3rd gen Toyota 4Runner 1996–2002

What it came with

• 2.7L four-cylinder 3RZ-FE^1,2,3

  150 hp · 1996–2000

• 3.4L V6 5VZ-FE^1,2

  183 hp · 1996–2002

Transmissions

5-speed manual (1996–2000)^3,2, 4-speed automatic (1996–2002)^3,2

Drivetrains

2WD (1996–2002)^4,3, 4WD (1996–2002)^1,5

Trims

Base (1996–2000)^1,5,3, SR5 (1996–2002)^1,5,3, Limited (1996–2002)^1,5,3

Packages

Factory rear locker (1996–2000)^1,3,6

• Max towing: 5,000 lb with the V6¹

Fuel economy

• 4Runner 2WD 1996–2000 4 cyl, 2.7 L, Automatic 4-spd, Rear-Wheel Drive 17–18 city, 22 highway, 19–20 combined MPG
• 4Runner 2WD 1996–2000 4 cyl, 2.7 L, Manual 5-spd, Rear-Wheel Drive 16–18 city, 21–23 highway, 18–20 combined MPG
• 4Runner 2WD 1996–2002 6 cyl, 3.4 L, Automatic 4-spd, Rear-Wheel Drive 15–16 city, 18–20 highway, 16–17 combined MPG
• 4Runner 4WD 1996–2000 4 cyl, 2.7 L, Automatic 4-spd, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive 16–17 city, 19–20 highway, 17–18 combined MPG
• 4Runner 4WD 1996–2000 4 cyl, 2.7 L, Manual 5-spd, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive 15 city, 19–20 highway, 17 combined MPG
• 4Runner 4WD 1996–2002 6 cyl, 3.4 L, Automatic 4-spd, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive 15 city, 18 highway, 16 combined MPG
• 4Runner 4WD 1996–2000 6 cyl, 3.4 L, Manual 5-spd, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive 15 city, 17–18 highway, 16 combined MPG

The EPA's ratings, copied from fueleconomy.gov on 23 October 2026. The EPA restated its figures for 1984 to 2007, so that years compare.

Year by year

• 1996 New generation. First 4Runner with a factory locking rear differential.^2,1
• 1997 No changes recorded.
• 1998 No changes recorded.
• 1999 Facelift: new front bumper, headlights and dash. Multi-mode 4WD with a full-time setting arrives.^1,5,2
• 2000 Last year for the manual, the rear locker and the four-cylinder.^3,2
• 2001 Manual, rear locker, four-cylinder and Base trim all dropped. Stability and traction control standard. Multi-mode 4WD standard.^3,1
• 2002 Final year. Minor trim changes only.^1,6