Toyota 4Runner - 3rd Gen vs. 4th Gen V8 Comparison (Reliability, Specs, 0-60...) 

Which one would you choose?

We have a 97 gen 3 SR5 4x4. Closing in on 330,000 miles! Love it, always runs and drives great. I get asked a lot if I want to sell it. NEVER!!!

3rd gen is the best! I love the size of them and how narrow they are. And they just don’t quit

3rd gen all the way. I love that KBB thinks you can buy one is "good" condition for $4K.

Gen 3 looks are classic but Gen 4 performance and function blows it away- no contest. I’ve owned both and still have a Gen 4

I have a 98 with 450k miles on it, stills runs and drives solid. I’ve got 3 3rd gens in my collection and I love them all!

4th Gen V8 and V6 are legendary, one of the most comfortable vehicles to drive and does everything well.

Had a 98 SR5 for 19 years presently drive an 04 SR 5, love them both. My wife refers to my 04 as the beast, unstoppable!

Ive owned a v6 2006 4runner for three plus years. Loved it so much i sold all my jeeps and started looking for 4runner, sequoia or basically anything with the v8 and ended up with a 2001 sr5 with only 172k miles for 3500. I was nervous with not knowing much abt it. But it is seriously so much quicker than my 4.0 v6. I really love it so much and so happy i bought it.

Been wanting to see a video like this thanks. I too have a 2000 and 2008. Love my runners.

4Runners are awesome, super capable off-roaders and very dependable. Really impressive video production Matt!

Awesome Matt! Loved this comparison!

3rd gen all the way I’ve had 3

I’m gonna be honest, I like the look of the 3rd gen and I’ve heard a lot good about it but I’ve had my 4th for 17 years and no big issues. 270,000 miles of daily driving and off-roading with no serious issues so I’ll go with the 4th.

Thanks much for the upload!. 2002 4runner owner. still ticking. replaced my 88 4runner. due for another.

Watching this a 4th time and the intro and all the b roll is perfect I love it

3rd gen for the win!! I'm a 1996 4runner limited owner, and I'm so in love with that car! Not a fan of the stock suspension but I've got Icon stage 3's on the way!! Their expensive used cars, but so worth their price tag!

I have a 4runner 1997 limited and it's all electric in the inside and what u were saying about the comfort it's pretty good on my seats, they go up down and it has bag on the back of it to make it more comfortable. Love the video

Both of these are some of the coolest and most understated SUVs ever made. I have an early V8 and it cracks me up that it looks like a nondescript soccer mom car but can go just about _anywhere_. Has every creature comfort you need, and the tightest turning radius of any car I’ve ever driven. Had to buy a new RHS exhaust manifold but that’s the only card the Devil has tossed into this hand

Great video, I am trying to decide right now between the two. My only vehicle is a 2019 Camaro SS, and I want something I can daily/take my friends out in and possibly camp, carry kayaks, etc. After your video I think I'm going 4th gen, even if it's a little more expensive and a little less visually appealing. The extra space, smoother ride, more power with the V8, better interior make it worth it to me, it will only be used for minor offroading so depart/approach angles aren't the biggest deal in the world, and even then a lift is possible which makes that a non-issue. Great video and thanks for making it, subbed!

Whoa this is some top notch video quality... get this man some subs

Me crying in my second gen... but still love it

I own a 98 limited with the rear locker. 3rd gen = best gen!

4gen FTW!!

Bought a single owner v8 08 sport. Absolutely in love with it, exhaust cracks and all.

I’ve had my fourth GEN for 10 years now and I will never give it up this winter we’ve had tons of snow and that thing is absolutely amazing. The biggest key you said which is totally right it’s the best engine Toyota ever made 2UZ-FE it’s AMAZING

Super well made and well put together review!

I just bought an 07 V8 Sport that looks like the one in this video! I remember watching the video of you picking yours up at the dealership and I was obsessed with looking for the right one ever since.

Awesome detailed review! Thank you.

Hey man! Awesome video and editing work

I'm hopefully going to be buying my first 3rd gen next week I'm so excited

3rd gen looks so much better and a little smaller for trails.

I have a 3rd gen. 1998 Limited 4WD E-locker. It has 325,000 miles on it :)

'05 2wd 217,000 and I've never done anything other than brakes. Surprizingly quick little truck, handles great, and I can pack all my telescopes (3-5) and 4 friends for rides up the fire roads. Never had a need for a 4wd.

I have owned both. 3 gen tbh looks classic . Have recently been looking for a 5 speed since crashing my rigged out v6 with icon, Gobi all the works. However I have been borrowing my grandmas 3rd gen and I can honestly say it makes me mad how small it is. I’m very tall and the 4th gen felt better suited for someone tall. And it drives sooooo much better, to me the 3rd will always have a place in my heart but I opted for another 4th gen but v8 this time and will likely nkt look back.

