![2021 Toyota 4Runner Trail Edition off-roading](https://develop.motorbiscuit.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/2021-toyota-4runner-trail_100751181_l.jpg?w=902)
Three Reasons Not to Buy the 2020 Toyota 4Runner
Before you buy the 2020 Toyota 4Runner, there are a few things to consider. Not everything with the 2020 model is great, and you might be able to get more value for your money elsewhere. Check out why it might be better to pass on the Toyota 4Runner.
Reasons not the buy the 2020 Toyota 4Runner
We aren’t suggesting that you avoid every Toyota 4Runner model, just the 2020 version. For a little background, the 2020 Toyota 4Runner starts around $36k, making it an expensive three-row SUV.
![2020 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro](https://develop.motorbiscuit.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/2020_4Runner_TRD_Pro_01_E881C4B5F027B4DC40A23A06D806E93AD895B13B.jpg?w=1024&h=724&strip=all&quality=89)
Aside from being expensive, it’s receiving poor reviews from sources such as Car And Driver, Motor Trend, and more. It may be worth saving your money with another option, a used Toyota 4Runner, or waiting for the refreshed Toyota 4Runner to arrive in 2023.
1. The 2020 Toyota 4Runner is outdated
The 2020 Toyota 4Runner looks like every other old 4Runner for the past few years, because it hasn’t received a major cosmetic update in 2014. It’s hard to tell which Toyota 4Runner is from 2015 or 2000, so you don’t get to show off your new SUV very well. Over the years, a few new color options have come out.
Also, the interior of the Toyota 4Runner hasn’t received many updates since 2010, leaving it with a prehistoric feel. The dash does have an 8” infotainment center that can connect to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Plus, the 4Runner did get a digital cluster display, but those are pretty much the only tech updates to brag about.
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The large chunky buttons will take you back. Plus, there is limited headspace for taller people, and the optional third row of seats is very cramped. We recommend going with only two rows of seats unless your children are pretty tiny still.
2. The 2020 Toyota 4runner isn’t the best daily driver
The 2020 Toyota 4Runner is very thirsty. It only gets up to 14 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway. Expect to fill up pretty often and remember to calculate the fuel costs before going on vacation or off-roading.
![2019 Toyota 4Runner TRD parked on the street](https://develop.motorbiscuit.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/2019_4Runner_TRD_Off_Road_09_6A72125224A4556C7C7E9DE39CEC097C0D8BE132.jpg?w=1024&h=683&strip=all&quality=89)
Also, while the Toyota 4Runner is known for being an excellent off-roader, it doesn’t have the best performance on the pavement. Edmund’s noted that the Toyota 4Runner handles like a large, bouncy truck while rivals provide a smoother ride.
When tested, the 2020 Toyota 4Runner had a loud cabin, especially at highway speeds. You’ll have to turn up your music louder to hear it, and having conversations while driving might be difficult. Also, you have to slam the brakes to come to a stop, and that often causes a slight nosedive.
3. The 2020 Toyota 4Runner isn’t very safe
While the 2020 Toyota 4Runner did receive Toyota’s Safety Sense to include features such as automatic emergency braking, blind-spot warnings, and more, it failed to score well during standard safety tests.
![2022 Toyota 4Runner driving through sand](https://develop.motorbiscuit.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/2022-Toyota-4Runner-Toyota.png?w=1024&h=485&strip=all&quality=80)
The Toyota 4Runner did receive four stars from the NHTSA for frontal crash overlap, and five stars for side-impact tests, but it only received three stars for the ability to avoid rolling over. It also only received marginal ratings for driver side overlap impact tests from the IIHS, and the headlights rated poorly.