1996 Toyota 4Runner Review
Price Estimate: $501 - $813
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
What’s new
A new 4Runner with a potent V6, updated styling and more interior room debuts.
For sale nationwide
11 listings
- Not Priced
- 198,909 miles
- Insurance loss reported, 3 owners, personal use
- 16 City / 20 Hwy MPG
- Starfire Auto (1,357 mi away)
- Tow truck
Close
Located in Santa Clarita, CA
FOR PARTS OR OFF ROAD ONLY. BRING A TOW TRUCK! SALVAGE TITLE. WE HAVE THE ENGINE, BUT IT NEEDS A HEAD GASKET. TRANS WAS FINE. PASSED SMOG LAST TIME T...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Issue reported
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
17 Combined MPG (16 City/20 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JT3GN86R0T0016504
Stock: CT51826P6T
Certified Pre-Owned: No - 138,000 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, personal use
- 15 City / 18 Hwy MPG
- J's Motors (1,384 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
Close
Located in San Diego, CA
1996 TOYOTA 4RUNNER LIMITED 4WD BEAUTIFUL TWO ONE WHITE/SILVER PAINT, AND TAN LEATHER INTERIOR. **CLEAN TITLE, CLEAN CARFAX, ONE ORIGINAL SOCAL OWNER....
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
16 Combined MPG (15 City/18 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JT3HN87R2T0040693
Stock: 040693
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 03-26-2025
Vehicle overview
After a successful five-year run, the second-generation Toyota 4Runner has been retired, and not a moment too soon. Fresh in 1990, the 4Runner aged quickly as the sport-utility market exploded and other automakers introduced larger, safer and more powerful rivals. By 1995, the compact pickup-based 4Runner offered little, other than Toyota's reputation for reliability, to entice buyers.
For 1996, Toyota has separated this high-volume SUV from its pickup truck roots. The new 4Runner shares little with the Tacoma pickup. As a result, engineers have created a more refined vehicle without sacrificing tough off-road ability. Suspension travel and tread width are both up to improve off-road ability, ride, and handling. The interior is larger in every direction, thanks to a wheelbase that is two inches longer than the previous version. A lower floor and wider doors make getting into and out of the 4Runner less of an exercise in contortionism. Rear leg room is up by three inches, and cargo space has been improved as well.
Two engines are available on the 4Runner: a 2.7-liter inline four cylinder that makes 150 horsepower at 4800 rpm and 177 foot-pounds of torque at 4000 rpm., and a 3.4-liter V6 producing 183 horsepower at 4800 rpm and 217 foot-pounds of torque at 3600 rpm. These figures represent a substantial improvement over the old anemic four cylinder and wheezy V6 -- in fact, the new 2.7-liter four is more powerful than the 1995 model's 3.0-liter six.
Needless to say, all of this adds up to a much improved sport-ute. Safety hasn't been ignored in the revamped 4Runner, which sports dual airbags. Antilock brakes are standard with the V6 and optional on four-cylinder models. Steering response and feel have also been improved by replacing the old recirculating ball-type steering with a rack and pinion setup. Access to the cargo area is improved by switching from a two-piece tailgate to a one-piece hatch-style liftgate with a power-down rear window.
Also new are 20-ounce cupholders, a bigger console storage area, and relocated rear speakers. Seven new exterior colors debut, and all new interior fabrics and designs round out the new 4Runner package. Overall, a very nice effort, resulting in a tough truck with looks to match. Pricing runs from $20,000 for a 2WD four cylinder Base model to $36,000 for a fully loaded Limited. This lands the 4Runner right smack dab in Tahoe, Explorer and Grand Cherokee territory. Keep it in mind.
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota
$193/mo for 4Runner Base
4Runner Base
vs
$176/mo
Avg. Midsize SUV
See Edmunds pricing data
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Toyota 4Runner Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
247k miles and still kicking!
4.63 out of 5 starsjnp16, 08/01/2012
1996 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4dr SUV
I got this car 7 years ago at 150k miles. I'm now nearing a quarter of a million mi (247k). I've had to replace several things, but nothing unexpected and this car has only left me "stranded" once (hole in radiator, so if you count pulling over to put water in as "stranded").
This thing takes a beating from me--I offroad often and it takes 300miles trips constantly as I go back and forth … from school (for 6yrs). Couldn't ask for a more fun, better looking, more reliable car! I plan on running this thing into the ground, and at 247k that still seems far away! Things changed: o2 sensor, radiator, timing belt, rear axle seals, booster, ignition, 1 fuel injector. Spread out over 7yrs, NOT BAD
Great SUV
5 out of 5 starsAndrew, 01/11/2018
1996 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4dr SUV 4WD
In the 80's when the 1st generation Toyota 4Runner came out I want to buy one but back than it was too expense and I cannot afford to buy one. I waited and waited for a long time until 1998 I finally afford to buy me a 1996 4Runner. I own this vehicle even since I bought it from a used car dealer. The SUV still running today. All I did is changed oil every three months, replace … spark-plug, wire , buy new tire and do alignment that's it. This SUV is 22 years old and still running like new. I own this 4Runner for 20 years now and I still love it. One of the thing I need to do next is to put a new paint on since the car is 22 years old and the original paint is fading out. Every pieces of the car still have the original factory stickers on. If you are looking for a SUV Sport, I suggest you buy 4Runner. I told my wife I will restore this vehicle and keep for a long time. I also own a Acura MDX 2007. Compare both to each other the 4Runner is better then the MDX.
Beat This At 350K and Still Kicking! One Owner
5 out of 5 starsKKSnowTravel, 10/26/2019
1996 Toyota 4Runner 4dr SUV 4WD
Everyone told me a Toyota will go to 300,000 miles if you take care of it. I vowed to make it to the 300,000 miles. Now I am on bonus miles. I selected the options I wanted and purchased brand new in September 1996. Everytime this vehicle made a noise I replaced the parts to ensure this vehicle would make it over the mountain passes without breaking down. It never has broken down. … I cleaned and vacuumed it once a week. To top it off - after 23 years the everything works on this vehicle and it is pristine inside and out. Everyone wants to buy this vehicle from me, even my mechanic. I wonder how many miles it will really go - I plan to find out.
Great SUV
4.75 out of 5 starsPicky, 10/12/2002
1996 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4dr SUV 4WD
I drove 3 Cherokees over 200,000 miles
each, but wanted even better
reliability since I drive 40,000+ miles
per year in sales. I looked for 3 years
until I found the 4Runner I was looking
for. The reliability factor was just as
great as the reviews said. All I have
had to do is change the oil and struts.
I have already driven it 120,000 miles.
I would definitely buy … another.
1996 4Runner Highlights
Base
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 20 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $193/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 44.6 cu.ft. |
rear wheel drive |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver3 / 5Passenger3 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalAcceptable
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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