Drove a 4Runner For the first Time Today
 

There is a White 2019 Limited Demo at the Toyota dealer on the corner of Maple and 208. If you're from here you'll know where I'm talking about.

I drove it on 208 (highway) and Maple and parked it in my driveway then drove to the dealer and backed it into the parking sport.

Nice truck and a good size. It fits in my driveway. Its not a bus like some of the others I've considered. It is a truck. It's not uncomfortable, however, it is a truck.
Taking one to the Shore for a day, say, Bradley beach would be ok. Cape May might be a stretch.

The acceleration was adequate. The engine has more of a mechanical sound than I'm used to but thats not a bad thing. Otherwise it was nice and quiet.

I like what I saw on the navigation screen. The sunroof is big. That I appreciate.
The carpeting, from what I could tell, didn't look or feel cheap.

I measured the cargo area with the seats folded down and there was plenty of room to meet the needs of my business.

Im 6'2" 230 and there was plenty of room for my head. I was able to adjust the steering wheel and seat to a comfortable position without feeling like I was sitting on the floor. I like that it has a tall wind shield and the vehicle sits high.

Did you roll that sweet back window down?

There’s nothing like driving in the summer with all the windows down, the back window down, and the sunroof open.

Good luck with your decision

The interior of the 5th gen is actually quite nice, especially the Limited which offers more than the others.

If you contrast that to other trucks like the Tacoma, I think the 4Runner interior and comfort is ahead of their other offerings.

I’ll agree the truck isn’t perfect, but its better than pretty much anything else in that class I would consider driving. It’s an easy truck to fall in love with… mine has taken me to some pretty amazing places on or off-road. I find them to be wildly capable and reliable which makes it easy to overlook any of its shortcomings.

That I want to do.

I have a good friend who lives in El Segundo. He wants to take a motorcycle trip to Alaska and I want to go to Greenland and Iceland by way of Canada. Could do both in a 4Runner.

Well said!


I load this 4runner up with stuff and drive to places that I never EVER would have taken my half ton trucks. With passengers and mountains of fly fishing gear too. Folks can't believe where I'll drive this thing, and it is deadly reliable.

You are 37 years late to the game but... better late then never.

Followed by the sweet aroma of exhaust :-]

seriously...only issue is mpg. and doesnt have a v8 but who really wants 14mpg in a smaller truck

That would require an awfully tall snorkel...

Funny.

Many years ago, when I was at Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, MI worked on the first (and possibly the best) Explorer. Later I had a niche tactical truck program before the bottom fell out of the auto industry in the 2000’s. Arizona Proving Grounds was my second home for several weeks a year for a few years. APG was sold to Chrysler. (Stoopid) Thats just my some of my experience in the US. I know a little bit about trucks.

If you commute a lot and have a sensitivity to gas prices, I can understand the hesitation, these things are pigs. I used to have a $500 month gas tab in my 4th gen.

I saw 3.19 a gallon gas for the first time in a while today.

Okay so what’s your point? You don’t ask any questions or seem to be looking to address any concerns in this thread. Glad you enjoyed your test drive but is there something else you’re trying to say or ask?

i had a 3rd gen...4 speed action. horrible. toyota does not do SHIT for mpgs ever. opposite of honda. i love the crao out of my 4runner but seeing 16 mpg in the cluster kills me. the 4runner is like a lady.