Makes›Toyota›4Runner›2020

2020 Toyota 4Runner

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2020 models.

Toyota 4Runner
Pictured: 2025 Toyota 4Runner TRD Sport in Wind Chill Pearl, front right, 2025-05-18. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Body styles
4dr SUV 4WD Limited V6, 4dr SUV 4WD Sr5 V6, 4dr SUV 4WD Trail Edition V6
Engines
4.0L 6-cyl
Horsepower
270 hp
Transmission
5-speed automatic
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Seats
5
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
17 combined · 16 city / 19 hwy
Length
189.8 in
Curb weight
4,654–4,806 lb
NHTSA rating
★★★★★
Recalls
1 campaign

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Few owner complaints33 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 224 for similar models.

Watch out for

  • Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 17 MPG combined, 13% below the 2020 standard SUV average of 19.5 MPG.
  • Higher rollover riskNHTSA estimates a 24.6% chance of rollover in a single-vehicle crash.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 31 similar 2020 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2020 Toyota 4Runner is a standard SUV offered with a 4.0L 6-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive, part-time 4-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 190 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 110-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,806 lb (4dr SUV 4WD Limited V6).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 17 MPG combined (16 city / 19 highway), 13% worse than the 2020 standard SUV average of 19.5 MPG, for an estimated $3,950 a year in fuel.

In NHTSA crash testing it earned a 4-star overall rating.

It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 33 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the unknown or other.

What changed for 2020

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2019 4Runner — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2019; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2019 4Runner →

Trims, performance & features

Engine270 hp4.0L 6-cyl
Transmission5-speed automatic
DriveAWD/4WD
Seating5 seats · 2 rows

Trims

Base GradeSR5/SR5 Premium/TRD Off Road/TRD Off Road Premium/Ltd/TRD Pro

Safety & driver-assist features

Pedestrian emergency brakingStandard
Forward collision warningStandard
Lane departure warningStandard
Adaptive cruise controlStandard
Backup cameraStandard
Automatic high beamsStandard
Adaptive driving beamStandard

Built in: Tahara, Aichi

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 4 2020 4Runner configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
4dr SUV 4WD Limited V6189.8 in76 in71.7 in109.8 in63.4 / 63.4 in4,806 lb54/46
4dr SUV 4WD Sr5 V6189.8 in76 in70.1 in109.8 in63 / 63 in4,654 lb54/46
4dr SUV 4WD Trail Edition V6189.8 in76 in74 in109.8 in63 / 63 in4,751 lb54/46

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
4Runner 2WD4.0L 6-cylAutomatic (S5)Rear-Wheel Drive16 / 19 / 17-13%$3,950503
4Runner 4WD4.0L 6-cylAutomatic (S5)Part-time 4-Wheel Drive16 / 19 / 17-10%$3,950515
4Runner 4WD4.0L 6-cylAutomatic (S5)All-Wheel Drive16 / 19 / 17-10%$3,950515
3/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
3/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $7,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
19.5 MPG2020 Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2020 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

VersionOverallFrontalDriver / passengerSideSide poleRolloverRollover risk
2020 Toyota 4RUNNER SUV 2WD★★★★★★★★★★4★ / 3★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★24.6%
2020 Toyota 4RUNNER SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★4★ / 3★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★24.6%
StandardElectronic stability control
Not availableForward collision warning
StandardLane departure warning
Frontal crash test — 2020 Toyota 4RUNNER SUV 2WD
Frontal crash test — 2020 Toyota 4RUNNER SUV 2WD. Photo: NHTSA.
Side crash test — 2020 Toyota 4RUNNER SUV 2WD
Side crash test — 2020 Toyota 4RUNNER SUV 2WD. Photo: NHTSA.

Similar 2020 standard SUVs

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2020 Toyota 4Runner (this car)17 MPG★★★★★1
2020 Toyota Land Cruiser14 MPGNot rated0
2020 Toyota RAV440 MPG★★★★★6
2020 Honda CR-V38 MPG★★★★★9
2020 Ford Explorer28 MPG★★★★★35
2020 Subaru Forester29 MPG★★★★★0
2020 Toyota Highlander36 MPG★★★★★5

Recalls (1)

Equipment › Other › Labels · Jul 6, 2022

NHTSA campaign 22V480000 · 280 vehicles

Problem
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2020-2022 4Runner vehicles equipped with 20-inch Black Gunner Wheels. The load carrying capacity modification labels are incorrect. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Risk
An incorrect label may lead to unintentionally overloading the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
SET will mail replacement labels to owners, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 4, 2022. Owners may contact SET's customer service at 954-429-2000. SET's number for this recall is SET22A.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2020 Toyota 4Runner is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

33Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
4Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
4Injuries reported
9,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Unknown Or Other8
Air Bags5
Service Brakes5
Steering4
Suspension3
Structure › Body2
Wheels2
Exterior Lighting2
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
20/04: 120/09: 320/11: 120/12: 321/02: 121/03: 121/07: 121/08: 121/10: 121/11: 121/12: 122/03: 122/07: 122/08: 122/12: 123/02: 123/05: 123/07: 223/09: 123/11: 124/04: 124/05: 226/03: 126/08: 220/0420/1221/0721/1122/0723/0223/0924/05max 3

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2020 Toyota 4Runner buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 5 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Service Brakes — 5 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
  4. Steering — 4 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 9,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2020 Toyota 4Runner. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other 4Runner years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2026 4Runner23194.9 inNot rated27
2025 4Runner23194.9 in★★★★★162
2024 4Runner17189.8 in★★★★★110
2023 4Runner17189.8 in★★★★★133
2022 4Runner17189.8 in★★★★★339
2021 4Runner17189.8 in★★★★★136
2019 4Runner18189.8 in★★★★★465
2018 4Runner18189.8 in★★★★★559
2017 4Runner18189.8 inNot rated536
2016 4Runner19189.8 inNot rated880
2015 4Runner19189.8 inNot rated987
2014 4Runner19189.8 inNot rated773

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Toyota. How we calculate this →