1 year ownership update

[Riser]

It's been a one year and 17,000 miles later since I bought my '10 limited. Coming from owning several various sports cars, it was a huge adjustment.

When I bought it new last August, I said it was the best vehicle I have ever owned, and I still feel that way. I've had zero issues with it and build quality is excellent throughout. I've had it through various trails, state of emergencies (snow) and a foot of water from Irene. It has never let me down.

My 10 month old German Shepherd fits perfectly in the cargo area and the slide down window is perfect for him. Despite being a truck based SUV, I have ZERO RATTLES! Someone on this forum said new Toyotas sometimes get rattles, but they generally go away after a while. That person was right. I had 2 rattles when the car was new and they were gone within a month, never to return. Blutooth (w/my iphone) is crystal clear and no one has ever complained about my voice quality.

The tires are still as quiet as when the vehicle was new and my gas mileage has *slightly* increased. I average around 21-22mpg on the highway and 18mpg in the city. Road noise is still minimal, though I did add some dynomat into the cargo area, since I had some laying around. Overall, one of the quieter vehicles I have owned.

By the way, the Weathertech floor mats and Husky cargo liner are worth the investment. My carpet looks brand new after 12 month of abuse from a toddler and GSD puppy.

 

[scanny]

I have pretty much the same feeling about my SR5 which I got in last August too. And my mileage ia about the same. It's just I'm going to order new tires for my truck probably by the end of this month just because I need something better for offroad and snow than stock tires.

 

[SevenMaryThree]

I don't know how the hell you guys are getting that highway mileage. I just drove back and forth across the country, using the over-compensating cruise control for most of the trip. I never set it to more than 3-4 mph over the posted limit. My maximum MPGs was a whopping 17.8.

eta- bone stock 2011 LTD bought new 10/10

 

[desertred]

Just completed a 2900 mile round trip between CO and WA. I experienced a low or 20 mpg and a high of 24 mpg during the trip. I actually got 26 mpg driving through CO on the first part of the trip, but a headwind on I-70 quickly dropped that number. Overall, I'm as satisfied as the OP appears to be after 1 year, 8 months of ownership and just under 20K miles. No real issues to speak of at all. Even my lumbar crunch issue seems to have quickly subsided (wasn't that big of a deal for me).

 

[Fuzzylogic]

1 Year Ownership Update

I just hit my one year mark. I have 27,120 miles on mine (I drive a lot).

My best description is that my 4 Runner is a Swiss Army Knife on wheels. I put 100k miles on a Nissan Titan, which I really enjoyed. When I traded for the 4 Runner, I was a little concerned going back to an SUV. I do a lot of outdoors activity, need 4wd capability, and haul a lot of "stuff."

In addition, I needed a vehicle that would allow me to be a good host to customers during the week, provide reasonable mileage and be nice enough to take my wife out on "date night."

Within 5 years, this vehicle will have over 100k miles on it. Unlike my Titan, I will probably be thinking about driving it for another 100k miles. It is not perfect. It doesn't sound like a hot rod like the Titan (holy moly that thing sounded awesome). But I love the fuel mileage/capability combination. This thing is a giant in a perfectly sized package.

The 4 Runner has very good bones.

 

[Y2KSR5]

I don't know how the hell you guys are getting that highway mileage. I just drove back and forth across the country, using the over-compensating cruise control for most of the trip. I never set it to more than 3-4 mph over the posted limit. My maximum MPGs was a whopping 17.8.

eta- bone stock 2011 LTD bought new 10/10

My 2011 has 1500 miles. Not really broke in. I drive maybe 80% hiway but half of that is rush hour stop and go. Ive never got below 20.8 (actual calculation) and 21.7 mpg at last fill up. Im making a 200 mile trip Sunday on the hiway and have no doubt I should get at least 23mpg. When I drove to Cincy from STL in my 2000 4Runner a few months ago, I got 23mpg! And that was rated at 19mpg?

 

[denat]

can you post the gsd picture?

 

[Riser]

I've actually never taken a picture of him in the runner, but I will tomorrow. I use a leash and secure one end to the tie downs (below the sliding tray). It actually works out great.

 

[Quentin]

Swiss Army Knife is a great description for the 4Runner. When I went offroading w/ my buddy in his CJ7, the 4Runner carried all the gear and went everywhere he did (with less fuss, more often). For my brother's bachelor party, I carried the 7 of us in the 4Runner. My friend swears it is the best road trip vehicle because of the reclining back seats. Took it to the drivein and used party mode. 22k miles on mine now. No defects, 22mpg average, and it simply does whatever I want it to. Best vehicle I've ever owned.

(note: this is after we reached the top of the mountain... didn't get any good offroad footage because of the Irene storm clouds you can see rolling in)

 

[Y2KSR5]

^ Cool picture!

 

[Riser]

Here is the requested shot of the GSD. He's only 10 months old. He fits like a glove in the cargo area. The Husky liner is a must. I also have a Walky Guard installed. The best way IMHO to prevent the dog from coming into the back seat area.

 

[Riser]

Here's a shot with the trunk open. Sorry about the quality, iphone

 

[Gasdoc]

Riser, where did you get those bars separating the cargo area from the back seats? I have been looking for something like that for my dog.

Thanks.

 

[Quentin]

Here is the requested shot of the GSD. He's only 10 months old. He fits like a glove in the cargo area. The Husky liner is a must. I also have a Walky Guard installed. The best way IMHO to prevent the dog from coming into the back seat area.

Heh, that's my seat, too!

 

[Riser]

Riser, where did you get those bars separating the cargo area from the back seats? I have been looking for something like that for my dog.

Thanks.

I got it from here Amazon.com: Walky Guard Car Barrier for Pet Automotive Safety: Pet Supplies

I looked at all of the different types of dividers available, and I thought that was the best. It clamps on under the headrest and takes about 5 minutes to install. It does not touch the headliner, so no worry about long term damage (like the pressure mounted ones may do).

Best of all, my dog doesn't even try to find his way around it. When you install it, just adjust the headrests, to their highest point and leave it there. This is a must, since it has to clear the seatbelt on the backseat (you will see what I mean)

 

[rickwol]

Since we are posting pics of GSD's, here's mine. He prefers to be chauffeured from the back seat vs cargo area. Gotta get that boy a harness as the seat is pretty slippery !

 

[denat]

Beautiful dogs...here is mine...

 

[sperho]

Are those who are quoting mileages going off of their dashboad reading or calculating them at each fill up? My best mileage on my '11 Limited with ~2500 miles on i to date is 20 mpg on the interstate on a trip from northeastern TN to the mountains of central WV. I'm finding it hard to imagine getting 24 mpg out of this engine in the hills... I'm finding it hard to imagine getting more than 21/22 in the flatlands out of my vehicle (and I nurse the gas pedal most of the time) when I'm on the road...

 

[Riser]

Rickwol and Denat, beautiful dogs! GSDs are the best! Can you guys post more shots just of your dogs?

 

[Riser]

Are those who are quoting mileages going off of their dashboad reading or calculating them at each fill up? My best mileage on my '11 Limited with ~2500 miles on i to date is 20 mpg on the interstate on a trip from northeastern TN to the mountains of central WV. I'm finding it hard to imagine getting 24 mpg out of this engine in the hills... I'm finding it hard to imagine getting more than 21/22 in the flatlands out of my vehicle (and I nurse the gas pedal most of the time) when I'm on the road...

I will reset mine before going on a road trip. Each time, I consistantly get 21-22mpg on the highway. This is averaging 65mph on mostly flat roads. I see 17-18 in the city and never any lower