The new Toyota 4Runner is here, and I just reviewed it. It’s good! Not particularly remarkable, and a little pricey, but it’s decent. Writing this review had me thinking about other 4runners I’ve driven/ridden in, which brings me to today’s Autopian Asks: What’s your favorite Toyota 4Runner of all time?
I never knew that the Toyota 4Runner’s story began as a result of a specific Wisconsin dealership partnering with Winnebago to put campers on Hiluxes.
From Toyota:
It started with an idea. It was 1979 and Toyota had just announced that the Land Cruiser FJ40 would no longer be imported to the U.S. But in Brookfield, Wisconsin — home of the Jack Safro Toyota dealership — families had a particular need for a vehicle that could facilitate camping and hunting trips which took place, by necessity, off-road. With the Land Cruiser no longer available in the U.S., the company decided to design something new.
Two years later, in 1981, Winnebago Industries partnered with Toyota to begin production on the Toyota Trekker — integrating a camper shell on a Toyota Hilux model. The Trekker met the needs of families looking for a vehicle for their hunting trips and weekend adventures, but — perhaps more importantly — it made the case to Toyota that there was a market for a reliable off-road and more affordable vehicle than a domestic truck. With the Land Cruiser and Trekker as inspiration, Toyota built on those designs and, in 1984, the 4Runner was born.
Holy crap; this probably deserves its own story… oh wait, we’ve already written it! Check the Safro Trekker out! It’s quite awesome:
Anyway, that’s not technically a 4Runner; you might call it a forerunner to the 4Runner. The first-gen looked like this:
This one is my favorite generation because it’s the only one that offered a solid front axle, which is generally superior to independent suspension in terms durability and articulation (it’s a bit of a compromise in terms of ride quality, especially at high speeds in dunes, but I think it’s worth it).
When it debuted in 1984 it came with a 96 horsepower 2.4-liter “22R” inline-four hooked to a five-speed manual, a low-range transfer case, and manual locking hubs for the front axle. Classic!
In 1985 came fuel injection, bringing the power up to 116, which is not bad for that era. This vehicle, shown above, is to me the perfect 4Runner. Fuel injection, solid front axle, a fiberglass convertible top, a sub-3500 pound curb weight, two-doors, a stickshift — it’s a simple and rugged truck with a cap on the back, and that’s what I like.
Later model years gained independent front suspension, a turbo for the inline-four, and a more powerful V6, but I’ll take the 22R-E-powered, solid-front-axle 4Runner from 1985, thankyouverymuch.
I don’t mind the second-gen (which launched for the 1990 model-year)either, but it lost the convertible top and isn’t quite as angular and tough looking. Still, it remains handsome with its slightly more rounded shape, plus it gained a set of optional doors, which are useful.
Like its predecessor, it came with variations of the 2.4-liter inline-four and 3.0-liter V6, and transmission options included a five-speed stick and a four-speed auto. The rear springs went from leafs to coils, and a few tweaks happened all the way through the 1995 model-year, when the third-gen entered the fray.
The third-gen 4Runner is, at least in my eyes, the most legendary 4Runner ever. No, it’s not the first 4Runner and it doesn’t have a solid front axle, but this really marked the start of when the 4Runner became what it is today: a reliable, daily-drivable, safe (the first 4Runner with airbags), comfy SUV that’s as welcome on a farmer’s field as it is in front of a Four Seasons.
The third-gen was the 4runner’s “Glow Up,” and more importantly, its bigger 3.4-liter V6 (and a base 2.7-liter inline-four) could be had with a manual transmission until 2000 and an available locker Sure, these third-gens are known for catastrophic ball-joint failures and (like the predecessors: rust), but otherwise they’re widely beloved. And for good reason.
The 2003 to 2009 fourth-gen become a bit softer, but more powerful, with a 4.0-liter making 245 horsepower and a 4.7-liter V8 that in its final iteration made 268 horsepower. A five-speed auto also became available, and the fourth-gen was the first 4Runner to offer a third-row.
The fifth-gen is the one that just went away. Amazingly it stuck around between 2010 and 2024, offering a 2.7-liter inline-four for just a couple of years as the base engine, and then the same 270 horsepower 4.0-liter V6 all the way to 2024 with only minor tweaks.
The new 2025 model that I just reviewed has a 2.4-liter turbo with an optional hybrid motor to crank up the power and torque numbers. Still, it’s not that powerful at 278 horsepower for the non-hybrid and 326 horsepower for the hybrid. Suspension geometry is similar, though size is up a bit. The transmission now has eight-gears instead of five like its predecessor, so fuel economy is up a bit.
