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Toyota is known for making reliable sport utility vehicles. What are the best used Toyota 4Runner SUV years to hunt down? There is one Toyota 4Runner year to avoid and two years to look for that are listed below.

2021 is one of the best used Toyota 4Runner SUV years

The best used Toyota 4Runner SUV years to look for
The 2021 Toyota 4Runner SUV in silver | Toyota

Looking at the history of the Toyota 4Runner on Consumer Reports shows a pretty reliable sport utility vehicle. Both the reliability and owner satisfaction scores were above-average. Reliability trouble spots like the engine, transmission, and drive system did not give owners too many issues.

The 2021 4Runner still uses the body-on-frame SUV style, making it good for off-roading adventures. That can make it a bit clumsy when traversing regular roads. The 4Runner has a long history of being reliable, and the 2021 version continues that positive trend.

2014 is another option for the best used Toyota 4Runner SUV years

Going back a few more years, the 2014 Toyota 4Runner is another good option. The owner satisfaction score remained high for this year, as did the reliability score. The V6 returned 270 hp that year, and the fuel economy was 18 mpg overall. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave the 2014 Toyota 4Runner high scores of “good” for the most part. The front small overlap driver test only received a “marginal” score.

People tend to hold onto this Toyota SUV for a long time if possible. Finding a 2014 version might be challenging, but it will be worth it. The 4Runner tends to hold its value over time, so bargains might be few and far between. Toyota is one brand known for having SUVs that last 200,000 miles or longer, so don’t be afraid of higher mileage options.

Avoid the 2001 sport utility vehicle if you can

2001 was an off-year for the Toyota 4Runner SUV. The reliability score was the lowest it has ever been, and it hasn’t been there since. The owner satisfaction score was still above-average, which says a lot. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave it mostly four stars or no rating at all. The IIHS didn’t score the 2001 4Runner. Perhaps it was just before the ratings were in place.

The two common trouble sports for reliability are the engine and drive system. Both of these received poor remarks for 2001. The suspension, brakes, and exhaust were also problem areas for owners.

The good news is that there are a variety of years to choose from, dating back to the early 2000s. If you happen upon a good deal, ask for maintenance records. Many Toyota SUV enthusiasts will be able to tell you in great detail what has been done or what might need work. Finding a high-quality repair shop is a good idea for a pre-purchase inspection and any later work you might need.

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Staff Writer

Amanda Cline

Amanda Cline is an avid fan of Formula 1 and joined MotorBiscuit in 2021. A Southwest Floridian, she easily and often finds automotive events to attend in the Tampa, Orlando, and Miami areas.
Amanda is a graduate of the University of Central Florida, where she earned a Bachelor’s in English Literature and a Master’s in Technical Communication. Combining her editorial and digital media expertise, Amanda served as a content creator for FanSided and now provides our readers with a variety of automotive subject matter like pickup trucks and SUVs, including valuable consumer advice.

Amanda closely follows many F1 drivers, including Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, and the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team. Her all-time favorite author is Shel Silverstein.