Trims and Powertrain

The ’21 4Runner is available in nine trim levels: SR5, Trail Special Edition, SR5 Premium, TRD Off-Road, TRD Off-Road Premium, Venture Special Edition, Limited, Nightshade Special Edition, and TRD Pro. They all have a potent 4.0-liter V6 engine (270 hp and 278 lb.-ft. of torque) coupled to a five-speed automatic transmission. The TRD Off-Road, TRD Off-Road Premium, Venture Special Edition, and TRD Pro come exclusively with four-wheel drive. The other trims get rear-wheel drive standard, but four-wheel drive is available. Properly equipped 4Runners can tow up to 5,000 pounds.

Standard and Optional Features

The SR5 is a well-stocked base trim, getting LED headlights, fog lights, and taillights, plus 17-inch wheels, roof rails, heated side mirrors, keyless entry, a power driver’s seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, a rearview camera with guidance, two 12-volt DC power outlets, a 120-volt AC power outlet, four USB ports, and 40/20/40 split-reclining- and folding second-row seats. The SR5 is eligible for some options: a 50/50 split fold-flat third-row seat, a sliding second row with passenger-side one-touch access to the third row, and a sliding rear cargo deck with an underfloor storage compartment.

The Trail Special Edition adds a Yakima roof rack, dark-painted wheels and exterior trim, and a beverage cooler. The SR5 Premium gets turn-signal indicators for the side mirrors, Smart Key with push-button ignition, SofTex simulated leather upholstery, heated front seats, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. Along with the optional features from the SR5, running boards and a sunroof are available.

The TRD Off-Road has the features from the SR5, plus TRD badging, a terrain selector, active traction control, and a locking rear differential. The TRD Off-Road Premium comes with the same features listed for the SR5 Premium and TRD Off-Road features; a Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) is optional. The Venture Special Edition gets a Yakima roof rack, gray TRD wheels with all-terrain tires, and black exterior accents.

The Limited is loaded, getting the sunroof, automatic headlights, 20-inch wheels, chrome exterior accents, dual-zone automatic climate control, and leather seats that are heated and ventilated in the front row. The sleek and mysterious Nightshade Special Edition essentially adds black-painted wheels and exterior trim to the Limited. Last up is the ultimate off-roader: the TRD Pro. It has the TRD Off-Road Premium’s standard equipment, in addition to the sunroof, a classic TOYOTA-stamped grille, black TRD Pro badges, black TRD alloy wheels with all-terrain tires, an off-road suspension with Fox dampers, a TRD front skid plate, and a trim-specific roof rack and shocks.

Safety and Technology

All 2021 4Runners come with the Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P) system of active safety technologies: a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert, automatic high beams, and dynamic radar cruise control. The Limited and Nightshade Special Edition also receive front and rear parking assist (sonar).

The SR5, Trail Special Edition, and TRD Off-Road have an infotainment system with an 8-inch touchscreen, voice recognition, Bluetooth hands-free phone and audio streaming capability, smartphone integration (Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), SiriusXM satellite radio, and an eight-speaker sound system. The SR5 Premium, TRD Off-Road Premium, and Venture Special Edition also get integrated navigation and HD radio. The Limited, Nightshade Special Edition, and TRD Pro bring your music to you via a superior 15-speaker JBL audio unit.