The 2019 Toyota 4Runner was a mid-size, body-on-frame SUV and part of the fifth generation that Toyota introduced for the 2009 model year. It used a 4.0-liter V6, a five-speed automatic transmission and a choice of rear- or four-wheel drive. The 2019 car was a modest update of a long-running design, and it remained one of the most off-road-capable vehicles Toyota sold.
The 2019 4Runner and Its Generation
Toyota has built five generations of the 4Runner since 1984, and the fifth generation has been on sale since 2009. The 2019 model was therefore a well-established design rather than a new one. Under the skin it used a separate ladder frame, which distinguishes it from car-based crossover SUVs and gives it the durability and articulation that off-road buyers look for. Toyota also gave the fifth-generation 4Runner a styling refresh for the 2014 model year, which is the facelift shape that carried through to 2019.
Engine, Transmission and Drivetrain
Every 2019 4Runner used the same naturally aspirated V6 and five-speed automatic. Buyers could choose two-wheel drive or one of two four-wheel-drive systems, and the V6’s torque made the 4Runner a capable tow vehicle.
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Engine | 4.0-liter 1GR-FE V6, 24-valve, aluminum block and head |
| Displacement | 3,956 cc |
| Power | 270 hp at 5,600 rpm |
| Torque | 278 lb-ft at 4,400 rpm |
| Transmission | 5-speed ECT automatic |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive (4×2), part-time 4WD, or full-time 4WD |
| EPA fuel economy | 17/21/18 mpg (4×2); 17/20/18 mpg (4×4) |
| Towing capacity | 5,000 lb |
| Ground clearance | 9.0 in (4×2) / 9.6 in (4×4) |
| Wheelbase | 109.8 in |
Fuel Economy and Towing
The 4Runner’s EPA ratings reflect its size and body-on-frame construction: 17 mpg city and 21 mpg highway for rear-drive models, and 17 mpg city and 20 mpg highway for four-wheel-drive versions, both 18 mpg combined. Every model was rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds, with a maximum tongue weight of 500 pounds, and Toyota fitted an integrated tow-hitch receiver and wiring harness as standard.
Trims and Off-Road Hardware
The 2019 4Runner came in seven trims: SR5, SR5 Premium, TRD Off-Road, TRD Off-Road Premium, TRD Pro, Limited and Limited Nightshade. The SR5 and Limited could be ordered with two or three rows of seats, while the TRD models were four-wheel drive only and seated five. The TRD Off-Road trims added a locking rear differential and Multi-Terrain Select, and the TRD Pro gained the most aggressive off-road hardware.
For 2019 the TRD Pro added 2.5-inch Fox internal-bypass shock absorbers, along with TRD-tuned front springs, a front skid plate, a TRD roof rack and matte-black 17-inch wheels with all-terrain tires. That package, introduced for the 2019 model year, was the main change to the 4Runner that year.
Safety
The 2019 4Runner included Toyota’s Star Safety System, which bundled vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist and smart stop technology. Eight airbags were standard. Toyota Safety Sense P, the active driver-assistance suite with pre-collision braking and radar cruise control, was not yet standard across the range in 2019; Toyota made it standard on every 4Runner grade for the 2020 model year.
Pricing and What Came After
When new, the 2019 4Runner ranged from an entry SR5 with a starting MSRP of $38,490 to a top Limited Nightshade at $48,705, according to Kelley Blue Book. The fifth generation continued through the 2024 model year before Toyota replaced it with an all-new sixth-generation 4Runner for 2025, which moved to a turbocharged four-cylinder and an available hybrid powertrain.
The 2019 4Runner’s combination of a proven V6, genuine off-road hardware and a body-on-frame chassis kept it popular with buyers who prioritized durability and trail ability over fuel economy. Readers comparing Toyota’s wider line-up can also see our 2019 Toyota Alphard Review and our 2019 Toyota Yaris Gazoo Review. This article is part of our wider Car Review coverage.
Inside, the 2019 4Runner was practical rather than modern. The cabin carried over the layout introduced with the 2014 refresh, with durable materials, a large center console and controls designed to work with gloves. The SR5 and Limited could be ordered with a third row, giving seating for up to seven, while the TRD models stayed at five seats with more underfloor storage. A larger 8-inch touchscreen and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto arrived only for the 2020 model year.
Resale value was one of the 4Runner’s strengths. Kelley Blue Book data shows the 2019 model depreciating by only about 10 percent over three years, with a current resale value of roughly $25,600, a modest drop that reflects continued demand for the nameplate among off-road buyers.
Compared with a car-based crossover, the 4Runner gave away ride comfort and fuel economy in exchange for durability and trail capability. That trade-off is deliberate, and it is the reason the model has kept a loyal following through a generation that lasted from 2009 until it was replaced for 2025.
Off-road, the body-on-frame layout gave the 4Runner real advantages. Four-wheel-drive versions had low-range gearing, and the TRD models added a locking rear differential and Multi-Terrain Select, while a full-time four-wheel-drive system was available on the Limited. Ground clearance of 9.0 inches on two-wheel-drive models and 9.6 inches on four-wheel-drive models kept the underbody clear of obstacles.
