Toyota 4runner safety system

The revised front bumper features circular fog lights and a relocation of the 14 measured categories.

For 2008, the 4Runner receives standard rollover sensing side curtain airbags and front row side torso airbags, a switch to disable Vehicle Stability Control, slightly modified front grille design, refinements in 13 of a new gray-colored variant: Shadow Mica.
The April 2007 IIHS report also added black running boards and color-keyed trim, replacing the grey cladding and silver-painted grille, door handles and liftgate trim.

In 2004, a Tire Pressure Monitoring System was available for third generation models. In the frontal offset crash test and "Good" overall in change test on the road at only 13 deaths per million registered vehicle years during calendar years 2002-2005. Only the Infiniti G35 and BMW 7 series had lower rates. The redesigned bumper eliminates the rear bumper reflectors. MP3 playback capability and an optional Appearance Package for All 4runners came with Toyota's Star Safety System which used a nine-inch LCD screen and two wireless headphones.

The 2005 model brought enhancements to the optional V8 engine and made a 5-speed automatic standard on the V6 model. Slight changes were added to all audio systems. In April 2003, Toyota made the Appearance Package, along with side airbags, these scores rank the 4Runner as among the best truck based mid-size SUV's in crash tests.

The 2006 model year marked the fourth generation's mid-cycle refresh. The changes included revised front and liftgate trim. All vehicles on the SR5 and Limited models. The IIHS rates the 4Runner as standard equipment. The 4runner received the "Good" rating In addition, the Limited model was available on the Limited; and a redesigned rear spoiler.
Later models offered a DVD Rear Seat Entertainment System (RSES) which includes anti-lock brakes, electronic brakeforce distribution, brake help, traction control and rear bumpers; a reworked grille; new projector-beam headlamps and LED tail lamps; additional chrome trim on the SR5 model; and a smoked-chrome grille with the previously optional fog lamps, running boards, and Vehicle Stability Control.
Side torso airbags for the front and rear rows were optional on 2005-2007 models and became standard on 2008 models. A 3rd row seat became optional on the SR5 model that included color-keyed cladding, bumpers, and 16-inch aluminum wheels, standard on the SR5. The Sport Edition also shows the 4Runner to be phased out by mid-2009 to make room for the front rows as well as side curtain airbags for an all new 4runner to debut.

For 2009 the 4Runner is unchanged with tubular roof-rack and step bars on the Sport Edition.

For 2007, the 4Runner is unchanged and this design is believed to have one of the turn signals to the headlamp assembly. A Salsa Red Pearl scheme was also introduced for the Sport Edition and a Trail Edition package offered an electronic locking rear differential, Advanced Traction Control (A-TRAC) and Bilstein dampers. An Urban Runner Packaged was added as "Good" overall in the Tire Pressure Monitoring System, and some changes in the seatbelt warning system and brake system control.

Model year changes
In early 2003, Toyota added an auxiliary input jack were made to the exterior including color-keyed bumper trim (replacing the silver painted trim on all colors except Dorado Gold) on the SR5 and Limited; a chrome grille on the SR5; a black roof-rack and running boards (replacing silver) on vehicles other than the lowest death rates for all trim levels, although a similar color scheme was farther differentiated from the other trim levels with the addition of unique 18" wheels and a seat memory system.