Hey there everyone. I been a long time fan of the 4Runner and been lurking this forum for awhile now. The time is getting closer for us to pull the trigger on a new family vehicle. We are a Family of 5, 2 6 year olds and a 10 year old. We do a couple camping trips a year and would love to pull a small trailer as an upgrade from tenting.

We have been rocking a grand caravan now for almost 6 years so we do worry we are going to lose some of that inside space and end up being too cramped in there when we are loading up for day trips. But one thing I truly miss is going off the beaten path and finding some trails to go on. I used to own a Jeep and a lifted truck and we now down to just the van. Living in BC Canada, there is plenty of areas to go and explore

Has anyone else made this switch? Was it worth it?

With your size family, I think a 4runner is going to be too small. I would consider a suburban or a 4x4 van. Both will offer a lot more space and make trips more fun for everyone.

Unless you're family is small and thin. Then maybe.

Suburbans are out of price range, looking for new or barley used vehicles


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In your specific situation, with what sounds like your needs, I would honestly consider the Ford Flex instead of a 4-runner.

It will have the room you need, can tow a small trailer, and is available in AWD.

If you have a need to get into the mountains and do frequent real offroading... that would sway my opinion.

Flex is very popular here. They do fine on most dirt and forest service roads. Should be about the same price range as the 4 runner.

The 4runner is a very small vehicle for that sized family.

A slightly used Sequoia?

Possibly but they seem to be more outdated than the 4runners are.

Honestly surprised so many are against the 4runner. What prompted me to consider it more so lately was there was several out there on our camping trip this week. Many towing the ultra lite trailers with kids, more than I’ve ever seen actually.

Given me more to think about. Have one more small camping trip the following week and then we are going to start our vehicle shopping.

The trailer part I’m not too concerned with, there was plenty of ultra lites with bunks in the low 3000lb range. We been tenting it this entire time so it wouldn’t need to be anything large

Thanks for the help and suggestions so far. Armada looks interesting, still body on frame, big v8 and Nissan seems to price it aggressively. But seems to be little to no aftermarket for it if I was to lift it


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I wouldn't get a 4Runner. It won't be enough space. Subaru has some nice options, like the ascent. I would've considered one of those if i didn't impulse buy my 4Runner.

Minivan makes more sense. We have minivans ever since before our second one was born. A Honda Odyssey, 2 Sienna's. Our boys are 6 and 8 Now, we have a Sienna XLE AWD and just traded in the second Sienna for a 2019 4Runner TRD OR.

Minivan are the most practical vehicles for the family. We have taken some long trips down to the Texas golf coast, up to Canada. You can't get beat it. I have also hauled dirt, gravel and mulch with my 5x8 trailer with it.

Oh I hear you loud and clear there. We have used our minivan for everything, and we are very tempted to pull the trigger on a new Pacifica (big discounts through my work). Just hate being stuck again not being able to do any off roading and taking some trails to camp out. And even more limited on towing

When it comes to what you can haul inside? Yea the van wins hands down and much better bang for the buck.


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My wife has the QX56 - the Infiniti version of the Armada. She won't give it up for anything and it has been painless, plus has a ton of room. Problem is, the newest gen (either 2011 or 2012+) has some major engine issues. We got her the older gen (2010) just to avoid those.

But she is almost 50 and says it's her favorite car that she has had in her entire life. We bought it with about 80k on it, it now has 131k. Only real issue has been a starter which of course they put under the intake manifold so it's a $6-700 job at an independent mechanic. Everything else has been pretty solid. It eats belts and brakes and tires (heavy car, heavy foot), and the windows are slow, other than that its fine for the job.

Just for fun:

Toyota Sienna Lift Kits - Journeys Off Road


Toyota made a concept of just what you need called the "TJ"

lol my mom has a 2011 and it had the timing chain issue. Was not cheap. Other then that its been bulletproof. she's put like 180k miles on it, bought it new. She also refuses to get anything else. That thing is a rocket

I would say a Sequoia or Land Cruiser would be bigger and have more room.

Yes Sequoia. Go with this. Not any of that FCA shit

Appreciate the input, though the flex barely has anymore ground clearance than our van does lol. Wife has been eyeing up the pacifica, was hoping to sway her over to somewhere a bit more 4x4 worthy. But can’t pay the high asking prices they want for suburbans and such.

Was hoping we could swing it with the 7 passenger 4Runner but guess will have to check it out more in person


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