A VOYAGE THROUGH THE PEAKS AND PITS: THE BEST AND WORST YEARS OF THE TOYOTA 4RUNNER

The Toyota 4Runner might not be the original SUV, but it has navigated through bumpy years better than most. From its debut in 1984 to recent advancements, this article explores the highs and lows of the 4Runner's journey.

THE HIGH ELEVATIONS: CELEBRATED YEARS OF THE TOYOTA 4RUNNER

1999 Toyota 4Runner: A Terrain-Tackling Pioneer

That so many still feel so strongly about the ‘90 model, with its independent coil spring suspension and sturdy frame, one that ‘rode well on- and off-road’, reflects the beauty of its design, its plot in the sand, as well as the sheer petrol thrill of its power.

The 2002 Model: Comfort Meets Endurance

The 4Runner’s interior gained legroom in 2002, adding creature comforts that didn’t hamper its ability to claw through the bush. Its virtues as a family ride with a sporty, off-the-beaten-track streak were well-illustrated by its five-star safety ratings, while Toad always promised that it could ‘go anywhere with the family’.

2009 & 2017: Modern Marvels of the Trail

Both these years brought a welcomed evolution for the 4Runner. In 2009, the 4Runner embodied capable off-road gadgets. And in 2017, the TRD Off-Road trims debuted, further amplifying its toughness. This was Toyota’s way of making sure that the 4Runner stayed current and capable of tackling strenous trails.

Diving into 2019 and Beyond: The Era of Refined Adventure

Four years later, in 2019, the 4Runner was a car for people unwilling – or too busy – to deviate from its increasingly narrow, seemingly endless run of durability and performance. That year the TRD Pro line-up debuted, further burnishing an improved Toyota commitment to off-road excellence, with upgrades that improved the overall on- and off-road performance.

NAVIGATING THE ROUGH SPOTS: YEARS TO APPROACH WITH CAUTION

While the 4Runner has an otherwise commendable record, there are a few years it stumbled a bit. Excess rust in the 2003-2005 models. Some recalls and braking issues with the 2013 models. These years’ travails are cautionary tales for potential buyers, of course.

THE EVOLUTION OF TERRAIN MASTERY

As the truck progressed over generations, each iteration emphasised conquering a variety of terrains with ease, from the boulders of rural backcountry to the polished tarmac of the city. With this emphasis on all-terrain capability, the 4Runner has built its identity as a vehicle engineered to go the distance.

UNDERSTANDING TERRAIN

Terrain, in the case of Toyota’s 4Runner, is not physical landscapes. It is what the SUV is made for. To market the vehicle’s annual model overhauls, Toyota sweats the 4Runner through simulated scenarios designed to re-enact everything that drivers have come to expect this vehicle to have to face. And indeed from the vehicle’s inception as the ‘four-wheel drive companion for the open trail’, the 4Runner embraced the challenge of different types of terrain while staying true to Toyota traditions of reliability, performance and ingenuity. The 4Runner’s journey – and its evolution through the surrounding summits and troughs – reveals a lot to prospective enthusiasts and buyers alike, and promises to be a solid friend for exploring the wide, wild world.