When it comes to buying a used SUV, the first question that comes to anyone’s mind is how reliable is it going to be. When you’re hunting for a used car for your family, the reliability of the vehicle is paramount. Used car bazaars might be brimming with choices these days, but picking a reliable one from the lot is always a daunting task for any buyer. Here's where the Toyota 4Runner fits the bill.

When we say the reliability of a car we usually mean one that doesn’t break down while lasting you years to come. Toyota has always been synonymous with reliability. However, many other factors amount to the credibility of a used car. This includes the condition of the car’s transmission, drive system, suspensions, electrical systems, safety features, body hardware, and of course, fuel efficiency. Plus, above all, a car’s healthy engine is what matters the most.

Given that most used cars are out of warranty, and may be a massive drain on your money, it's best to find the most reliable of the lot. Within your budget, of course. So, the Toyota 4Runner is one such car on the market today. Let’s find out why, and which model years to choose from.

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Why Buy A Used Toyota 4Runner

2010 Toyota 4Runner 5-Door Mid-Size SUV Off-Roading
Via: Toyota

Toyota's name is synonymous with trust in the same way as the 4Runner is synonymous with an unflagging performance both on the road and off it. Built the old-fashioned way, this “four-by-four” boasts body-on-frame underpinnings with a solid rear axle, from its birth to this day. It also has enough off-road chops for seamless driving, especially when the pavement ends. At the same time, it's roomy and comfortable enough for a large family and can go around town as well.

Toyota released the 4Runner in the US in 1984 as a compact, all-terrain rig capable of so much that only a few of the competition could match it at the time. Since then, it introduced a bevy of enhancements over five generations and stands tall among the mid-size SUV bazaar in the US today.

It's a true companion for off-roading enthusiasts as its boasts a long flawless past of unwavering performance and capability besides a remarkably long life. This rugged SUV may not have snazzy goodies or a smooth ride like most of its rivals, but it certainly can be a reliable companion for years. These beasts also offer ample passenger and cargo space with an impressive tow rating.

The Best Model Years For A Used Toyota 4Runner

Fourth Generation 2009 Toyota 4Runner 5-Door Mid-Size SUV
Via: Toyota

According to iSeeCars, the used Toyota 4Runner ranks third as the best-used mid-size SUVs. It gets a quality score of 8.6 out of 10. But it earns a number one spot on the iSeeCars’ ranking of the most reliable, longest-lasting mid-size SUVs. It gets a Reliability score of 8.8 out of 10 as the most-reliable mid-size SUV. With an impeccable reputation for durability and off-road superiority, the Toyota 4Runner has been on the list of the most reliable used SUVs year after year.

Having said that, from the fourth generation onwards, the Toyota 4Runner makes for a good investment in terms of the car’s reliability as an excellent family hauler. Apart from a strong off-road pedigree, the fourth generation Toyota 4Runners came equipped with loads of standard active-safety features including ABS, EBD (electronic brakeforce distribution), brake assist, traction control, and Vehicle Stability Control. Toyota added a few more safety features in the fifth generation like the Toyota Safety Sense-P (TSS-P) as standard. All the previous three generations of Toyota 4Runner lacked in this department so these are the ones that you can skirt.

In the engine department, the fourth-gen Toyota 4Runners were the only ones to receive a V8 engine. It’s the same 4.7-liter 2UZ-FE V8 engine hiding under the hood of the famous “Million Mile Tundra” that hit 1,000,000 miles on the odometer.

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The Best Price For A Used Toyota 4Runner

Fifth Generation 2014 Toyota 4Runner Interior View
Via: Toyota

Given the fact that the mechanicals of any Toyota 4Runner come known for their ability to go 200-, 300-, or even 400,000 miles, prices of this used SUV may vary accordingly. With the fourth and the current fifth-generation 4Runners, you get a wide range of engine choices to choose from, with two of the toughest ones out there. They are a 270-horsepower 4.7-liter V8 gasoline engine borne only by the fourth-generation Toyota 4Runners and a 270-horsepower 4.0-liter V6 gasoline engine that features in the current fifth-generation Toyota 4Runners.

A Toyota 4Runner, armed with any of these tried-and-true motors, is the safest bet when it comes to reliability and longevity. They can go on unfailingly and easily last for 300,000+ miles as long as you maintain them regularly. A current-gen 270-horsepower V6 Toyota 4Runner in good condition will set you back by around $30,000, while a V8 Toyota 4Runner is way more affordable at about $11,000. It all boils down to choice and budget.

Sources: iSeeCars, Autolist, ToyotaOfNorthCharlotte, CarGurus