Best Bang for the Buck? // 2021 Toyota 4Runner Trail Edition Review 

50 years from now, there will be no classic Toyota's on display in museums. Because they will still be on the road.

I have a feeling they're gonna sell a lot of these. Twist to start, basic 4wd controls, cloth seats, a roof rack, that sliding cargo tray and the ice chest. That is "solid value!" There's an audience for all of that!

New garage with a lift is a game changer when doing car reviews! Sweet.

Excellent review. I've had my 2008 4Runner for over 12 years without any problems. It still rides and looks like new.

I love that you've got a shop now with TWO lifts for your projects and also your reviews. Always a pleasure to see you do your thing.

Your comment about not wanting to mess around with lift kits and not being mechanically inclined is very accurate. It describes me perfectly and explains exactly why I got the TRD Pro.

I think the big knobs are for glove wearing adjustments in winter 🥶 I remember when this “ basic” was luxury Just what you need and not much more , too many unused features nowadays , I like this approach and love your reviews 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🙏

Great review have a partner here at work was just talking about purchasing one .... so your review was right on time !! Thank you from here in Arizona !! As always your entertaining and informative !! Awesome job !! keep the reviews coming !!

Your new garage takes your vehicle reviews to the next level. Well done.

Been driving since about 1974 and my 2004 SR5 with 4.7L V8 was my favorite vehicle. Didn't do trail driving but it easily handled the winters here near Boston and pulled my boat trailer with ease. That model was made in Japan. Just loved that engine. With 230k+ miles and 11 years on it I donated it still running to a charity. I enjoy your channel, Sarah.

I have a 2004 V8 Toyota 4 RUNNER Sports Edition. I get 17.5 MPG and it has 413,000 miles and still runs like a champ.

Been going through so much lately and I haven't been sleeping. I feel like I escaped my anxieties watching this. Thank you.

These reviews are getting more and more professional. Please keep it up! T.W.S.S.

I've owned 3 4Runners. Love them. Built like a tank and extreme driver confidence in any condition.

This is one of the most fun, creative AND useful reviews ever. Luv the slightly irreverent but totally genuine sense of humor - nicely done!

If you love the outdoors... maybe love tent camping or canoeing... this truck is the absolute best. Not too big, not too small and can pretty much handle anything Mother Nature can throw at it. And you won’t go broke with maintenance. Glad you got to review this, Sarah.

Sarah you are so much fun to watch. Keep em coming I enjoy all your content.

*Sarah,* We all know that the 4Runner is based on the Hilux pickup truck with a fiberglass camper shell over the shortbed. After nearly a decade of fiberglass tops, I learned during Toyota sales training, Toyota decided that for the 2nd generation they would simply stretch the metal skin all the way back. Here's the fun part. While in the designed process the new 4X4 SUV was named...wait for it... the "Fourskin". That is, until someone with a better English vocabulary stepped in and explained why that name might be problematic. That's right folks. We might all have been driving in or near a *"Toyota Fourskin".* That gives a whole new angle on the slogan _"Oh, What a feeling!"_ Toyota!

Great review love the sweater you have Great taste in your outfit and love your humor 😉

Always entertaining and fun to watch. Keep the great videos coming, thanks.

Monday is never a happy day, but since you have appeared for us all right on schedule(thank you for that by the way). Happy Monday Sarah!!

Love the under-vehicle reviews. Nice to see what's under there. Also nice choice of concrete colored sweater!

"If it ain't broke, Toyota" 😆

Another great review, Sarah. I appreciate you doing the under-car portion of your reviews. I like to see what cars are made of, underneath.

This review got me so excited! About the vehicle.

I would totally rock one of these as a work vehicle/daily.

I love those wheels. I put the polished ones on my Sequoia.

Just hit 244,000 miles in my '06 Tundra with GR engine. Mine has literally never been in the shop. In past I've owned Mitsubishi, VW, Ford, 3 Nissans and this is the best f'n vehicle ever and it's not even close.

6:00 What Toyota should have done is make an "Advanced Trail Package," bunching all of those features, with the TRD Skid Plate, for $1500

I fell in love with your sense of humor and review style immediately and subscribed. Jon-

I love my TRD Off Road and it's my second 4Runner. I put over 100,000 miles on the first one with zero problems and traded it in for almost 50% of what I paid for it. I don't take it on any crazy trails but I do lots of road trips and go places with tons of dirt roads. It's perfect and the fact that it stays kind of old school with the drivetrain and tech is a big plus for me.

I've never seen a more honest review , and you were not even one bit annoying. Very entertaining !! Please do more reviews 👍👍

Yay...no piped in engine sound effect! Review was excellent, calling out the deletes that should not have been and pointing out that for most people, it has enough capability to do what we would need it to do without those deletes. Thanks for another great, informative review. Would like to know what sticker price is as tested (but I can google that, I guess).

