We,ve a 2001 5 door 2.0VVTi. Bought it in ,05 with about 80k on the clock. Ex lease car with a good Toyo history. It now has 120k and the only 'fault' with it has been the exhaust manifold mounted O2 sensors needed replacing 3 years back. I let Toyo do it (2 separate sensors failed about 2 months apart) at a total cost of about £300. Literally not another thing needed apart from the normal consumables. Original exhaust too. I have done all the servicing since, typically annually: usual oils and filters. This winter I will also do coolant change, along with my LC, and a brake fluid change. Sails thro' the MOT. All it needs now is a set of front ARB bushes and new drop links as they are rattling a bit.
Far more practical then the newest generation motor if you have a family of squirts in the rear, as we do. The rear seats (60/40 split with Isofix mounts) slide, fold and are removable and even when slid rearmost there is still a decent boot. The 2.0 engine is 150bhp and runs at about 28-30 mpg with her driving. No timing belt on the VVTi as it is chain driven. Engine is a peach and never needs oil top ups and runs like new. Easy on tyres and 30k plus is typical. Downsides include that it is only a 5 sp (later ones were 6 I think) and on longer journeys, for the longer legged (i.e. me), the driving position and seats coudl be better.
Well recommended especially if you get the slightly later model that was facelifted a bit internally. If you are doing average mileage go petrol. The diesel is not that good and the petrol has miles more bhp. Not much mpg defference either. Water pump failure is an issue on the diesels I've heard, as noted above. Full time 4WD is also pretty important where we live and has been invaluable this last few years as it leave SHIMBO independent and mobile.
Cracking motor and changed my views on the Toyo brand quite a bit....She loves it and we'll be hanging on to it until it falls apart.
Mightn't be allowed to say this but shuld also look at the similar Honda CRV from mid 2000s. Also a cracking motor with the Honda 2.0VTEC engine and the nice iCTDi diesel. RAV a bit smaller though.
) are the only mainstream small SUVs still running genuine fulltime 4WD. I could be completely wide of the mark here though 
