4th gen VS. 5th gen - my thoughts
- Thread starter Quantum
- Start date
Hi Thai,
Nice to meet you! I have read many of your posts and you always have great information. Thanks for all your help over the years (even though you did not know I was reading them as I was lurking!)
Quantum
Greg_Canada
New member
Yeah that's fine, snow/dry/snow... it's not like you are driving with it locked in the middle of summer, which we are all insinuating. What you are talking about, is "patches" of dry pavement.
I share most of your observations, I have a new 2013 TE with KDSS and it is my 4th 4Runner... coming from a 2006 Sport edition, I definitely notice the sluggishness and lack of throttle response. I am still only a few hundred miles so I hope gas mileage improves - right now it is brutal compared to the '06... the 4WD vs. AWD has been discussed to death - with the snowy, unpredictable NE roads, the 4th gen system was nice to have the on the fly ability to switch at speed...
sandcrawler
Senior Member
crunchcity
New member
Worst throttle mapping ever, dethroning my '08 Accord and then 2010 Rav4 V6 which previously held the title. At least the Rav4 V6 moved out but they still programmed the throttle response not optimally in my opinion.
Would be cool if there's a software patch released to tighten up the flabby mess of the response imo. :beer:
Would be cool if there's a software patch released to tighten up the flabby mess of the response imo. :beer:
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Crunchcity,
I could not agree with you more. After a few weeks and trying to convince my self that I just needed to get used to it, I have come to the same conclusion. I guess over time I will get used to it and change the way I drive based on throttle response and I suppose over time it will drive just fine because I will know what to expect. But overall very disappointed with this specific part of the 5th gen
Sandcrawler - Thanks!
Quantum
sandcrawler
Senior Member
Toyota 4Runner SprintBooster
not sure if they've got it right yet, however. installs reported here on the forum say its not an ideal fit as it winds up jammed against the heater core... http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/97588-sprint-booster.html
maybe do us all a favor and contact the company, cite your concerns about fitment due to issues documented here, and see if they plan to address (or already have)?
crunchcity
New member
Please don't mistake me for a hater, I'm a big fan and this issue while irritating to me wasn't enough to make me stop wanting to drive one.
I'm sure Toyota had their reasons to intentionally make an adequate engine feel detuned/sluggish but I hope they reconsider.
As one reviewer put it and I agree, it's "deceptively bland". :beer:
It is all about mileage.
JayG
New member
Please don't mistake me for a hater, I'm a big fan and this issue while irritating to me wasn't enough to make me stop wanting to drive one.
I'm sure Toyota had their reasons to intentionally make an adequate engine feel detuned/sluggish but I hope they reconsider.
As one reviewer put it and I agree, it's "deceptively bland". :beer:
Drive it in shift mode 4 and 5......turns of the eco and I swear th mapping is better? About comparable to my tacoma when you hit the ect/pwr button. I ran a whole tank through in S4 and my average went down 1mpg to 16.7. 100% in town/no freeway. I now just jump in , put in S4 and use S5 if I need the gear. No more "D' mode for me!
diverscale
Member
5th gen interior is so much better looking than 4th gen (yes that is an opinion).
4th gen just look like my last tacoma (2011) interior, it has no soul and character, boring as hell.
My parents have a 5th gen (2015) 4Runner and I have a 4th gen (2004) both Limited, both dark blue, mine is the V8.
Pros for the 5th:
Much more luxurious inside
Much more room in the front seats
Absorbs bumps more but feels softer and less planted
Lots of features
Easier to use HVAC
Does not have the torsen diff vibration and feel when turning
Optitron
Pros for the 4th
V8 is such a better engine
Feels much more tank like and planted
Feels heavier
I would go for the 2015 5th gen if I were buying today.
Pros for the 5th:
Much more luxurious inside
Much more room in the front seats
Absorbs bumps more but feels softer and less planted
Lots of features
Easier to use HVAC
Does not have the torsen diff vibration and feel when turning
Optitron
Pros for the 4th
V8 is such a better engine
Feels much more tank like and planted
Feels heavier
I would go for the 2015 5th gen if I were buying today.
borfoo3
New member
After spending a few weeks with my '15 T4R TE KDSS, I would rank it as follows compared to similar Toyota vehicles I've owned/ used in the past that are similar (all factory stock):
Acceleration (best to worst, as per butt dyno set on 'high' precision)
1. 2012 Tacoma V6 access cab (TRD Sport 4x4)
2. 2008 FJ cruiser trail teams w/ TRD intake
3. 2015 4runner TE KDSS
4. 2013 Landcruiser 200 V6 KDSS
Ride compliance, overall handling, and comfort (best to worst)
1. 2013 Landcruiser 200 V6 KDSS
2. 2015 4runner TE KDSS
3. 2008 FJ cruiser trail teams w/ TRD intake
4. 2012 Tacoma V6 access cab (TRD Sport 4x4)
Notes in comparison to the 4runner: Love the bigger tank than the (almost annoyingly short ranged) FJ. Rides nicer than the Tacoma, and KDSS makes it feel more planted than both. The Landcruiser drove like a magic carpet and was unbelievably smooth on the bumps, heck even down a curb merging into the highway in Kuwait traffic speeds (read: not slow). But man that V6 was working hard in the Landcruiser to move around that extra ~1000lbs over the 4Runner.
