The Toyota 4Runner series has gathereed many loyal fans Worldwide since it hit the auto market in 1984. Forty years later, it is still one of the best large SUV models, recording massive sales figures yearly. You may be wondering why many drivers love the 4runner. Here’s why it’s so appealing, and we will highlight other cars similar to 4runner. The large SUV is an ideal family vehicle and still produces enough power for harsh road conditions. Longevity is also one of its strong suits.
Recent 4runner versions have bigger wheelbases, lengths, and weights than older ones. Today’s version is 189.9 inches long and nearly 1,000 pounds heavier. The car has two trims, the limited 4WD and the SR5 FWD. The latest generation of 4Runners is a five-seat SUV with an optional fold-flat third row. It has a robust build with good ground clearance. The base model runs on a 4.0-liter V-6 engine with intelligent Variable Valve Timing (VVT-i) that produces up to 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque.
The Best Cars Similar To 4runner
The 4runner is a super-capable vehicle with a ground clearance of up to 9.6 inches and a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. The robust SUV is versatile and sports many interesting features. If you are looking to buy cars similar to 4runner, check out the top alternatives highlighted in this post. Let’s get on to it.
Ford Explorer
Ford’s Explorer line is a popular family vehicle. Like the 4runner, it is also one of the most affordable SUVs to maintain and repair. Although newer Explorer versions have switched to a lighter-duty crossover configuration, the series retains much of its famed capability.
The SUV delivers a comfortable car-like ride with a tech-savvy seven-seater interior. You get to choose between the 3.5-liter EcoBoost twin-turbocharged V6 engine with an all-wheel drive layout and the 3.5-liter V6 with a front-wheel drive layout.
The latest Explorer’s pricing starts at $32,140 and goes up to $53,940, depending on the trim and options you want.
Nissan Pathfinder
The Pathfinder is a large SUV featuring a seven-seat interior like the 4runner. Like most cars in this list, this one offers ample interior space with lots of luxury features. It is also one of the most affordable SUVs with the best interiors.
Nissan’s Pathfinder drives on a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine that produces up to 295 horsepower. The vehicle has a maximum towing capacity of 6,000 pounds. It delivers good gas mileage with roomy cargo space, making it versatile like the 4runner.
The 2024 Nissan Pathfinder starts at $37,470 and goes up to $50,440, depending on the trim and options.
Jaguar F-PACE
Jaguar F-PACE is a British mid-size crossover SUV line that sports a five-seater interior. The unibody Jaguar is renowned for its luxurious, roomy interior and sporting driving experience. Thanks to a good engine, it also offers some off-road performance as a bonus.
The available engine options for the F-PACE are the 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel engine, or a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 gasoline engine. The four-cylinder engines deliver up to 180 horsepower, while the V6 maxes up to 380 horsepower with insane torque and towing capacity.
All Jaguar F-PACE trims are configured to an AWD layout. The price range for the latest F-PACE model starts at $42,065 and goes up to $62,000. This pricing structure depends on the trim and options.
Chevrolet Tahoe
The Chevrolet Tahoe is one of the top cars similar to 4Runner, especially with its body-on-frame build. Unlike most recent crossover cars with a unibody setup, the Tahoe and 4runner are truck-based SUVs. The Tahoe has three seat rows standard. It is about 10 inches longer than the 4Runner, also outweighing it by about 1,000 pounds.
The Chevy drives on a 6.2-liter V8 engine for the base model, producing up to 420 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. For better gas mileage, you can go for the 3.0-liter turbodiesel inline-six engine. This engine produces up to 277 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque. The Tahoe is also powerful and delivers a comfortable ride like the 4runner. You get to choose between the rear-wheel and four-wheel drive layouts.
The 7.9 inches of ground clearance qualifies the Chevy as a decent off-roader. It also has an impressive maximum towing capacity of 8600 pounds. The starting price for a 2024 Chevrolet Tahoe is around $48,795 and can go up to about $66,500, depending on the trim and options.
Dodge Durango
The Durango shares the same three seat-rows interior setup as most cars on this list. It comes in various engine and transmission options. The base model’s engine is a 3.6-liter V6 that produces up to 295 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. It can tow up to 7200 pounds with a RWD configuration.
