2021 Toyota 4Runner 4×4 Venture: Perfect for the Weekend Warrior
Chastity Velasquez
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The Toyota 4Runner 4×4 Venture is begging you to take it out on an adventure.
This SUV is a combination of rugged and sleek. Great for cruising around town while running errands and school drop-offs, but cool enough to take on camping trips. You’re going to love the fact that this SUV can do it all.
My days are spent dreaming and planning my next getaway while wishing I wasn’t stuck in the mundaneness of everyday life. But when I was driving the 4Runner to school drop-offs with the sunroof open and jamming to my favorite Spotify playlist, it had me feeling like I was someplace else. That’s what I look for in a vehicle. We spend so much time in them doing ordinary life, that I want something that makes life a little more fun. And the Toyota 4Runner 4×4 Venture is the perfect car to help you feel like you’re ready for an adventure no matter where you are.
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The Perfect Car for the Weekend Warrior — Or the Single Lady
The Toyota 4Runner 4×4 Venture is an SUV that’s great for shuttling kids to sporting events, grocery shopping, and taking the family on off-roading adventures on the weekend. It’s rugged, yet it’s a comfortable ride. There’s plenty of space for the kids in the rear seats, and you can easily fill up the trunk with camping supplies. There’s enough height to take you over some of the more challenging trails if you want to soak in a little off-roading, but it’s still going to treat you well on the highway if your weekend trip is based in civilization.
A note to all my single ladies who need a wingman, the Toyota 4Runner 4×4 Venture is your dream. During my week of test driving this beauty, I was stopped on three separate occasions by different men inquiring about my sporty ride. Not sure if it was the cherry red paint or my fresh blonde highlights that led them to inquire, but I sure enjoyed the attention from the handsome eligible bachelors.
The rugged, yet sleek Toyota 4Runner. Photo: Chastity Beene
Who Is the Toyota 4Runner For?
- Single ladies who like to turn heads while they stay active
- Couples who love to travel
- Small families
- Adventure seekers who want to go off-roading, but go in style and comfort
- Those not worried about getting great gas mileage
- People who tow boats or trailers
- Those who need cargo and passenger space
- Anyone who road trips on a regular basis!
Although the gas mileage may not be the best feature of the vehicle, there is plenty of legroom for long rides. We loaded up the SUV with two adults and two kids, plus all our luggage and fishing gear, and we still had plenty of room to relax on the drive. Yes, you’ll have to stop at the pump pretty regularly—but I’d say it’s a tradeoff I’m willing to make for a car that can handle the rigors of the daily errands, the commute, and the camping trip.
Plenty of storage space. Photo: Chastity Beene
When loading up the trunk, I discovered there was a sliding cargo floor. With a flip of a switch, the floor unlocks and easily slides out. You can load it up and then push it back in until it locks. This is a genius feature and makes loading and unloading a little easier, especially if you have heavy luggage or a small bag in the corner you can’t reach. You no longer have to crawl in the trunk to grab it! Who knew an off-road-friendly vehicle could be so civilized?
Some SUVs can be so bulky that you feel like your body does not conform to a seat—especially those that market to off-roaders. This can make a long road trip uncomfortable for your back. With this car, though everything is adjustable from height to headrest, which makes it a great ride for long trips. There’s no need to sacrifice comfort just for a little bit of muddy fun.
Photo: Chastity Beene
Related: 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid XSE: The Ultimate Fuel Economy SUV for Long Road Trips
The Details to Know
If you are in the market for a new car and wanting one that is smooth and rugged, I highly recommend this vehicle. But be warned, the 4Runner will have you planning all sorts of camping and outdoor adventures.
This vehicle is capable of squeezing in a third-row seat. This option is available in the SR5, SR5 Premium, and Limited trim vehicles. Those come with a 50/50 split fold-down rear seat, which provides two additional seats. If you don’t need the extra seats, then stick with the two-row and keep the expanded cargo hold. (Anyone else always seem to overpack for trips?)
Not much has changed in the way of body design over the years when it comes to this mid-size SUV. But if it’s not broken, why fix it? The design gets the job done. It’s a dependable workhorse. Especially when it comes to off-roading. It’s rugged and a little bit sporty, enough to have you feeling like you’d love to do it all.
The leather seats offer a comfortable ride. Photo: Chastity Beene
Standard Safety Features
- Forward collision warning
- Pedestrian detection
- Automatic emergency braking
- Lane-departure warning
- Automatic high beams.
This navigation system is on a large 8-inch screen and shows you which lanes you should be in while driving. The image is also displayed in the driver’s dash, which keeps your eyes on the road instead of looking down on the screen in the center console. If you’re prone to getting lost, this is such a handy feature.
Never get lost with the large display screen. Photo: Chastity Beene
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Specs to Know
- Apple Car Play/Android Auto
- Amazon Alexa compatibility
- Heated front bucket seats
- MPG 16 city / 19 highway
- 5,000-pound towing capacity
What This Car Costs
The base model of the 2021 Toyota 4Runner Venture starts at $36,340, with pricing moving up depending on the trim and packages you choose.
The model I drove has a price tag of $48,044, which includes:
- Sliding rear cargo deck; add $350
- Dynamic suspension system; add $1,750
- Power tilt and slide moonroof; add $650
- Carpet floor mats; add $269
- Keep It Wild savings; remove $750
- Delivery fee: add $1,175
What We Loved
- Large cargo space
- Plenty of leg room in 2nd row
- Sliding cargo floor for loading heavy bags
- Power outlet in the cargo area
- Heated seats, which a must-have after a long day of hiking
- Sunroof. Is there anything better than the wind in your hair while cruising down the road?
- 2nd-row seat folds flat for additional cargo space
- All-weather floor liners
- First aid kit located behind the back seat
Disclosure: Toyota provided me this 4Runner 4×4 Venture for this test drive. All opinions are all my own.
