A dinosaur still roams the Earth.

[CoolMax]

2017 Toyota 4Runner | In-Depth Model Review | Car and Driver

It’s tempting to call the Toyota 4Runner a dinosaur, with its hulking, trucklike body and an interior that wouldn’t have looked modern even a decade ago. It’s more like a komodo dragon than a dinosaur, though: Age-old DNA, outstripped by everything that’s evolved more recently than the Pliocene epoch, but still serving a purpose. The 4Runner backs up its boxy looks with body-on-frame, rear-wheel-drive-based construction and off-road-focused tuning. The outdated powertrain, high price tag, molded-plastic interior, and on-road performance deficiencies mean that it’s far from the best in its class. For the right driver, however, the 4Runner’s mix of crossover practicality and go-anywhere capability could be just the ticket. Plus, there’s a roll-down rear window.

HIGHS
Off-road prowess, old-school charm, expensive.
LOWS
Aging powertrain, plastic interior, doesn’t shine on-road.
VERDICT
Dated and falling behind its competition in most metrics, almost extinct, yet shines off-road.

What’s New for 2017?
The 4Runner underwent a facelift in 2014, and little has changed since then. This year’s modifications include a rebadging of the Trail and Trail Premium trims to TRD Off-Road and TRD Off-Road Premium. That update includes TRD-specific floormats, red TRD badging on the front seat headrests (in the Premium), and a mock carbon-fiber center console inlay. Three new colors for the TRD Pro Series—an even more off-road-specific variant—round out the changes: Cement, Barcelona Red, and Super White.

Trims and Options We’d Choose
Choosing one of the 4Runner’s off-road-capable trims is a no-brainer, as it falls short of the competition in nearly every other metric. We’d choose the mid-level TRD Off-Road Premium for the best mix of off-road chops and creature comforts. Standard features include:
• Part-time all-wheel drive with Active Traction Control
• Heated leatherette front seats with lumbar support
• Locking rear differential with crawl mode

Toyota’s Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS), which increases suspension travel at low speeds, can improve stability on rocky terrain. Available as part of four different options packages in the TRD Off-Road Premium, it’s a $1750 standalone option, or can be had with a sliding rear-cargo deck for $2100 or a power sunroof for $2600. Adding running boards to the latter package brings the total to $2945.
Toyota’s “Keep It Wild” promotion drops pricing $500 to $1000 depending on trim, so in the case of our TRD Off-Road Premium with KDSS, running boards and sunroof, the final tally is $42,485.

 

[SRQ941]

"For the right driver, however, the 4Runner’s mix of crossover practicality and go-anywhere capability could be just the ticket. Plus, there’s a roll-down rear window."

I guess that's us! :heh:

 

[e60ral]

that review is pretty accurate IMO

 

[K9 HAULR]

Certainly doesn't help potential buyers. I know it caused more than a few hours of thought and reconsideration when I was shopping for a new snow capable dog hauling 4x4. Then again, not really anything like it out there.

 

[LawnDart]

Cruel...cruel but fair.

 

[SSDuck8]

I mean, cmon, we didn't buy this to be a Lexus that we can take down a dirt path, we would have bought simply bought the Lexus. When I had my FJ, the rough estimate was only 12% of people used it for off road purposes. The same can be said and seen in these. We knew what we were getting when we bought this. And if you didn't, after being on here for about a month, you sure learned then. Im proud of what I have, and if I had to do it again, I certainly would. Besides the places that this vehicle has taken me, it has introduced me to a ton of wonderful people and I don't need some stupid C&D report to tell me my vehicle is only worth 2 stars. If that were the case, there wouldn't be such a high trade in value on it. C&D, you may keep your 2 stars, Ill take my friends and memories with real stars over yours any day.

 

[LawnDart]

Sorry, but the C&D review is fair. Fundamentally the vehicle hasn't changed in 7 years. And in 2010 I think people we're likely saying "look it's a 40K dollar vehicle, it's okay for that price."

But 7 years on the features vs price don't really shake out that great. Especially when other companies are getting way more aggressive in their offerings.

 

[jbstrd]

If that's what the masses think of the 4Runner, I must have low standards. Exactly why it's hard to base decisions on reviews.

 

[Throwback]

To me the sweet spot for the 5th Gen 4Runner will be in another ten years when there are no more "dinosaur" body-on-frame 4x4 SUVs being made, and they will be the youngest of the type on the road.

That's assuming gas prices don't go through the roof.

 

[Toyojay]

Well it is fairly written, but surely will deter less informed folks from probably even looking at runners.

