In fact, many would argue that the third generation of Toyota's brawny 4X4 marked a high point of its U.S. market, off-road-oriented offerings . So what made the 3rd gen Toyota 4Runner so great?

By the time the third-generation 4Runner made its debut in 1996 (it would stay in production until 2002), it had become a true force on the off-road SUV scene.

Toyota's 4Runner series has been no slouch, but the mid-90s third-generation models are especially beloved, and for several very good reasons.

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