The 2020 Toyota 4Runner lasts over 300,000 miles with relatively minor battery drain and paint issues reported. At $31,998 to $58,998, it’s expensive, but worth it for one of the most dependable SUVs on the market.
Is the 2020 Toyota 4Runner a Good Used SUV?
- Overall Rating 9/10 – 2020 is a great year for the Toyota 4Runner since it’s extremely reliable, even if it’s outdated in some areas. Owner reviews praise the four-wheel drive system, low ownership costs, along with the comfortable cabin.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 7/10 – Interior materials are not as luxurious as some competitors, the seats are good on longer drives, cargo space is also decent.
- Reliability 10/10 – There are no widespread problems on the 2020 4Runner, it’s one of the most reliable SUVs on the market. Models from 2010–2022 are all great.
- Performance 8/10 – The 2020 4Runner offers decent performance for a midsize SUV, although it’s not very exciting to drive.
- Safety 8/10 – The 2020 4Runner is safe, earning 4 out of 5 stars in government crash tests. It comes standard with lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, along with a rearview camera.
- Gas Mileage 6/10 – Fuel economy is poor at up to 17 MPG, giving 391 miles of range from the 23 gallon tank. Gas costs are $34 higher than average at $243 per month.
- Value 9/10 – The 2020 Toyota 4Runner is expensive, although slow depreciation makes it a great long-term value.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Toyota 4Runner?
- Consumer Reports says the 2020 Toyota 4Runner is a great off-road, old-school body-on-frame SUV with high owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds rates the 4Runner at 4.2/5, praising the off-road capabilities, but doesn’t like the choppy suspension.
- Kelley Blue Book users give the 4Runner a 4.6/5, enjoying the excellent resale value, but owners don’t like the out-of-date engine.
What Common Problems Does the 2020 Toyota 4Runner Have?
Common problems found on the 2020 Toyota 4Runner include excessive battery drain, rodents chewing on soy-based wiring, along with some chipping paint on the front bumper. Overall, these problems are relatively minor compared to other midsize SUVs from the same year.
Excessive battery drain is the most widespread complaint from 2020 4Runner owners in the first 2,000 miles. There are a lot of electrical accessories in modern vehicles which sometimes drain the battery even while it’s parked. Finding the source of the parasitic battery draw costs around $80 to diagnose, and fixing the problem can cost $10 to $100, depending on the issue.
Rodents chewing soy-based wiring is another issue reported by 2020 4Runner owners at around 5,000 miles, but it can happen at any point. The soy-based wire coatings attract rodents more than other plastic coatings. We recommend installing an ultrasonic strobe device to deter rodents since damaged wiring can cost $50 to $1,000, depending on the severity.
Chipping paint on the front bumper also shows up on some 4Runner models in the first 10,000 miles. The relatively flat bumper design on the 4Runner makes it a target for stone chips at highway speeds. The only way to fix paint chips is by repainting the affected areas for $1,000. Some people choose to install paint protection film on the bumper early on for about $500 to prevent chips.
There’s only one very minor recall on the 2020 Toyota 4Runner, which is better than other midsize SUVs. The recall is for an incorrect load carrying label, which Toyota will replace for free.
How Long Will the 2020 Toyota 4Runner Last?
A well-maintained 2020 Toyota 4Runner can last over 300,000 miles, which is much longer than other midsize SUVs like the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Regular annual maintenance costs are more affordable than other SUVs as well, according to data provided by Repair Pal at $470 per year.
As a used 2020 Toyota 4Runner reaches 100,000 miles, and depending on the vehicle history, owners should be prepared to replace the U joint for $275, the clutch slave cylinder which costs $200, along with the A/C pressure switch which costs around $400.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is great in the 2020 Toyota 4Runner since it offers a standard 8-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Optional upgrades include a more powerful JBL stereo system.
Standard safety technology is also excellent offering:
- Lane departure warning
- Forward collision warning
- Active traction control
- Pedestrian detection
- Rearview camera
- Automatic high beams
- Forward automatic emergency braking
- Adaptive cruise control
- Pre collision system
Optional driver assistance features include front and rear parking sensors.
Is the 2020 Toyota 4Runner a Good Value?
Yes, the 2020 Toyota 4Runner is a good value for one of the most reliable midsize SUVs on the market. The blue book fair purchase price ranges from $31,998 to $58,998, making it more than a Honda Pilot or Hyundai Palisade. When new, the price range was $36,120 to $49,865. Depreciation is much better than average, only losing around 3% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Toyota 4Runner?
