4Runner vs. Highlander

[Chenango21]

We had an '01 Highlander we traded in for an '05 v8 4Runner.

70k on the Highlander
25k on the 4Runner

The Highlander is bland bland bland. Limited power on the v6. Kind of soft mushy ride. We thought we liked it when we had it, but now that we have the 4Runner there is no way we'd ever drive a Highlander again.

4Runner has a taught ride....you feel the road....but not harsh at all....more like a BMW or Mercedes ride and handling. We got cloth seats for the first time in years....and we like it much better than the leather in our ML320 or the Highlander leather. The 4Runner cloth seats are exceptionally comfortable.

We are off road with it alot (we're doing land development at the moment)....and it works great with very good clearance. It handles great on the highway too...we're going up and down the East coast weekly and I much prefer it to the 1998 ML320 (though that vehicle is going strong at 180,000 miles).

What a great vehicle....on or off the road!

 

[peter78]

I actually thought of buying the Highlander in 2001. It was a bit bigger than the 2001 4Runner. It had more power, better gas mileage, better ride and the Highlander list was slightly cheaper. The engine had to rev slightly higher than the 4Runner. I didn't like the pregant dash and bug eye lights on the Highlander, all of which they changed later. People flocked to the Highlander and sales dropped for the 4Runner. Which was good for me since I wanted a 4Runner, but the price was too high.

The re-sale value has held up on your Highlander. Hopefully you got a good trade-in price. I think the Highlander is good for what it is, a cross-over SUV or a good looking mini-van. I think you made a good decision in getting the Highlander and a great decision in getting the 4Runner.

 

[olliebear]

Highlander is the perfect Mom Bomb.

A mall queen whose owner is not into 4x4 exploring, who is not into trail riding, who is not into rugged outback rides, or who would not want to get her furry REI Columbia snow boots wet on a snowy day. She does not care to explore hidden fossil sites in teh middle of Nevada in a snow storm. She does not want to see the Grand Canyon on the north side in winter when it is so quiet you can actually hear the silence. She does not want to lock into 4x4 low and lock the center diffs to get up on some single track trail to reach the top of breath taking beauty across the Montana skies. She does not want to cross the Colorado Rockies and see the Narrow Gauge Railroad in Durango, or the trails leading to Meda Verde. She does not care about seeing firsthand the largeset Anazazi communiyt in Pueblo Bonita in New Mexico. All that can be done easily in a 4Runner 4x4.

She wants a nice, reliable, vehicle to take her street urchins to the mall, back and forth to soccer practice, and going to Nordstroms. She wants a plush, quiet cabin so as to hear her Kenny G. or Andre Rieu CDs. She wants to be able to get in and out without having to struggle up or down step bars. She just wants a nice AWD wagon that makes her feel capable in the rain and light snow. She wants to get her urchins back safely so she would not miss another episode of Desperate Housewives or be late for the "can't miss epsiode" of Friends. She does not want to use LT tires and would not know all terrain tires from all--Monica--all--the--time. Your typical Highlander owner does not care that it is car based, she'd rather it be car based so it is softer and less truck like. Nuttin' wrong with her choice--just be reliable and durable and user friendly...just put gas in and change the oil once every leap year or so when the engine is stalling for lack of lubrication. She would not know a dip stick from a pregnancy test stick. All she wants is a vehicle that will start eveyr day and be reliable and durable and dependable---- a no brainer for Toyota. Toyota made a gold standard again in the Highlander, reaching a new standard in perfection for the undemanding.

 

[mikes4runner]

This is apples and oranges and has been discussed before,

You cannot compare the 2 right?

V6/V8........A SUV Camrey/ a truck I could go on but why beat the dead horse.

My wife has the Highlander and loves it, it suits her needs.

I have the 4Runner and it suits my needs



Mike

 

[Spider5]

My wife has a 2003 highlander. The highlander is just a jacked up car with all the comfort that comes along with it. The biggest issue I have with the highlander is the dash and center consul layout. I keep hitting the shifter knocking it out of gear when changing climate control settings. Putting your cup down is a PITA. The steering wheel sits back too far and cannot be telescoped. And even though it is an AWD, it is terrible in the snow. But for long road trips (200 plus miles) it is more relaxing especially for passengers.