Correction - the radio is NOT included in the dash dimmer circuit, and it's the early GX 460 I'd think about, not the 470. But for that darn barn door design I'd probably just swap today...

Yeah that heavier vehicle really helps the same shitty brakes. We have an 18 GX and a 16 Limited...if the GX had the same tailgate, we'd probably get rid of the 4runner. Love the V8 torque but the tailgate sucks.

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Thanks for the informative review on the last page! I'm between getting a 4R or a slightly used 460. I have gripes with both and trying to decide with truth which would be best. I have a Tundra with 2" lift I use on FS roads and for my hauler. I will keep it and whatever I get will be my daily. I really love the idea of the 4R, just don't know if it's the right choice. It only gets a couple miles a gallon better than the Tundra, but the V8 has way more power. I think I'd miss that! I also don't like that you have to get the Limited for certain FWD features. The barn door on the GX bugs me a bit also. But, I don't parallel park where I live often and that's where it would really be hindered. Decisions, decisions... Thanks again.

Curious as to why you hate the tailgate so much? I'm cross shopping and any info of owners helps! If the 4.6 was in the 4R It would be a real winner. Thanks!

I would prefer barn doors to the hatch.
Having had both on different tear Suburbans, I liked the doors.
Less costly to mount spare tires and accessories "out back".
But I don't hate the hatch.

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The problem with the barn door is it doesn't give you any protection from the elements. Imagine coming back from a trailhead in the pouring rain - pop the hatch and you've got instant cover while you get stuff sorted for the ride home. Coming back from a day of skiing in a snowstorm - same issue. Or at the beach on a 95 degree day with no shade in sight. The barn door does nothing for you except be hinged on the wrong side depending on how you park.

The Landcruiser design is even more versatile. It splits the hatch with the upper hatch being ~2/3 and the lower hatch ~1/3. The top hatch gets you cover while you root around in the cargo area, the lower hatch gets you a clean & covered place to sit. In the 4Runner all you have on the bottom is a generally filthy bumper and no place to set stuff if the cargo area is full. I had a Cruiser for a few years in the 90's and I STILL miss that awesome hatch design.

Then again all of this is really moot is all you're doing is driving around town - sometimes with a passenger or two, and maybe groceries. I'm pretty sure that's all the vast majority of current 4Runners are being used for, with some folks here being the exceptions.

The lack of power is just from Toyota trying to improve the mileage. If you hammer down, the power is there. The brakes...They do nose dive more than most, but when I had 3 deer run out in the road on my a few weeks ago, I had to hit them pretty hard. I have no complaints. It stopped very quick for something that weighs 4700 lbs. I don't have a problem with the headlights. I went from a 2007 Murano, to a 2019 TRD Offroad 4Runner. They're alot brighter than the Nissan's.

love my 5th Gen. No issues 67k miles

if you want 250k from your next vehicle, it will be in a 5th gen

you will become comfortable with her warts, and either ignore them or find suitable workarounds

welcome back into a 4R!

Barn door is a huge downside for me as well. I can't for the life of me understand why they chose that design. They got everything else right on the GX, except that. And it's a deal breaker for me. In addition to all of the cons you listed, another one is a limitation of it being usable if you have it street parked. Typically the car behind you will park within inches of your bumper, and in that case, you are SOL to get it open. Only other option is to crawl through the rear seats to get to your belongings. For someone who doesn't have to street park, this won't be an issue, but I just can't see past this illogical design.

And, you hit the nail on the head with the LC having the best of both worlds. You can open up the top of the hatch and grab whatever you need with shade provided; while the bottom half provides a nice padded platform to sit and enjoy lunch on.