2010 Limited Driving Impressions...

R

ravencr

New member
I just got back from the dealership after spending some time driving a Limited model they had in stock. I've been looking at larger SUV's, such as the Sequoia, Armada/QX4, Navigator/Expedition, Yukon/Suburban, etc, mainly because the back seat room in a lot of these SUV's is so cramped. To my surprise, the 4runner is way more roomy than my 3rd gen's, to say the least. The back seats recline nicely, and I'm 6'2" tall and didn't drive with the seat all the way back. I had probably 3-4" of further movement to the rear that I wouldn't use. Then, for the backseat test, I moved the driver and passenger seats all the way back in a comfortable riding position and found that I could sit comfortably in the back seat, as well. What surprised me the most is that we just left the GM dealer after driving a Yukon and Suburban, and the second row in the 4runner provides more leg room and knee clearance than the larger Yukon and Suburban. I was shocked!

After driving it, I tested the decent control, put it in 4low and activated and deactivated the A-trac (obviously didn't test it out), and it appears that in 4-low it defaults with traction control off, which was nice to see. Secondly, the limited, as you guys probably already know is AWD, 4-high, and 4-low. Although, I'd prefer the part-time system found on the trail or SR5, at least it's not just AWD.

But, here's my challenge. I want leather seats, dual climate control, KDSS, and 3rd row seating, locking rear diff, A-trac, multi-terrain select, and crawl control, but it's not available on either the trail or the limited combined. That part sucks...I'm a wheeler by nature, so I lean towards to the Trail, but I like my creature comforts, especially with my wife sitting next to me (Dual climate control) and leather seats.

So, what to do, what to do...lol? Anyone know if any of this stuff can be retrofitted, although I'm sure it would be expensive?

Overall, my first impression is I might be able to save a ton of money by getting the 4runner instead of one of the larger SUV's. The only other downside is the towing capacity is right on the verge of my lowest limit, so getting rid of my '08 Duramax is unlikely. The ride quality and features was very nice. The one I drove had the slide out tray in the back with some additional storage. I'd like to see the 3rd row option, as well, because the salesman said it folds completely flat, so the only loss would be the tray.

Chris
 
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I hate to say it, but you could spend the extra money and go with the Lexus GX460. That will give you all of the options you want. Otherwise, you'll have to compromise and get either the Trail or the Limited, depending on whether or not you want to stay with a Toyota product.

Personally, if it is that important, I would go Limited. The Limited has a center locking diff and A-TRAC. It should get you through everything the Trail should. The Multi-terrain select is nice, but is a bit gimmicky. If you can modulate the gas/brake good with other vehicles off-road, you will do just as good as if you had MTS.

JMHO:cool:
 
mhadden said:
I hate to say it, but you could spend the extra money and go with the Lexus GX460. That will give you all of the options you want. Otherwise, you'll have to compromise and get either the Trail or the Limited, depending on whether or not you want to stay with a Toyota product.

Personally, if it is that important, I would go Limited. The Limited has a center locking diff and A-TRAC. It should get you through everything the Trail should. The Multi-terrain select is nice, but is a bit gimmicky. If you can modulate the gas/brake good with other vehicles off-road, you will do just as good as if you had MTS.

JMHO:cool:
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Has the Lexus been re-designed the same as the 4runner? You're probably right about the Trail, and I guess I could always to manual disconnects on the swaybars.

Chris
 
ravencr said:
Has the Lexus been re-designed the same as the 4runner? You're probably right about the Trail, and I guess I could always to manual disconnects on the swaybars.
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It has, but then you're stuck with that stupid barn door on the back. The price is also breathtaking. It starts at $52k, but you probably won't find one for less than $58k.
 
ravencr,

I was in a similar dilemma. I like the Trail's offroad features and look but wish it had dual climate for the wife too:) So today I bought a Trail and had the dealer add heated seats to the cloth for $500....pick it up Monday!
 
I'd say you'd be happier with the Limited. You say you want the KDSS/Multi-terrain etc from the Trail, but keep in mind things like that wouldn't even be available on those larger suv's that you're looking at.
 
Just to clarify and make sure - it is a full-time AWD system. Everyone calls it different things and don't understand why you consider this to be a big thing.

If it comes down to a roomy 2nd row (as it did with our last car prior to the 4runner) may I ask why you are getting the Sequia over the Armada.

