Good looks, well built interior, great engine. Never been stranded!!

Rusted very badly, over $1000/year in repairs. Too many drivetrain/transmission repairs(spidergears 3 times!!) Two clutches, put way way too much money into this thing in repairs. Even when on warranty I was always in the shop. Sucks Gas for such a small truck!!

Yes, but only if you absolutely require 4WD, other wise don't bother. Rear wheel drive is outdated, and the 4WD just adds weight and lots of maintinence expense. I find front wheel drive vehicles to handle way better, even in snow.

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None

It is a Toyota 4Runner....It is strong, RELIABLE, FUN to drive.

Need more HorsePower but is good enough. I guess after I put in the TRD Supercharger I will have enough power *)

I highly recommend it. It is a bit Pricy but it holds it value in the long run. It had almost everything (if not everything) that a luxury vehicle should have. And it can do stuff the luxury cars can't do (or atleast most owners wouldn't even think about doing it)........GO OFFROADING with their vehicle!!!!!!!

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Ford Explorer, Expedition, Chevy Tahoe
NO COMPARISON

RELIABILITY: Never lets you down, if you follow the service schedule. Two of my friends own a 4Runner also, and have never had a breakdown (major or minor).
BUILD QUALITY: I am into my third year of ownership, and it still feels solid. Seeing so many older models (ten years old or more) still being driven everyday, tells you something.
OFF-ROAD: I ski and fish in the Rocky Mountains. The 4Runner gets me to the places where most other SUV's give up. Best ground clearance in it's class.
Last winter I hauled another SUV out of a five feet deep ditch, in two feet of snow, without spinning a wheel! A Ford SUV had tried for 20 minutes, without success.
HANDLING: Handles very well for a SUV. Don't back off the throttle in a fast corner/bend, and you will surprise a few drivers in sports sedans!
COMFORT & RIDE: Just don't compare it with a sedan like a Mercedes.
SPACE: Carries everything I have ever thrown at it so far for DIY, camping, fishing, picking up families at the airport and skiing etc.
DESIGN/APPEARANCE: Subjective of course. But I happen to like it.

OEM TIRES: Change the H/T's as soon as possible, especially if you plan to go off-road or drive in snow. Bridgestone A/T's work for me.
FUEL TANK: Barely adequate for a long trip into the mountains. I carry a a 5 gallon container for longer excursions.
HORSE POWER: I sometimes tow a 1500lbs boat and trailer, and occassionaly I forget that I am towing it. The power is "ADEQUATE" for most purposes.
REAR WINDOW: Attracts a lot of road dust, and I don't like the appearance of the rear window deflectors available.
HEADLIGHTS: I fitted a set of PIAA Superwhite Platinum replacement headlamp bulbs, and they made a world of difference. The standard factory units are too dull for long distance driving.
ROOF RACK: Too small for a canoe and much else! Buy a Thule or other after market rack for serious load carrying.

WISH LIST: Why is the TRD Supercharger kit so expensive? If they reduced the price, I am sure a lot more units would be sold.
How about an after market SAT/NAV system being made available? After all the Lexus 300 AWD has one!

I paid $41K Canadian, fully loaded and new in 98.

If your priorities are the same as mine for a mid-size SUV? Which are: GOOD RELIABILITY, LOW MAINTENANCE, BUILD QUALITY, OFF-ROAD ABILITY, GOOD RESALE VALUE, COMFORT and REASONABLE GAS CONSUMPTION. The 4Runner does all these things very well.

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Dodge Durango / Ford Explorer / Jeep Grand Cherokee

Build Quality
Strong Resale
Great Reputation

Nothing

This vehicles loaded (about $41,000 CDN), feels like a Limited without the substantially higher price tag.

In general, I'm extremely pleased with this vehicle (despite critically looking for manufacturing and product design flaws). My lack of success in these two areas has only increased my already high regard for this vehicle.

Great vehicle Toyota and despite the fact that this vehicle is leased, I think I'm going to buy it out and keep it!

Cheers!

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1995 and 1997 GMC Jimmy SLT's

-Quality and Style
- Great Visability
- Creature Comforts
- Handling and Ride

- V6 under powered when towing

I kicked myself for selling my 92 4Runner four years ago, and just had to get another one. Found a 1995, identical to my 92 except for the V6. Never thought I would find one. Paid $19,500 for it with 72,000km, Fully loaded and in premium shape. I have driven a Jeep, a Pathfiner, and a Explorer.The 4Runner is by far the best overall SUV. The Jeep might have more power, But looks like a Square box, and the 4runner has better ground clearence. I love the fact that you sit higher up than most other SUV's The Power could be better though, I have a 5 speed with cruise, and find myself shifting alot going through the mountains. Love the power back window/tailgate, and who needs a tent!!, with the back seat down there is plenty of room to sleep. "No more wet tent!". Overall, Glad to have one again.