So that’s a quick rundown of 4Runner generations. My favorite is the rough-and-tumble first-gen, though the stickshift 3rd gen is a close second.
Images: Toyota unless otherwise stated
I’d love to try an early first gen with the solid axles, but they’ve all rusted away in my area.
Not a fan of the second gen because of that awful unreliable boat anchor 3VZ-E V6 those had. The US models missed out on the turbodiesels big time.
My favorite is the 3rd gen. I had a 2000 Limited with a rear locker.
I got it for peanuts about 8 years ago, because the 5VZ-FE had a valve cover leak and it failed inspection. Then I fixed it and my dumb ass sold it for cheap, right before they got hyped up and their prices skyrocketed.
I never liked the 4th gen’s looks, the GX470 on the same frame looks much better in my opinion.
5th gens are fine, hopefully their prices will come down in a few years.
Third gen is my favorite, it still looks damn good for being such an old car. They started getting weirdly mis-proportioned starting 4th gen and now I think they add too much “edge” to the design that feels entirely superfluous.
We’ve owned both a 1st gen (’89) w/ 22RE & 5sp and a 3rd gen (2000 w/ 5 sp).
The ’89 was a great truck but wouldn’t climb big mountain grades in anything but maxed out in 3rd gear. It also had a cooling system issue. Traded it for a new 2000 after we’d been in Colorado for several years (the big mountain grades). That 2000 went all over the place, through some big snow storms, road trips, brought our kids home from hospital in it, camping with them, etc. Sold it about 10 years ago. Wish I still had it.
Had a 1st gen. Drove that through everytheng, Daily driver to heavy off road. I never had any problems. Had it for 20 years until my new X-wife refused to ride in it and made me get something else. Needless to say that 4Runner lasted 5 times longer than that marrage.
First gen for sure.
My love of off-roading and camping stems from my Dad’s ’85 and rock crawling in the Sierras. I wish he didn’t sell it or that I could have taken it over but neither of us had the space and it went to a family friend who ended up driving a lot more than either of us had time for.
My Uncle swapped a solid axle under his…’86, I believe, in his driveway. I have photos of the swap and of the trips to Johnson Valley years before King of the Hammers. My uncle passed away but the truck is still in the family.
Besides that, my aunt has over 300k on a 3rd gen she’s had since new.
Another uncle was convinced to pick up a built 2nd gen. That one sits in the garage save for one off-road trip a year. Works every time.
My dad’s best friend also has an ’85 he’s had since new. Still has the original paint. He’s run the Rubicon dozens of times on his 33″ BFGs.
I was the black sheep and picked up an Xterra. Loved it to bits but I rolled it in 2020 (driver error) and a like replacement was 25% over what I originally paid before the days of stupid pricing so I didn’t have it in me to replace it at the time.
If I were to buy a T4R, I’d shop for a fourth gen with the 4.7. Sherpa Motorsports and Stellar Built both have incredible fourth gen builds that I lust over.
What was the question, again?
3rd Gen Diesel Manual, somehow made its way to some UN contingents in Bosnia and around. Sort of a HiLux Surf Diesel but with the steering wheel at the correct place.
1: Gen1, because Topless
2: Gen4, because that 4.7l V8 was a delight (except the stupid timing belt)
3: Gen now, because it’s technically superior and should last forever
Third-gen, SR5, in maroon, because that’s what my wife drove when we met. We had our first date, and our first kiss, in that car. I honestly don’t care about any of the others.
Was the 22RE Turbo available with the solid front axle? If it was, that’s what I want.
Not from the factory. ’85 was the unicorn year that was the last year of solid axle and first year of EFI. They moved to IFS in ’86. Turbo was after that, IIRC.
I daily a 1986 DLX, and while I love it, it is also a pain to find parts for. I wish it had better aftermarket support. While the 22re has tons of parts available, things like the ECU and Ignition are scary because your only recourse is to buy old high mileage used parts for way too much.
Some newer folks are getting better at 3d printing interior odds and ends, but the electrical components are basically running out because people are still parting out trucks that could be salvaged if there was more investment in the platform.
4th Gen–as a proud owner of 2004 V6 4WD SR5. You don’t realize how useful it is to have a center differential (lockable) and 4WD until you live in snow country where you have to go from six inches of fluff covering your driveway to bare pavement to intermittent dry/slushy/icy conditions on the interstate. In the 5th Gen, only the Limiteds continued with the Torsen center differential.
