Friday Spotlight: 2003 Toyota 4Runner

It’s been a decade since the 4th generation Toyota 4Runner was introduced and it’s crazy how fast time is flying! This new release (for its time) had seen many revisions and improvements to a couple of different aspects including on and off-road handling, comfort, safety and performance, and economy. Toyota basically reinvented the 4Runner for its 4th release. 

In this week’s blog post, we will be reviewing the SR5, which is the base model of the Toyota 4Runner. 

Pros – Solid Structure and Good Refinements

The 4th generation 4Runner offers 2 additional inches of legroom in the front, 0.4 inches more headroom, and the outboard passengers sit 2 inches farther apart in an interior which saw a wider stretch by 4 inches. 

The 4Runner also sports a new frame with full-length box section rails and 9 fully welded crossmembers. The front crossmember is mounted low enough to engage the bumpers and crash systems of smaller vehicles, while the “soft” front end sheet-metal and plastic grille are intended to reduce injury to pedestrians. 

It also shifts smoothly through the 5 ratios of its new automatic transmission (as if it needed any more bragging points). 

Surprisingly, there were more good reviews and positive comments I could find on the 4Runner than negative, however, some feel the 4Runner is a little heavy for serious off-roading and has intrusive stability control systems. Other than this, any Toyota owner would rave about how good the brand is, across the board with all its models. 

Engine, Transmission, and Real World MPG  

The 2003 4Runner comes available in two options – 2 wheel or 4 wheel drive. A new 4.0-liter V6 engine is found under the hood and it helps to produce 245 horsepower at 5200 rpm and 283-lb-ft of torque at 3400 rpm. There is also a 4.7-liter V8 engine that has capabilities of producing 235 horsepower at 4800 rpm and 320-lb-ft of torque at 3400 rpm. 

Did you Know: The first aluminum truck engine (1GR-FE – as its known internally) is the product of 3D engine-modeling techniques and features chain-driven camshafts, variable valve timing with intelligence, and variable intake geometry.

The EPA fuel economy ratings for this vehicle is 16/19 mpg city/highway.

“Grade Strategy” – Trims

The 4Runner comes available in 3 trim levels – SR5, Sports Model, and Limited. All three options come with either a V6 or V8 engine and optional 4-wheel drive, which is part time on V6 vehicles and full time when paired with the V8.

The SR5 (the lowest grade) comes equipped with gray-metallic bumpers, lower cladding, and 16-inch steel wheels (alloys come optional) with 265/70R tires. This trim level starts at $26,000. Next is the Sports Model. This version is pretty much like a souped up base model that has a silver coloured grille and roof rails, a hood scoop, fog lamps, colour-keyed heated outside mirrors, and six-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels with 65-series rubber. For this trim, expect to pay at least $33,000. 

Finally, we have the Limited trim. This is the highest grade and comes with everything you’d expect under the sun: 

• Colour-keyed bumpers and cladding 
• Illuminated running boards
• Five-spoke 17-inch alloys 
• Anti-theft engine immobilizer 
• HomeLink transmitter 
• Silver-coloured trim in various places
• Power adjusted heated front seats 
• Dual-zone climate controls 
• Double decker shelf in the cargo compartment 

Fully loaded, the Limited should be $40,000. 

In terms of the interior design differences between each trim, there is very little that is different. However the Sport and Limited trims both receive leather-wrapped steering wheels with audio and cruise controls. 

For the 0-60 mph test, the V8-powered SR5 made it in 8 seconds. The V6 version had yet to be tested but evidently, power was not a problem for the 2003 4Runner. 

Final Thoughts – Is Bigger Always Better?

YES. Toyota has done a fantastic job of creating a vehicle that many people still prefer to buy even after the introduction of the 4th generation. Toyota is a trusted brand by families around the world for many different reasons and clearly, the 4Runner is not an exception. It has gotten great reviews from both customers and mechanics, so if you are lucky enough to own one of these vehicles, keep it, you really did purchase one of the best vehicles out there. 

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