2021 Toyota 4Runner vs 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner, despite its age, retained a rugged charm that appealed to those seeking a durable and straightforward SUV. Its design, unchanged for over a decade, still managed to convey a sense of timeless utility with its two-box body, flared fenders, and trapezoidal wheel arches. While not conventionally attractive, the 4Runner's appearance was functional, with the Limited trim being an exception with its chrome accents. The interior was basic, featuring hard plastics and an old-school dashboard with large knobs and buttons, emphasizing practicality over luxury. The 4Runner's appeal lay in its simplicity and durability, making it a reliable choice for those who valued function over form.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid presented a more modern and distinctive design, though it required an acclimation period for some. Its blunt and bulbous nose, along with black windshield pillars, gave it a unique look that stood out on the road. The Highlander's styling was balanced by swollen haunches and 20-inch alloy wheels, though some found the design overwhelming. Inside, the Highlander Hybrid Platinum offered upscale features like a 12.3-inch touchscreen, leather upholstery, and a heated steering wheel. However, some details, like the instrument-panel shroud, felt cheap. The cabin's two-tone look and asymmetrical dashboard added a touch of sophistication, but reflections on the screen and busy gauge illumination were noted drawbacks.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner was built for off-road adventures, equipped with a 4.0-litre V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque. Its off-road capabilities were enhanced by features like A-Trac, a locking rear differential, Multi-Terrain Select, and Crawl Control, making it adept at tackling challenging terrains. However, on paved roads, the 4Runner felt slow, heavy, and clunky, with steering and braking requiring effort. Its body-on-frame construction contributed to its truck-like driving characteristics, which some found charming but others might find cumbersome for daily use. Fuel efficiency was a concern, with an average consumption of 14.0 L/100 km, resulting in frequent stops at the gas station.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, on the other hand, prioritized fuel efficiency with its 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine and hybrid system, delivering a combined output of 243 horsepower. It achieved an average consumption of 7.4 L/100 km, a significant improvement over its predecessor. While efficient, the Highlander Hybrid's performance was less thrilling, with adequate power for climbing hills and reaching freeway speeds, but the engine sounded strained under load. The steering was lifeless, and the ride exhibited unwanted body movement, though it handled well on smooth roads. The Highlander Hybrid excelled in urban environments, offering a quiet and comfortable ride, but lacked the engaging driving dynamics of its predecessor.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner offered a spacious and comfortable interior, with ample legroom and supportive seats in both the front and rear. Its high ground clearance could pose a challenge for shorter passengers, but once inside, the 4Runner provided a pleasant experience. The rear seats offered good visibility, air conditioning vents, and USB charging ports. Cargo space was generous, with up to 2,540 litres available with the rear seats folded down, making it suitable for various adventures. The 4Runner's interior storage was decent, and its back bumper served as a convenient seating area for outdoor activities.

In comparison, the 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Platinum provided roomy and supportive accommodations for the driver and front passenger, with features like a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat and heated and ventilated front seats. The second-row bench seat increased seating capacity to eight, but the Highlander felt narrow, and the overhead air vents were a source of irritation. The third-row seat was uncomfortable, with limited legroom and headroom, making it unsuitable for adults. Cargo space was ample, with up to 2,387 litres available with the third-row seat folded down. However, storage was not as generous as the previous-generation Highlander, and the placement of the wireless smartphone charger blocked access to the storage area below.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner's technology offerings were basic, with the entry-level Trail grade lacking advanced features. It included a windshield wiper de-icer system and a 120-volt AC power outlet in the cargo area. The standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system featured Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio, along with five USB ports. While the system's software was sophisticated, the screen size was small, but physical shortcut buttons and knobs made it easy to use, even with gloves.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, in contrast, offered a more advanced technology suite. Every Highlander came with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio, along with a year-long trial of Safety Connect. The Platinum trim featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, an 11-speaker JBL premium audio system, and a navigation system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with large knobs and shortcut buttons for easy access. The JBL sound system, however, had mixed audio quality, and the Driver Easy Speak technology projected the driver's voice through the speakers for easier communication with rear passengers. A video rearview mirror provided an unobstructed view of the rear, enhancing safety.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P), which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. However, it lacked a blind-spot warning system and rear cross-traffic warning, which were notable omissions. The 4Runner received a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA and a "Good" roof crush strength rating from the IIHS. However, its protection for the driver in a small overlap frontal-impact collision was rated as Marginal by the IIHS, reflecting its age.

The 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ (TSS 2.5+), which included automatic high beams, dynamic radar cruise control, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and lane departure with steering assist. It also added intersection support and emergency steering assistance. The Highlander Hybrid's TSS 2.5+ was effective, though the adaptive cruise control could feel uneven, and the lane-centring assistance system was overly sensitive. The Highlander received a "Top Safety Pick+" rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA, with four-star ratings for frontal-impact crash tests.