The Toyota 4Runner two door SUV was introduced for the 1984 model year and was based upon the Toyota Truck platform. As more and more manufacturers produced sport utility vehicles, Toyota joined the ranks with their 4Runner, with all models equipped with a 2.4 liter engine and available with four wheel drive. The first few generations of 4Runner were definitely more 'truck like' than 'car like' in both design and utility, unlike the luxury SUVs of today.

To accommodate the American marketplace, the 4Runner was redesigned for the 1986 model year, changing the solid front axle to an independent front suspension to improve the on road handling at higher speeds. Some off road capability was decreased with this change, but in the American marketplace the now slightly larger vehicle with a more responsive and comfortable highway ride was clearly a more important feature with the majority of American SUV buyers.

In 1990, the 4Runner was introduced looking less like the Toyota Truck it was originally based upon and more like the SUVs being manufactured by the competition and intended for practical every day use. The new body style was available with two or four doors and a variety of engines, including a turbo diesel. It was not until 1996 that the Toyota 4Runner was introduced as a more luxuriously appointed SUV - complete with lift up tailgate, rack and pinion steering and increased cargo and more comfortable passenger space.

Improvements and enhancements throughout the years have lead to the 2007 Toyota 4Runner mid size SUV, available in three trim levels ranging from well equipped SR5 base model to a sport accented model and a luxury edition with a variety of much appreciated comfort and convenience features. Two powerful engines are available, a 4.0 V6 and a 4.7 V8, in a choice of three trim styles and either rear wheel drive or four wheel drive, allowing for twelve distinctively different configurations to tailor the vehicle to individual user preferences and needs.