The Toyota 4Runner has been an off-the-beaten-path favorite for some time now. Go to Denver, Colorado, and you’ll see nothing but wrenched-up 4Runners for off-roading, overlanding, and the like. When it first came on the scene, it had tough competition from the Chevrolet Blazer to the Jeep Cherokee. The mid-size 4×4 do-it-all SUV was becoming more and more popular, and Toyota had staked a claim.
Yet, what makes a 4Runner so popular? 4Runners have been nothing if not simple and reliable 4×4 SUVs that can absolutely take a pounding if need be. Even though they have truck-like suspensions thanks to their body-on-frame design, they have a certain draw to them for people who also just want to look like they could go off-road, even if their 4Runner will never see anything but pavement in its lifetime. Reliability (maybe not so recently) is Toyota‘s bread and butter, and the 4Runner ranks so high that there are 10 models that we think you should consider in your next used SUV search.
The models in this list have been extensively researched to ensure the most accurate information possible as of the time of publishing. Models are listed in ascending order based on their JD Power Consumer Verified Score from lowest to highest.
10
2021 Toyota 4Runner
Overall Score: 81/100
The fifth-generation 4Runner is the longest-standing generation and will be the most talked about in this article. In 2021, this generation had been on sale for over ten years at this point, with one facelift throughout its cycle. It’s powered by a 4.0-liter V6 making 270 horsepower. V6s for mid-size SUVs are starting to become obsolete in the 2020s, so this thing was an oddity.
However, this V6 was kept for the 2021 4Runner model for its known reliability, not so much for its overpowered nature. J.D. Power gave this model year an 88 for quality and reliability, but a surprising 75 out of 100 in terms of resale value. Driving experience is also a 76, probably due to the slower engine and five-speed automatic.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $696 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $6,492 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 1
9
2017 Toyota 4Runner
Overall Score: 81/100
With the 2017 Toyota 4Runner, you can find a whole suite of newly badged off-road trims. Trail and Trail Premium have now been changed to TRD Off-Road and TRD Off-Road Premium. TRD Pro remains the same balls-to-the-wall off-road maniac with the Fox coil-over shocks, among some other off-road goodies.
Scoring 81 out of 100 isn’t the best, but it’s also not the worst. The resale value of this model year is even lower at 69 out of 100, but the quality and reliability stay steady at 88 out of 100. Because the 4Runner remains virtually unchanged in its main components, it remains one of the most reliable in its segment.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $696 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $6,492 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 5
8
2024 Toyota 4Runner
Overall Score: 82/100
This is it, after 14 years of honorable service, the fourth-generation 4Runner was in its last year. If you noticed, there are actually no new fifth-generation models on this list. J.D. Power has not yet made any official reliability scores for this generation.
Did you know that (according to CarFax) 60 percent of Toyota 4Runners can last up to 200,000 miles or longer? That’s what makes their resale value sky-high and why they sell like hot cakes. For its final year, the 2024 4Runner carries a resale value score of 87 and a quality and reliability score of 86.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $514 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $6,492 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 1
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7
2013 Toyota 4Runner
Overall Score: 83/100
If you want more of a “classic” look from your fourth-generation 4Runner, then the 2013 model year is for you. This is the final year before it got its more “modern,” and frankly, more masculine front end to it. There are virtually no changes made since its launch in 2010, which is a good thing because at this point, the bugs and kinks have already been worked out.
We surmise that the 2013 4Runner‘s resale value is so high, at 87 out of 100, because this is the last year before the refresh. It scored an 83 out of 100 for quality and reliability, and, according to Consumer Reports, engine and transmission issues are rare. The only issues people have reportedly had are with the suspension.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $559 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $6,492 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 6
6
2012 Toyota 4Runner
Overall Score: 84/100
The 2012 4Runner kicks off the higher end of reliability scores for this venerated SUV. By this point, most, if not all, the kinks had been worked out for this generation and were considered safe to buy in general respect. These older models are so well respected because of how analog the driving experience feels.