I'm not so sure I agree with the interior being that of a car from the last millennium, even my 2010 I would say is quite nice and well put together. MINE may be a bit outdated being almost 8 years old, but I do not think the 17's are outdated. Does anyone else think the interior needs some updating?

Since they mentioned the truck not meeting its fuel economy standards, if there might be some truth to Toyota D/C'ing the runner. Or making it unibody.....

 

[shawn474]

I knew all of these things before I bought mine, but am still super happy with my purchase. Fact is, it is still one of the best selling SUV's on the market and reliability is high. Could it be a little more modern? Sure, but that would take away from the truck feel, which I still want from my vehicle. All the same things were said in 2005 when I bought my nissan titan and although their sales aren't close to the tundra or others, it was a capable, bad a$$, beast of a truck. If we wanted the man wagon, we could have gone for others. I wanted a truck that could go where I wanted......so I bought the 4runner.

 

[RPS99SHO]

Uh. Wut?

 

[LawnDart]

I knew all of these things before I bought mine, but am still super happy with my purchase. Fact is, it is still one of the best selling SUV's on the market and reliability is high. Could it be a little more modern? Sure, but that would take away from the truck feel, which I still want from my vehicle. All the same things were said in 2005 when I bought my nissan titan and although their sales aren't close to the tundra or others, it was a capable, bad a$$, beast of a truck. If we wanted the man wagon, we could have gone for others. I wanted a truck that could go where I wanted......so I bought the 4runner.

Step into a modern truck like a Ford, Chevy, etc, and you don't give up any of the "truck feel" with better materials and electronics.

Fact is Toyota really really needs to up their interior and electronics packages to feel modern.

 

[SacStateHornets]

When Toyota releases the next Gen, bet the base price jumps $5K. Look at what they did with the Sequoia and LC. LC used to be a pretty mainstream vehicle, now they are $90K. They would rather sell fewer of them for more profit. These vehicles have been marked by the govt to be eliminated, they want everyone in a EV that is small so they don't have to build more/bigger roads. Two small EV's equal one Sequoia and associated tailpipe pollution. It is a collusion between govt and corporate profits.

Form your own opinion people, don't let the media brainwash you into what they want you to do, think and believe.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[LawnDart]

Alex Jones, is that you?!

 

[shawn474]

Step into a modern truck like a Ford, Chevy, etc, and you don't give up any of the "truck feel" with better materials and electronics.

Fact is Toyota really really needs to up their interior and electronics packages to feel modern.

The only Ford product I would consider is a Raptor and the only chevy I would consider is a silverado. Raptor is out of my price range and Silverado isn't practical to the uses I want for my SUV. I guess I am old school - I like simple and the modern look and use electronics intimidate me. I am a dinosaur when it comes to computers and such......Just give me spotify and waze and I am good for a cross country trip

 

[HeartGuy]

My old man just purchased a 2017 Silverado. It's pretty nice but I wouldn't say it "feels" like the interior finishing is any nicer than my Runner.

Same goes for my 2017 Tacoma. The Runner's interior actually feels like its built better. The Taco's electronics are worlds better but I rarely used any of it. I just don't need BSM, parking assist or any of that stuff. I wish the Runner had the Taco's entune headunit from the factory.

 

[brtnstrns]

That got weird...

 

[CatahoulaManiac]

Things I didn't realize when I bought my 4Runner TRD off road premium, coming from a base model half ton 2011 silverado

No automatic head lights. 40 grand for a new vehicle and no auto head lights. Really?

Cruise control has to be turned on every time you go to use it if you've turned the car off, that's annoying. I occasionally go to hit cruise and let off the accelerator only to realize I'm slowing down because I didn't turn it on first.

Center console is really small

Towing is meh, I expected better. I only pull a 6x12 utility trailer with a rzr 800S on it, maybe 2500 pounds and I always feel like I'll never get it stopped without really slamming on the brakes.

Other than that, I'm happy with the purchase. But once I get it paid off I'll likely go buy a new pickup to actually tow things with.

 

[LawnDart]

My old man just purchased a 2017 Silverado. It's pretty nice but I wouldn't say it "feels" like the interior finishing is any nicer than my Runner.

Same goes for my 2017 Tacoma. The Runner's interior actually feels like its built better. The Taco's electronics are worlds better but I rarely used any of it. I just don't need BSM, parking assist or any of that stuff. I wish the Runner had the Taco's entune headunit from the factory.

Problem is Toyota CHARGES blind spot monitor, parking assist, lane guidance prices, but doesn't actually include them.

The plastic in the 4runners is junk, look at the plastics in volvo's from 10 years ago. When it scuffs it just looks like normal wear, whereas in the 4Runner if you scuff their dark gray plastic it turns blue.