I really like the 4runner. However, I heard it's known best for its off-road performance. I want to buy a new 4runner mainly for on-road uses such as highway or in the city. Should I consider the 4runner? If no, what should I consider?

It is a great vehicle for either purpose. If you do want to look at others though, a Highlander would be pretty nice as well, and have a better ride.

The T4R off the lot drives like a Lexus. Maybe go to a dealer and test drive one.

I drive mine 95% suburb driving and I get 16.8 mpg, pretty much the same as a sienna or highlander would get. Although on road trips I'll get about 21 whereas the sienna and highlander you're talking 26ish.


The 4r needs better tires right off the lot, and possibly caster adj and shocks. The only thing that annoys me around town is the long travel in the brake pedal. Other than that i like it a lot.

I would avoid the SR5....it really feels and handles like a truck. The limited might work nice for you because of the XREAS. Also consider the Highlander. My wife has a highlander and it's very carlike on the road, yet handles deep snow and mild "off roading" very well.

The SR5 Runner rides wonderfully on road with the right tires. As for as smoothness and quietness it rides as good as or better than a lot of cars. I run the Michelin MS2's. That makes a world of difference. I know what a good ride feels like, as I also own a Lexus Sedan.

Honestly, you'll get a lot of different opinions on here. just go test drive one. Be sure to try each model (TE, limited, sr5) as they have very different handling characteristics. Also be sure to try hard breaking and avoidance maneuvers at speeds above 50mph. That's where the Sr5 can get a little spooky IMO. Good luck!

SR5 here.. Never planned on taking it off road, very happy with the way it handles.. It is a truck, obviously, center of gravity/cornering is worse than, say, rav4 or a smaller vehicle.

Highlander.. I couldn't get past it's looks. :|

Doesn't sound like you drove one. If thats the case, you shouldn't even ask these questions without driving one first.

If you drive it and think you like it, good - but then go drive a crossover type truck like Highlander, Honda Pilot, Jeep GC, Infiniti FXwhatever, Mazda C9, Lexus, Nissan Murano, BMW X3, etc. These all ride nicer on road. Much nicer. Its like this because they are built differently for a different purpose than the 4Runner. Many on this forum will say some or all of these other trucks are crap, but don't listen.

If you still like the 4Runner after doing all that, then definitely buy it. Can't go wrong. Great truck and I highly recommend it - but that's me.

Do your homework, shop around, sit in them, and drive them. Something will strike you and that's what you'll go with.

sorry, but comparing an x3 or c9, or an FX to a 4 runner has got to be one of the most idiotic moves ever.

You are comparing a truck to a luxury cross overs.. Come on!

lets compare apples to apples here.

You are obviously unable to read. I'm not "comparing" anything.

He's looking for something that does well on the highway and city and thats what I responded to.

I will never off-road, but I wanted a BOF, fairly large, 4WD, reliable, masculine SUV. Hence the 4R. I'd still do it the same 1.5 yrs later.

If you want a very nice SUV, that's a little less off-roady, less CUV-ish, go drive a Pilot. It's a terrific package.

retract the claws, please

I only commented on the suggestion I saw:
Take object a, test it, then take object b, test it.
upon receipt of results, compare the results..

If it wasn't your intention, you could have worded it differently. To give you an example, you could say "you may be better of trying out an FX rather than 4r, due to..." etc.

thanks for checking

+1. I concur. My wife drives an 07 Pilot and she loves it. I love it. Smooth as silk. Incredibly well made. I can't speak to the current ones though.

When I bought it new, the Honda Finance guy didn't want to give me the Extended Warranty info or pricing - he said "Why?? You won't need it. This truck won't break." He was right. It hasn't. 5 years. Not one single issue inside or out. Just as smooth, quick, and responsive today as it was on day 1.

But it ain't no testosterone-laden truck with levers and masculine guy stuff.

That's funny because the GX was rated the best mid-sized luxury SUV/crossover for 2011 and the 4Runner is a close cousin to the GX. So his statement is not so idiotic.

Koz