2006 Toyota 4Runner Review: Arguably the Best 2006 Mid-Size SUV, but no 2006 SUV is Worth $10,000

The 2006 Toyota 4Runner is just about perfect. It’s fuel efficient for its model year, it’s roomy, it’s fun to drive, and it’s built to last at least a quarter million miles with adequate maintenance. It’s just a shame that it typically lists for around ten thousand bucks, which is more than any reasonable person should be willing to spend on an SUV that’s old enough to vote.

Is the 2006 Toyota 4Runner a Good Used Car?

• Overall Rating 9/10 – The Toyota 4Runner was probably the best mid-size SUV released in 2006.
• Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – This is as comfortable as SUVs get outside of the luxury market. The only concern is that the third row doesn’t fold flat.
• Reliability 8/10 – Drivers report hitting 300,000 miles and beyond on the original powertrain. The only major concern is premature rust in the frame, which is easy enough to spot with a visual check.
• Safety 8/10 – Anti-lock brakes and traction control are included as standard features, making the 4Runner one of the safer used SUVs in its class.
• Gas Mileage 7/10 – The 2006 4Runner averages 18/22 miles to the gallon, city/highway, in the V6 model. That’s not bad for a 2006 mid-size SUV, but it’s still a 2006 mid-size SUV.
• Value 6/10 – The only real knock against the 2006 Toyota 4Runner is that ten thousand bucks is just too much to spend on an eighteen year old SUV.

What Do Critics Say About the 2006 Toyota 4Runner?

Consumer Reports praised the 4Runner’s off-road capability, with the body-on-frame construction offering a ride on rough roads than its car-based competitors. They note that the SUV handles awkwardly in the city, however.

Kelley Blue Book users give the 2006 4Runner a near-perfect 98% recommendation without a single one-star review on file. The SUV’s longevity has earned it some loyal fans, with one driver reporting 277,000 miles with no major repairs, and another gifting a 199,000 mile 4Runner to their nephew.

Edmunds liked the 2006 4Runner’s powerful engine lineup and versatile handling, steering just as well in the city as on highways and dirt roads. They found the interior to be comfortable and high-end. They didn’t like the lack of a fold-flat third-row, limiting cargo capacity.

What Common Problems Does the 2006 Toyota 4Runner Have?

The 2006 Toyota 4Runner’s biggest issue to date has been extensive rust in the frame. This is more common in states with cold winters where you see a lot of road salt on the highways. The problem is easy to prevent with a coating of anti-rust spray, but impossible to fix when it settles in.

Powertrain complaints make up 30 of the 2006 4Runner’s total 363 complaints on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Many of these complaints stem from the issues the car has with premature rust, with the corrosion eating through the transmission.

The rust extends to the suspension as well. Drivers report the corrosion eating away at the shocks and struts until it feels like you’re sitting on the bare axle and taking the full force of every pebble and crack in the road.

The 2006 Toyota 4Runner has just 5 recalls on file with the NHTSA, which is fairly low for a vehicle this old.

How Long Will the 2006 Toyota 4Runner Last?

Drivers report 4Runners lasting 300,000, even 400,000 miles and up. In a used model, with proper maintenance, you should expect to reach somewhere in the area of 250,000 miles before the engine and transmission start to give out. Even poorly maintained 4Runners have a good chance of crossing 200,000.

Repairpal estimate an annual maintenance cost of $514, which isn’t bad for a mid-size SUV. The most expensive common fix is a new timing chain tensioner, starting at around $1,005.

How Is the Technology?

Entertainment technology in the 2006 4Runner is decent for the model year, if a bit basic. CD players come standard, and the high-end Limited features a 6-disc changer.

Safety technology in the 2006 4Runner is good for the model year. Anti-lock brakes, traction control, and vehicle stability control all come standard.

Is the 2006 Toyota 4Runner a Good Value?

The 2006 Toyota 4Runner is overpriced when you consider the SUV’s age. The entry-level model typically lists at around $9,366, while the high-end Limited sells for around $11,548. These prices are based on models with around 150,000 miles on the odometer.

