The 1989 4Runner was built on the same platform as the Toyota pickup. Toyota took many steps to make the SUV different from the truck, including making the 4-door model the standard, rather than the 2-door (which became increasingly hard to find).

A new 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder was standard, while a 3.0-liter V6 was available as an upgrade. Both engines came as rear- and all-wheel drive.