This particular generation’s arguably one of the more “samey.” It features just the 4-door configuration with just two engine options in the US. But there is one factor that’s significant to some people, which is that this marks the last three-pedal 4Runner. Toyota stopped producing them with manuals in 2000, leaving all subsequent models with automatics. It’s certainly no deal-breaker, but it’s a nifty feature to have for many owners. Also, the 1998 model year marks the last before the 4Runner received its facelift. Which certainly isn’t for everyone with the overgrown lower lip crumple zone, or wraparound headlights. The original has a far more squared-off and proportional front end by comparison, so it gets our vote.
I've been an automotive aficionado since I had baby teeth. My path was set when I first leaned on my grandfather's classic Porsche as I learned how to walk. One of my first memories was my mother sitting me behind the wheel of her Pontiac and talking me through the instrumentation and controls. Even though I was a mere three or four years old, I was instantly sold, and filled notebooks with technical drawings, sketches, and collections of manuals of all sorts of cars. I've actively tracked developments in automotive and motorsport technology for well over 20 years, and pride myself on being intimately familiar with the functions and history of a wide range of vehicles.
My primary goal as a writer and enthusiast is to equally learn and share what I've learned in a constructive and interesting way. I maintain connections with people from around the world and can read technical manuals in Italian, Japanese, and Spanish, granting me access to a wide array of resources. My primary focuses are deep-dives into historical topics, motorsport discussion, and learning about the complex mechanical elements of such vehicles. As such, my research is never perfect; as anyone into cars will attest, the more you learn about cars, the more you realize how little you actually know. Therefore, I always welcome fresh knowledge and corrections to help me better my work in the future.
