This review is for a 1998 Toyota 4Runner with close to 100,000 miles as of March 2004. My 4Runner is an automatic 6-cyl 4WD.

In the fall of 1998, I leased a 1998 4Runner SR5. I heard about the Toyota reputation for quality, and after testing a few other SUV's, I went with the 4Runner. This vehicle is hands down the best I've owned. I ended up buying it out of its lease in 2001. At that time, I test drove a 2001 4Runner Limited, and it felt just as good as my '98. I decided to stick with my '98 companion since it stuck with me.

I have had normal maintenance done on the vehicle, and it was nice to go a few years with nothing major to fix. In 2003, the water pump and some belts were replaced, but only after I noticed the telltale warnings. Presently (March 2004) I am about to hit 100,000 miles, and my 4Runner is still as great as ever. I've done occasional off-roading with it, and it has performed extremely well in the Northeast winters.

Here are some points to consider:

Quality: This vehicle is solid. There are no rattles, and you don't feel a truck-like ride. I didn't have any parts replaced for years. Even the bulbs held in for 4-5 years without being replaced.

Ride: You glide in this thing. When it was my turn to drive for our annual camping trip, I took the 4Runner off-road for a bit. We were used to very bumpy rides in Jeeps and Blazers, but the 4Runner seemed to cushion the entire ride. I was almost embarrassed... but no reason for that. If I had to name this car (I am not really the type to do so), I would name it Gentle Ben for how it handles off-road treks in north-central Pennsylvania.

Acceleration: I drove a turbo-charged sports car before buying the 4Runner, so the acceleration and overall speed were a factor. I was amazed with how the 4Runner took off. As with many automatic transmission vehicles, there is an overdrive mode. I always leave this ON. You can turn this mode off with the push of a button on the shifter. Toyota says you can turn the overdrive mode off when you are in the city or are in stop and go situations. I have tried this, and I do notice better acceleration, but I find that even in overdrive, the transmission performance is adequate to get me off the starting line. I still drive like I did in the sports car, and I never push the pedal to the floor. The response is excellent.

Brakes: I find the brakes to be sufficient. I did have them replaced at regular intervals, and the performance was consistent. I never have to jam the brakes, but as with most SUV’s, you don’t get that “stop on a dime” feeling. I have noticed that the breaks have some difficulty on icy conditions (like most cars), so this is an issue I keep in mind, especially with full cargo.

4WD Conditions: Switching into 4WD is performed with a manual stick shifter, which is adjacent to the automatic transmission. I like this much better than a push-button mechanism - you feel the system engage and it gives you the kind of feeling you get when you engage a manual transmission. On certain snow conditions, I noticed my 4Runner slip here and there, but as soon as I engage the 4WD, it’s like a different vehicle. I felt “locked” into a more secure ride. Keep in mind that 4WD won’t help much on black ice conditions, but at all other times I have felt confident with the 4Runner in 4WD. The standard 4WD mode handles slippery conditions very well. There is also a lower 4WD gear that is used for towing and extreme conditions. I have never needed to use this gear – even in ice and slush on a steep hill.

Fuel: The tank fills with about 14 gallons. I usually use regular unleaded, and I have noticed little or no benefit from using premium unleaded. I get about 18 miles to the gallon, and I believe this is better than average (although I am not sure with newer models).

Price: I paid somewhere in the mid 30's (cannot remember the exact $). I believe you get what you pay for - in most cases. This is no different. I have seen my brother and my father trade in their Blazer and Explorer. I also noticed that those SUV's didn't handle nearly as well as my 4Runner. Most SUV's "lean" a lot more than my 4Runner when doing turns. Not sure if this is the case with newer models.

Looks: I still love the way this SUV looks. I am somewhat displeased with the newer 4Runner models - they don't have the sharp lines and chrome parts. The ones I have seen look beefier and have more plastic. My 4Runner is beige (Toyota calls it "Desert Dune") and it is trimmed with a chrome bumper. The Toyota lettering and crest is the gold package, which I think complements the looks nicely. I detail the car once per year (wish I could do it more often). I've missed a year here and there, but the finish still looks great. I have one spot where the paint has thinned, but I think that may be from some birdcrap that was left on too long.

Cargo: The 1998 SR5 has plenty of room. I remember helping friends move large boxes, and some longer/wider boxes could only fit in my 4Runner. This car has helped me move twice, and it regularly hauls some heavy music equipment with no problem.

Interior: My SR5 has light brown interior with wood trim on the dash and door arm rests. There are no fancy visuals in this model (like a compass or thermometer), but I been able to survive despite not having these. The only (minor) negative I can mention is the placement of the front cup-holder. It is positioned right above the A/C controls, but I only noticed this after reading a review in a car magazine.

Size: In the late 90's, they started supersizing the SUV's. The Ford Expedition comes to mind, and I still laugh when I see them on the road. The 4Runner is slimmer than those beefy SUV's, but mine is just as tall. I sit as high and have the same "higher visibility". I don't feel like I need more cubic feet with it either. The later year 4-Runners started getting wider, and I remember parking next to a 2001(?) and mine seemed slimmer and taller. In any case, I have found that slimmer SUV's pay off because of their maneuverability and ability to park in tighter spaces. Keep that in mind the next time you climb into one of those fatter 4-by-4's.

Resale: I don't need to explain much here. Toyota resale values remain much higher than other vehicle manufacturers. If you are looking for a USED 4Runner, see if you can find one that comes from a certified, pre-owned dealer.

Conclusion: I am a few weeks away from hitting 100,000 miles and I feel like my 4Runner is as robust as the day I purchased it. In general, I have been very pleased. Although I trust Toyota to continue improving quality in their vehicles, I am still not on board with the looks and of the newer 4Runner. I guess it does not matter that much, as I feel like my 4Runner is going to be my companion for many more years... and miles.

Cheers to Gentle Ben for 100,000.

Amount Paid (US$): 35000
Condition: New
Model Year: 1998