The Aptera Saga Continues, Inside Source Reveals...
Green
Trucks
Luxury
Family
Brand
Muscle
See more sites from  HighGear  M E D I A  >>
Compare this car to others like it Try our car compare tool now

2009 Toyota 4Runner Overview

Likes:

  • Quiet cabin
  • Handles quite well
  • Respectable acceleration from either engine
  • Good safety ratings for a truck-based ute

Dislikes:

  • Bad gas mileage
  • Cheap-feeling interior materials
  • Tight passenger space and tiny third row
  • Busy ride

Bottom Line

By Bengt Halvorson's avatar Bengt Halvorson, Editor

TheCarConnection.com's editors have driven the Toyota 4Runner on- and off-road in order to give you an expert opinion. Then, to bring you the most useful shopping advice, TheCarConnection.com read through a range of reviews from other sources and included the most useful ...

Read the Bottom Line

Full Review

By Bengt Halvorson's avatar Bengt Halvorson, Editor

A couple of interior and exterior niggles aside, the rugged styling of the 2009 Toyota 4Runner serves it well in the body-on-frame SUV segment. Automobile Magazine is critical of the 4Runner’s styling, labeling some of the 4Runner exterior elements a bit overdone: the “sport...

Read the Full Review

Select a Trim:

Trim MSRP / Invoice Fuel Econ
2009 Toyota 4Runner: RWD 4dr V6 SR5 (Natl) $28,640 / $25,860 City: 16
Hwy: 21
2009 Toyota 4Runner: RWD 4dr V6 SR5 (GS) $28,640 / $25,860 City: 16
Hwy: 21
2009 Toyota 4Runner: RWD 4dr V6 SR5 (SE) $28,640 / $25,860 City: 16
Hwy: 21
2009 Toyota 4Runner: RWD 4dr V6 Sport (Natl) $30,950 / $27,825 City: 16
Hwy: 21
2009 Toyota 4Runner: RWD 4dr V6 Sport (GS) $30,950 / $27,825 City: 16
Hwy: 21
2009 Toyota 4Runner: RWD 4dr V6 Sport (SE) $30,950 / $27,825 City: 16
Hwy: 21
2009 Toyota 4Runner: RWD 4dr V6 Limited (Natl) $35,325 / $31,897 City: 16
Hwy: 21
2009 Toyota 4Runner: RWD 4dr V6 Limited (GS) $35,325 / $31,897 City: 16
Hwy: 21
2009 Toyota 4Runner: RWD 4dr V6 Limited (SE) $35,325 / $31,897 City: 16
Hwy: 21
2009 Toyota 4Runner: RWD 4dr V8 SR5 (Natl) $30,655 / $27,681 City: 15
Hwy: 19
2009 Toyota 4Runner: RWD 4dr V8 SR5 (GS) $30,655 / $27,681 City: 15
Hwy: 19
2009 Toyota 4Runner: RWD 4dr V8 SR5 (SE) $30,655 / $27,681 City: 15
Hwy: 19
2009 Toyota 4Runner: RWD 4dr V8 Sport (Natl) $32,330 / $29,104 City: 15
Hwy: 19
2009 Toyota 4Runner: RWD 4dr V8 Sport (GS) $32,330 / $29,104 City: 15
Hwy: 19
2009 Toyota 4Runner: RWD 4dr V8 Sport (SE) $32,330 / $29,104 City: 15
Hwy: 19
2009 Toyota 4Runner: RWD 4dr V8 Limited (Natl) $37,085 / $33,486 City: 15
Hwy: 19
2009 Toyota 4Runner: RWD 4dr V8 Limited (GS) $37,085 / $33,486 City: 15
Hwy: 19
2009 Toyota 4Runner: RWD 4dr V8 Limited (SE) $37,085 / $33,486 City: 15
Hwy: 19
2009 Toyota 4Runner: 4WD 4dr V6 SR5 (Natl) $30,915 / $27,915 City: 16
Hwy: 20
2009 Toyota 4Runner: 4WD 4dr V6 SR5 (GS) $30,915 / $27,915 City: 16
Hwy: 20
2009 Toyota 4Runner: 4WD 4dr V6 SR5 (SE) $30,915 / $27,915 City: 16
Hwy: 20
2009 Toyota 4Runner: 4WD 4dr V6 Sport (Natl) $33,225 / $29,878 City: 16
Hwy: 20
2009 Toyota 4Runner: 4WD 4dr V6 Sport (GS) $33,225 / $29,878 City: 16
Hwy: 20
2009 Toyota 4Runner: 4WD 4dr V6 Sport (SE) $33,225 / $29,878 City: 16
Hwy: 20
2009 Toyota 4Runner: 4WD 4dr V6 Limited (Natl) $37,600 / $33,953 City: 16
Hwy: 20
2009 Toyota 4Runner: 4WD 4dr V6 Limited (GS) $37,600 / $33,953 City: 16
Hwy: 20
2009 Toyota 4Runner: 4WD 4dr V6 Limited (SE) $37,600 / $33,953 City: 16
Hwy: 20
2009 Toyota 4Runner: 4WD 4dr V8 SR5 (Natl) $32,930 / $29,734 City: 14
Hwy: 17
2009 Toyota 4Runner: 4WD 4dr V8 SR5 (GS) $32,930 / $29,734 City: 14
Hwy: 17
2009 Toyota 4Runner: 4WD 4dr V8 SR5 (SE) $32,930 / $29,734 City: 14
Hwy: 17
2009 Toyota 4Runner: 4WD 4dr V8 Sport (Natl) $34,605 / $31,159 City: 14
Hwy: 17
2009 Toyota 4Runner: 4WD 4dr V8 Sport (GS) $34,605 / $31,159 City: 14
Hwy: 17
2009 Toyota 4Runner: 4WD 4dr V8 Sport (SE) $34,605 / $31,159 City: 14
Hwy: 17
2009 Toyota 4Runner: 4WD 4dr V8 Limited (Natl) $39,360 / $35,541 City: 14
Hwy: 17
2009 Toyota 4Runner: 4WD 4dr V8 Limited (GS) $39,360 / $35,541 City: 14
Hwy: 17
2009 Toyota 4Runner: 4WD 4dr V8 Limited (SE) $39,360 / $35,541 City: 14
Hwy: 17

