2002 Toyota 4Runner reviews and buying guide.

2002 Toyota 4Runner resources:

• 2002 Toyota 4Runner price quote
• 2002 Toyota 4Runner insurance quote
• 2001 Toyota 4Runner review

2002 Toyota 4Runner

Toyota introduces its new 2002 4Runner Sport Utility line up, packed with more features and options made more attractive by the happy fact that they have not compromised value, reliability, or your pocketbook to do so. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) remains the same. Considering Toyota’s excellent reputation and the favorable reviews the 2001 model line up received, we figure this is a pretty good deal and will give the other competitors in this class some stiff competition.

Four models are offered for 2002, the Toyota 4Runner SR5 Sport Utility, Toyota 4Runner SR5 4WD Sport Utility, Toyota 4Runner Limited Sport Utility, and finally the Toyota 4Runner Limited 4WD Sport Utility. Each four-door model has an excellent variety of features and options to choose from to suit varied individual, family, and lifestyle requirements and seats five passengers. Combined with Toyota’s solid track record, finding the sport utility vehicle that fits your needs best within this line up alone should not be a difficult task.

Taking a look first at the Toyota 4Runner SR5 Sport Utility’s safety features, you will find a lengthy list of standards. Each vehicle is equipped with a driver depowered air bag, passenger depowered air bag, and both front and rear head restraints. Other standard features listed include ABS brakes, traction control, and child safety locks. Front fog lights are available as port installed options.

The Toyota 4Runner SR5 Sport Utility’s performance specifications unveil a 3.4-litre 24-valve engine with DOHC, 183 horsepower, and 217 lbs-ft of torque, making this vehicle a good choice for those who need a beefier SUV than the Toyota RAV4 but with equal value and reliability. It can tow approximately 5000 lbs. The transmission is four-speed automatic with overdrive, and drive type is two-wheel rear. Given its larger size, the 4Runner SR5 gets a fuel economy rating of about 17/21 (city/hwy). Each vehicle is equipped with mud and snow SBR tires for maximum traction in a variety of road and weather conditions.

Luxuries and conveniences are quite extensive in the Toyota SR5 Sport Utility - and remember, we’re still talking about the entry-level vehicle! Brace yourself for the list: air conditioning, cruise control, keyless entry system, power door locks, dual power mirrors, power windows, split folding rear seat, AM/FM stereo with CD player, and a rear wiper. Other standard bonuses include plenty of cupholders, a rear defroster, steering wheel tilt, remote liftgate release, and nice touches of chrome, color-keyed features, and other attractive touches both inside and outside. Options include a moonroof or theft deterrent system, and luxurious leather seating is available as one of the many packages. As you can clearly see, Toyota has gone to great lengths to ensure that the line up provides as much value as possible to maintain its followers and to attract new Toyota enthusiasts into the fold. You would think a mighty price tag would be attached to such a tremendous vehicle, but to our pleasure they’ve kept it amazingly low.

Base invoice price: $23,516
Base list price: $26,335

The Toyota 4Runner SR5 Sport Utility is a carbon copy of the entry-level model in terms of safety, performance, and luxury but with one major exception. In the performance category, we see an important upgrade from two-wheel front drive to four-wheel on-demand drive. This is the kind of vehicle you might want to consider if your job, lifestyle, or leisure activities require an SUV with greater power, traction, and control for tougher demands.

Base invoice price: $25,783
Base list price: $28,875

Next in line, the Limited Sport Utility is a two-wheel rear drive vehicle that adds front fog lights, a theft deterrent system, and leather seating to the base model package. Incidentally, the fuel economy rating for both two-wheel drive models in this line up is 17/21 (city/hwy).

Base invoice price: $29,874
Base list price: $33,455

At the top of the models is the Limited 4WD Sport Utility, again with all of the standard safety, performance, and luxury features of the previous vehicles and the added control of four-wheel on-demand drive. The 4WD drive models check in at 17/20 (city/hwy).

Base invoice price: $32,242
Base list price: $36,105