Midsize SUV; Built in Japan
  • 2-door wagon
  • 4-door wagon
  • longitudinal front-engine/rear- or 4-wheel drive
Good condition price range: $1,100 – $2,500*


1995 Toyota 4Runner SR5


1990 Toyota 4Runner


1990 Toyota 4Runner


1990 Toyota 4Runner dashboard


1990 Toyota 4Runner cargo area

Pros:
  • Antilock brakes (optional)
  • Wet-weather traction (4WD)
  • Passenger and cargo room
  • Reliability
  • Ride (later models)
Cons:
  • Acceleration
  • Entry/exit
  • Fuel economy
  • Handling
  • Noise

High prices remain one of the 4Runner’s biggest problems. We prefer domestic rivals such as the Ford Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Chevrolet Blazer, and GMC Jimmy, which have more room, a broader selection of features and models, plus better all-around performance for the money.

Overview

Toyota introduced its compact 4-wheel-drive sport-utility vehicle in May 1984, based on the same running gear used in their compact pickup truck. The lineup included a 2-seat base 4Runner and 5-seat Deluxe and SR5. Base engine was a 116-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder. Optional was a 150-horsepower 3.0-liter V6. A 5-speed manual gearbox was standard, with 4-speed automatic optional. Rear antilock braking went into V6 models in ’90. However, the ABS only works when the vehicle is in 2WD mode. Each 4Runner featured a built-in roll bar and removable roof until 1991. All models had on-demand 4WD except for a rear-drive 4-door model that was available only with the 4-speed automatic transmission.

Yearly Updates

1991 4Runner
4Runner now comes with a full steel roof instead of the detachable fiberglass shell that previous models had from the middle pillars rearward.
1992 4Runner
A mild restyling of the front end gives the ’92 4Runner a new grille, front bumper, and aero-style headlamps. Also, power steering and a new rear wiper/washer system become standard. In back, the spare tire is now stored under the rear of the vehicle instead of on an outside carrier mounted to the rear door. Also, the 3-door model switches to 4WD only, and comes just with the V6/automatic powertrain combination.
1993 4Runner
The slow-selling 2-door model is finally dropped from the 4Runner lineup, leaving just a trio of SR5 4-door models: rear- and 4-wheel-drive V6s, and a price-leader 4WD 4-cylinder. Both 4WD models now come with Toyota’s more sophisticated 4WDemand shift-on-the-fly system.
1994 4Runner
The big news for 1994 is the arrival of 4-wheel antilock brakes. The new system is only available on 4Runners with the V6. It replaces the previous rear-wheels-only system that had been in place since 1990. All 4Runners now provide a center high-mounted stoplight and side door guard beams.
1995 4Runner
The 1995 4Runner is a complete carryover from 1994, except for new exterior tape stripes for V6 models.

Engines

longitudinal front-engine/rear- or 4-wheel drive

The 4Runner’s base engine is a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder, rated at 116 horsepower at 4800 rpm and 140 pound-feet of torque at 2800 rpm. The optional powerplant, starting in 1988, has been a 3.0-liter V6 that delivers 150 horsepower at 4800 rpm and 180 pound-feet of torque at 3400 rpm. The base 4-cylinder comes only with a 5-speed manual, while the V6 can be paired either with a manual or a 4-speed automatic transmission.

ohc I4
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 2.4/144
Engine HP 116
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 140
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
5-speed manual

19/21

ohc V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 3.0/180
Engine HP 150
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 180
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
5-speed manual
4-speed automatic
15/18
14/16
13.8

Road Test

The 4Runner’s chief attractions are tight, thorough assembly quality and a commendable reputation for quality. However, the 4Runner is much smaller inside than the top-selling Ford Explorer and Jeep Grand Cherokee, with barely adequate space for four adults. Exit/entry are hurt by a higher-than-usual stance–nearly two feet off the ground. Also, fuel economy is very mediocre. We averaged just 13.8 mpg with a V6 model in our last test. Acceleration is nothing special either, even with the V6, which is hard-pressed to reach 60 mph in under 13 seconds. And you can forget the 4-cylinder, which is even slower.

Plus points include the convenient 4WDemand system and 4-wheel antilock brakes. Some Japanese rivals still have not adopted either shift-on-the-fly 4WD or 4-wheel ABS. Unfortunately, ABS was optional instead of standard.

Ratings

Model Tested: 1995 Toyota 4Runner 3.0-liter

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 5
50%
Fuel Economy - 3
30%
Ride Quality - 4
40%
Steering/Handling - 4
40%
Quietness - 4
40%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 5
50%
Room/Comfort Front - 5
50%
Room/Comfort Rear - 4
40%
Cargo Room - 6
60%

Other

Value - 5
50%

Total: 45

Specifications

2-door wagon
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
103.3 176.0 66.5 66.1
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
78.3 17.2 5
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
38.7 38.3 41.5 31.6
4-door wagon
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
103.3 176.0 66.5 66.1
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
78.3 17.2 5
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
38.7 38.3 41.5 31.6
Safety Ratings

Model Tested: 1995 4Runner 4-door wagon

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - 1
20%
Front Passenger Injury - 4
80%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - N/A
N/A0%
Rear Passenger Injury - N/A
N/A0%

HLDI

(A score of 100 is average. Lower is better)

Collision 156
Injury 106
Theft 350

Trouble Spots

Automatic transmission
Description: Weak springs inside the transmission can cause delay when shifting from park-to-reverse or neutral-to-reverse. (1990-95)
Clutch
Description: A leaking or damaged direct clutch in the transfer case causes a slip or chatter on acceleration. (1990-92)
Clutch
Description: Because of clutch judder, the pressure plate and disc were enlarged (from 9.00 in. to 9.5 in. diameter) for 4×4 models. (1990-94)
Exhaust system
Description: In compliance with emission control regulations, the oxygen sensor should be replaced at 80,000 miles. (1993-94)
Oil consumption
Description: Excessive oil consumption caused by sludge buildup on the cylinder heads. Company is extending warranty. (1993-95)

Recall History

1990-95
Description: If steering wheel is repeatedly turned under high-effort conditions, fatigue crack may develop in steering relay rod, which could eventually fracture.

Equipment Lists

Equipment lists are only viewable on larger screen sizes.

Pricing

Used-car pricing varies widely depending on local market conditions. Therefore, we recommend visiting websites that list used cars for sale to get a better idea of what a specific model is selling for in your area.

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