It really is a shame they eliminated that from the 5th gen. It’s crazy that 20 years ago Toyota had a more advanced 4X4 system than they do today. Even a 80K Sequoia doesn’t have the center diff for fulltime operation.
None of them. None! Not a single one! If you don’t know why I say this by now, I’ll say it: no CVT! Missing the undeniable pinnacle of automotive technology. Imagine how good a 4Runner with an Xtronic could be!
3rd and 4th are my personal favorites. One of each would make for a good garage pairing with how different they can be in character depending on spec.
I do like the 5th and how it moved away from the legs-splayed driving position though still give an edge to the 4th.
If there were ever a QOTD like “which car model offers both the best and worst looking OEM wheels” I’d throw a 5th gen in the ring: TRD Off Road wheels look great on seemingly everything, but the Limited/TRD Sport 6-spoke wheels look just gaudy and oversized IMO and they’re not even that big by today’s standards at 20″.
It’s funny, those 20’s look terrible on the 4Runner, but they look surprisingly good on other Toyota vehicles, like the Sequoia and 100 series Landcruiser.
I’m not that big of a fan of the standard TRD wheel, but I do like the PRO versions. I follow a guy on IG who runs the standard TRD wheel on a squarebody Chevy, it actually looks good on that.
Trekker will always be one of my dream cars.
2nd gen for me. Friend of mine’s dad had one. His was a 22re/5spd and last I heard it was still going with over 250k on the original clutch. 2nd gen was IMO the one that really nailed what an SUV should be. Rugged, sorta comfy, reasonably economical, and capable of going anywhere. The 3rd gen’s are fun too but they’re rather bland-looking IMO.
Without personal experience with any, I don’t have an actual opinion, but I have to share Mr. Regular’s take, which is
3RD GEN BEST GEN 3RD GEN BEST GEN 3RD GEN BEST GEN
In my preferential order:
(1) 1985 SR5 is the pinnacle for me;
(2) 3rd gen either stripped out with 3rz, 5-speed, manual everything, and an e-locker swapped in (if not factory);
(3)ish 3rd gen “highlander” in green, manual transmission;
(4)ish 09 Trail Edition is my top pick of 4th gen;
(5)ish early Trail Edition is my pic for 5th gen.
Pepper in a turbo 1st gen (preferably with the turbo truck transmission swapped over) or a 2nd gen, 2 door, 4 cyl where you like.
Lots of good options, I guess the best one is the one you have/had (except for me as the one I had was an absolute piece of trash)
Thumbs up for mentioning the OG 5th gen Trail. The one pictured in this story looks exactly like mine.
“coil-sprung solid front axle”
I’m fairly certan these were leaf sprung front axles.
David, just a note. The 4th gen didn’t have 4 cylinder option in the US. 5th did for its first year in only base 2 WD configuration.
That aside, I’m biased and like the 4th gen. The 4.7 is smooth to this day and it just does everything at least well. Just a strong and reliable package. Suspension rust is a bit problematic but manageable and it sucks down fuel but it would still be my bug out vehicle of choice even at 21 years old.
“Not particularly remarkable, and a little pricey, but it’s decent” is a pretty bad summary of a new model 1.5 decades in the making.
1st gen with the removable top certainly gets my vote. A friend I grew up with used to have one. Riding in the open back, in the middle of the night, with a full moon and headlights off over a 4wd pass after a backpacking trip was a good time that I don’t think the newer ones can replicate without a sawzall.
I’ve had a 3rd gen, a 4th gen, and now a 5th gen. They’re all very *very* similar: Sorta slow, reasonably comfy, reasonably capable, and reliable. Overall I like my 5th gen the best, 3rd and 4th were kind of a toss up. On style alone I’ll take the 3rd for sure.
My friend had a 1st gen, red with the white top, and that thing was a hoot to bang around in.
My mom has a 4th gen in the very rare UrbanRunner trim which is like the better known X-Runner trim on Tacos. It’s a bit lower than a stock 4Runner and has a bit stiffer ride. That thing is just a few years shy of 20 at this point and she’s still wheeling it all over the country visiting grand kids and great grand kids.
I know I’ve seen other 4Runners on the streets but IMO these are the only 2 generations that matter. If I had to pick the single best 4Runner of all time, well that’s my mom’s of course 😉
The 4th gen with the V8 is the pick on paper but I don’t care for its styling.
So my pick is going to be the 5th gen. Somehow it managed to look good for 15 years, and the V6 is a solid engine.