4th Gen vs 5th Gen

[Weave]

Current vehicle is an '03 SR5 4.7 liter RWD. Looking at a 5th Gen, and was curious what those who have owned both might have experienced. The 5th Gen has more sophisticated features, but the V8 is magic. I tow motorcycles weekly (total weight with trailer around 1K lbs), and off-roading is limited to nothing more technical than fire roads.

I also have a wife and 3 boys, so the 5th Gen's extra room is nice. My '03 only has 105K miles, but the exterior took a beating during recent hailstorms, and I'm hesitant to invest another $5K for cosmetic repairs (insurance has already cut a check).

Thanks for the feedback,

Weave

 

[jangoforhire]

It really depends on what you are looking for.

When I was searching for mine, the dealer parked a 2008 Limited right next to a 2010 Limited and let me walk between both to compare. The interior room was like night and day between the two. Also they both drove WAY different. the 4th Gen. feels like a small truck or SUV (because it is) but the 5th Gen. really feels big and heavy.

Personally the interior room was a big thing for me (fold down those back seats in the 5th Gen. and it blows the 4th right out of the water). Also the interior is styled much nicer in my opinion. The V8 vs V6 wasn't a huge issue for me because I do not tow very often, but I will admit that the truck sometimes feels sluggish on hills.

Definitely get out there and drive them both though, thats what it really comes down to.

Good luck!

 

[03_4x4Runner]

Do a search in the 5th and 4th gen sections. This has been discussed to death already.

 

[H2O_Doc]

I owned an 07 V8 Limited, a 2011 SR5, and 2012 TE. I find the power on the 5th gen is just fine, although if you tow, you'll miss the torque of the 4.7L for sure. The difference in torque IS significant.

Having said the above, I am MUCH happier with my 5th gen and I like it much better both off road and for family trips. It seems roomier, my son like the reclinable rear seats, and there are some other added pluses.

Some complain about the looks of the 5th vs. 4th. I never liked the front end of the 4th and the 5th actually looks tough to me (esp. if you add larger tires which I have yet to do). Some say the build quality was better in the 4th; maybe, but if so it isn't too noticeable to me. I'm glad that the A/C knobs were reconfigured in the 5th.

The biggest complaint I had was the horrible nose dive in the 5th under hard breaking. I you haven't experienced it then you should test drive it with this in mind. In the end, it didn't matter to me since I knew I'd lift it with Bilsteins which remedy the problem.

Again, all the pluses and minuses, I like my 5th much more, despite going from a Limited V8.

 

[mjixx]

I might also add the 5th generation has coniderably more airbags then previous gens so the 5th may be more safe as well.

 

[H2O_Doc]

I might also add the 5th generation has coniderably more airbags then previous gens so the 5th may be more safe as well.

I might add that it matters (why I went from a 2011 to a 2012); it didn't buff out :boink:

 

[20034RunnerV84x2]

5th has hollow sounding doors, thinner sheet metal, and there is too much plastic IMO. I love the 5th Gen but toyota did some really bad cost cutting.

 

[H2O_Doc]

5th has hollow sounding doors, thinner sheet metal, and there is too much plastic IMO. I love the 5th Gen but toyota did some really bad cost cutting.

Yep - fair criticism; I ended up using sound deadening material in the doors.