And I disagree that the 4runner isn't a good trip vehicle. We leave our comfy VW Passat wagon at home for long trips. It gets about 8-9 mpg better, but the runner is just more convenient in a lot of ways.
I guess maybe it depends on where you go but the fuel range on the 4runner sux big time. 300 - 325 highway miles is pathetic. My Montero got worse MPG than the 4runner but could go 450+ on a tank because the tank was 24.5 gallons. My '99 Outback could go over 400 and so could my 2wd Ford Ranger. Even my '04 Taco was good for at least 350 and I could push it to nearly 400 if I was on flat ground.
That's probably my biggest gripe, along with the mushy, gas-hogging slushbox tranny.
Looks like we need to convince Toyota to bring the 3rd gen. back into production, maybe with some different engine options?
Different tranny, too. The '05 - up 4th gens have a 5 speed slushbox that gets significantly better MPG. Combined with the bigger fuel tank, that gives a more appropriate highway range of 400+ miles.
The downside, of course, is that you can
only get it with a slushbox, which is why I wouldn't get a 4th gen.
I was a reluctant convert to the slushbox when I got my 4runner, all my previous 4x4's had manual trannys. I got the slushbox so my wife could drive it. Well, in 2 years of owning it, she's driven my 4runner exactly once. So my next 4x4 will have a manual tranny, without a doubt.