1997 vs. 2015 4runner comparision

Tucson4runner

Tucson4runner

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I wish this guy would have done a more in depth review of the 2 but it's a good start.

1997 Vs. 2015 4Runner: What Has Toyota Done With It In 18 Years?

I personally agree with the interior being better in the older models. My 00 limited has the leather inserts and even the plastic seems to be of a higher grade then what's coming out now. Also, he mentions that if the 97 had been off roading more that it probably wouldn't have lasted but many on here can testify that is far from the truth. What do you guys think?

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It's crazy how popular the new 4Runners are! I know 8 people personally(I don't mean know OF; I mean KNOW. And I don't even know very many people [emoji23]) with WHITE 5th gens. [emoji15]
I do really love the 5th gen body style.

That being said, the interiors do feel fairly cheap and "base model" compared to the 3rd gen. The engine also leaves much to be desired. For the size, I think they should have offered a 5.7 in the 5th gen 4Runner.
 
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Apples and oranges. The 5th gen is HUGE compared to a 3rd gen. I'll be putting a lift on one this weekend (stepdad's), so I'll be getting up close and personal. I also prefer the interior of the 4th gen compared to the 5th.
 
I wasn't big on the 5th gen when it came out, but the refresh really changed the appeal for me for some reason. Now, it actually stands out despite the archaic transmission and interior material quality. The sales speak for themselves with the 2015 model year selling better than any other year of this generation despite no real mechanical change.
 
T4R2014 said:
I wasn't big on the 5th gen when it came out, but the refresh really changed the appeal for me for some reason. Now, it actually stands out despite the archaic transmission and interior material quality. The sales speak for themselves with the 2015 model year selling better than any other year of this generation despite no real mechanical change.
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I'm the same way regarding the 2014 update. I don't care for the 'predator face' but the removal of the rocker covers on the SR5 and trimming the bumper bottoms to improve approach/departure angles totally transformed the look of the truck IMO, much more like a 3rd gen with the running boards taken off now, less slab-sided. The interior on the '14+ is noticeably better than the 10-'13 IMO, although the SR5 losing the manual transfer case lever sucks.

I still wish the front end was less overwrought, and some sturdy 'scuffable' steel bumpers would make it truly the perfect replacement for my 3rd gen IMO.

The 5spd auto and 4.0L are perfectly good I think, very smooth, efficient enough considering the weight and aerodynamics. I've had a few SR5s as rentals for work now, both got the same 20-21 mpg in typical highway driving that I'd get in my V6/auto 3rd gen.
 
The 5th gens are sure larger and heavier, but since they seem to get similar real world MPG, it's hard to say too much bad about that. I guess if they'd held the line on size and weight from the 3rd gens, they'd be getting better MPG by now, I guess. But that always seems to be the pattern. New RAV4's are the size of old Highlanders.
 
I love the look of the 5th gens. Only thing bad I can personally say about them is that there is no manual option but that's been the problem for 15 years now.
 
After not driving my 01 Sport for 2-3 weeks, and driving it again, wow....you can actually appreciate the quality and level of detail put into the 90s Toyotas. Think the Supra....so over-engineered for its time its insane. The 5th gen (especially the facelift) looks amazing, however I'll always keep the 3rd gen.
 
I think the 5th gens are really nice compaired to 4th. I agree they are much bigger than the 3rd gen's. I personally don't like much about the 4gens looks at all.
 
96LTDrus said:
I'm the same way regarding the 2014 update. I don't care for the 'predator face' but the removal of the rocker covers on the SR5 and trimming the bumper bottoms to improve approach/departure angles totally transformed the look of the truck IMO, much more like a 3rd gen with the running boards taken off now, less slab-sided. The interior on the '14+ is noticeably better than the 10-'13 IMO, although the SR5 losing the manual transfer case lever sucks.
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The front end is keeping up with the aggressive appeal. They need it to be more menacing than a damn Highlander I guess. Those rocker covers made me cringe, especially when paired with running boards. IDK why, but I don't mind the refresh with running boards. The update made it far more reminiscent of the 3rd gen, which I like.
 
That review provided nothing useful, except someone saying the interior quality is shit. Otherwise, it looked like some clown with a camera, trying to make another video for their "channel" on Youtube. The 5th gen looks pretty good with some changes like most new vehicles. Here is why I appreciate the older Toyota's and 4runner alike;

I've owned several new Toyota's. 2013, 2014, and a couple 2015's. Car's and trucks. There is a cutoff point in time, where Toyota quality, STOPPED being a cut above the rest. Today, Toyota's and essentially all other manufacturers, make level field vehicles. Cheap plastic materials, engineered to last "x" amount of miles and get turned in for new vehicles. There is so much money and statistical data behind vehicles now, that use to never be factored into build criteria.

I bought a 2005 Corolla a week ago roughly at my local Toyota dealer. We traded in a 2014 Corolla, I voiced this opinion to several people over the course of the dealings. I had the finance manager, used car manager, and 3 salesman, ALL AGREE that new Toyota's aren't what they use to be. This is people who make their living selling this stuff. So needless to say, I feel pretty reassured on my viewpoints with new(er) cars.

Definitely something to consider. Especially if your like me and the "new car" excitement wears off before the first payment was due. I still like driving my 4runner after 7 months of ownership, and my Tacoma's after years of ownership. I feel that is due to the quality, and the fact they were all purchased without needing car payments. 99, 98 and 03.
 
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I have a 1999 3rd gen, my sis a 2014 5th gen. Mine works for me, hers does the same for her, though she would have liked to have the Sequoia since she tows a boat on occasion and would like more lower end torque.

My nephew, a 5th grader and no Mensa prodigy, could have written the article better than the author.
 
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