The Armada was about $12k cheaper equally equipped when I bought it 2 years ago. There was just no way I was buying the Sequia and I do love my Armada
 
It is pretty ridiculous that a loaded Trail @ $40k does not include the options for a non-manual climate controls or options for some type of cold weather package.

If they just added:
Auto climate control
Heated seats
Leather Wheel/Shifter

to the Trail Ed. I think it would be just about perfect.
 
bigbwb said:
ravencr,

I was in a similar dilemma. I like the Trail's offroad features and look but wish it had dual climate for the wife too:) So today I bought a Trail and had the dealer add heated seats to the cloth for $500....pick it up Monday!
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Yeah, I didn't think about that. That's an option, I guess.

Chris
 
pbm317 said:
I'd say you'd be happier with the Limited. You say you want the KDSS/Multi-terrain etc from the Trail, but keep in mind things like that wouldn't even be available on those larger suv's that you're looking at.
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This is true, but still frustrating knowing the options are available. The more I think about it, the more I lean towards the limited, but there's some frustrating options on it too, like no memory seats/mirrors, and to get the third row, you have to pay for the stupid DVD Navigation, which typically sucks compared to my Garmin. So, instead of a $40K MSRP, it ends up being $43K, which it shouldn't be.

Chris
 
mikeync said:
Just to clarify and make sure - it is a full-time AWD system. Everyone calls it different things and don't understand why you consider this to be a big thing.
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I prefer the manual part-time system of the Trail and SR5, personally, but for my wife and from a safety concern, I like the AWD of the Limited too. For me and wheeling this thing, I'd prefer the part-time system.
If it comes down to a roomy 2nd row (as it did with our last car prior to the 4runner) may I ask why you are getting the Sequia over the Armada.

The Armada was about $12k cheaper equally equipped when I bought it 2 years ago. There was just no way I was buying the Sequia and I do love my Armada
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The Armada has a little bit more room in the second row, for sure, but it's not near as comfortable in the third row like the Sequoia. The Sequioa has the best balance of room and functionality that I've found. But, the seats in the Armada are a tad more comfortable to me, because they're wider and fit my big butt better. :)

Chris
 
totaro said:
It is pretty ridiculous that a loaded Trail @ $40k does not include the options for a non-manual climate controls or options for some type of cold weather package.

If they just added:
Auto climate control
Heated seats
Leather Wheel/Shifter

to the Trail Ed. I think it would be just about perfect.
Click to expand...
In my opinion, all the options of the limited and more should be available on the Trail edition. There's really no benefit to the company not to offer them as options, since they can easily be added to be just like the Limited. I would love a Trail Edition with all the options for the limited, aside from the overpriced and useless navigation system. That would be perfect for me, and I'd gladly pay more for it than the limited, since it would have more stuff.

Chris
 
ravencr said:
I prefer the manual part-time system of the Trail and SR5, personally, but for my wife and from a safety concern, I like the AWD of the Limited too. For me and wheeling this thing, I'd prefer the part-time system.
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Just curious, but why? Lock the center diff on the Limited and it behaves like a part-time system.
 
Gotcha...makes more sense now. Then, the advantages of the part-time system would be the additional features of the trail edition.

Chris
 
ravencr said:
I prefer the manual part-time system of the Trail and SR5, personally, but for my wife and from a safety concern, I like the AWD of the Limited too. For me and wheeling this thing, I'd prefer the part-time system.The Armada has a little bit more room in the second row, for sure, but it's not near as comfortable in the third row like the Sequoia. The Sequioa has the best balance of room and functionality that I've found. But, the seats in the Armada are a tad more comfortable to me, because they're wider and fit my big butt better. :)

Chris
Click to expand...

Thanks for explaining - don't do much off-road driving :)

Yeah the 3rd row in the Armada is a compromise. Not so much in amount of room, but mostly head-room is an issue if you put adults there. With that said the trade-off to get a very very comfortable 2nd row was the kicker to us. Rarely that we have filled the car and even those few times it worked pretty good with adults in the 3rd row

Don't think you can go wrong with either vehicle, but I couldn't justify the huge cost difference between the armada and the Sequioa

Now I would say this -- if the 3rd row room in the Armada isn't good enough for you then there is no reason you should ever look at the 4runner.... If you really need more room than that the Sequia is pretty much your only vehicle (besides a school bus) that would provide this.

Finally as stated above - why not get the 4runner due to it lacking capabilities and then turn around and buy another vehicle that lacks the same features....
 
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