Other Choices:

The Nissan Pathfinder is the closest match to the 2009 Toyota 4Runner; its interior trumps the Toyota's in appearance, while coming in at a lower price. The Nissan handles well, like the 4Runner, and its base V-6 engine is especially strong, yet efficient. The Ford Explorer now includes a full range of safety features, handles well, and is quite comfortable inside, but it doesn’t offer the off-road hardiness possible in the 4Runner. The Durango is another potential alternative; it boasts impressive towing ability, but it’s not as off-road-focused as the 4Runner. Compared to the 4Runner, the Chevrolet TrailBlazer (and the nearly identical GMC Envoy) feel sorely outdated, as those models lack the refinement of the 4Runner; the 4Runner also handles much more confidently than these GM vehicles and is safer. The 4Runner's long-held reputation for reliability is an advantage it holds over these models.

Next Steps:

Get a free price quote

for the 2009 Toyota 4Runner from a dealer near you

Check Insurance Rates

for the 2009 Toyota 4Runner

Check Financing Rates

for the 2009 Toyota 4Runner

Check Local Classifieds

for a 2009 Toyota 4Runner near you

See the Toyota 4Runner in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997

Comments (3 total)

  1. By Kristin #1, Posted: 8/12/2009

    I own a 2008 Toyota 4Runner LTD V8, with XREAS suspension and 18 inch rims. I cannot tow an empty car carrier from U-haul and I cannot put off road tires on my vehicle, in other words, I cant go camping, tow my trailer or use the vehicle for what I intended it for and as it is advertised. I paid $38,000. for this? A glorified soccer mom SUV. The owners manual clearly states it is rated for 7,000 lbs of towing. I am sure the engine would tow this but the vehicle won't the way they have it set up. This is my third new 4Runner in the last seven years. Toyota told me the car is "AS-IS." IM going to call the attorney general and the Inspector or the DMV.

  2. By mike allen #2, Posted: 10/29/2009

    That's funny. I have a 2007 with the V-6 and it tow's a car trailer just fine. You're a drama queen.

  3. By John #3, Posted: 10/29/2009

    Mike, you're right! She must be crazy. The V-6 in my 2008 tows a car and boat no problem. Drama Queen!!!

Post a comment

Post anonymously, or
(Required)
(Required - will not be published, sold or shared)
(Optional - your 'posted by' name will link to the URL)

Remember Me?

I have read TheCarConnection.com's privacy policy