Happy Birthday to my 2011 SR5!!! It has been exactly one year since I picked up my 2011 SR5 with 3 Miles on the Odometer… one year later… 22,325 Miles.

WARNING… Long Winded.

Let me preface this post with the following: Nothing below should, in any way, shape or form, be misconstrued, misinterpreted, or misunderstood as “complaining” about the 2011 5th Generation 4Runner (with one exception). Simply stated… I LOVE my ride!!!

I owned my first 4Runner for 10 years, 5 months and 9 days and put 247,162 miles on it. I decided it was time to get a new 4Runner when the year’s anticipated cost of repairs was significantly greater than the value of the vehicle. My wife always told me that the “loves” in my life were, in order, my dog… my truck… my wife. I won’t disclose the real order (she may be reading).

The best analogy I have for moving into a new 4Runner is that it is similar to giving up your favorite pair of blue jeans and you are trying to break in the new pair. I think you know the jeans I am talking about (the ones with the strategically located hole in the crotch that your wife tells you to throw out). Below are my perceived differences with commentary.

#1 – Elimination of the strategically located hole in the crotch (aka – the “Crotch Vent”)
Speaking of “the strategically located hole in the crotch”, and, yes… it has been pointed out to me that “air bags for my knees” are probably more “practical” than a crotch vent… but “Cool & the Gang” sure will miss the vent. I need to find a mod for this. I am looking at aftermarket ventilated seats.

#2 – Automatic rear window
This is my ONLY real/legitimate complaint about the 5th Gen… I cannot lower the rear window via the key fob. I am open to suggestions for a mod to make this happen.

#3 – No more rear heater in the back.
After a few NH sub-zero camping trips, it was nice to have this extra heater in the back seat. The front one worked find, but I liked "turning it to eleven" when needed. As a compromise, I do like the “auto all windows down” feature enabled at the dealer. This was nice on hot summer days.

#4 – Tan Cloth vs. Black Leather
Honestly, I could care less. Leather looks better and is easier to get the dog hair out. However, after a summer of hot, black leather seats… I miss the crotch vent (see #1…. “Cool & the Gang” reference). Additionally, have you ever tried to find a “black” BlackBerry, “black” iPod, “black” wallet against “black” leather seats? This is impossible at night. I guess I will have to by glow in the dark stickers for everything.

#5 – Engine
5th Generation is the hands-down winner. Sounds better, performs better… simply put… winner.

#6 – Vehicle Stability Control
5th Generation is the winner. In the past I would throw the 2000 into 4WD for better traction on slick city roads. I did not need 4WD in the same fashion this past winter. VSC worked great. Best part… I can shut off VSC in parking lots to play around. It is impossible to perform donuts with VSC on.

#7 – Off Road Performance
5th Generation… winner. ATRAC Rocks. DAC… I am sure it will come in handy some day. I do miss having a rear locker as an option on the 5th Generation SR5 as with my 2000 (Option Package #5). ARB Air Lockers here we come.

#9 – Reliability vs. Durability
For me, reliability is defined as not making trips to the dealers for things that should not have broken in the first place. Durability is the ability of my 4Runner to not break when I start pushing it to the limits.
I am certain that this will be a reliable vehicle (knock on wood… knock on head… knock on something). I am a little dismayed that after one year I have two holes in the front bumper cover (appears someone bumped me in parking lot). The factory running boards folded on a snow drift… time for super sliders (to the wife, “honey, I have to get them as the factory ones just don’t look right now.”).

I think when one spends 10 years camping, crossing streams, getting into trouble and getting out of trouble… it is hard not to make comparisons. Yes, there are a lot of other differences, but they are just that… differences (neither better nor worse).

I have read numerous complaints regarding the 5th gen for 1) Nose Dive 2) Doesn’t handle like an MDX/Highlander/Range Rover Sport/Infinity Sports Car/Honda Pilot/[you get the point] 3) Lumbar Support Crunching 4) Seat crunching…. My take...

Nose Dive – Don’t slam on your brakes. Leave enough room such that one can come to a complete and controlled stop… stated differently, “deal with it”.

Doesn’t drive like an “MDX / [etc]”… NEWS FLASH!!! NEWS FLASH!!! NEWS FLASH!!! It’s Not an MDX… it’s an offroad machine!!!

Lumbar Adjustment “crunching”… your seat is saying, “Make up your freaking mind”. I have adjusted mine once… hasn’t “crunched” since (and, I just tested it… still does not “crunch”).

Seat Crunching… a) lose weight or b) see #3 “Lumbar Adjustment Crunching”.
Let me be clear “I LOVE MY 4RUNNER”. I am looking forward for at least another 10 years (in fact, my son just turned three… I think I am driving his ride).

Simply stated, I love my new jeans 4Runner… looking forward to breaking them it in over the next 10+ years.


Signed…. An EXTREMELY HAPPY 4RUNNER OWNER (damn it!)

glad you like your 4Runner so much but, man, your #3 and #4 sure came from a place most associated with #2... that "strategically located hole in [your] crotch."

just because you don't experience those specific problems doesn't mean that they don't exist. sheesh.