The Toyota 4Runner is an iconic off-roader that’s been mostly tamed for use in civilization. It’s available in six different trims with its 278-hp gas-only powertrain, plus several more on the , which we review separately. As you might imagine, choosing just one can get confusing in a hurry. But we’re here to make this process easier. If you’re shopping for a 4Runner, we can save you some time by recommending the trim level and options that pack the best value.
Which 4Runner Trim Level Is the Best?
Assuming you’re buying the 4Runner to do some off-roading—and that’s the reason to choose it over a more comfortable and practical SUV—we suggest opting for the TRD Off-Road trim level. With a starting price of $52,285, the Off-Road comes standard with four-wheel drive (yes, somewhat paradoxically, you can buy a two-wheel-drive 4Runner), along with a long list of trail-ready gear: a set of composite skid plates to protect the underbody, an electronic locking rear differential, cool-looking 18-inch wheels with 33-inch all-terrain tires, and an off-road-tuned suspension with Bilstein dampers, as well as Toyota’s Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control.
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Other standard items include a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster, an 8.0-inch center touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability, heated front seats, cloth upholstery, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, a wireless phone charger, and a power liftgate.
If you want to get a little fancier, there’s also the $58,065 TRD Off-Road Premium trim. It swaps in faux leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, a 14.0-inch center touchscreen, and a 14-speaker JBL sound system while adding ventilation for the front seats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with garage door controls, hands-free activation for the power liftgate, and Multi-Terrain Monitor, which lets you be your own spotter by displaying various camera views around the vehicle.
What Options Should You Consider?
Keeping things pretty simple, the gas 4Runner TRD Off-Road doesn’t offer any major options besides paint color and interior scheme. If you spring for the TRD Off-Road Premium, you can add a moonroof for $850 or the $400 Tow Tech package (which includes a digital rearview mirror, an integrated trailer brake controller, and a feature that helps back up a trailer in a straight line).
What Do You Miss Out On in the Higher Trim Levels?
In the gas 4Runner lineup, only the Limited trim offers more equipment than the TRD Off-Road Premium. You have to pick the Limited to get power-folding side mirrors, optional power running boards, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, digital key capability, and front and rear parking sensors with automatic braking and pedestrian detection. The base SR5 and Limited are the only trims available with a third row of seats, which ups passenger capacity to seven.
In addition to hybrid versions of the Off-Road and Off-Road Premium, there are three even more expensive trim levels available only with the 4Runner’s 326-hp gas-electric powertrain: TRD Pro, Trailhunter, and Platinum. The first two mainly add more off-road gear, while the Platinum is similar to the Limited and is the only 4Runner that offers nicer leather upholstery, heated second-row seats, and a head-up display.