Generation history
Toyota 4Runner generations and next redesign.
The Toyota 4Runner has been through 6 generations, starting in 1983, 1989, 1995, 2002, 2009 and 2024. The gaps were 6, 6, 7, 7, 15 years, an average of 8.2. Some of those waits were long. The current generation began in 2024. On that cadence the next full redesign points to 2031 through 2033, centered on 2032. This is a projection. It comes from the model's own past redesign years, not from the manufacturer. A mid-cycle refresh usually lands in between. Public records describe the current generation this way: The sixth-generation 4Runner was officially revealed on 9 April 2024. Specifications, trims and the NHTSA safety record are on the Toyota 4Runner model page.
Every generation
The Toyota 4Runner, generation by generation.
| Generation | Code | Years | What changed |
|---|
| First generation | N60 | 1983–1989 | For the first generation N60 series Hilux Surf and export specification 4Runner introduced in 1983, Toyota, instead of developing an entirely new model, modified the existing Hilux (N50/N60/N70) with short-bed pickup body. |
|---|
| Second generation | N120/N130 | 1989–1995 | Toyota released a second generation of Hilux Surf and 4Runner in 1989 for the 1990 model year. |
|---|
| Third generation | N180 | 1995–2002 | Developed under chief engineer Masaaki Ishiko from 1990 to 1995 under the project code 185T, in late 1995 (for the 1996 model year) a significant redesign of the 4Runner was introduced, with an all-new body shell on an all-new chassis. |
|---|
| Fourth generation | N210 | 2002–2009 | The fourth-generation 4Runner incorporated serious changes to the chassis and body of the vehicle, but was targeted at approximately the same demographics as the third generation. |
|---|
| Fifth generation | N280 | 2009–2024 | The fifth-generation 4Runner was unveiled at the State Fair of Texas on 24 September 2009, and went on sale months later. |
|---|
| Sixth generation | N500 | 2024–present | The sixth-generation 4Runner was officially revealed on 9 April 2024. |
|---|
The Toyota 4Runner spent 8.2 years per generation on average. The current one is 2 years old. Treat 2031 to 2033 as a range, not a date.
Source: Toyota 4Runner (Wikipedia). The estimate is our arithmetic on those start years.
Open the Toyota 4Runner model page for specifications, trims, safety record and answers.
In more detail
What each Toyota 4Runner generation changed.
First generation, 1983 to 1989
For the first generation N60 series Hilux Surf and export specification 4Runner introduced in 1983, Toyota, instead of developing an entirely new model, modified the existing Hilux (N50/N60/N70) with short-bed pickup body. The Hilux had undergone a major redesign in 1983 for the 1984 model year. Compared to the pickup, the Surf/4Runner changes included the removal of the panel with integrated rear window from behind the front seats, and adding rear seats, a roll bar, and a removable fiberglass canopy.
Second generation, 1989 to 1995
Toyota released a second generation of Hilux Surf and 4Runner in 1989 for the 1990 model year. Known as the N120/N130 series, these models continued to be based on the Hilux pickup. However, the second-generation Surf/4Runner represented a fundamental departure from the first generation model: Instead of an enhanced pickup truck with fiberglass cap, the new 4Runners featured a freshly designed, full-steel integrated body mounted on the existing frame. However, the 4Runner's appearance remained virtually identical to the Hilux from the B-pillars forward, and the powertrain was shared with the Hilux.
Third generation, 1995 to 2002
Developed under chief engineer Masaaki Ishiko from 1990 to 1995 under the project code 185T, in late 1995 (for the 1996 model year) a significant redesign of the 4Runner was introduced, with an all-new body shell on an all-new chassis. It shared many parts, including engine and transmission, with the new Tacoma, and shared its chassis with the Land Cruiser Prado. Despite moving upmarket with the rest of the mid-size SUV market, the new 4Runner differentiated itself by retaining the rugged off-road character its competitors were sacrificing for highway comfort.
Fourth generation, 2002 to 2009
The fourth-generation 4Runner incorporated serious changes to the chassis and body of the vehicle, but was targeted at approximately the same demographics as the third generation. Based on the Land Cruiser Prado 120 series, the new 4Runner retained the same basic exterior styling themes, and was still marketed as a mid-size semi-luxury SUV with off-road capabilities.
Fifth generation, 2009 to 2024
The fifth-generation 4Runner was unveiled at the State Fair of Texas on 24 September 2009, and went on sale months later. It is built on the same platform as the J150 series Land Cruiser Prado/Lexus GX and the FJ Cruiser. Despite being built in Japan, it was only produced in left-hand drive and it was not sold there or any other RHD markets. Initially, the 4Runner was available in three trim levels, two of which were available previously.
Sixth generation, 2024 to today
The sixth-generation 4Runner was officially revealed on 9 April 2024. The 4Runner continues to be built in Toyota's Tahara plant in Japan, despite only being in left-hand drive form. Sales were initially set to commence after mid-2024, but was delayed to December 2024 at the earliest due to supply constraints on key parts shared with other vehicles. It is based on the same body-on-frame GA-F platform as the Tacoma pick-up truck, and they share many mechanical components.
Generation notes adapted from Toyota 4Runner (Wikipedia).
Today's Toyota 4Runner
What the current generation is, and how it has held up.
Toyota 4Runner at a glance
- Production
- October 1983 – present
- Model years
- 1984–present (US)
- Class
- Compact SUV (1984–1995), Mid-size SUV (1995–present)
- Layout
- Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, Front-engine, four-wheel-drive
- Chassis
- Body-on-frame
- Successor
- Toyota Fortuner, Toyota Fortuner/SW4 (Asia/South America), Toyota FJ Cruiser (Japan)
- Also called
- Toyota Hilux Surf (Japan, 1983–2009)
NHTSA rated the 2025 Toyota 4Runner overall 4 of 5 stars, front crash 4 of 5 stars, side crash 5 of 5 stars, rollover 3 of 5 stars.
Recent recalls (4 campaigns across the latest model years)
- September 2026, Equipment:Other:Labels. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2024 Toyota Tacoma Hybrid, 2025 Tundra Hybrid, Tundra, 2026 RAV4 Hybrid, 4Runner i-Force Max Hybrid, and 4Runner vehicles. The load carrying capacity modification label may display inaccurate added weight values. As such, these… Consequence: A vehicle with an incorrect maximum capacity weight value may be overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
- May 2026, Equipment:Other:Labels. Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain 2026 4Runner vehicles. The load carrying capacity modification label states the incorrect load carrying capacity. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire… Consequence: An incorrect load carrying capacity label may lead to improper loading of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- September 2025, Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Toyota Venza, 2023-2025 RAV4 Prime, RAV4, Highlander, GR Corolla, Crown, 2024-2025 Lexus TX, LS, Toyota Tacoma, Grand Highlander, and 2025 Lexus RX, Toyota Crown Signia, Camry, RAV 4 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and… Consequence: An instrument panel display that does not show critical information can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Owners filed 57 complaints with NHTSA for the 2025 Toyota 4Runner, most often about service brakes (23), unknown or other (9), electrical system (8).