The 5vz is a very smooth engine. Sounds like yours might need a valve adjustment.

This is a well put together video!

I took at 2006 V8 for a test drive before I bought my 2005 V6 Sport. The 4th Gen V8 is a ROCKET. So fun to drive.

Just bought a 2005 SR5 (V6) from the original owner's estate. 70,100 original miles, perfect interior, exclusively dealer serviced and in Arizona all it's life. I had to be patient for 3 months to get it from the estate but so worth it. Been looking for a good one for years and stumbled on this. I have no experience with the previous generation but this thing is a rugged and comfortable beast. Never selling it.

I love every 4runner but the 4th Gen. has a special place in my heart.

I’ve used my 3rd Gen to tow my 91 Corolla for about 100 miles. It did great. Mind you it was my first time towing and I didn’t realize I had to turn off the O/D for better towing capability.

I own a 1999 sr5 e-locker and my wife drives a 2003 awd limited 4.7 4runner they are fun and I drive till they explode or die both are at 200,000 miles

Just got my first one. 3rd Gen 💪

I love my 4th gen v8 it makes me so happy to Drive it

I love my 5th gen, but damn I wish I had the 4th gen V8

I thought the 3rd gen was a little too cramped and underpowered, and I didn't like the 4th gen interior (window swtches are too low and climate control is weird), but I liked the power and size. So I split the difference and got a '02 Sequoia. Rugged yet comfortable interior with some stretching room but still tidy exterior dimensions and great V8 power and flexability to meet any needs I may have be it towing or loading.

I have a 1st Gen Sequoia and my exhaust manifolds have a slight crack in them that quiets up when they get hot. I really love my Sequoia. The V8 has plenty of power and the room is amazing. I've driven to lake george, jefferson, and maryland with it. Very smooth ride.

Love the 3rd gens but they're all worn out and rusted around here, so I have a very clean 4th gen limited V8.

97 Limited here - heck yeah!

I have a 2002 4Runner (the last model year for Gen3 and the best model year imo). It has 255K miles and still running strong. I fix my cars myself so I will NEVER sell it. The day it finally breaks beyond repair, a huge piece of me will die. A lot of time and love has been well-spent on my 4Runner baby.

Napanoch! I live in Bloomingburg! glad to see a local car reviewer!

I loved my 3rd gen it was a manual and had a rear locker, but my 4th gen with a v8 is just such a better daily and with towing, it’ll never be as good as the 3rd gen when it comes to off roading though!

It doesn't matter how old or new 3rd generation 4runner still my favor SUV.. I bought mine in 2000 and still running till 2021. Who can ask for more. Toyota!

I just picked up a 3rd gen 4x4 and wife has a 4th gen V8. So we get both.

3rd gen for me! Might be a little biased since I own one but I love it so much. The power and fuel economy may suck but I love everything else lol.

My 2000 3.4 SR5 5 speed 4wd, locker, has over 300,000 miles on it and it still runs like a champ.

My best friend just gave me her 3rd gen! After my p.o.S Nissan Altima kept breaking down on me. I've put more money in that damn car than what it's worth. I'm just excited to be a 3rd gen owner! 💛

Nice analysis

Great comparison!!!

Hi.. I would like to know if 4th gen front seats could fit 3th gen?

After some you tube research and lots of luck I bought a 2002 4 runner with 187000 on it , I searched along time here in west central Florida it seems everybody wants Toyota trucks because of the dependability and value so even if you do find one in really good shape with car prices are now up there , the one I bought didn’t have any maintenance paperwork or history with it but it did come with an assortment of Disney land stickers on the back window and chocolate and coffee stains on the back carpet ,I’m think’n soccer moms ride , the last oil change sticker said it was done in Sebring fla, so that was my first thing to take care of , it does a have a sticker when the timing belt was changed at 67000 mi. So that will be on the list of things I want to take care of right away along with valve cover gaskets , and a leaking right rear wheel seal , it’s got the original radiator in it and I’m thinking of changing that also just to be safe since they have been known to leak into each other mixing tranny fluid and coolant , it runs remarkable for a 20 yr old truck I paid $4600 and with the maintenance up grades and having a buddy that was a Toyota mechanic and has his own shop I think I scored , this truck is super clean outside and under , I have a feeling that we’re going to be together along time !

Love my 2000 4runner limited, if I want V8 I will go for gx470

I have both a 2006 limited 150,000miles v6 a 2007 Sport v8 278,000miles and a 1999 limited 250,000miles. All awesome! The 06&99 get 15-18 MPG, my 07 gets 10-11 MPG. I can get better mileage going down hill the wind at my back maybe!

i LOVE my 3rd gen! its a 97 and my dad passed it down to me. just passed 180k and runs like new!

