When first introduced in 1984, the Toyota 4Runner was merely a modified Toyota pickup truck with a fiberglass shell on the back. Since then, this SUV has undergone significant changes in styling and features.

For consumers looking for a durable truck-based SUV that can handle the trails and backcountry while providing a comfortable ride for drivers and passengers, the Toyota 4Runner has proven to be an exceptional vehicle. 

When it comes to capable SUVs, the 2003 to 2014 Toyota 4Runner has proven to have excellent capabilities as an off-road vehicle, while providing the ride quality and handling ability to make it practical for everyday use. In fact, due to the 4Runner’s consistent track record of quality and dependability, the vehicle has earned the ‘Seal of Awesome’ for over a decade on CarComplaints.com.

Awesome design and capabilities

The durable and capable Toyota 4Runner is built on a full truck-based frame making it exceptionally capable of handling severe off-road adventures. Generous ground clearance and skid plates to protect critical areas, along with four-wheel drive, enable the vehicle to tackle the most severe off-road trail and road conditions easily.

Plenty of seating and cargo space ensures that no matter the size of your party, you will have room for everyone’s gear and have what you need when you arrive.

This generation of Toyota 4Runner came equipped with stability control as standard, a smooth, responsive, and capable 4.0-liter V6, with an optional, more powerful 4.7-liter V8 also available.

While the truck-based Toyota 4Runner doesn’t provide the same quality ride and handling capabilities of car-based SUVs, the vehicle ride outperforms most of the competition. The ride is smooth and comfortable on the trail or the road, with a surprisingly quiet cabin and refined interior features. 

Awesome durability and dependability

While not the most advanced SUV on the road, throughout its history, the Toyota 4Runner has consistently received high-reliability ratings from Consumer Reports. The reliability, dependability, and capability of the vehicle is a significant factor in why the 4Runner is in the top five list of vehicles that lasted 200,000 miles or longer.

Data shows that the average owner of a Toyota 4Runner keeps this vehicle for nearly nine years before replacing it, a testament to the vehicle’s durability and functionality.

Created to be nearly indestructible, the 2003 to 2014 Toyota 4Runner has become highly sought after in the used market, keeping prices high. Data on over 7 million new and used vehicles were recently analyzed by iSeeCars.com to learn which vehicles were the best and worst at retaining value.

Their research found that the average car depreciated by 49.6% over five years, with SUV depreciation over the same period slightly higher at 51.6%.

Data showed that the Toyota 4Runner lost merely 36.5% of its value to depreciation over five years, earning it a third-place ranking among SUVs, with only the iconic Jeep Wrangler Unlimited and Jeep Wrangler retaining their value better.

The 4Runner not only ranked third among SUVs but earned a fifth-place ranking overall. The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited and Jeep Wrangler received the first and second positions, while the third and fourth positions went to the two least-depreciating pickup trucks, the Toyota Tacoma and Tundra.

The Toyota 4Runner has great resale value

The Toyota 4Runners awesomeness only just begins with its high resale value and nearly indestructible design. With a large number of vehicles surpassing the 200,000-mile barrier and still being bought and sold, Canadian YouTubers Throttle House set out to see how well a used 2007 4Runner would stand up to a new 2020 model. Surprisingly, the nearly 14-year-old 4Runner, at only a fraction of the cost, performed nearly identical to the brand new vehicle.

Vehicles reach an awesome level for many different reasons. The 2003 to 2014 Toyota 4Runner achieved this status by outperforming the competition in quality, durability, retained value, and the capabilities necessary to compete successfully against a brand new model.