1998 Toyota 4Runner Review
1998 Toyota 4Runner Review
View more photos
Used 4Runner for sale
Appraise This CarSee Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Great looks and ground-pounding performance make the 4Runner an ideal choice for people who love the great outdoors as well as those who just want to look like they do.
Cons
- Steep price and choppy highway ride temper our enthusiasm for this otherwise outstanding truck.
What’s new
For 1998, the Toyota 4Runner gets rotary HVAC controls, a new four-spoke steering wheel and revised audio control head units.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1998 Toyota 4Runner Limited 4dr SUV 4WD and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$268/mo for 4Runner Limited
4Runner Limited
vs
$201/mo
Avg. Midsize SUV
Vehicle overview
In 1996, Toyota separated this high-volume SUV from its pickup truck roots. Thus, the current 4Runner shares little with the Tacoma pickup. As a result, engineers have created a refined vehicle without sacrificing tough off-road ability. Generous suspension travel and tread width provide capable off-road ability, ride and handling. The interior is quite roomy, thanks to a wheelbase that is two inches longer than the previous version. A low floor and wide doors make getting into and out of the 4Runner less of an exercise in contortionism than those riding in Jeep Cherokees or Nissan Pathfinders are likely to experience.
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 previous anemic four cylinder and wheezy V6. In fact, the 2.7-liter four is more powerful than the 1995 model's 3.0-liter six, and is nearly as powerful as the base engine found in the Ford Explorer XL.
Needless to say, all of this adds up to a very competitive sport-ute. Safety isn't ignored in the 4Runner, either, which sports dual airbags and standard antilock brakes on V6 models. (Antilock brakes are optional on four-cylinder models.)
Overall, the 4Runner is a very nice truck which provides the sophistication that we have come to expect from Toyota products with the overall ruggedness more often associated with Jeeps. Prices are high, however, running from $21,000 for a 2WD four-cylinder Base model to over $36,000 for a fully loaded Limited. This lands the 4Runner right smack dab in the Mercedes-Benz ML320, Nissan Pathfinder LE and Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited territory. The competition in this segment is getting fierce and there are plenty of good choices for your money, definitely something worth considering when shelling out such a large chunk of change.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1998 Toyota 4Runner.
5 star(75%)
4 star(21%)
3 star(4%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(0%)
100 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.75 out of 5 stars
Most favorite vehicle I have had-14 years and counting.
4runney98, 10/04/2011
1998 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4dr SUV
I bought this 4runner new and just hated the 33K plus change sticker but have never regretted the purchase. It has around 114K miles and is just as tight as it was the day I bought it. It is easy to drive and I think the perfect size and does everything well. I can tow, take a trip, or buzz around town comfortably. It just feels like it will run for ever. I considered a new 4runner 2010 … or newer but after reading the reviews on Edmunds have decided to keep what I've got. Newer models do not have the quality of other generations. If you can find one of these in good condition-buy it.
4.38 out of 5 stars
Good, Dependable SUV
RSL, 12/01/2006
1998 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4dr SUV 4WD
I bought this vehicle in August 1998 and have put over 113,000 miles on it since then. Overall, it has been a reliable SUV. The fit and finish are still excellent after 8 years of ownership. Mechanically, the car has been virtually maintenance free. My only significant complaints are the stereo and the power antenna. I had the stereo replaced 3 separate times. The power antenna was … replaced twice. Gas mileage averages about 15 in the city and 20 on the highway. Power is only adequate. I still get compliments on this vehicle 8+ years later. The paint and overall look still is appealing. I would highly recommend this SUV to anyone looking for a highly reliable SUV.
4.63 out of 5 stars
Over 400,000
Roman, 08/28/2010
1998 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4dr SUV 4WD
I finally gave up my 1998 4Runner this week. I had 433,000 miles on the car and drove it for 10 years. This was one reliable vehicle. I traded it in for a 2006 4Runner limited with a V8. I don't expect it to last as long but I hope to get 10 good years out of the car.
4.38 out of 5 stars
Just Keeps on Runnin'
Larry, 08/03/2010
1998 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4dr SUV 4WD
I purchased my 4-Runner new and still have it today. I have not had any major problem with it. I had a water pump replaced at 238,000. I take it to the Toyota dealer for regular service only when needed. As of this writing, the vehicle has 259,312 miles. I will be leaving in it next month for Arizona from the Midwest. My only suggestion is, that if you take care of it, it will take care … of you.
1998 4Runner Highlights
Base
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 19 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $227/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 44.6 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | 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
People who viewed this also viewed
4.0 average Rating out of 35 reviews. |
Starting at $43,320 |
3.6 average Rating out of 11 reviews. |
Starting at $39,270 |
4.5 average Rating out of 6 reviews. |
Starting at $41,900 |
Related Used 1998 Toyota 4Runner info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Used Lincoln MKS 2015
- Used Hyundai Elantra GT 2017
- Used Ford Five Hundred 2017
- Used Porsche Cayenne 2013
- Used BMW Z3 2011
Shop similar models
- Used Jeep Wrangler
- Used Jeep Grand-cherokee
- Used Jeep Patriot
- Used Hyundai Kona
- Used Toyota Land-cruiser
Shop used vehicles in your area
- Used Toyota 4Runner 2017
- Used Toyota 4Runner 2012
- Used Toyota 4Runner 2016
- Used Toyota 4Runner 2010
- Used Toyota 4Runner 2018
- Used Toyota 4Runner 2019
- Used Toyota 4Runner 2011
- Used Toyota 4Runner 2013 For Sale
- Used Toyota 4Runner 2015 For Sale
- Used Toyota 4Runner 2014
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- Hummer Ev
- 2025 Mitsubishi Outlander News
- Toyota RAV4 2023
- 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
- 2025 Toyota Prius News
- Nissan Kicks
- Carnival Kia Carnival
- Mitzi Outlander
- 2024 Honda Civic
- Toyota Prius 2023
Research other models of Toyota
- 2023 Toyota Highlander
- Corolla Im Hatchback
- Toyota Tundra 2024
- 2023 Camry
- 2023 Corolla Hybrid
- 2024 Toyota Tundra
- 2023 Toyota GR Corolla
- Toyota Venza 2023
- 2023 Toyota Sequoia
- Toyota Corolla GR2023
Other models
- Used Pontiac Sunfire in Apple Valley, CA
- Used Saturn Vue in Wills Point, TX
- Used GMC Yukon in Fenton, MI
- New Hyundai Kona for Sale in Valley Stream, NY
- Used Lexus Is in Milpitas, CA
- New Chevrolet Camaro for Sale in Uniontown, PA
- New Hyundai Ioniq-6 for Sale in Algonquin, IL
- Used Mercedes-Benz Maybach-Gls in Rutherford, NJ
- Used Acura TL in Durham, NC
- Used Ford Probe in North Little Rock, AR