Having tried many variants of the 1FZ V6, the saddest part, as many have mentioned, is that the 4Runner has the MOST annoyingly conservative throttle programming of all the above.. heck even the elephantish Landcruiser would spring to life with less pedal travel. C'mon Toyota, we could've bought the Prius if we just wanted MPGs!! At least give us the possibility to disable the eco mode mapping or some sort of a 'sport' throttle map setting :car:
Guess will just keep the stick on the 'S' side as some have mentioned
All being said, I absolutely LOVE this thing and would buy it again in a heartbeat. Why? compared to the ones mentioned above I believe the T4R has the best mix of features, comforts, and capability for my needs :thumb3:
Acceleration (best to worst, as per butt dyno set on 'high' precision)
1. 2012 Tacoma V6 access cab (TRD Sport 4x4)
2. 2008 FJ cruiser trail teams w/ TRD intake
3. 2015 4runner TE KDSS
4. 2013 Landcruiser 200 V6 KDSS
Ride compliance, overall handling, and comfort (best to worst)
1. 2013 Landcruiser 200 V6 KDSS
2. 2015 4runner TE KDSS
3. 2008 FJ cruiser trail teams w/ TRD intake
4. 2012 Tacoma V6 access cab (TRD Sport 4x4)
Notes in comparison to the 4runner: Love the bigger tank than the (almost annoyingly short ranged) FJ. Rides nicer than the Tacoma, and KDSS makes it feel more planted than both. The Landcruiser drove like a magic carpet and was unbelievably smooth on the bumps, heck even down a curb merging into the highway in Kuwait traffic speeds (read: not slow). But man that V6 was working hard in the Landcruiser to move around that extra ~1000lbs over the 4Runner.
Having tried many variants of the 1FZ V6, the saddest part, as many have mentioned, is that the 4Runner has the MOST annoyingly conservative throttle programming of all the above.. heck even the elephantish Landcruiser would spring to life with less pedal travel. C'mon Toyota, we could've bought the Prius if we just wanted MPGs!! At least give us the possibility to disable the eco mode mapping or some sort of a 'sport' throttle map setting :car:
Guess will just keep the stick on the 'S' side as some have mentioned
All being said, I absolutely LOVE this thing and would buy it again in a heartbeat. Why? compared to the ones mentioned above I believe the T4R has the best mix of features, comforts, and capability for my needs :thumb3:
I am on vacation, and had reserved a compact car to get from A to B. Upon arrival, when I checked in at the rental agency, I found out that I would be driving a a 2017 4Runner. I was excited to say the least. That's quite a free upgrade to go from a Corolla equivalent to a 2017 4Runner with only about 3,500 miles on it.
As you can see from my profile, I drive a 2006 4x4 V6 Limited. I can honestly say that without a doubt I am looking forward to driving my '06 again once I get home. This 2017 SR5 2wd feels sloppy, slow, gets worse mileage than my 4x4, has a huge turning radius by comparison, nose-dives at the slightest touch of the brakes, and generally feels big, heavy, and clumsy.
I was considering getting a 5th gen at some point, but not now. I wouldn't pay half sticker for this thing. Someone please tell me that this experience is because I am driving a rental stripper and Toyota saves some of its magic sauce for non-fleet versions!
As you can see from my profile, I drive a 2006 4x4 V6 Limited. I can honestly say that without a doubt I am looking forward to driving my '06 again once I get home. This 2017 SR5 2wd feels sloppy, slow, gets worse mileage than my 4x4, has a huge turning radius by comparison, nose-dives at the slightest touch of the brakes, and generally feels big, heavy, and clumsy.
I was considering getting a 5th gen at some point, but not now. I wouldn't pay half sticker for this thing. Someone please tell me that this experience is because I am driving a rental stripper and Toyota saves some of its magic sauce for non-fleet versions!
1engineer
Moderator
Nope you are right. They are pieces of crap. They don't do anything good. That rental is representative of the 5th gen. Run, don't walk away from buying a 5th gen. They only sold 100K of them last year. I heard Jeep has a stellar product with leading reliability. Really cheap too.
wfo9
New member
Nope.. they are all garbage.. Stick with your awesome 4th gen..
Most of what you feel is Toyota's super smart Eco mode throttle mapping. it's a genius idea and took the smartest engineers on the planet to come up with a throttle mapping system that would actually save fuel. If only other car companies realized this amazing fuel saving technique. Next year they plan to come up with a speedometer that reads double.. That way users will see double the MPG... All that time wasted on cylinder deactivation and direct injection... when this was the real answer all along.
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