Why Buy a 2022 Toyota 4Runner Over a Wrangler or Bronco? Looking for Reasons in the Mud & Ice 

This thing will last decades without issues. 2020 was army green, 21 was lunar rock for your editors

I had a 2007 SR5 4Runner, test drove it with 4 miles on the odometer and sold it 13 years later with over 247,000 miles. In the first 12 years the only maintenance I had to do was oil, tires, and brakes. The last year it started to act up a bit; spark plugs, swapped out fogged over light assemblies, rear door lock broke/replaced, and some other issues. So I swapped it for a 2020 Tacoma, but I loved that 4Runner for never letting me down in 13 years.

If you bought a wrangler and a bronco, their combined lifespans would be shorter than that of the 4runner

I love the lunar rock color. I’m a sucker for those funky clay hues that cars are painted these days.

I prefer less gears and increased reliability. I hope they sell it for another decade

I have some gripes with the 4runner but still picked up a 21' for the same reasons you mentioned. Plus it's a great all around vehicle for where I live and frequent. I got it just before prices went nuts and got 3.5k off MSRP. So, pretty happy with that. Overall I like the truck as a compliment to my 2013 Tundra. A little better fuel mileage would be nice as it's not far off from the Tundra which has a lot more power and get up and go. Also, wish they had put the cameras and BS monitor on the 21'. But, have lived without them forever as I tend the keep vehicles awhile. Thanks for the video! Keep up the good work!

I love my 2014 4Runner Trail (same as TRD Off-road prem). I have 133k miles and still solid as a rock. I also still take offroad at least once a month. The only issue I have is with the door lock actuators. I've replaced the front two, and now it looks like I need to replace the rear two. Thankfully it's a $20 diy repair.

Love my old school 2019 TRD Off Road Premium. But hey I’m an old guy stuck in my old ways. I could careless about all the tech and fancy stuff. Just give me a vehicle that works and gets the job done. Still driving my 2003 Sequoia limited with 201,000 miles. I don’t think it will ever die. Stills drives like new

I love my TRD Off Road Premium. Its perfect for my small family and dogs. The roll down rear window is probably something I must have at this point. The reliability is envious, I trust the 4runner like no other car I've had before. Plus the comfort for long drives is awesome.

Great video fellas. I have a 2011 4Runner Limited which I bought brand new at the end of 2010. I've put 418,000'ish miles on the vehicle in that amount of time, and it is the best vehicle I have ever owned. It still drives like "almost new". I have pretty much just spent money on maintenance and just done the regular repairs at the suggested mileage and it has been the best. It does drink gas quite a bit. I average around 17 city and around 22-23 highway. I've kept it bone stock since it has always been my vehicle for work. I have been a Regional VP for my company that entire time, so mileage has been pretty much highway with some mixed city. Probably 70% highway and 30% city. I should be getting a promotion early next year which will take me off the road, so the mileage isn't going to climb like it has. With that said, I hope to keep my 4Runner as long as possible and hit 500,000 miles someday. If you are on the fence I highly recommend getting one still.

When I was a kid in the 60s and 70s family of 7 we had station wagons loved the back window that rolled down

Absolutely agree with you on holding the value and no breaking down at all bro 💪

Got a 21 TRDORP. I put aftermarket steps, rack and Stock size Wildpeak AT3W tires. I love it!

The current Toyota 4Runner is something like 10 years old without a complete redo.. And It still sells like nobody's business.. Reliability capability and resale value that says it all.. Go ahead and buy your overpriced Bronco or jeep.. The driver of a Toyota will throw you a tow strap when you break down

The 4runner always been true to it's roots unlike most of its none wrangler or bronco competitor. No matter how old it is I never get tired of it's style. I will miss this last gen 4runner because it's going away soon but am also excited for the new redesign gen that us hopefully coming out soon.

Quicksand was my favorite TRDPRO color. I wish they would bring that back (also Blue Ribbon Metallic; that was a sharp looking blue).

The new green is my favourite, then cavalry blue, then cement. Currently own a cement taco.

Just bought a '22 off road premium. I love it. I wanted to get one this year because I heard Toyota is coming out with a new gen and are ditching the BULLETPRROF 4L v6 in '23.

Hey Stephen So cool that you get Early Access to so many vehicles! I work at a Toyota dealership and we have not even seen the lime rush 4Runner yet! When are you going to be testing a Tacoma TRD Pro in the new electric line metallic? I'm curious about the new suspension improvements.

