The Toyota 4Runner was introduced into Toyota’s lineup as one of the first SUVs in 1994 and is still made today. The 4Runner has many features consumers expect from today’s SUVs, including towing. But what is the towing capacity of a 2021 Toyota 4Runner?
A 2021 Toyota 4Runner has a maximum towing capacity of 5,000 pounds.
The 2021 Toyota 4Runner tow capacity can vary based on a few different factors such as engine size, drivetrain, and others which we’ll cover in this guide.
How Much Can The 2021 Toyota 4Runner Tow?
The 2021 Toyota 4Runner has a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds.
The 2021 Toyota 4Runner tow capacity is affected by other factors like engine type, drivetrain, the weight of cargo and passengers, and whether your vehicle has a towing package equipped or not.
You can always reach out to your local Toyota dealership for details to confirm how much your 4Runner can tow.
You can check out our guide to Toyota 4Runner towing capacity by year if you’re looking at a different model year’s max towing number or if you want to compare different years of this vehicle.
2021 4Runner Tow Capacity By Trim Level
There are several trim levels for the 2021 4Runner, and some engines and features are not available on certain trims, so they can each have different max towing limits.
Here’s the max tow capacity broken down for each trim level on the 2021 Toyota 4Runner:
2021 Toyota 4Runner Trim Level | Towing Capacity |
2021 Toyota 4Runner SR5 | 5,000 lbs / 2,268 kg |
2021 Toyota 4Runner Trail Special Edition | 5,000 lbs / 2,268 kg |
2021 Toyota 4Runner SR5 Premium | 5,000 lbs / 2,268 kg |
2021 Toyota 4Runner Limited | 5,000 lbs / 2,268 kg |
2021 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off Road | 5,000 lbs / 2,268 kg |
2021 Toyota 4Runner TRD Off Road Premium | 5,000 lbs / 2,268 kg |
2021 Toyota 4Runner Venture Special Edition | 5,000 lbs / 2,268 kg |
2021 Toyota 4Runner Nightshade Special Edition | 5,000 lbs / 2,268 kg |
2021 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro | 5,000 lbs / 2,268 kg |
Towing Capacity By Engine Size & Drivetrain
2021 Toyota 4Runner Engine Towing Specs
There is one engine option for the 2021 4Runner which is a 4.0L V6 engine that makes 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, and is paired with a 5-speed automatic transmission.
2021 Toyota 4Runner 4.0L V6 Engine Towing Capacity: 5,000 pounds
2021 Toyota 4Runner Drivetrain Towing Specs
The 2021 Toyota 4Runner comes standard with two wheel drive, but four wheel drive is available as an option.
2021 Toyota 4Runner 2WD Tow Capacity: 5,000 pounds
2021 Toyota 4Runner 4WD Tow Capacity: 5,000 pounds
Note that these are the max towing limits for each 2021 Toyota 4Runner engine. Your Toyota 4Runner may have a lower towing capacity based on the drivetrain, axle ratio, and if your vehicle has a towing package installed.
2021 Toyota 4Runner Payload Capacity
The maximum payload capacity of the 2021 Toyota 4Runner is 1,700 pounds.
Note that the max payload capacity of your 2021 4Runner will vary based on factors like the engine type, drivetrain and whether or not a towing package that includes other features like an engine oil cooler or transmission oil cooler is installed.
You can always contact your local dealership for extra details if you’re unsure of your vehicle’s payload capability.
2021 Toyota 4Runner Tow Package
Toyota offers a trailer hitch that comes standard on all trim levels of the 4Runner, and you can purchase a trailer ball directly from Toyota when building your vehicle if you choose.
We definitely recommend getting the tow package if you plan on towing anything with your 2021 4Runner.
2021 Toyota 4Runner Towing Capacity Vs Competitors
The 2021 Toyota 4Runner has a maximum towing cap of 5,000 pounds, which makes it capable of doing some heavy duty trailer towing.
The 2021 4Runner’s tow capability is similar to its main competitors which are the 2021 Chevy Traverse and the 2021 Ford Explorer.
Here are some similar vehicles to the 2021 Toyota 4Runner and their towing capacities below:
2021 Ford Explorer Towing Capacity: 5,600 pounds
2021 Hyundai Palisade Towing Capacity: 5,000 pounds
2021 Chevy Traverse Towing Capacity: 5,000 pounds
2021 Honda Pilot Towing Capacity: 5,000 pounds
2021 Kia Telluride Towing Capacity: 5,000 pounds
2021 Subaru Ascent Towing Capacity: 5,000 pounds
2021 Volkswagen Atlas Towing Capacity: 5,000 pounds
2021 Toyota SUV Models Towing Capacity Chart
2021 Toyota SUV Model | Towing Capacity |
2021 Toyota Sequoia | 7,400 pounds |
2021 Toyota Highlander | 5,000 pounds |
2021 Toyota 4Runner | 5,000 pounds |
2021 Toyota Rav4 | 3,500 pounds |
Data Accuracy
We’ve gathered all data represented here from the official 2021 Toyota 4Runner Owner’s Manual on Toyota’s site and have checked all data thoroughly for accuracy.
Having said that, we still recommend you refer to your vehicle’s owner’s manual yourself before towing with a 2021 Toyota 4Runner.