There are eight models of the Toyota 4Runner offered for 2020, from the base SR5 model, all the way through to the off-road focused TRD Pro and Luxurious Limited Nightshade. The 4Runner comes standard with rear-wheel drive, but also has available four-wheel drive.
SR5 is the entry-level model with:
- Alloy Wheels
- Cloth Seats
- Skid Plates
- Power-Sliding Rear Window
- Toyota Safety Sense P
- 8-Inch Touchscreen Stereo System
- 120-Volt Power Outlet
SR5 Premium is a step up, adding:
- Heated Seats
- Upgraded Cloth Seating
TRD Off-Road adds features such as:
- Locking Rear Differential
- Crawl Control
- Multi-Terrain Select
- Optional Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS)
TRD Off-Road Premium is a minor upgrade with:
- Same Features as SR5 Premium
- Optional Sunroof
Venture adds some items including:
- Yakima Roof Rack
- Dark Gray TRD Wheels
- Black Exterior Accents
TRD Pro is the off-road focused model with:
- Revised Front Springs
- Fox Dampers With Internal Bypass
- All-Terrain Tires
- Special Skid Plates
- 15-Speaker JBL Stereo System
Limited adds luxury with:
- On-Road Suspension Setup
- Keyless Entry and Ignition
- Dual-Zone Climate Control
- Leather Seating
Limited Nightshade offers small upgrades including:
- Black Exterior Trim
- Unique Dash Trim
What Engines Come In the Toyota 4Runner?
The engine found in the 2020 Toyota 4Runner is a reasonably strong 4.0L V6, which makes 270 horsepower and 278 lb.-ft. of torque while getting up to 17 MPG. It comes standard with a five-speed automatic transmission. Performance is average, taking 7.3 seconds to go from 0-60 MPH. It’s also capable of towing up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped.
What Colors Does the Toyota 4Runner Come In?
How Comfortable Is the Toyota 4Runner?
The 2020 Toyota 4Runner offers a comfortable ride, with a spacious interior and a range of features designed to enhance comfort and convenience. The seats are supportive and provide good visibility, making it easy to see the road ahead. The front seats are available with heating and ventilation, which can help keep passengers comfortable in a range of weather conditions.
The 4Runner’s suspension is designed to provide a smooth ride, even over rough terrain. The Limited and TRD Pro models feature an adaptive suspension system that adjusts to changing road conditions, providing a more comfortable ride for passengers. The TRD Pro also includes specially tuned Fox shocks that improve off-road performance while maintaining comfort on pavement. In terms of noise, the 4Runner’s cabin is well-insulated, which helps keep road and wind noise to a minimum.
How Much Storage Space Does the Toyota 4Runner Have?
The 2020 Toyota 4Runner offers 47.2 cubic feet of storage space behind the second row of seats. This can be expanded to 89.7 cubic feet by folding down the rear seats. The SR5 and Limited models both offer a power-sliding rear cargo deck, which can support up to 440 pounds and provides additional storage space when needed.
The TRD Pro model of the 2020 4Runner offers a unique storage option in the form of a rooftop cargo basket. This can be used to transport additional gear, such as camping equipment or sports gear, while freeing up interior space for passengers.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The fifth generation of the Toyota 4Runner was launched for the 2010 model year, making it one of Toyota’s longest-running models.
2015: New TRD Pro model focused on off-road performance.
2016: Cell phone navigation added to base model, increased towing capacity.
2017: Trial and Trail Premium models renamed to TRD Off-Road and TRD Off-Road Premium.
2018: No major changes.
2019: Nightshade Edition with black exterior trim added, upgraded Fox Shocks on TRD Pro.
2020: Standard Toyota Safety Sense P on all models, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto finally available.
2021: New wheels on the TRD pro model, standard LED headlights on all models.
How Does the Toyota 4Runner Compare to the Competition?
The Toyota 4Runner is one of the best midsize SUVs offered since it’s extremely reliable while also being capable of handling difficult off-road terrain and deep snow.
The Toyota Highlander is another midsize SUV from Toyota which costs around $5,000 less. Passenger room is a bit better in the Toyota Highlander, while the Toyota 4Runner is much better off-road. We recommend the Toyota 4Runner unless you need the extra room found in the Highlander, making it worth test driving both to see which you prefer.
The Jeep Grand Cherokee is a popular competitor, which is around $4,000 less. Interior materials are more luxurious in the Jeep Grand Cherokee, while the Toyota 4Runner offers better off-road performance. We recommend the Toyota 4Runner since it has a much higher long-term reliability score than the Grand Cherokee.