As a Wrangler JL Unlimited Rubicon owner, I agree with your assessment on the driving. Not an issue at low speeds and around town. SoCal daily commute is very tiring compared to any other other vehicle I have owned. Staying between the lines at speed takes a lot more focus than my 2014 Raptor. Not a deal killer, but it is noticeable. Also, the stock 33’s and no lift was much better than the 2-inch lift and 35’s. Still love the Rubicon, but it is more fatiguing to daily commute with.

Voodoo blue and concrete were my favorites.

I got a 2020 4runner. I am still loving it. Also live in Canada - when it's -20C I am glad I have a fully enclosed cabin.

I have a ‘14 trail and it has factory rear locker, multi terrain select, crawl control, KDSS, came with the trd off road wheels, bumpers, sliding cargo deck, hood scoop, pleather with red stitching, and for 150 bucks I slapped one of those black trdpro roof racks on it.

Calvary blue for me! I don’t like that Kia lime green and would probably get white on a 2022. Love the 4Runner! Hopefully Toyota doesn’t mess up the redesign like they did the new Tundra imo. And wasn’t that a stop sign at 8:55? Haha. Great review and so glad you guys do actual off-road and real world test reviews. Keep it up! 👍🏼

I have a magnetic gray 20 Pro. Flawless !! I buy a new 4r every 2 years. I have decided to switch to a trd off road prem for 22. It’s all a waiting game now. The only reason I went to the trd off road is because I hate the roof rack hiway wind noise and the droning exhaust. I drive 25,000 miles per year. As far as the Jeep (quality) ……. Been there , lesson learned. Great vid 👍🏻

I just bought a new 22 4Runner Limited. Had a 19 TRD off road premium, loved it but sold it for nearly what I paid for it after 27,000 miles. After 10 months I really missed it so I bought the 22 limited. I just love it’s 4.0 and 5spd tranny. They’ve got the 360° camera now and a tad bigger screen than my TRD premium had and I love that JBL audio and the cooled leather (not fake leather like softex is) …I got it $850 under MSRP so I’m happy with that too. That blizzard pearl white is so pretty too.

Beautiful green color. Love te color. Got a grey one. Wish you can explain the 4 knobs on the head lights and how to turn on the air conditioner.

Interesting review. Love the Chanel. Gota say I think the 4Runner is the easy on road king but to each their own

I was hung up between a 2020 4R OR Premium, and a 2020 Pro MT Tacoma for like a week before I decided to get the Taco. Ive had a few first and second gen 4R's with a manual trans, and they were insane off road in stock trim. If this thing came with a manual trans, I'd get it today.. Oh, roll down rear window is fantastic, and a main reason to buy this over the Bronco or Wrangler...? It's still made in JAPAN!..

All I know is that many "competitors" have come and gone over the last 20 years. Nobody wants a 15-year-old jeep or Nissan or any other brand. But 15 years old 4runners are still going strong and selling at high prices.

4 runner getting a 4 cylinder motor next year worries me. Anyone else think that as well?

Great video: i just love 4Runners i own my second 4Runner i used to have a 2013 sr5 and i did trade it in for a 2019 Trd of Road premium what some upgrades that i have done, but there just great vehicles

after driving a 2018 wrx for nearly five years along side a 2005 4runner (with V8) im going down to one vehicle and that vehicle is a 2018 4runner TRD off road premium. im looking forward to the new path forward. thank you carmax!

My top 3: 1. Lunar rock 2. Cement 3. Voodoo blue

Awesome video, this helps my decision :)

Always good content 👍. That ice drive was legend.

Voodoo Blue from 2019 was my favorite. I think the green in this video looks good also. Random question: one auto shows return back to normal will you guys come down to the Detroit Auto Show? Love the channel and the fact that you actually test the trucks with payload and towing and off-road. You know the way it should be tested. Not just stand in a parking lot and say “ yeah it can do truck stuff”.

The thing about not only off-roading, but about fishing, hunting, stars/birds watching and etc - you have to return back to home and you cant call the Uber in wilderness. That is why reliability - is vitally important. And that is why you should never go to serious off road alone.

Love the sliding rear glass.

Went from a 05 runner limited to a Tacoma. The runner was a tank/mountain goat the Tacoma to me just checks all the boxes having a bed.

My favourite TRD pro colour is Voodoo Blue, but I bought a cement Tacoma. The blue just seemed a bit too flashy to live with for years.

Great video

4runner is an old style truck, but still turns heads when driving by or parked

Amazing channel, enjoy the content very much!