First time watching, and love the way you shot this. Great delivery.

Nice review, I see the lane assist did a fine job of keeping you on the trail. A cost comparison with other vehicles in this category would be interesting for those currently shopping for one.

You changed your hair color, my opinion I like it, actually loving it! All the best to you girl, Bert

Great review. Very funny and very informative. 4 runner will out last it’s owner and survive the apocalypse! You cover exactly what is important to buyers. Keep up the great work!

Love your review! Been looking at purchasing a 2021 4 Runner; 4.0 liter indestructible!

I've put 5k on my new 2021 nautical blue 4Runner Venture edition and am super pleased with my purchase! My only complaint is mpg. I canceled my Bronco order and went with the 4Runner for its bulletproof reputation. Great review!

Watching this really makes me want to get a 4Runner now. I love it!

Sara I'm loving your reviews, Also I have a 91' 4runner 4 banger 5 sp, that has been places without all the new tech that in a old guy's opinion is just to much stuff to go wrong. But love your stuff.

I had the same amount of mileage on a 2002 Honda Accord EX, with the 2.3L 4-cylinder. Not a single oil leak, either, although I did have the valve cover gasket replaced around the 250K mark because there was a bit of seepage... but nothing ever dripped on the ground! Great car... those Honda and Toyota engines just keep on going!

Bangin' deal. I like the cloth seats and the utility of the basic off road vehicle that will be around 15 years later. I like the Picture in Picture video. You keep getting better.

Great review as always! Happy with our 2014 Trail. Has the locker and crawl control like the TRD off-road. With a 3" lift, winch, and 33" Mickey Thompson tires. it goes through almost anything. Hope the gen 6 is great, looking forward to getting one.

So two days ago I put a deposit down for a 2021 SR5 and I'm looking through videos and came across yours for the first time. You are adorable, you remind me of a niese that I have. I found your video entertaining and informative.

just recently bought the 2021 sr5 premium with 3rd row, we really like it! looking forward to many years with it.

oh, Whats That...Vreoooooom (sound of accelerator) Love it. Thanks for awesome videos, Your vids helped me make my decision to buy a Tundra.

I love those 4 runners. So much style and versatility all in one long lasting package. I dig it!

The under car views are a great new feature of your channel. ... Your channel is equal to Savage Geese or the Car Wizard.

Nice that you mentioned about respecting the vehicles you test because they're not yours (sad fact that it needs to be said, but that's just my opinion). Some people just don't seem to understand this when they criticize the way you put these vehicles through their paces for a review. That's why I love when you do it, Sarah. You're honest, to the point (with bonus bits of personality and sarcasm), and you give the vehicles respect by not torturing them into submission (unless it's your own, of course ;) ).

That color combo rocks! My other favorite is cavalry blue for the TRD Pro. Maybe it's me, but the bright red TRD logo really makes that blue pop.

Great review!

Looking to get a 4runner soon and absolutely loved this video. Still deciding on trim. I like that it will survive an apocalypse, that's precisely what I'm looking for. Will check the other trim model videos out as well.

I always have to chuckle when you talk about how cold it is in your shop. I changed the oil in my 2 daughters cars outside in 20° temps about 2 week ago. And we got about a foot of snow last weekend. 🤣

Love the On lift reviews.

That KEY thing idea will never catch on! 🙂🙃🙂🐧🐧🐧🐧🐧🐧🐧

great review, especailly pointing out trying to make the radio look larger

Thank you Sarah great job!!!!

Awesome video and vehicle review Sarah!

Own a 2004 4wd Sport. 270,000 miles on it. Just keeps on going! Plan on keeping it for a long time! No major mechanical problems ever. Any maintenance for the DIYs you can usually find on RU-vid or forums. Lots and lots of mods! BTW, the 4.0L engine was first seen on the 4Runners in 2003. So, it is 18 years old.

Thanks Sarah, Always fun and educational Central California Watching

Great review, as always, Sarah... Your opinion on "graphene" coatings?

I really like that Toyota hasn't drastically changed the overall appearance of the 4Runner in the last 40 years. Yeah, there have been some minor changes, like the bumpers, but the overall shape still says 4Runner.

Great review and nice looking sweater 👍🏻

Thanks for the review Sarah!

your review is sooo fun!!!!

I ended up buying a 2022 TRD Off Road Premium because of your review. Love it

I learned a lot about the Toyota, those sesame seeds are for you to click your nails on while driving with the window rolled down. But a key? Still in this decade, great idea.

