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 21 through 30 of 90.00

• 

  Excellent truck - 1997 Toyota 4Runner
  By JW - November 19 - 12:36 am

  My 4Runner has been a wonderfully solid, reliable, and capable vehicle. I regularly drive it on rugged 4WD roads during camping trips in the Sierras, Death Valley, and Arizona (e.g. Sunflower Mine, Coke Ovens) and it has never let me down. It has a surprisingly large cargo area and my girlfriend and I can stretch out and sleep in the back (59"). The visibility is great, its easy for anyone to drive, and even after 212,000 miles the V6/auto combination gives me 22 mpg on the highway at 70 mph which Im quite happy with for an SUV. Ill be keeping this one past 300K.

• 

  1997 4RUNNER LIMITED 4WD - 1997 Toyota 4Runner
  By cmlcml - October 15 - 10:00 am

  EVEN WITH 112,000 MILES ON MY FORERUNNER, IT STILL FEELS LIKE NEW. VERY RELIABLE, EXCELLENT INTERIOR/EXTERIOR QUALITY.

• 

  Reliability - 1997 Toyota 4Runner
  By clow - August 17 - 7:10 pm

  After having my 4Runner for 3 years, I can say that it is a very reliable SUV. I purchased it with 101,000 miles on it in 2002. I am now at 161,000 miles. Other than changing the usual, such as oil, filters, etc. I have recently replaced the shocks, struts, and battery(the old one was the original). The truck starts at the turn of the key and eveything still works, including the air conditioner. I have nothing, but good things to say about Toyota.

• 

  BEST SUV EVER! - 1997 Toyota 4Runner
  By Houseman - August 4 - 10:00 am

  This is hands down the best suv that I have ever owned (had 3 explorers, blazer and trooper). Every aspect of this vehicle has quality written all over it, never had a problem with it, rides extremely well on and off road. Dont let the size of the engine fool you it has more power and pep than any 4 litre explorer and it TOWS LIKE A DREAM!

• 

  Keeps On Rolling - 1997 Toyota 4Runner
  By JeffN - July 19 - 8:43 pm

  We just found and purchased our 4Runner for my 16 year-old son. I have kind of "borrowed" it and love the vehicle. It has 130,000 miles on it and have been bringing all the maintenance up to date. It was fine when we bought it, its getting better with maintenance. I started out at 16 mpg and have worked it up to almost 19 mpg so far. It runs strong and handles well. Its still tight with no squeaks. I may have to find another vehicle for junior but we did make the right decision.... I was hoping for 2-3 years out of it but it may out live me....

• 

  Bulit proof SR 5 - 1997 Toyota 4Runner
  By JD - July 14 - 11:50 am

  I bought this car new early in 1997. Has 166,000 miles still has original rear brakes and shocks/ struts. Replaced right front wheel bearing at 160,000 miles. Interior and paint is in excellent shape except for minor hail damage thanks to spring Texas storms. Still drives like new, 20 mpg city, 23 to 26 mpg highway. The mechanic that works on my car has a customer with one of these with 470,000 miles on it still going strong. Mechanic told me to never sell this car, this model 4-runner is the best toyota made. Best car I have ever owned, never breaks and has never let me down.

• 

  Awesome SUV - 1997 Toyota 4Runner
  By woolman - June 26 - 10:00 am

  Excellent SUV for the great outdoors

• 

  4Runner owners beware of Transmission - 1997 Toyota 4Runner
  By Disappointed - February 2 - 1:56 am

  Purchased 4Runner used (w/ 75K miles) from a dealership with high expectations regarding the quality and realibity of a Toyota. At 146K the Transmission went out which is not much better than the Ford Taurus we owned. The cost to replace the Transmission was $4500, OUCH! We decided to rebuild instead which cost around $1800.

• 

  Best SUV ever! - 1997 Toyota 4Runner
  By toyota3309 - December 14 - 3:01 pm

  If you want something that can go anywhere, get a 4runner. Dont even worry about what the weather is like. Snow, rain, mud, doesnt affect the 4runner. I average 24 mpg with some city, but mostly highway. 220,000 miles and nothing has hardly been touched. Plenty of cargo space and even has a back electric roll down window. Do your self a favor and get a 4runner!

• 

  4runner - 1997 Toyota 4Runner
  By delius - November 19 - 10:00 am

  In 75,000 mi have only had to buy tires and do the 60,000 mi maintenance(timing belt, plugs, etc.). Otherwise noservice was needed except the oil & filter changes. Have some problems with the trailer lighting hook up module and have had it replaced three times.