5th Gen 4R Compared to the 2022 Explorer/Aviator - 4R 6th Gen is Here

[Buba1]

I bet most people who look at these Fords do not cross shop with a 4Runner, and if they will they will quickly dismiss it just because it doesn't have all the techy features. Personally if I wanted something full of tech with more power and better fuel economy, I'd be looking at the Lexus brand. My wife drove an RX350 before we got her the 4Runner, and yea she lost some of the cool features and better gas mileage, but loves the 4Runner even more and I'm glad we made the switch.
Yes 4Runner is old, but it is tried tested and true to its roots, awesome capable machine and I would never look to trade it in for something else, especially a Ford lol unless you love being at the shop on a monthly basis!
Next time compare apples to apples.

 

[Forgetful]

Nope. Reread the post and check the specs. Explorer/Aviator are REAR WHEEL DRIVE PLATFORMS.


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What exactly does that mean in in the scheme of thing? Highlander still has a rear diff. GX460 is AWD only so it doesn't compare to a 4runner then?

Explorer is a:
unibody
Independent rear suspension
NO 4lo transfer case. Seriously is this right? How do you even compare them then lol.
Full of fluff tech to break.
Hybrid option

It's for soccer dads like the highlander.

 

[Dynamo]

The reason that the current Explorer is more car like is because it's a crossover, and if I wanted a crossover then I would've bought one. I wanted a body on frame SUV which is one of the main reasons I bought a 4Runner. There may be a few features that I wish my 4Runner had but overall it's pretty much the exact vehicle that I want it to be. My previous '13 FJ Cruiser was my first Toyota and it sold me on the brand and platform. I will be sad day if the next generation 4Runner becomes a crossover like so many of its older competitors.

I've had several Ford vehicles in the past including 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation Explorers. I really liked the 1st & 2nd gens but since I've been a Toyota owner I really don't have a desire to own a Ford again.

 

[Michael-Dallas]

Toyota is the world's largest auto mfg and what I'm hearing from folks is that Toyota can only do reliability, and nothing else. That's crazy to think that. Power, fuel economy, reliability, technology all do not have to be mutually exclusive. If we keep accepting mediocrity, then Toyota will continue to deliver mediocrity.

The 4R is the best choice for my purposes, but it's far from perfect.

 

[Humble Leader]

tried and true 4runner. never doubt my brute even for a second. at nearly 160,000 miles I'd have zero concerns taking this baby across country. runs like a top. drives like a brick down the highway. wouldn't change it for the world. creature comforts? don't care. I don't even have my phone paired to the vehicle, don't even use the radio. never used a heated or cooled seat. backup camera is helpful though

 

[dflowerz]

Gawd, what was I thinking????? Gonna rush down to my local Ford dealer so I can trade my TRD Pro for a Navigator!

 

[Whippersnapper02]

I do agree that it is more car-like than the 4Runner but with a trailer tow of 5400 pounds and a GVWR over 6500 pounds it is a truck that's for sure. It is a RWD platform and thats says a lot and one of only a couple available now. After enjoying the content my wife Acura TLX AWD has and seeing it on the Explorer/Aviator and many other SUVs in it class, the 4Runner has really shown its age and how much Toyota has ignored it. Driving on two tracks is about the extent of my off-roading like 99% of 4Runners I bet. I do use the truck to haul things often. I do like the few inches of height advantage the 4Runner has, and its commanding view, but I would gladly trade that for better fuel economy, better on-road behavior and up to date features packages.

I'm not concerned about turbo engines any longer. Ford won LeMans with their twin-turbocharged Ford EcoBoost V6 engine 647 hp / 550 lb⋅ft. It was a truck engine with significant amount of production parts in it. They know what they are doing.

I believe the Explorer/Aviator AWD system is a 4WD system unlike the fwd-car based systems.

In 2020 the Explorer was a 1st year vehicle so I didnt considered then.

That's only 400 more lbs than a Runner. None of the vehicles mentioned are any good for towing anyway.

As far as the Runner being ignored, dealers can't keep them on the lot so that in itself says quite a bit. There's a lot to be said for less complicated vehicles. Some people just don't want all that garbage. I don't need to control my vent positioning through a touchscreen and I don't need massaging seats with 97 way adjustability all through the same touchscreen.

That ecopoop in the LeMans car doesn't have the emissions equipment street engine do so there's less to capture heat and less to go wrong.

The AWD in the sploder is just AWD. There's no mention even a locking center diff for 4wd.

 

[srsrogerissrs]

fan boys lol

.

We know what we bought, apparently you didn't. Next time I'm doing a trail here in Colorado, I'll think about how my life would be so much better in a Ford Explorer.

 

[Jetboy]

I recently went to a couple Ford dealerships and Lincoln dealerships to look at the Explorer and the Aviator. I was really impressed.

The 5th Gen with its bad paint and glass, awful color selection, terrible fuel economy (19 mpg on the HWY wth ?), 1994 technology 4 wheel drive, lack of a reverse monitor, no automatic steering, I could go on and on, is sad. After seeing these Fords and Lincolns I cant see why most people would even consider a 4Runner anymore. Look out Toyota.

To be clear, the 2020-2022 Explorer and the Aviator are what TODAYS 4Runner should be NOW and the 6th Gen 4Runner must more. Who knows when or if it will even come out. I predict the new 4Runner will be a flop if it falls short of this. The 4Runner is way way behind in features compared to the other SUVs in its class. The next generation will need to be a huge leap forward to even be competitive.