Love the big knobs ! I hate the button searching for fan speed and mode that i do in my Pathfinder. 4Runner is my next one ! But leaning to the off-road premium trim level. The trail is a bit basic not having heated seats or the other goodies. Nice review Sarah !

I love this woman quirky and direct car review!!

Not gonna happen for a few years but my wife wants a 4runner and I was gonna get a slightly used TRD pro but this might be a solid option cause we won't be doing hard off road. Great review as always Sarah.

I think the TRD Off Road edition is the best value in the 4 Runner and Tacoma. Great reviews as always.

Beautiful car, great video Sarah!

Another great video from Sarah. Loved the apocolypse line, Toyota should lease it from you. That's what 4Runner has always been about. Keep it up!

New 4 Runner is nice, Sarah's a classic as always .

Great review. 👍🏻

2007 4Runner 4.0L with 412,000 miles, no leaks, uses no oil between oil changes. Can’t beat them!

Thank you for this review. I have been waiting for the TRAIL EDITION for some time now. They seem to magically disappear from the dealership on arrival. For all of the whiney complaints about creature comforts and upgrades like engine stop/start, lockers, heated seats and steering wheel, etc. Sarah said at the beginning that this is a basic trail truck. For those wanting to have bragging rights to frills that are rarely if ever used, this model is NOT for you. You can spend the extra $3000 to $8000 and get the Off-Road Premium, the Venture, and TRD PRO. This is a perfect vehicle for the weekend camper or off-roader since it comes with AT tires, roof rails and cargo basket, cooler (too big), and the sliding cargo tray (eliminates the elevation and space between the cargo area and the folded passenger seats) that makes sleeping in the back level. Nothing to add. Ready to hit the trails right out of the box. Problem is finding one, since only 4000 will be sent to the U.S.

Sarah, your hair is so so nice

Great review as always, so funny 😄

Thanks Sarah, that was fun!

Fruit and robot compatibility. That made my night. I love how your brain works

I agree on cloth seats vs hot or freezing leather Great video

The skid plate should be mandatory on any vehicle with 4wd.

Anybody else accidentally stumble across this channel and fall in love with Sarah? I'd watch her review a wrecked 78' Datsun B210 rustbucket! Beautiful and a goofy/funny personality.

Best review, and reviewer of the entire net.

ALT Nation’ coolest chic out there.. nice review 👍

Thanks an always Sarah it’s fun time traveling and watching your older episodes. I think you look very cute with long black hair ❤❤❤❤

no one is gonna hate this thing. either you love it or you are fine with it. such a typical old school toyota, hope by the time I can get one, it still has the same quality and durability

Hey Sarah, The 4Runner is much like yourself it doesn’t have to try to impress anybody it’s just does.....🐧🐧🐧👍

Great Review Sarah!

I actually got my 2020 SR5 in part because of Sarah's review. Granted, her review was TRD Pro in the review, but as you can see in the 2021 Trail the SR5-based 4Runner is still great. Thanks, Sarah! I like the fact that it's OLD SCHOOL. Old engine, old transmission, 300,000 miles and it's barely broken in. Chunky dials for your air controls, too. I bought my 2020 when I was 34, and as long as I'm able to get gas for it, I wonder if it's going to outlive me. It'll be close, but it just might do it. One day I will add a rear locker to my SR5. Probably after the warranty expires.

Finally a legitimately funny reviewer 😆 thank you!

Really considering one of these as my next daily. Part of me wants to wait to see what changes they make to the Gen.6 but the other part of me likes the simplicity and reliability of the existing models. Wish it had a more "modern" transmission than a 5 speed but I'm worried the big 'ol NA V6 will go away for the next iteration. Very torn but this one is tempting for sure- solid review!

Nice looking vehicle. Like the wheels. Didn't think any new vehicles came with a regular key anymore. Great review.

I see Sarah, I likes. Damn, almost first! I saw my first 4Runner in 1998, when I was visiting the US. It made an impression on me then, and it still does now. Unfortunately, not for sale in my area anymore. I'm not so sure about this color, makes the whole car look like an SF alien combating vehicle. Sarah, no matter how bad my day, you always make me smile. Thanks.

hello fine car lady. love the colour. great review (as always).

I don't know why I watch car reviews, I'm not even in the market. I just like cars. I just like reviews. Also I think Sarah is nuts in the best kind of way. I wish I could hire her to tinker with my EM1 Si. Its just sitting around and I've only put 24 miles on it in the last 2 years.

I'm sold! 4runner is exactly what I need! Well, not NEED but......want! It's, like you said, " not trying to impress anyone "......Like me! By the way, It's in the 20's temperature wise here in Tulsa!!! Brrrr!

Hi Science Sarah ,great review as usual ........