The SXT model with a four-wheel drive layout runs on a 5.7-liter V8 that produces 360 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. The SRT Hellcat is also a 4WD car powered by a supercharged 6.2-liter Hemi V8 engine that can develop 710 horsepower and 645 pound-feet of torque. All Durango trims are seven-seater SUVs, featuring 20-inch alloy wheels, Nappa leather seating, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and up to 8.1 inches of ground clearance.
The most powerful trim has a towing capacity of up to 8,600 pounds. Depending on the trim and additional features, the latest Dodge Durango prices range between $29,995 and $64,090.
GMC Yukon
The GMC Yukon shares a platform with the Chevrolet Tahoe as one of the top cars similar to 4runner. Both cars are considered mechanical twins as they share several dimensions and capabilities, with interior parts and bodily features.
The Yukon line peaks at the Denali trim, sharing the Tahoe’s 6.2-liter V8 engine. It also maxes up to 420 horsepower and 460 pounds of torque like in the Tahoe. This premium trim sports the signature Denali styling with a Mastique ash wood interior. The engine is propped on a 10-speed automatic transmission.
The interior is packed with cool features like heated and ventilated leather front seats, a 10-speaker Bose Premium Centerpoint surround sound system, active noise cancellation, Magnetic Ride Control, and a head-up display. The latest GMC Yukon Denali trim costs about $70,295.
Jeep Grand Cherokee
The Grand Cherokee is considered the Jeep brand’s flagship vehicle. This powertrain strikes the perfect balance between off-roading and comfortable day-to-day driving. Like the 4Runner, the Grand Cherokee is versatile, so it has gathered many admirers over the years. The Grand Cherokee has a unibody crossover design and comes in a wide range of engine trim and performance levels. The base models are the Laredo 4×2 and a loaded Trackhawk 4×4.
The most powerful off-roader model, the Trackhawk runs on a 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine that produces up to 707 horsepower and 645 pound-feet of torque. While a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 gasoline engine powers the Trailhawk, propped on an eight-speed automatic transmission. The engine puts out 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. The pricing for the latest Jeep Grand Cherokee trims starts at $30,695 and goes up to $86,000, depending in the power and performance.
Lexus GX 460
Lexus’s GX 460 is similar to the 4runner in many ways. It is even considered the luxury 4Runner by many car reviewers. The GX shares lots of mechanical and engineering features with the 4Runner. The only difference is the upgraded interior features, technologies, and accessories.
The GX runs on a 4.6-liter V8 engine, which produces up to 301 horsepower. Making it versatile like the 4runner. The engine is propped on a six-speed automatic transmission. It also shares the 4runner’s fold-flat third-row seat coming standard. You get to enjoy lots of impressive interior features like heated front seats, cool safety features, and an attractive cabin.
The latest Lexus GX 460 costs between $52,000 and $89,500.
Land Rover Discovery
Recent Land Rover Discovery models feature a less muscular, unibody design than older models. Like most cars similar to 4runner, it sports a seven-seater interior with the modern Land Rover luxury options.
Although famous for its luxurious interior, the SUV is impressively capable. A 3.0-liter gasoline engine powers the vehicle. You can also get the same engine size as a diesel powertrain for better fuel economy. Both engines produce up to 300 horsepower.
The latest Discovery versions come with the Terrain Response 2 app installed on the infotainment system. The app can optimize your car’s engine, transmission, center differential, and chassis systems to suit the terrain.
The price range for the latest Discover is between $52,090 and $70,000.
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited is a capable four-door SUV like the 4runner. It is one of the most capable cars similar to 4runner you can find in a showroom. This powertrain comes with an iconic exterior and military-style body.
The base Wrangler Unlimited trim drives on a supercharged 3.6-liter V6 engine that produces up to 285 horsepower. Recent Wrangler models sport improved comfort and convenience features, including a modern infotainment touchscreen. Furthermore, the convertible soft top and removable hard top have been worked on for easier navigation and reduced cabin noise.
Unlike other cars similar to 4runner, the Wrangler is not your everyday cruiser especially as it doesn’t have good cargo space as is common with SUVs. For insane engine power and off-road abilities, $30,995 is a fair price for the latest Jeep Wrangler Unlimited.
Conclusion
It is a fact that Toyota’s 4runner is suitable for lots of application areas. However, every driver has unique factors to determine his ideal car. If you are looking for cars similar to 4runner, the cars on this list also deliver insane versatility. We picked cars to satisfy all crucial factors for getting a good car. We are happy to help you make the best choice.
