Overview & Reviews

Toyota's SUV receives minor changes. The most noticeable is the addition of the 2WD Limited to the model lineup. SR5 models receive new interior fabrics.

• Great looks and ground-pounding performance make the 4Runner an ideal choice for people who love the great outdoors as well as those who just want to look like they do.

• Steep price and choppy highway ride temper our enthusiasm for this otherwise outstanding truck.

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 20 of 90.00

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  High miles, low costs - 1997 Toyota 4Runner
  By captron2 - October 7 - 11:36 pm

  Swallowed my misgivings and bought this SUV with 118,000 on the odometer. Car now has 190k miles. 4Runners, I learned the hard way, have one generic flaw: rear axle seals. I have had to replace them twice. If theres gear oil in the rear brake drums, plan on spending $1000 to repair. Otherwise, no problems whatsoever. V6 gives decent mileage, too: 20 in city, as much as 26 on highway if you can drive a steady 63 mph.

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  4-RUNNERS EXPERIENCE - 1997 Toyota 4Runner
  By TENNIS GUY - July 9 - 2:00 am

  Solid SUV, stable, good traction. The brakes are excelent although I heard a lot of bad comments regarding them. I only had 2 problems: the glove compartments lock got broken and the rear double cup holder got broken too. The tapestry doesnt appear enough resistant to endure many years. The engine is awesome, as well as the transmision. In 5 years I spent: $150 on the lock, $200 on the cup holder and $ 90 in an original batery. That are the reasons that are making me considering buying another 4-big-runner

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  Love my 4runner - 1997 Toyota 4Runner
  By Paulh - March 23 - 2:00 am

  Bought my runner a few months ago and I love it .It may only be a 4 cylinder but it has all the power I need . On some long steep hills it may kick down a gear but not always .

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  I love my 4 runner!!! - 1997 Toyota 4Runner
  By Turtle - March 9 - 10:00 am

  I got my 97 4Runner as a 16th birthday gift, and till this day (Im 21 now) I still think it is the best SUV thats offered on the market. I love both the interior and exterior styling, the sound system, and the high ground clearance. Also, the O/D button gives superior acceleration while traveling at a high speed (e.g. 85mph). All in all, I would recommend this car to anyone who is looking into buying a well rounded SUV.

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  Love it! - 1997 Toyota 4Runner
  By Toyotagirl - March 8 - 9:13 am

  I bought my 4Runner brand-new in 1996. Granted, I dont put many miles per year on it, but I have spent NOTHING on this SUV other than routine maintenance. It provides a sure, dependable, fun driving experience every time. The vehicle was well thought-out by Toyota -- other than the beverage holders. Theyre located in front of the AC vents and have to be one of the worst designs in automotive history. If this one ever wears out, I plan to buy another Toyota SUV. Thats about the best recommendation I can think of.

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  Almost 160,000 - 1997 Toyota 4Runner
  By playboy3484 - February 26 - 11:23 pm

  This is the first car I have purchased and I love it!! It has a lot of miles on it but it still rides smooth and performs great. I did get a tune up and replaced the starter but that was it(which wasnt bad considering I paid $6900 for it). My insurance company said the value is at $12,500 so it really keeps its value. Just keep the oil changed and it will love u back. Im driving it until the wheels fall off!!

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  4 runner I hate to leave - 1997 Toyota 4Runner
  By Juan Giron - February 20 - 10:00 am

  Absolutely no problem with the enginnering of this 4 runner. Very reliable and safe. Drawbacks are perhaps the choppy ride over bumps due to the truck frame it is built on. The power antenna broke and is expensive to repair. The 4 runner does about 17-19 mpg and is very powerful and smooth. A true joy to own.

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  135,000 miles and still going strong! - 1997 Toyota 4Runner
  By Adam - February 19 - 4:26 pm

  Im the second owner of this awesome SUV, and its been a pleasure to own. My wife and I purchased the vehicle with 98k miles, drove it across the US to California, and since then its taken us on many a trip on the west coast. Great off road (excellent ground clearance). Sometimes wish for more power, but the gas mileage is great so I cant complain too much. Great vehicle!

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  Great Ride - 1997 Toyota 4Runner
  By James - January 21 - 12:13 pm

  This SUV remains a great ride with over 174K miles on the odometer. Clutch replaced at 144K miles and just swapped-out the shocks within the last month. I stand a 62" and fit and picked this vehicle because it drove well and I fit in it. Overall design and reliability of the vehicle is really outstanding and has withstood the test of time. No plans to trade this in for something newer as it is a pleasure to drive. 4-wheel drive has taken me up some advanced trails into the mountains, but its a daily driver.

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  Great SUV - 1997 Toyota 4Runner
  By monica garcia - January 12 - 5:46 pm

  I purchased this with 111000 miles. It is now at 196,000 miles. Ive only replaced timing belt, $900 brakes often (due to oversize tires and going up and down the mountain) otherwise just oil changes. One small problem lately is check engine light comes on when gas gauge shows around a quarter of a tank. Mechanic said it could be just the gas cap. Ive been told the ride in the back seat is rough but I havent replaced the shocks nor do I know if they had been done before I bought it. For the last year I have had the roof and hood area start to peel but I have never had it waxed either. I will probably end up painting these areas when they get worse.