Which Gen. Is the Best Looking

[JAC]

They are some discussions about the performance capacity ,comfort and riding of each generation on and offroad. But discarding all of those if u go by the looks and design (completely stock no mods)....in your opinion which generation is the better looking of all 5?

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

or 5th generation

 

[manhunter]

Third gen hands down.

 

[martini]

Agreed, 3rd gen, while I like my 4th gen my old 99 highlander has it beat.

 

[JAC]

I love my 4th but I am gonna say it in this order:

1. 3rd
2. 4th.
3. 5th
4. 2nd
5. 1st

 

[gptoy96]

For straight out looks, 2nd gen my fav. Mechanical things like lack of power and headgaskets kept me away but I can stare at the first batch with the exterior tire carrier all day.

1. 2nd gen
2. 3rd gen
3. 4th gen
4. 5th gen
5. 1st gen

 

[Gromulus]

Tough Choice

I like both the 3rd and 4th generation. I always think one looks better until I see the other comning down the road or parked somewhere. While I like the ride and interior space on the 4th generation better, I guess if push came to shove I would give the overall exterior appearance nod to the 3rd. While I don't find the 5th especially ugly (except hos damn rear lights), it is definetly several notches below both the 3rd and 4th in my book.

My order is:

1) 3rd
2) 4th

3) 5th
4) 2nd
5) 1st

 

[turboSR5]

For me, nothing looks cooler than a 1st gen 4runner with the top off. Every other 4runner after 2nd gen just looks like a station wagon with an overeating disorder.

 

[Union Federal]

Gotta represent my 4th generation, Sport Ed....but the 3rd gen is pretty nice too.

 

[adkinsadam1]

1) 5th Gen. Trail
2) 4th Gen. Limited/Sport
3) 4th Gen. SR5
4) 3rd Gen.
5) 2nd/1st Gen.
6) 5th Gen. SR5

Trust me I know. That 5th gen. trail is hot.

 

[chaz]

3rd , yes in deedie.

 

[sn0wrunner]

1. 3rd
2. 5th
3. 4th
4. 2nd
5. 1st

I absolutely hated the 4th gens when they came out, but they have really grown on me. I really like the look of the 3rd 4th and 5th gens. 2nd and 1st gens are ok too... just not what i would prefer.

 

[MikesToy]

1. 4th Gen
2. 3d Gen
3. 2d Gen
4. 5th Gen
5. 1st Gen

 

[FourEyedWilly]

I've owned the 1st, 2nd, and 4th gens. I have to say I love them all about equally. But...

Overall Coolness = 1st Gen (way too small)
Comf and Boatness = 2nd Gen (power? what's that)
Overall Performance and Looks = 4th gen (best performer, but pavement princess)

 

[CJ3Flyr]

This is IMHO based on looks only! Admittedly my 1st and 2nd choice tend to flip-flop...
1) 1st
2) 3rd
3) 5th (The base and TE look good )
4) 2nd
5) 4th
:cheers:

 

[Uneek]

1. Early 3rd gens, not the later ones with the fish lips front bumper.
2. Later 4th gens, 2006-09.
3. Early 4th gens, 2003-05.
4. Later 3rd gens.
5. 1st gen.
5. 2nd gen, but not ones with the rear mounted spare.
7. 5th gen.

 

[Elton H]

the 4th and 5th gens are to soccer mom ish with only automatics
so its
1. 3rd Gen 96-98
2. 3rd Gen 99-02 diff front bumper
3. 1st Gen 3.4L swap of course
4. 2nd Gen 90-91 22re or 3.4 swap

_______________

 

[004Gunner]

3rd
4th
2nd
1st
5th

Anyone else think that even the stock photo of the 3rd gen has rear sag? Seriously, this condition was present straight off the assembly line :redbrick:

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Anyone else think that even the stock photo of the 3rd gen has rear sag? Seriously, this condition was present straight off the assembly line :redbrick:

:iagree: and what cracks me up is us 4th gen guys pay money to get the nose up:lmao:

 

[fourwd1]

It's simple, if you like the modern SUV mall crawler look you'll like the later gens, if you like the rugged 4X4 look you will like the early models.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

Easy. 3rd Gen.