The BSM (esp at night) and RTCA has saved me a ton. I got the 2022 TRD off road.

Its completely subjective but voodoo blue for myself. Also for my needs the 4 runner would best suit me. More then good enough for the offroad I do, aswell as the better towing would also be better suit for myself .

So many years of the 4 runner so many videos you can do a clip video of the capabilities and show the new color and not miss anything

Usable 3rd row and practicality meets capability is what did it for me

Just took in my 2016 Toyota 4Runner Trail in for the 135K Mile Interval Service. June 2022 will make it 5 years since I've bought my Runner brand new. I've had one of the "negative" experiences as I replaced my leaking water pump at 108K miles. I was not happy about that at all 😭😭😭 Other than that, it's been trouble-free. Hoping to have mine to at least 300K miles. Can't see myself in another vehicle.

Did you get Army Green in Canada? That was my favorite color.

I’d definitely chose this over the Wrangler all day long because it looks better, handles better, has better technology, more comfortable and won’t break a thing. But I’m still stuck between this and the newer Bronco. I can’t decide 😅😅 And for the 2020 model year, they had the Army Green, not the Lunar Rock. The Voodoo blue is literally my fav out of all of them!!

I prefer the rear of the 4Runner to open like it used to. As a rear roll down window with drop down tailgate.

Toyota should put that v6 twin turbo in the 4runner too. I bet people would definitely get that.

Voodoo Blue every day of the week. The new Solar Octane is also a great splash of colour.

Way back in the day I drove a Toyota Land Cruiser; it was a 1969 FJ-55. It was an huge pig of a vehicle. Even back then, the rear had an electric sliding glass window that could be lowered with the key or by a switch in the dash. It was nice then and it'd be nice now. The one thing that the 4Runner still doesn't have is an active lane keeping system. I've always loved Toyota vehicles, but I drive a LOT for work and that one simple safety feature that's available on the Bronco but not the Wrangler or 4Runner. If it weren't for that, the biggest thing that makes the others more appealing is pricing; the 4Runner MSRP is higher and the TRD Pro comes with a huge mark-up.

I absolutely agree that the ICE video on the Voodoo blue 4Runner was very impressive. If I am going to give $50k or $60k for some type of motor vehicle, I can't really think of a better company than Toyota.

Thank you Truck king for paying hommage to that veteran vehicle Whenever a 4Runner (named Prado here) is going down the streets of Shanghai it is an eye magnet, that thing is a beast. RESPECT ✊

I own a 2020 trd pro army green and always feel like prepared for post apocalyptic world, escaping zombies on and off road etc. It won’t let me down. That confidence beats the shortcomings of the ancient five speed power train.

Wife's jeep was awesome off road, Rubicon had a nice interior. Distance on the highway was horrible. Her new 4runner trd pro is the best of both worlds.

Voodoo Blue is my favorite of these colors although I think Solar Octane looks pretty cool too.

I am on my journey towards a new car. I take it slow. The 4Runner entered my calculus instead of the Tacoma as I reflect on my current and needs over the next few years. Have you tested a 4Runner TRD with KDSS? I am intrigued by the promise of improved on-road manners where the vehicle will ride for 90% of its life

Solar fire red from 2015 was just a beauty

1. luna rock colour 2. the toyota hatch is really good for loading things and space for dogs to put their head out.

I kinda like the inferno and the voodoo blue more than the lime rust

This is a no brainer. 4 Runner might be old but it’s leaps and bounds ahead of the other two in reliably. You will go through 2 Broncos and Wranglers and the 4 Runner will still be running strong. If longevity is what you want then this is a very simple answer. 4 Runner!!! Not sure about the next gen yet though.

Army GREEN! 4runner! RELIABILITY IS MOST IMPORTANT.

I like the new 4R green Even though I own a Tacoma - on looks I would say #1 -Bronco Wrangler - (nostalgic reasons) 4R You brought up plenty of good points on all 3 rigs.

Owned two Jeeps. Anything over 70mph and you're constantly readjusting the steering wheel.

I have the solar octane but the all time fav color is voodoo blue

I always wished I could have got a Calvary blue Tacoma. I got white instead. I like it ok. The 4 Runner is easily the best looking in my opinion in this comparison.

I’ve had 5 Jeeps,no major issues but certain things wear out too fast imho. I have a 4Runner now. This lime rush one actually.

The number one reason to by a 4runner in 2022 is reliability. The Wrangler has always had poor reliability and, as a new model, the Bronco will undoubtedly suffer from design and quality issues in the first few years (at least)

I love this truck. Gotta be the best looking SUV out there in my opinion. amazing, considering the age of the Generation.

