Rank 4runner Generations

1st Gen (1984-1989)- Only generation with removable roof and 2 door only, solid axles until 1986. Based on compact Hilux (174x66.5 IN LxW). Available with 5 spd or automatic. 22R engine (or EFI) every year, 3.0 3VZ optional from 1987. These had the worst 3vz engines, known for head gaskets.

2nd Gen (1990-1995)- Sold in the most markets of any generation, first to offer a 4 door. 2 door option available until 1992, face lifted for 1993 (shown above) to get new Toyota logo and lost sealed beam headlights. Still compact (177x66.5 IN LxW). Infamously bad side crash testing (mitigated later). Most had infamous 3vz V6 from last generation, some got 22RE. Offered in 4wd and 2wd, automatic and manual.

3rd Gen (1996-2002)- Grew in size (178x69 IN) but still compact. Best ground clearance and angles (approach, breakover, departure) of any stock 4runner ever. 4 cylinder (3rz), 5 spd, rear e-locker options until 2000. Most had 5vz V6 with abs. Face lift in 1999 with fat lip bumper. First generation with airbags and OBDII diagnostics. After 2000, all 4wd had locking center diff, 2wd was available. All suffer from LBJ issues, but later ones were especially bad. Early 5vz supposedly had head gasket problems, but survivor bias has by now taken them out.

4th Gen (2003-2009)- First midsize 4runner (189x74 IN), decreased clearance and angles compared to last gen, but it is the only generation with V8 (2UZ); arguably the best engine ever available in a 4runner. Base engine was new 1GR V6, which gained VVT-i (and 33 hp) in 2005. Early 1GR had head gasket issues. 2009 only had locking rear diff in trail edition (rare). Sold in 2wd and 4wd (some 4wd had locking center diff).

5th Gen (2009-2024)- Longest and best selling 4runner. Grew to larger mid-size (190x75.8 IN), and apart from 2010, it only had the 1GR from previous generation joined to a 5 spd auto. It got a facelift in 2013 to make it more aggro (above), the conservative early design is a small fraction of all 5th gens due to poor sales upon release (which picked up in later 10's and early 20's). Every year had an e-locker available, and in 2014 TRD would be introduced which grew to 3 trims by the end. Available in 4wd, full time 4wd, and 2wd. This was more capable than the 4th gen. First generation not to have a RHD Surf counterpart.

6th gen (2025-current)- newest generation (as of writing), returned to a 4 cylinder as the main engine. First 4runner to come with a turbo (excluding rare kits and dealer options), higher trims are hybrid. New Trail Hunter edition for "overlanding", comes with raised air intake. Grew in size once again (195x77.8 IN) so it's either a larger midsize or a smaller full size SUV depending who you are. Available in 2wd, 4wd, full time 4wd. E-lockers available on TRD trims and trail hunter, sway bar disconnect (a first) standard on TRD pro. Reliability is a question still, but the engine has been okay on the Highlander. Standard 4runners lose metal skid plates.

My ranking:
3rd gen- classic 4runner formula with sweet spot in tech and comfort (own one, so I'm biased)
1st gen- an outlier, but a wonderful one. The convertible makes it fill a totally different niche.
2nd gen- controversial, the reliability can be mitigated, set the 4runner path going forward
5th gen- it continued some mistakes of the 4th gen, but it also undid some to be a better 4R
4th gen- stayed true to form when others didn't, was still less capable & too large for purpose
6th gen- too uncertain to rank well, again made the size increase mistake, slightly less capable

The 2nd gen upset is mainly size. From the 4th gen onwards it felt the size increases had sharply diminishing returns. An early generation did only slightly less with a lot less footprint than a newer gen. It might seem arbitrary, but the modern rav4 is the same size as a 3rd gen 4runner, and enough people find that size suitable to make it Toyota's best selling model. Increasing size has a cost, not just literally, but also in capability and efficiency.

 

5th Gen all the way! - the numbers speak for themselves IMO.

 

5th gen
3rd gen
1st gen
4th gen
6th gen
2nd gen

 

6th
2nd
5th
1st
4th
3rd

 

5th gen
4th gen
3rd gen meh

Tie for last: 6th, 2nd and 1st

 

Ranked in chronological order:

1. 1st
2. 2nd
3. 3rd
4. 4th
5. 5th
6. 6th