Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.After a long 15 year production run, the fifth generation 4Runner was finally replaced by the current model in 2025. Sharing its running gear and underpinnings with the Tacoma truck that had been refreshed just a year earlier, the 4Runner is now a far more modern and refined offering. But Toyota owners aren't after the latest fads or tech, they are clearly happy with old well-proven running gear if it means years of trouble-free motoring.And that's exactly what the 5th gen model provided. The new model debuted with new turbocharged engines and a host of tech upgrades, so we wanted to see just how well it was faring when it came to reliability. AdvertisementAdvertisementWe examined real-world reliability data from Consumer Reports as they don't just rely on a handful of test drivers; they gather deep survey data from hundreds of thousands of actual vehicle owners, and they buy the vehicles that they test. This approach filters out personal bias and exposes real, long-term pattern failures across powertrains, electronics, and build quality.The 5th Generation Toyota 4RunnerToyotaView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleModel Years: 2010 – 2024When the fifth gen 4Runner debuted in 2010, it was met with mixed reviews. Critics complained about an unsettled ride, mediocre on-road handling, and an interior filled with hard plastics. But, while almost every competing mid-sized SUV transitioned to a car-based unibody design, Toyota stuck with a rugged, body-on-frame layout. It also goes to show that most new generations of any popular model will be met with criticism regardless of whether they deserve it or not.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe tough chassis design made it far more capable for tough off-roading work, and over its 15-year run, Toyota gradually modernized the platform. One of the most notable changes was the adoption of the Toyota Safety Sense driver assistance package across the range in 2020. This included forward collision warning, automatic braking, and adaptive cruise control. Another welcome update was a new 8-inch infotainment touchscreen featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.These updates were needed to keep up with the competition, but overall, this generation became highly regarded for its rugged simplicity. The extremely reliable 4.0-liter V6 and 5-speed transmission were particular highpoints, even if the power output was a bit low for the heavy 4Runner, and the transmission wasn't always the smoothest when being pushed. The 6th Generation Toyota 4RunnerToyotaView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleModel Years: 2025 – PresentAdvertisementAdvertisementIntroduced just last year, the sixth-generation 4Runner brought with it a raft of new technologies, including a duo of turbocharged four-cylinder engines producing either 278-hp or 326-hp with hybrid assistance. A new eight-speed automatic transmission replaces the trusty old five-speed unit, but fans will be pleased to know that it still has a tough body-on-frame design thanks to being built on the TNGA-F global truck platform.Toyota has already rolled out minor updates such as software flashes for the new infotainment screens, and fine-tuning for the advanced multi-terrain select systems, but this is common with new designs. The benefits of all this tech are better fuel economy, more low-end torque, and a much more luxurious and refined driving experience. However, some owners remain cautious about how the new turbo engines and hybrid systems will cope with hard use compared to the simple low-stressed V6 from the previous model.4Runner Vs 4Runner: ReliabilityToyotaView the 2 images of this gallery on the original articleModel YearReliability Verdict (Out of 100)2026 (Predicted)95202599202486202375202259202186202082201980201882201775201673201562201466201371201287201146201057Well, anecdotal stories and concerns about potential issues can only get you so far. The best way to judge these things is by analyzing actual owner data, so we collated the reliability scores of every 4Runner since 2010 to see just how they stack up.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe fifth-gen 4Runner started off in the usual way that most fresh designs do, with a few technical issues. This kept its overall reliability score low for the first two years, but aside from a dip in 2022, the old 4Runner proved to be one of the most reliable and hard-wearing vehicles in its class. Scoring over 80/100 six times during its production run, the 4Runner was clearly going to be a tough act to follow.The sixth-gen 4Runner is part of a new range of models introduced by Toyota over the past few years, and as such it shares many components with other Toyota models, including the Tacoma and the Land Cruiser, both introduced in 2024. Thanks in part to this platform sharing, it came out of the gates with a near perfect 99/100 reliability score. Achieving this result is tough enough but doing it in the first model years is pretty much unheard of.ToyotaThat said, comparing reliability scores with just one full year of production to its name compared to the old 4Runner is not going to yield the most accurate results, but using the info we have right now the new 4Runner looks to be free of the early niggles and tech glitches that plague most other new vehicles.4Runner 5th Gen Average Reliability: 72.9 / 1004Runner 6th Gen Average Reliability: 97.0 / 100AdvertisementAdvertisementPredicting whether there will be issues with the long-term durability of the engine, transmission, suspension, electronics and interior of the sixth-gen 4Runner is not possible yet, but the signs are good that Toyota has done all the necessary background development work to give it the best chance for success.This story was originally published by Autoblog on Jun 9, 2026, where it first appeared in the Features section. 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