2024 Toyota 4Runner: Price, Specs & Problems

Few SUVs still stir up the same devotion as the Toyota 4Runner. The 2024 model sticks with a 4.0-liter V6 and a five-speed automatic — a combination that feels like a time capsule next to the turbocharged competition. With a starting price of $40,705 (Toyota official vehicle page), this final year of the fifth generation offers proven toughness for buyers who value durability over digital displays.

Base MSRP (SR5): $40,705 ·
Engine: 4.0L V6, 270 hp ·
Fuel Economy (combined): 17 mpg ·
Transmission: 5-speed automatic ·
Body Type: Body-on-frame SUV ·
Assembly: Japan

Six key specs, one pattern: the 2024 4Runner prioritizes off-road ruggedness over on-road refinement.

How much will the 2024 4Runner cost?

2024 4Runner base price

• The entry-level SR5 starts at $40,705 (Car and Driver automotive review).
• Destination charges add about $1,395, bringing the total near $42,100.

The Car and Driver automotive review places the overall price range between $41,655 and $56,620, depending on trim and options.

2024 4Runner Limited price and features

• The Limited trim starts at $49,940 (Kelley Blue Book vehicle valuation expert).
• It adds leather upholstery, a power moonroof, and a JBL premium audio system.

2024 4Runner TRD Pro price and features

• The off-road-focused TRD Pro is priced near the top of the range, around $55,170 (Edmunds automotive research platform).
• Includes FOX shocks, a locking rear differential, and Multi-Terrain Select.

The implication: the 2024 4Runner commands a premium for its body-on-frame durability and off-road hardware, but the price spread — from $40,705 to over $56,000 — means buyers pay a steep markup for top-tier off-road capability.

Is the 2024 4Runner a good car?

What do critics say about the 2024 4Runner?

• Car and Driver calls it “the quintessential old-school, rugged SUV.”
• Critics note that the interior feels dated, with an 8-inch touchscreen as the largest available display.

How reliable is the 2024 4Runner?

• J.D. Power gives the 4Runner a reliability rating of 86 out of 100, above average for the segment (J.D. Power vehicle ratings).
• Common long-term issues include frame rust in salt-belt states and oil consumption in high-mileage engines.

What are the pros and cons?

The catch: the 4Runner’s off-road strengths are the same features that make it a compromised daily driver for most families.

The pattern: every strength introduces a corresponding compromise, forcing buyers to choose priorities.

What is the difference between the 2024 and 2025 4Runner?

What changes are expected for the 2025 4Runner?

• The 2024 model is the last of the fifth generation; no changes from 2023.
• For 2025, Toyota will likely unveil a fully redesigned sixth-generation model.

Will the 2025 4Runner have a new engine?

• MotorWeek reports the next 4Runner will feature a turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a performance hybrid option (MotorWeek road test future model speculation).
• An eight-speed automatic transmission is expected to replace the current five-speed.

Should you wait for the 2025 model?

• If you want the proven V6 and traditional off-road hardware, the 2024 is a safe bet.
• If you value modern tech and better fuel economy, waiting for the 2026 redesign may be worth it.

Why this matters: the 2024 4Runner is the last chance to buy a new V6-powered 4Runner with a five-speed auto — a combination that will disappear after this model year.

What is the most common problem with a Toyota 4Runner?

What is the most reported issue?

• Frame rust is the most widespread complaint, especially in states that use road salt (CarComplaints owner reports).
• Excessive oil consumption in high-mileage 4.0L V6 engines has been documented, though less frequent on later models.

Are there transmission problems?

• The five-speed automatic is generally reliable, but some owners report harsh shifting in earlier years.
• The 2024 model inherits a mature powertrain with fewer reported issues.

What about rust and frame issues?

• Toyota issued a warranty enhancement for frame rust on certain model years, but the 2024 uses improved anti-corrosion measures.
• Owners in the Salt Belt should still apply undercoating regularly.

The pattern: the 4Runner’s Achilles’ heel is its frame in corrosive environments, not its drivetrain.

Which is better, RAV4 or 4Runner?

Which is better for off-roading?

• The 4Runner’s body-on-frame construction and available Crawl Control give it a clear off-road advantage.
• The RAV4 (unibody) is limited to light trails even with torque-vectoring AWD (Toyota RAV4 specs).

Which is better for daily driving?

• The RAV4 is more comfortable, fuel-efficient (up to 35 mpg highway), and easier to park.
• The 4Runner rides stiffly and delivers 17 mpg combined.

Which has better fuel economy?

• RAV4: up to 27 mpg city / 35 mpg highway with the 2.5L four-cylinder (Kelley Blue Book RAV4 specs).
• 4Runner: 16 mpg city / 19 mpg highway (Kelley Blue Book vehicle valuation expert).

The verdict: choose the 4Runner for off-road missions and towing; choose the RAV4 for every other daily task.

Five key differences, one pattern: the 4Runner trades on-road civility for off-road dominance.

For U.S. buyers who need to haul gear off pavement, the 4Runner is the clear choice. For everyone else, the RAV4 delivers more modern features and lower costs.

Timeline

• Late 2023 — 2024 Toyota 4Runner goes on sale (Toyota official vehicle page)
• 2024 — Final year of the fifth generation (Car and Driver automotive review)
• Late 2025 (expected) — Launch of redesigned 2026 4Runner (MotorWeek road test future model speculation)
• 2026 — New 4Runner with turbocharged engines and hybrid option (MotorWeek road test future model speculation)

The implication: the 4Runner’s timeline shows a clear generational handoff, with the 2024 representing the end of an era.

What’s confirmed and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

• 2024 4Runner uses a 4.0L V6 with 270 hp (Edmunds automotive research platform)
• Base price SR5 $40,705 (Toyota official vehicle page)
• Body-on-frame construction (Car and Driver automotive review)

What’s unclear

• Exact fuel economy ratings for all trims (only SR5 data is official)
• Long-term reliability of the 2024 model specifically
• When Toyota will officially unveil the 2026 redesign
• Whether future turbo engines will match the V6’s durability reputation

The pattern: much remains unconfirmed about the 2024 model’s long-term behavior and the next generation’s details.

What reviewers are saying

“The 2024 Toyota 4Runner is the quintessential old-school, rugged SUV.”

Car and Driver automotive review

“The new 4Runner is all turbo 4’s with a performance hybrid.” (referring to the 2026 model)

MotorWeek road test future model speculation

For the buyer who values proven off-road toughness over modern efficiency, the 2024 4Runner is exactly what it appears to be: a last-of-its-kind workhorse. For U.S. families who primarily drive on pavement, the choice is clear: buy the 4Runner if you need to haul gear onto trails, or buy a more efficient crossover if you don’t.

For those curious about what the next generation brings, a detailed 2025 Toyota 4Runner review highlights the shift to a turbocharged four-cylinder and hybrid powertrain.

Frequently asked questions

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