While it does have a decent overall score, it scores higher in terms of resale with an 87 out of 100. Kelley Blue Book data also shows that 90 percent of owners recommend this model year. It has the expected 4.0-liter V6 that makes a lazy 270 horsepower. According to Consumer Reports, the only problems you’ll find are the suspension and the brakes wearing out early.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $526 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $6,492 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 8
5
2009 Toyota 4Runner
Overall Score: 84/100
As you’ll come to find, the final model year of any generation, for most vehicles, is by and large more reliable. The fourth generation came out in 2003 and lasted until this model year (2009). This was also the last generation of the mid-size SUV to include two engine sizes. Either a 4.0-liter V6 or a 4.7-liter V8.
There are only three model years of this generation on J.D. Power’s list, and this model year is the lowest. It’s also in the top five of this list, if that tells you anything about its reliability. The 2009 Toyota 4Runner has an incredibly high resale value score of 88 out of 100, with RepairPal giving it a reliability score of 4 out of 5.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $500 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $6,492 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 6
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4
2011 Toyota 4Runner
Overall Score: 85/100
The 2011 Toyota 4Runner is the highest-rated model year of the pre-facelifted, long-standing fifth generation. This generation started with a small four-cylinder engine available for the rear wheel drive only, but it was discontinued for the 2011 model year. It was one of the most capable SUVs at the time with crawl control and an available KDSS suspension.
According to J.D. Power, the quality and reliability of this SUV was an 86 out of 100, with a great resale value of 87 out of 100. There are several recalls for this model year, but that’s to be expected from earlier years within the generation. According to CarFax, 80 percent of 4Runners from this model year can reach up to 150,000 miles or more.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $502 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $6,492 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 10
3
2010 Toyota 4Runner
Overall Score: 85/100
Surprisingly, the first model year of the longest generation has scored in the top three on this list. It was a big year for the 4Runner, mostly because it actually got bigger. It got smaller in engine, however, offering a four-cylinder and a V6. The V6 would last the duration of this generation. This generation was set to focus more on off-roading prowess.
With this being the first generation year for this “new” 4Runner, there were expected recalls. However, according to J.D. Power, it scored 85 in total quality and reliability with a resale score of 88. According to Consumer Reports, there were a few things, like drivetrain vibrations and suspension issues, but for the most part, the 2010 Toyota 4Runner is reliable.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $498 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $6,492 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 12
2
2007 Toyota 4Runner
Overall Score: 85/100
The 2007 model year is not only the farthest back J.D. Power stretches for the 4Runner, but it is also the second most reliable on this list. You still have the choice between the 4.0-liter and 4.7-liter V6 and V8s, respectively, and an impressive towing capacity of 7,300 pounds. This generation is also more luxurious feeling depending on who you ask.
J.D. Power scored it 86 for quality and reliability, a resale value of 84, and a driving experience of 83 out of 100. On KBB, 87 percent of owners would recommend buying this model year. Makes sense too, because of how widely available these are. Parts are a dime a dozen, which makes 2007 4Runners easy to repair.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $379 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $6,492 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 5
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1
2008 Toyota 4Runner
Overall Score: 86/100
Topping our list with the highest reliability score out of the 4Runners is the 2008 model year. This model year remained virtually unchanged as it was winding down for this generation, but it did offer a “Trail Edition Package.” This included Bilstein dampers, an electronically locking rear differential, as well as advanced traction control.
Toyota is great at maintaining its reliability because they don’t always use cutting-edge technology. Instead, they are known to use proven technology that is known to last, and that is most evident in this model year. Of course, nothing is perfect, and it has had issues with the transmission at higher miles, but the 4Runner is a lasting SUV, and the 2008 Toyota 4Runner will last a lifetime.
- Average Yearly Maintenance Cost: $451 (RepairPal)
- Est. Maintenance Cost During The First 10 Years: $6,492 (CarEdge)
- Total Recalls: 5
Sources: Toyota, J.D. Power, CarEdge, RepairPal, CarEdge, Kelley Blue Book, CarFax