Navigating the Great Outdoors: Celebrating Forty Years of the Toyota 4Runner

Jun 1, 2022

In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the 4Runner, Toyota delves into the history of the vehicle that has evolved into an off-road machine that many outdoor enthusiasts love. The 4Runner has been the vehicle of choice for four decades of family vacations, off-road adventures, and priceless memories. And, after 4 million in total cumulative sales in countries all over the globe, the 4Runner is still going strong. Click here to explore the history of 4Runner.

40 Years of Reliability

Whether it’s a trip from Long Island to Manhattan or a rugged trek through the Mexican desert, reliability and durability remain the 4Runner’s most notable abilities.

For as much as the 4Runner has changed, in many ways, it remains the same. Initial engineering choices, like a strong and rugged frame, help depart it from its competition and maintain the character of the vehicle that so many have come to love. The rigidity of the body and stiffness of the chassis provide stability and give drivers confidence in their connection to the road.

Along the way, 4Runner won multiple J.D. Power’s “Best Compact SUV in Initial Quality” and “Best Compact SUV in Customer Satisfaction” awards. It was recommended by Consumer Guide five times and acknowledged by Kelley Blue Book for “Best Overall Value” and “Best Resale Value.” Just last year, it was ranked top five in an iSeeCars.com study of longest-lasting cars, trucks, and SUVs.

“A lot of that durability comes from a simple fundamental approach to design and engineering,” according to Ryan Bray, vehicle planning senior analyst at Toyota. “Produce something that works well the first time, then continue to improve and perfect it. This is the Japanese fundamental known as kaizen.”

But while Toyota respects the SUV’s storied history, it sets its sights forward. After all, 4Runner is far from done.

4Runner Today and Tomorrow

Even after 40 years, the 4Runner sells more today than it ever has. The current model edition is available in numerous models for various needs. There are the SR5 and SR5 Premium models, which combine the comfort of an urban SUV with the ability to venture onto the trails. The TRD Sport adds X-REAS Sport Enhancement Suspension for more confidence on challenging terrain, and the Trail Special Edition takes trail comfort seriously with a cargo basket and removable 40-quart cooler. For off-road fanatics, the TRD Off-Road and Off-Road Premium add Crawl Control (CRAWL) and locking rear differential. And, for a higher-end interior experience, the Limited model adds dual-zone climate control and leather-trimmed seats. Finally, the TRD Pro ensures that no terrain is off-limits with TRD FOX® high-performance shocks and TRD-tuned front springs.

A lot has changed in 40 years, but one thing remains the same as day one: The Toyota 4Runner delivers adventure. Drivers of many generations and different experience levels have taken their 4Runners onto the path less traveled, seen something new and experienced the freedom of life outdoors.

Decades in, the future of 4Runner looks as bright as ever. And, as that next 4Runner rolls off the lot — perhaps in Brookfield, Wisconsin — the only sure thing is that new memories yearn to be formed. Click here to browse our 4Runner inventory.