If any 18-year-old SUV is going to be worth ten grand, it’s a Toyota 4Runner. Cost of ownership is low and you’ll likely put another 100,000 miles on the odometer. But no 18-year-old SUV is worth ten grand. At that price you could buy 2013 Ford Explorer with just 125,000 miles on the transmission.

What are the Different Models of the 2006 Toyota 4Runner?

The 2006 Toyota 4Runner is offered in just three trim levels, ranging from the base SR5 to the high-end Limited.

With the entry-level SR5 you’re getting:

• Cloth seating
• Automatic air conditioning
• CD player
• Remote keyless entry
• Anti-lock brakes and traction control
• Fog lights

The mid-range Sport edition adds:

• Heated mirrors
• 8-way power driver seat
• X-REAS Sport suspension
• Leather wrapped steering wheel

Finally, the top-of-the-line Limited features:

• Leather seating
• Heated front seats
• Dual zone automatic air conditioning
• 6-disc CD changer

What Engines Come In the 2006 Toyota 4Runner?

• The standard engine found in the 2006 Toyota 4Runner is a 4.0L V6 delivering 236 horsepower and 266 lb.-ft. of torque. This is paired to a 5-speed automatic in rear/four wheel drive, and it averages 18/22 miles to the gallon, city/highway. The V6 can tow up to 5,000 pounds, and is available in every trim level.
• Next up is a 4.7L V8 delivering 260 horsepower and 306 lb.-ft. of torque. The V8 averages 15/19 miles to the gallon, city/highway. It’s paired to 5-speed automatic transmission in rear/four wheel drive, and it can tow up to 7,300 pounds. The V8 is available in all three trim levels.

What Colors Does the 2006 Toyota 4Runner Come In?

How Comfortable Is the 2006 Toyota 4Runner?

The 2006 Toyota 4Runner is about as comfortable as it gets in this class. The seating is nice and firm, the interior is upscale in design and trim, and you’ve got 55 inches of hiproom in the back. Your only concern is premature corrosion in the suspension, so don’t skip the test drive, and take a look at the undercarriage.

How Much Storage Space Does the 2006 Toyota 4Runner Have?

You have 40 cubic feet of cargo space in the back of a 2006 Toyota 4Runner. You can expand that up to 75 cubic feet. The third row does not fold flat, so this is one area where the 4Runner is not a market leader. But, 75 cubic feet should be more than enough for any road trip or weekend camping adventure.

What Are the Differences Between Years?

2006 was the fourth model year in the nameplate’s 4th Generation, which ran from 2003 to 2009.

2004: The biggest changes for 2004 included standard tire pressure monitors and optional third-rows.

2005: The 5-speed automatic transmission was made standard on V6 models for 2005.

2006: This was a mid-cycle refresh year for the SUV, with new headlight designs and some flashy chrome trim upgrades to the SR5.

2007: There were no big changes for 2007.

2008: Roll-sensing side-curtain airbags were added for 2008.

2009: Changes for 2009 were minor, the biggest being that rear window switches were repositioned to the center console.

How Does the 2006 Toyota 4Runner Compare to the Competition?

The 2006 Toyota 4Runner may be the best mid-size SUV released in 2006, but it’s also one of the most expensive. It’s going to outshine the competition on just about every front, but, it’s also going to cost you as much as twice the price of another SUV, without delivering twice the value.

2006 wasn’t a great year for the Ford Explorer, but the 2005 model sells for around $5,000 at the entry level, and while it’s not the most impressive SUV on the market today, it’s reliable and powerful and sells for half the cost of a 4Runner.

A 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer is prone to expensive repairs, but when you consider that the entry level sells for just over $4,000, you’re ultimately spending less on the Trailblazer, repairs and all, than you would on the 4Runner.

The 2006 Toyota 4Runner is an excellent SUV all around, and may be the best in its class for this model year. But who wants to ten grand on an SUV that’s old enough to vote?

Do Owners Recommend the 2006 Toyota 4Runner?