Have to pick Highlander or 4runner ? Help decide!
 

Hi everyone !
My wife has a 17 Lexus GS 350 ... I have a Benz 01 ..it old and it's a rusty ...
We being think to get a new car instead of Mercedes...
So I am trying to pick between Highlander and 4runner.
Just wonder.. I heard that 4runner has terrible anchors system for a child safety seats and its tight also ...
Is that true.. somebody has a child safety seat or have expirience with that ?
Personally I dont really like Highlander looks and style...its probably more for mom's...
We expecting baby soon so nust wonder what to get ...
But if I am going to buy 4runner i go for Limited trim ..cause a softer suspension..
Also heard that Highlander has more space ...
We planning to keep car for long time like 7 -10 years ..

We have 3 kids across the rear seat. One full car seat and 2 boosters. Depends on who the primary driver will be and their expectations. Honestly sounds like the highlander may be what you need. The 4Runner is decidedly more like a truck and the highlander is more car like. Other than both being in the same class they’re very different vehicles.

Thanks .. I want to feel worry free in bad weather.. also I recently first time in my life tried ride in Nissan Titan 2012 ...and I never drove in body on frame SUV .. i liked being isolated from the road .. 4runners they too body on frame suv
I just need something to feel safe on the road ,In bad weather ( living in Upstate NY )..and realible factor N number 1 ..
Any way thank you for answering...
And how does 4runner ( especially Limited trim) good in a long road trip ? How comfortable ?
Oh primary driver will be me ...

Forgot to mentioned why I liked ride in Nissan because we have some bad roads uneven, small potholes and you feel less imperfections then in the car .. ... typical for NY state because salt is ruined the roads .
But I also want to my wife be happy when we is going to buy a car ..

If your concerns are about driving through torrential on-road conditions, don't be swayed to get an SR5 or Trail has they only have part-time 4WD! That being said, no kids but I like to sit far back and my in-laws (6'5") still have tons of space. Not sure if the limited comes with a 3rd row option but don't expect that to be entirely comfortable back there.

It's always precious to listen to guys pretend that they have any effective input into the purchase of the next family ride...

Indeed

Some of our wives know nothing about vehicles at all. As such, they defer to us completely.

Ive done some long road trips, SC to chicago, SC to boston, SC to pittsburgh numerous times. Driven in the snowiest winter in Pittsburgh history a couple years back. No issues. 2 kids. 2 britax marathons all the way up through booster seats.

If I had 3 kids, I would have gone bigger. I rented a sequoia recently and drove it 2 weeks out west. I liked it, it was solid, like the 4runner but bigger with 3rd row and a v8.

Landcruiser is another good option if you have the beans.

Lexus GX460 Luxury might be an option. same size as 4runner with 3rd row.

Before the 4runner, we had a Volvo XC90. That thing was a beast and the most comfortable thing I've ever driven. It handled snow no problem.

All that being said, let the wife pick it.

My wife has the Highlander with the 3rd row, she loves it. We have 3 kids and it really is nice to have the extra space when a friend comes along. It is a little more spacious compared to my 4Runner, more kid friendly for sure. I love my 4Runner and we have taken road trips in it, but it is not as comfy as the Highlander for road trips. If it is your only family SUV, the Highlander is really the choice.

wife loves her 4runner. i drove my buddy in his Highlander from Minnesota to AZ and i was impressed. More power, more room, quieter, better fuel economy, way more comfy. Everything about it is nicer and it's 2 years older than wife's minivan. BUT man they're ugly.

Based on your needs, I would suggest looking at AWD SUV/CUVs. Highlander, Honda Pilot, Subaru Forester/Ascent (even Outback), Audi Q7, etc.,. There are tons of options in this market segment which means you can cross-shop and find a good deal. Having lived in upstate NY for 6 years, I really think AWD is far superior to dedicated 4WD. Also, other options listed have a lower center of gravity, which makes them far more stable. The 4R Limited is full time 4WD, but you can get many other vehicles that offer considerably more creature comforts at that price point.

I own both. A 2019 4Runner Pro (My daily driver) and a 2019 Highlander Hybrid (my wife's daily driver). I have owned every generation of Highlander going back to 2002 and have been nothing but, impressed with all of them.

Although I love my 4Runner and it's great for what I do and how I use it, it is hard to argue with the practicality and comfort of the Highlander as a family vehicle.

I recommend the Highlander unless you need the offroad ability of the 4Runner, it's a more comfortable vehicle and has more creature comforts as standard equipment

If you have to ask get a Highlander.