than the current year's $37,202 average.
• It emphasizes capability and ruggedness with a rough-and-ready luxury angle.

Consider the 2022 if:

• At $39,509, the 2022 costs more than the current year's $37,202 average.
• It keeps the rugged formula while adding modern infotainment and safety tech.

The bottom line: If you want the best balance of current pricing, strong owner satisfaction, and broad inventory, the 2021 is the smart default. If your budget is tighter, the 2020 is the value play; if you want to spend more for a newer-feeling setup, the 2022 is the alternative to compare.

These recommendations are based on CarGurus' proprietary market data from September 15, 2026, CarGurus experts' opinions, and generative AI.