I wish I found this video before buying a Jeep Wrangler. Should've definitely went with the 4runner.

I bought a used, low kilometer, 2018 TRD Off road 2 years ago. This thing is bullet-proof. It will probably last longer than I will. I more than doubled the kilometers in my 2 years and can still sell it for 8K more than I paid for it. Don't think many Wranglers or Broncos will be able to do that.

Thanks for the video more gears in a transmission means a weaker transmission person myself I don’t need 1 billion options I just need one that works be bless

Voodoo blue is my favorite color TK!

Im surprise this trd pro has the turn signal light on the side mirrors because regular trd pro don’t have it. I was at Toyota dealership today and the 2020 pro lime rush doesn’t have the signal light on the mirror

I’m new to the truck and suv world, I am looking at 4Runners now I was going to buy an rav4 but it’s not capable for what want and no not doing crazy off-roading just everyday life and light off roading, camping putting stuff in the back for house work and possibly towing things. I want the Trd off road I don’t need the pro I don’t think the 10g extra for pro badges for me is definitely not worth it. And down the road I want to get a Tacoma Toyota off road too. What do you think about the Highlander and rav4 and jeep Cherokee trail hawk ?

I had a 2019 SR5 and now I buy 22 limited all very satisfied vhecle

I laugh at the mention of a 5 speed, but then realize my 1997 tercel with a 5 speed manual lasted until 1999 before the echo replaced it.

The green on the new Tacoma TRD Pro is different. It's called Electric lime metallic. Not the same as the 4runner

As a two time Wrangler owner, multiple Grand Cherokee owner, and 29K miles on a JL 2020!with corrosion on all aluminum panels, all hinges, and the worst customer service ever encountered, it’s 100% Lexus and Toyota 4 Runner for this family. You lost us FOREVER, FCA/Stellantis!

My dream truck is a 4Runner TRDPro. Voodoo blue

Lunar Rock, blacked out is spectacular!

the fact that there's less engine options, makes it better for me. Since you know the engine/ transmission works. All focus is on that one motor,

I went with a TRD Off-Road b/c I want the off road capabilities but the longevity of something made from Japan. So, far loving my Yoda.

We have a 2021 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4x4 our 4th 4Runner. Living in the Colorado Rocky Mountains and travel up to 14,000 feet, the engine lacks in both hp and torque for the outdated 5 speed transmission as the gears are either too high or low for what is required. Thus, fuel economy is terrible and drive performance is awful always hunting for gears. Thus wait for the 2023 4Runner as it will have a new engine and transmission combination. We will sell our 2021 and purchase the 2023, 6th generation as we miss our 2005 4Runner V8 4x4.

Can’t wait for the 2023 4Runner when my lease is over and I can upgrade

my 94 4runner is still running.

I was going to sell my 2017 4runner trd offroad to new badland sasquatch bronco witch I'm waiting for it sense Jun, but seeing poor quality of bronco i changed my mind and get 2022 4runner lime rush trd pro. Honestly I'm so happy buying an other 4runner again.

Lunar rock is a beautiful color

The 4Runner is a proven, albeit old, vehicle. Well known to go 400,000kms++ without major issues. A wrangler doing that would be a unicorn.

I have a 2017 JKU and a 2023 TRD ORP, and I notice the level of attention to detail on the Toyota compared to the Jeep. Still love my Jeep, and my bride drives the TRD

I like the cement color

I paid $31k USD for a 2016 4Runner Trail Premium with 39k miles last July 2020. I’ve put 24k miles on it since and I could sell it for more than I paid. Now that’s crazy.

You forgot Army Green for 2020!

The best my fiend, the best 😎😎

I have a '21 4R ORP, bought new. Changed out the tires, put on Bilstein 5100s, and a full skid plate (was eventually gonna need it, but mostly did it to dissuade cat thieves). Was never a choice for me. A Rubicon would have been at least $10k more, the Bronco, more like $20k. Both would be better off road out of the box, but this is a primary vehicle that gets driven on the road most of the time with occasional off roading. As others have mentioned, reliability is one of the 4Rs strong suits and very important to me. Bronco has engine and other new model teething issues, and Jeeps, well, still made by Chrysler. One thing I would change on the 4R is the transmission: It needs at least one more gear, preferably two. Gas mileage sucks, but the Jeep and Bronco aren't exactly Priuses.

When is the 2023 model coming out ? And is it a major redesign?