I bought a 3rd gen 4Runner SR5 with the 3.4L V6 engine and had very high expectations of the truck beforehand. I must say it has absolutely lived up to my expectations. It is extremely reliable, more than capable in off-road and towing situations, and has enough acceleration and handling to leave most pickup trucks in the dust. If you're like me and are a DIY'er, this truck is amazing. By that, I mean that Toyota made this truck extremely easy to work on. I have done all kinds of maintenance on my own with a minimal PIA. Spark plugs, accessory belts, fluid changes, brakes, fuel filter, oil changes, you name it. Keep in mind, I have only needed to do maintenance that should be done in any vehicle regardless of make/model. My 4Runner is about to hit 300,000mi and the transmission, drive train, suspension, and engine has all held up without any issues. 10/10 would buy again and again.

The thing I like most about my 4Runner is the reliability. I bought my 2001 4Runner used in the summer of 2013 with 230,000 miles on it. Since then, aside from basic maintenance (i.e., changing oil, breaks, new tires), this thing is still going strong past the 310,000 mile mark with no signs of slowing. As a home owner and outdoorsy type, the room in the back when the seats fold down has helped me lug everything from stall mats to mud caked mountain bikes with minimal degradation to the interior! Also, the ability for the 4wd to power through most problems, be it a Minnesota snow bank or muddy ranch train in Wyoming, makes getting from any point A to any point B stress free. Sure the gas mileage is not the best and the ride can be a little bumpy if you are not used to it, but it is still a decent car for a road trip. Some day I know I will have to replace my 4Runner, but when that day comes, I already know I am going to end up with another one, no questions asked.