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83 Toyota Tercel 4WD, 92 Toyota 4Runner, 86 Honda Prelude.

-Quality fit and finish
-Excellent V6 engine
-Reliabilty & Durability
-Crisp Handling
-Sharp Styling
-High Resale Value

-Weak am/fm stereo
-Small fuel tank
-Price

This is an excellent automobile and would buy one again. Toyota build quality/fit and finish is excellent. VERY smooth V6 engine with good power (SUV's not designed for speed!). Smooth & Quiet Automatic transmission. Very good handling (for SUV) with excellent highway stability. Very good road visibilty with good ground clearance. Interior layout simple and clean. Power rear window with liftgate is a great feature.

This is the best Mid-size SUV on the market.

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I was looking at the Jeep Grand Cherokee, went with the 4Runner based on above strengths.

This vehicle will run forever. I have 120k miles on it and have just replace the muffler/tail pipe and front brakes for the first time. Awesome! Other than that I have had no problems. Feels like I can get at least another 120k out of it. Love the position of the cup holders - right in front of the HVAC ducts. Keeps my cold drinks cold in the summer and my hot drinks hot in the winter. Great design. Also like the retractable rear window. I can put it down an inch or so and my dog can get some fresh air while I drive. Also, it doesn't have that stupid auto-locking feature which locks the door as your start to drive. If I want the doors locked I'll lock them myself (hear that Ford and Chevy?). Power is perfect for off-roading with plenty of throttle travel for control. 4-wheel drive system has never caused any problems. No oil or fluid leaks anywhere. Dealer network is great!

The OEM tires are a joke for off roading. Also, having to remove the grill to replace the headlight bulbs is just bad design, although the originals bulbs still haven't burned out after 7 years of hard off road use. Wish it had more power on-road but I wouldn't be willing to trade off-road control and grunt for this. On-road braking could be stronger but perfect off-road (without ABS). If it had ABS I would want to be able to turn it off for off-roading.

I would buy another 4Runner in a heartbeat. I just wish that Toyota would make a stripped version that you could actually order (as opposed to just existing in the dealer literature). I don't need an OEM roof rack, running boards, dark tinted windows, leather, fender flares, or a car alarm.

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Ford Explorer, Toyota Landcruiser. The Explorer was always in te shop for something broken or a recall. It wasn't very good off-road although it drives better onroad than the 4Runner. The Land Cruiser was great and did a great job for the 150K and 7 years that I owned it. Very reliable. I wish they made a stripped down version today as I would buy one if the 4Runner ever gives up.

Ride, Handling, Power (V6 has great torque) with 5spd. Really quiet, tightly assembled. Simpler interior with all the key bells & whistles you'd need in a luxury SUV. Functional, space is great, rear seat fold down easy and flat. Upgrade to the 6 speaker stereo and you wont be disappointed. Load leveling really works in high speed cornering.

Price (a little), would have liked a little more power to compete with Pathfinder's new V6 - 240hp engine. A climate control and heated seats would have to be added to my wish list.

Paid $38K Can. but leased it. Remember that the 4-Runner has an excellent resale value (mine is set a 53% over four years). This is outstanding!!!
Dont look any further in the mid-size SUV market.

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This is my second round of 4 year leased Runners. My first was a 1996 and I love this vehicle. I wanted a 5 spd. so the only other vehicle I tried was the Pathfinder.

Well we really haven't had the car that long but so far it is the best SUV my family has ever owned. The power it has makes it great for towing a trailer with two horses in it. Also we got the one without 4 wheel drive and with only two wheel drive it feels like four wheel drive in most other SUV's. It has a pretty good sound system if you not into tumping and big bass. The Steering and Brakes are good and tight but not to tight that its hard to drive. It has great safty features. Very roomy and comfy.

Not great gas miliage, cup holders are hard to get to in back if your in front. Not all that much head room for a taller person.

$28,000, Over all this is one of the best SUV's out. I would recommend this car to everyone from a single parent or a new couple that just got together. Its great overall.

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2000 Pathfinder, A little faster but not as good inside.

Roomy, powerful, reliable, firm, great styling, great engine, great for a family of 4. Overall, it is a dream vehicle that offers a great riding experience.

A little bumpy and brakes could use improvement.

Overall, my wife and I are very, very satisfied with our 4-Runner and would not trade it for anything but a Toyota Land Cruiser. It has really good power and at 70 mph the tachometer reads 2400 rpms! At this rate, the engine will last just as long as my 1988 Toyota 4x4 p/u which had 250,000 miles on it when I sold it.

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We have driven in other makes and models and none seemed to be as attractive and appealing to us.