One thing I’ve always noticed about my 4Runner is that it’s not meant for big people. I’m 5’11” and 300 lbs. I’d have a size issue in any vehicle. But back when I first drove my 4Runner in Oct 1997 I noticed it’s not meant for tall people. I like to sit up straight when I drive. The top of my head has always pressed against the top of the headliner. The headrest only comes to the back of my neck.

The center arm rest is a joke. My arm has to drop down a lot to rest on it. The gear shift and center console is too far forward.

The 5th 4Runners are much better in the comfort department. But they have a set of their own problems. I had the opportunity to drive a 5th gen for a week. I’ll post a 3rd vs 5th gen comparison thread soon.

Generally most japanese things are made for their average heights. But honestly being 5' 11" the truck feels good to me.

At 6', I definitely notice that the headrest feels like it is set one click too short at full height. I've never noticed the center console feeling strange. I do need to have the seat as low as it can go to keep my hair from hitting the headliner which I find distracting when I'm driving. I do have a sunroof though so I loose some headroom to that. I do also notice that with the seat back where I want it to be for my legs it is awkward to reach for the radio controls. Overall though I knew what the trade offs were when I bought a 3rd gen vs a newer model. I prefer the significantly smaller footprint of the 3rd gen.

Do you have a sunroof? I've noticed I had a lot more headroom in my dad's 3rd gen without the sunroof. I think it brings it down almost 2 inches.

6'4" here. No sunroof and extended seat rails make it a very comfortable vehicle for me.

Still a compact import vehicle.

The sunroof is a big issue if you have it. I'm 5'11" as well and I have the same issue, dont really care for how close my head is, especially after driving a roomy midsize pick up for nearly 10 years. I kinda like the coziness now as I've gotten used to it, but still, the extra space would be nice
Headrest could really be taller too. Probably my biggest gripe

Sport and/or Limited seats with height adjustment helps. No sunroof helps. And stay under about 240 lbs or things get tight for width.

-Charlie

And total height isn't necessarily the key factor in seated height. Torso, neck, and head sizes may be above average for some people. Plus, extra 'padding' can also raise you up in the seat a little. I'm your height and never had this problem in my 2001 without sunroof.

5’7” here, and always felt the that my ‘01 Tacoma was the perfect size for me, which is another reason I was attracted to getting my ‘02 4Runner last year. Both pretty much feel the same to me when driving, though even then people tell me I still look short while behind the wheel. Having no butt (built in pillow) doesn’t help much there either. Haha!

I can barely imagine. I'm a measly 5 8 and 225, and I feel slightly tight in either front seat, especially with winter jackets on.

Have a nephew whose height I don't really know and must tip scales at 350 or more, he's got to tilt his head in passenger seat. Probably not having a sunroof would help there.

Probably a reason I see quite a few 2wd 3rd gens being driven by women, small ones at that....

I'm 6'2 and never had a problem, even my dad is fine at 6'4.
My brother at 6'7 on the other hand is a bit of a tight fit.

Yes I do. Sometimes I’ll pull the sunroof visor back to get an inch more headroom.

I’m 6’1”, and I haven’t had a problem in any car I’ve ever owned, sunroof or not. I think it’s because I have a short torso for my height, like thennen mentioned above.

My 6’3” brother can’t drive anything with a sunroof without his head touching the headliner.

6'2" here, never had a problem either (unless a non-tilt steering wheel...). My dad is similar but 6'3" and long torso - thus why my 4Runner has no sunroof (he bought it when I went to college, and I have since acquired it from him).

-Charlie

I previously had a 2nd Gen and these are a lot roomier. My 6' 3" 16 year old can actually fit in the passenger seat whereas his knees were up against the dash on the 1991. But yeah, they are compact in all aspects.