If I was buying a new vehicle today I would probably buy an Explorer XLT or above. Aviators are beautiful vehicles however they are more expensive.

The Lincoln Aviator is extraordinarily nice.

https://www.lincoln.com/luxury-suvs/aviator/

The list Explorer’s feature are astounding

https://www.ford.com/suvs/explorer/

Here are some highlights:

*RWD platform with AWD and a Torsen limited slip rear
*Independent suspension on all 4 corners
*Huge aluminum castings at the mounting points for the unibody
*Aluminum hood and other light weight and high strength materials
*5300 - 5600 pound towing capacity
*More interior space
*Off-road option
*Greater than 6500 GVWR
*Nice paint and colors
*Huge Navigation/Info screen
*Electric Steering
*Nice seats with plenty of leg room
*Center consoles is too wide imho
*Styling is far more appealing than the 4R/Lexus stuff.
*Less expensive than the 4Runner
*LED everything
*10 speed transmission

D.I. 2.3 liter turbo
300 @ 5,500 rpm
310 @ 3,500 rpm
5300 pound towing cap.
21/28 mpg RWD, 20/27 AWD

3.0 liter Twin Turbo
400 hp/ 415 lb-ft torque
18/26 mpg RWD, 18/24 AWD

3.3L Hybrid
318 @ 6,500 rpm
322 @ 2,500 rpm
27/28 mpg RWD 23/26 AWD

I've always wondered why you didn't buy a Highlander. It's always seemed like that was more like the kind of vehicle you should be driving based on your own preferences for independent rear suspension crossover vehicles. 4R seems like an odd choice.

 

[02SE]

fan boys lol

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You seem dissatisfied with what you bought. The obvious answer is to sell what you have, and buy what you want.

I think everyone, but apparently you, understands what the 4Runner is, and bought it for that reason.

We have numerous vehicles which fill various roles. The wife mainly drives a ridiculously fast CUV. It's fantastic on road. It's hard to beat as a mall-crawler, and does surprisingly well on the odd racetrack, but it's not going on any 4wd trails.

All our other vehicles do what we want them to, as does the 4Runner.

With used car values what they currently are, now's the time...

 

[Whippersnapper02]

fan boys lol

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There are plenty of those though but you can't tell people a vehicle is better simply because you like it more or the solution works better for you.

 

[Saker]

Maybe he just didn't read the reviews on, say...... the aviator and its issues.

Hell, I drove one considering for my wife.....then I read the issues.

NO THANKS!

 

[RichinRidgewood]

I've always wondered why you didn't buy a Highlander. It's always seemed like that was more like the kind of vehicle you should be driving based on your own preferences for independent rear suspension crossover vehicles. 4R seems like an odd choice.

The Highlander is a FWD car with 4 wheel drive added.

The 4Runner is a rear wheel drive based vehicle. That was one of my requirements. It also MUST have 6500 gvwr. I've posted that maybe a dozen times.
There is no excuse not to have 4 wheel independent suspension on a truck with only a 5000 pound trailer rating. Especially if it costs $50k like some 4R's do. Regardless of what some people may think here it is the better system for off-roading.

 

[RichinRidgewood]

By fan boys you mean...people who bought a 4Runner without expecting it to be something it's not?

Can't wait for the next thread:

"I can't believe how slow the 4Runner is, look at the powertrains on the Urus and Cayenne Turbo! Wake up Toyota!"

The next thread might be: "My 2020 4Runner Has 25k Miles and the Hood is Chipped and Rusting "

 

[Jetboy]

The Highlander is a FWD car with 4 wheel drive added.

The 4Runner is a rear wheel drive based vehicle. That was one of my requirements. It also MUST have 6500 gvwr. I've posted that maybe a dozen times.
There is no excuse not to have 4 wheel independent suspension on a truck with only a 5000 pound trailer rating. Especially if it costs $50k like some 4R's do. Regardless of what some people may think here it is the better system for off-roading.

Do you think you can tell the difference between FWD and RWD biased crossovers? Pray tell, what is it that you think makes the RWD bias better?

I've already given you a lesson on load distribution and why solid rear axles work better for load on uneven surfaces. Not sure we need to cover it again. You don't go off road. So it's not meaningful for you. That's okay. But you bought the wrong car.

4Runner gvwr is 6,300lbs Max. Again you bought the wrong car.

 

[mo_mo]

Ford Explorer vs. Toyota 4Runner Reliability by Model Generation | TrueDelta

 

[Whippersnapper02]

Ford Explorer vs. Toyota 4Runner Reliability by Model Generation | TrueDelta

That site is as reliable as the active fuel management any brand uses...so not reliable.

 

[Whippersnapper02]

The Highlander is a FWD car with 4 wheel drive added.

The Explorer was FWD until just recently (2011-2019) but the Aviator was never FWD.

 

[uh0h50]

The next thread might be: "My 2020 4Runner Has 25k Miles and Hood is Chipped and Rusting "

I'd prefer that thread over an "oMg my nearly vertical windshield has a CRACK!" thread

 

[RichinRidgewood]

Ford Explorer vs. Toyota 4Runner Reliability by Model Generation | TrueDelta

I'm not seeing all this great reliability when it comes to body and interior as Ive said a dozen times here.

Ford sells 2-5 TIMES as many Explorers compared to Toyota and 4Runners.

CarFigures | Automotive Sales Data, Analysis, Tooling and more

Consumer Reports doesn't rate the 4Runner very high either. If you want the best rating there you should be looking into the Kia Telluride.