I like them both but I’m 6’6” and can’t fit in a third gen. My 4th gen V8 with a 3” lift is perfect for me.

I like the 3rd gen... But the 4th gen is my favorite 😁😁😁

I've found that KBB values, at least on the 4th gens, are way off the mark. You won't find a v8 AWD for less than 10K, even over 200K miles. If you do it either has sever frame rot or some mechanical issue. Private party is even higher at around 12 to 15K.

Duuude I’m in my 3rd gen 4Runner rn but I’ve been looking at the 4th gens for the bigger engine so I can tow.. I’m having such a hard time letting go of my 3rd gen its been so good to me

3rd gen for sure I got a 97 and I just straight piped it ngl they sound like vacuum cleaners with stock exhaust

I own both a 3rd and a 4th gen. I love both of them. But there is no comparison between power. The 3rd gen is slow and comfortable Where the 4th is actually snappy with its power it’s comfortable and definitely has a better look to it. Far as comparing the off road capabilities of the two both of my 4 runners have 33” tires and a 3” lift if I had a rough trail in front of me I’d chose the 3rd gen the 4wd just work’s amazing in that model if I was choosing a daily/ light off road vehicle I would choose my 4th gen .

12:10 actually the Toyota Venza has arguably the most comfortable back seats of any car. Great vid though, thanks for all the details!

You have no idea how much I wanted a 4.7 Toyota v8 come as an option in the 3rd gen

Do all the v8s come in all wheel drive or 4x4

@5:22 watch the pop can come up by itself lol

i love my limited 97 4runner

Curious how tall you are? In that 3rd gen, you looked a bit tall for the seat. I'm 6'4 and was planning on checking out the 3rd gen.

Why different zip codes for the KBB value look up?

2004 v8 150k California runner. ... runs smooth as silk. Absolutely no rust. However, front suspension bushings are worn out and the steering rack is starting to leak .. needs new control arms.

I miss my 4th Gen V8

I put a 3.4 in my 1st gen(: and the top comes off🤷‍♂️🤘

I love my 3rd gen but it’s time for a v8

On the 3rd Gen, they actually did have a full time 4WD system. It had 2hi, 4hi part time, 4hi full tim, and 4lo.

Love my 07 v8 limited supercharged

The 1st gen and the 5th gen are my favorite 4Runners.

What phone Mount is that on the 4th gen?

Do you know which suspension the gen 4 had? The V8s had three options

love the intro

I have a 2000 SR5 4x4 with the 3.4 liter. I’m thinking about doing the 4.7 liter V8 swap.

12:07 only real ones know that those are the best cupholders to ever exist.

which ever one has the least amount of rust I like the chrome bumpers

The 3rd gen has a 4 speed transmission. The 4th gen 05+ has a 5 speed with the extra gear at the low end.

I haven't found an SUV yet that I would cause me to give up my TRD supercharged 3rd gen 5-speed manual with a factory rear locking diff. The 3rd gen's supercharged V6 has a good amount more pull than the V8, plus the vehicle weighs considerably less. The 3rd gen feels like a Toyota; the 4th gen feels like a Chevy Tahoe, IMHO.

My third gen Yanked a trailer and a 2011 Honda CRV 180 miles didn’t do too bad at all Hope that helps

Center lock differential is just 4hi. Vehicles that have full time AWD like the 4gen usually have center diff lock. It’s just regular 4hi. If you had rear or front lockers that’s different.

I listen to your voice to fall asleep at night :)

You should have a fleet of 1st - 4th gen 4Runners. Each one is a slightly different kind or vehicle. 2nd and 3rd generation are probably the closest. I love them all, but will not willingly ever give up my 4th gen V8 again. And there are probably millions of 2UZ-FE V8s with exhaust manifolds that never cracked.

Is the VVTI engine in 06-09 that much better than the 03-05? I'm looking for 06-09 V8s but hard to come by. Seeing more 04 and 05s.

Hey Guys I Need some help. My Dad bought a 3rd gen 1997 4 runner way back in 1999 and he still has it to this day(2021 400,000 Miles). He loved the thing and took care of it . He doesn’t drive it as much anymore and wants to give it to me( it would pain him to junk it) what should I do ? Is it worth maintaining? Do you think it could make 500,000? Should I throw in a new engine? Part of me feels crazy caring about such an old car that’s done it’s days, but another part of me believes that it’s a classic that’s worth restoring( it’s not in bad shape). What do you think?!

We own two 3rd generation 4runners. A 2001 with 370,000 and a 1999 with 400,000. Of the two 4runners we have replaced 1 radiator, 18 plugs, 3 sets of wires, two sets of coil packs, a c.v.joint, a set of rack and pinion bushings and two alternators. Neither has ever been on a front end machine. Kelly Blue Book is way off on their value of these. They just keep getting higher.

If you put new shocks on that 4th gen it would feel amazing.