Another generation, another step away from the truck-with-a-lid genesis the 4Runner had seen. The 1996 Toyota 4Runner somehow grew while becoming more car-esque, kind of like an SUV puberty.

Perhaps as a reaction to all the complaints about the back seat, the leg room for it was 3 inches longer, and the door was now 1.5 inches longer. The standard engine was a 2.7-liter I4, while the V6 was now 3.4 liters. (Definitely SUV puberty, as these numbers still seem a bit away from full-grown. Anyway....)

A new one-Touch, Hi-4 system was available as part of the Limited package, which allowed the driver to shift between driving a rear-wheel and all-wheel drive. Reviewers seem to love this option, along with the durability of the truck, though the SUV is still noted to have poor gas mileage, and some have cited high maintenance costs.