Car shoppers want to make sure they’re getting the best SUV their money can buy. While that may mean different things to different people, listening to the opinion of experts on which SUVs are considered the best and which are the worst are worth considering. Car and Driver ranked every 2022 three-row SUV from worst to best, and they found the 2022 Toyota 4Runner to be the worst.

Will the 2022 Toyota 4runner be redesigned?

One of the reasons that Car and Driver ranked the 2022 Toyota 4Runner last is the fact that it hasn’t been redesigned in years. In fact, it’s been 12 years since the last time the Toyota Highlander has undergone any major transformations. However, that may be one of the things that people like about it so much. Still, if it isn’t improving, it may justify why Car and Driver gave it the last spot.

Other things that Car and Driver mentions as being problematic include its body-on-frame chassis as well as its five-speed automatic transmission. without even a refresh, it’s hard to get too excited about the 2022 Toyota 4Runner.

Fuel economy in the 2022 4Runner could be better

The 2022 Toyota 4Runner has a 4.0-liter V6 engine that can put out 270-hp. This engine uses 16 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway. This is what comes in every 4Runner, so there’s no option to go for a 4Runner Hybrid, though that could change relatively soon. Toyota is working on offering a hybrid or electric version of every one of their vehicles by 2025.

If Toyota keeps its promise, a hybrid version of the Toyota 4Runner would likely be very popular. Toyota has already put out a hybrid RAV4, and customers are loving it. So when could we expect to see a hybrid 4Runner? It would likely come after the Tundra, and around the same time as the Sequoia and Tacoma.

The new Toyota 4Runner will have lots of great advantages

Even though Car and Driver may find the 2022 4Runner to be the least desirable of all new three-row SUVs, that doesn’t mean there isn’t anything going for it. For example, the new 4Runner will have LED high beams on all models. If you get the SR5 Premium, TRD Off-Road Premium, TRD Pro, or Limited trim levels, you’ll also get blind-spot monitoring and rear-cross traffic alert.

Perhaps most importantly, the 2022 Toyota 4Runner will come with a rear occupancy alert. This feature notifies the driver if something is left in the backseat, like a child or a pet. Since many tragic incidents with children and pets happen because of a change in routine which causes the parent or pet owner to remember the backseat occupant, this feature could be lifesaving.

Despite the 2022 Toyota 4Runner’s last-place ranking on the list, the 2022 Toyota 4Runner is still a decent SUV. It hasn’t been crash-tested by the IIHS yet, but it does come with new safety features that make it attractive to car shoppers. Still, if you’re looking for something brand new and never-before-seen, you might want to skip the 2022 Toyota 4Runner.