You'll get no argument from me there. In fact, I'll go one step further and say every model of car/truck ever made has strengths and weaknesses compared to the others, but underpowered is underpowered. I'm not looking to win any drag races here, but going up a mild grade without downshifting would be nice.

Don't worry though, because I just bought a 2020 4Runner, which means the whole thing will be redesigned next year, make 50 more horsepower, get 50% better mileage, have higher ground clearance and cost 5 grand less.

"Anyway the highways had incredibly short on ramps. Trying to accelerate to highway speed is no fun in a weak car with traffic hauling butt. "

I learned to drive in DC and spend a good amount of time using I-95 in Richmond as a shortcut between various neighborhoods. Two things I've learned: he who hesitates loses the right of way and pick a shiny new car to cut off. The people driving beaters are probably looking for a free paint job or to hit the insurance lottery.

I haven't had any problems merging, passing, or even towing my boat. Kick it down a gear or two and go. That's what you'd do driving a stick shift. I miss stick shifts.

Is my wife's '16 Avalon Touring faster? Sure. Big deal.

I have felt like my 4runner was terribly unresponsive,,,,and I realize that its a heavy vehicle too, and I have probably added 600 lb of weight to it, so I got a Sprint Booster......and it made ALL the difference in the way it feels......it makes it feel like it should have from the factory!.....I pulled a Military offroad trailer last week about 400 miles 1 way fully loaded with camp gear, probably pushing 3000 lb, and sure it downshifted to 4th gear thru the mountains, and the motor screamed about 4200 rpm, but it did everything it was asked to do......and I have a new respect for the 4.0 motor now.....its a great proven reliable motor/transmission..... and I would take that any day over some of the less reliable motor/transmission setups that other companies are offering!....I know Toyota can do better....but they are very methodical and conservative in their builds.....that's not a bad thing in todays world!...just my opinion!!!!!

I was following a Model A just the other day and all I could think about was how slow the 4runner is /s

It's slow, and burns gas like a pig doing so.
The 2019 Accord Hybrid I sold my 5th gen for does 0-60 in 6.7 lol.

Of course I can't offroad the Accord, but I'd come to the realization recently that all my favorite trails are best done via hike or horse-ride, so I'm good.

4 runner wasn't built to be fast. If you want a fast car, go hop into a sports car or some high end turbo suv.

It does sound like you are driving a considerably larger/more powerful machine than you really are. I like it too.

I had a 4th gen, then a current gen Tundra and now a 5th gen 4Runner. The 5th feels like the 4th, slow but steady. The Tundra was perhaps faster but it was also a ginormous beast that was a pain in the ass to park, to fuel and generally to deal with.

The 4Runner does the job it was made for and I know it won't leave me stranded while doing so. Something comforting about that.

My other car is a C63 so I've got the HP bug covered; not looking for that out of the 4R.

I have a 2016 TRD Pro 4Runner and I live at 8,200 ft above sea level. It is painfully slow at many points, I am not looking for a race car. It could use another 40-60 whp the supercharger is why to expensive and is going to dramatically decrease the life of the engine. The size, on and off-road capabilities are perfect for my needs. Just would like that little increase in power.

Bill

I would prefer a slightly more linear pedal feel. But no complaints on the overall power.
I had my current work truck custom tuned ( 2012 Silverado 2500hd) and one of the things the tuner did was "sharpen" or adjust the throttle mapping to more of a 1:1 ratio among other things.
Is this possible on a 4runner?

This is the thing. It's not built to be fast. But it's not slow.

Nobody makes SLOW cars in the states anymore. Everything is just really fast lately.

That can be remedied with a sprint booster. I keep it off for an eco mode, green 9 for my normal driving and red 5 for a sport mode.


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As others have mentioned, get a Pedal Commander or the Sprint Booster and the truck becomes a whole new animal!!!!! Worth the money imo.

It's funny, I thought the same thing. I actually think that people believe this because of how heavy and low the pedal is. If the throttle was much more responsive at the top of the pedal and more "jumpy", you'd be more inclined to think it's peppy. Because we have to stomp on it to get it moving, your mind tells you it's a bit on the clunky and slow side.

Perception is key.

I'm totally satisfied with the power in my base model SR5 and I've never had a situation where I felt like lack of power was a concern. I think of it like a modern Harley or BMW twin...strong power from idle through 6000 rpm courtesy of the variable valve timing, large displacement, and four valve per cylinder heads. Other SUV's like the CX9 or Pilot are a tad quicker and are definitely more carlike for nasty commutes in heavy traffic...just as a Harley just isn't going to keep up with crotch rocket bikes...but in a 4Runner you set your own pace and I'm never jealous of the other vehicles that I'm looking down on. I can see where someone might want more eager downshifts for hilly or mountain driving or for frantic commutes. I also think it sounds great revved out...courtesy of the amazing engine structure (and other properly engineered details) and relatively low compression ratio which softens combustion noise. I think it seems out of its element cruising at 85-90 or more (due to lack of 6th gear and dinosaur suspension) but I'm totally OK with that.