Popular Mechanics Article
 

This was pushed to my homepage by Google, and I read it. I had to share because I thought it was interesting and I need help understanding perspective here:

2019 Toyota 4Runner Review - 4Runner vs. Crossover

I can’t tell whether the author is trying to engage in satire (the mention of the rear window rolling down so many times is too many times), or if it’s an effort to downright say the 4Runner is old and doesn’t deserve the road? Read it and let me know, but it seems like the author is also touting crossovers like they are the vehicular Messiah, of which I would beg to differ (look at failed attempts of the Honda Crosstour and the BMW X6 to capture the SUV crowd, and the number of 4Runners sold last year shows they are indeed a desired vehicle).

Personally, I bought the 4Runner because of its reliability, the ability to customize, the fact that it is a truck (I didn’t need a bed at the time), and yes - that the rear window rolls down.

I also knew I was getting a body-on-frame, I knew I was getting a vehicle that would average less than 20 mpg, I knew I was getting a sluggish 5-speed automatic that wouldn’t break down, and I knew I was getting a vehicle that would go where I pointed it, when I wanted it to, every time.

4Runner isn’t perfect, but man I sure do love mine.

That's the gist of the article to me. The author is somewhat amazed that even with all the faults of a 4Runner it's still the coolest MFer around.

Though he is poking fun at the poser crowd, as well. Being honest with myself, being an apartment dweller in Chicago and riding my bike to work doesn't make much sense to get a 4Runner.

Yet after 2.5 years with my Kia with all the bells and whistle, I wanted to simplify simplify simplify. Less electronics, less mechanical issues, just KISS.

So I went with a 4Runner this past Feb and have loved every second having it.

I think it was a bit cheesy but well written and agree with pretty much all of his points, what did you disagree with?

he's correct that crossovers are a, "positive realignment of capability with reality" for almost all buyers of SUVs and crossovers are a lot better on the pavement. he says the 4runner is the only vehicle in it's class, that's also true. he says it's a time machine with bad gas mileage - true, people buy them to show off their outdoor lifestyle - plenty of truth in that, you can smell exhaust when the rear window is down - true, the things that make it good offroad exact a penalty on-road- also true.

pretty much the only thing i disagree with is the vehicle dynamics, he didn't like the steering but i think it is quite good for a vehicle it's size (and I don't think he would have complained if he was in a vehicle with KDSS, the driving dynamics are great with KDSS). i also don't agree that the V6 is underpowered, you just have to be okay with revving it, but sure a V8 would feel great.

It's a car review written by someone who clearly does not offroad. He's not wrong when talking about your average consumer.

So true.

Stock throttle mapping doesn't help. Really wish there was a way to convert to a cable. Even with a pedal commander it's so so.

I miss throttle cables, but I don't get the hate on throttle response. Its pretty damn good for a vehicle of its size. I've owned really slow to really fast cars and trucks and am quite satisfied with how the 4runner gets around.

I do like the steering and find like/dislike can be matter of tire pressure.

I don't miss the "voice" in my head telling me how uncomfortable the passenger seat is. That makes
me love it more.

Great click bait for the author and good advice for potential T4R buyers who may not understand what they could be getting themselves into. However, comparing the T4R to crossovers is pretty meaningless.

in other words a car review written by someone who does what 99%+ of car buyers do with their cars

he calls the 4Runner, "excellent off-road", it seems like a fair review

I would also recommend a Highlander over the 4Runner, in fact I have and even on this forum to people who have asked about the 4Runner who had no plans to offroad it. Unless you plan on going offroad it's outclassed by almost every other mid-size SUV; I'll even go as far as to say that a 2WD version shouldn't even by sold because it's so much worse than the Highlander.

But for what it does, it's really good and the only thing in it's class.

I agree with all of that.

I think that author was used to drive smart car or some sort of Tesla, but in the bottom of the heart he wanted to look rugged and "cool", so he's torn between "coolness" of driving an off-road truck in the city and miserable feeling of not having all the latest technologies in his vehicle. From this article I got impression that author is from people who put lifts, big tires and other visible off-road upgrades on their 4Runners/Jeeps but never actually leave pavement.

IMHO 4runner is perfect for what it's made - off-road performance and high reliability with acceptable road manners.

Say what you will about the article, but you have to admit:

"Bag of rocks pulled by a Clydesdale exhumed from the pet cemetery"

is comedy gold!

I guess one of the advertisers pulled their two-page ad in Popular Mechanics and Ezra Dyer had to fill them with a sophmoric clickbait article. Three of the six pictures were the same shot of the blue Pro's nose in the bushes. He never actually expanded on the "weekend trip" or if he even tried offroading. Probably too timid to engage the transfer case without pushbuttons to keep his weak arms from straining on the Tcase lever.

This is NOT the author in the blue Pro.....
https://thumbs.gfycat.com/BabyishCla...sh-max-1mb.gif
Ezra Dyer might get his suede Chelsea Boots dirty. Oh my! :twitch:

maybe i'm just too damn old, but I don't get the point of the piece. the author makes fun of crossovers, he makes fun of the 4R, and ends with a sort of "take it or leave it" unclimactic finish.

i get satire (i think) and there's a style of writing now that's... what is it, meme-filled with layers of satire? but i don't get this piece.

:iagree:

He did acknowledge the rear window and the coolness factor of a dog looking out as in many of the posts here. Makes me want to get a dog again.