A dinosaur still roams the Earth.

[WallyT4R]

The point is, if you keep releasing the same thing for 7 years, essentially, you either need to update it with minor things, or adjust the price.

Given how the market has changed, 42K+ for these is getting a tad absurd given all the things you DON'T get in them.

My problem as of late is that Toyota can and SHOULD be innovating, instead of being reactionary.

I agree, Toyota got away from the innovators they used to be and have rode their reputation for decades now. Supposedly Mr. Akio Toyoda, the president of Toyota, has vowed to bring back excitement to the Toyota brand. Will they do anything with the 4Runner or some other 4x4 in their lineup(please make an FJ40 type vehicle with a v8 and solid axles..ahem) is the big question here.

My 4Runner is the nicest vehicle I have ever owned and I have owned many. I bought it because of the lack of new tech on it. I bought the trail because of the locker and because it has a stick to put it in 4wd.
The less tech the less worry in my opinion. I don't want a car that stops for me, parks for me, drives for me, tells me there is another car in the other lane, etc, etc....I know a lot complain about auto headlights and push button this and that, but I love that it doesn't have those things. I guess I am weird. :hat:
I mean come on...Are you really so lazy that it pisses you off that you have to reach up and turn your headlights on???
I hope Toyota doesn't change too much on the redesign...some times change is not a good thing. Also them holding out on a redesign for this long is not a good sign in my opinion. They just might axe the 4Runner an then we will truly have dinosaurs.

 

[Engineer]

Old news - I think its a pretty fair review but they lost me when they said it falls below the Off road monster the Pro is or something along those lines.

Raptor > F150
S4 > A4

4runner trims are all just "trims" they are so close to the same that saying one easily outpaces the other is a piss poor statement. They each have some advantages in certain areas but nothing to the level of difference between the models listed above.

 

[LawnDart]

I agree, Toyota got away from the innovators they used to be and have rode their reputation for decades now. Supposedly Mr. Akio Toyoda, the president of Toyota, has vowed to bring back excitement to the Toyota brand. Will they do anything with the 4Runner or some other 4x4 in their lineup(please make an FJ40 type vehicle with a v8 and solid axles..ahem) is the big question here.

I really wish that was the case. I just don't see it.

Considering their TRD team was gutted and the person in charge now is an executive from gamestop is now running it.

I had my hopes up when they got in bed with BJ Baldwin, but I think that's more the outlier.

I think the point being is that 42K isn't a lot of money, but it's still a good chunk of change, and when an 18K vehicle within the same brand has more modern features you'd think Toyota would rev the vehicle more. Once a vehicle is sold it's sold, it benefits Toyota to revise it more often to make more sales.

Overall I think this review is fair. If it had come out in 2014/15 I could see it being kind of pig headed, but 2 years later and the biggest differences are some carbon fiber trim pieces and some floor mats, and it's hard to argue that the design feels fresh.

And that's really all that's needed, keep the base vehicle, improve features without a major redesign, and I think you'd be doing better.

 

[Surfinguru]

My $.02...

My wife drives a 2013 RX450h. She'd rather ride in the 4R as she thinks the seats are way more comfortable than her Lexus. :first:

Few things "I" wish would be addressed are pretty minor:

• How about a locking gas door with interior release lever? (My son's Corolla LE has it for Christ sake!)

• Auto lift gate. My wife is kind of short - it's a long reach for her. Give me a damn button on the remote already.

• Give me decent sized nav screen!

Other than that, I knew exactly what I was buying. Everyday I drive it, I think to myself: "Damn! I love this f*cking truck!"


Edit to add: I came from a 2007 Tacoma TRD Sport DC/LB and my '17 4R was a huge upgrade in comfort and improved interior over the Tacoma.

 

[Swarty]

Obviously not.

Alex Jones, is that you?!

There's no way. Alex Jones has a special key board that only types in all caps.

 

[Swarty]

I think the point we're in agreement on is that the 4Runner could use a healthy update. If people think it's fine as is, I'd say look at a lot of features available on toyota's cheaper products, and ask why we don't benefit from that.

Why does the RAV4 have better headlights than the 5th gen. Don't tell me because it's an exciting vehicle we're excused from modern LED headlights.

I'd rather we have incremental changes than updates we only get by massive generational changes.

The real comparison is the Prado. Same frame, same engine. 6 speed transmission, radar based cruise control, auto headlights, rear seat Bluray. 3 zone climate control. 14 speaker audio system, auto control headlights(optionally LED) . All for around 54000 AUD which is about 44000 USD
Oh yeah and a cooler in the center console.

 

[snuffleupagus]

As someone who just went through the process of looking for a new midsize'ish BOF SUV...I suspect they don't spend the resources on incremental updates to the 4Runner because....they don't have to. Your options in this category consist of the Jeep Wrangler and the 4Runner. If you don't like Jeeps, welp, you're getting a 4Runner. Even though the platform is aging, they still sold more 4Runners last year than they have since 2004.

That's not to say it's a poor vehicle by any stretch. I mean, even in the C&D review here it's in the top two for most of their testing. You also know exactly what you're getting...a very capable SUV offroad out of the box, that rides and drives like a truck. Is it going to jump like a trophy truck or crawl up a rock face? No, but it's going to take 99% of owners beyond where they should probably be offroad (if they ever take it there). Would I like to see an updated powertrain, better infotainment, updated interior, more whizbang driver assists and aides? Absolutely! But they sort of have the market segment by the short and curlies. Hopefully Chevy trying to encroach on the mid-size pickup market with the Colorado ZR2 will spur a movement to modernize their offerings across their 'offroad' platforms...either way, at least I can probably count on the high resale value of the 4Runner when the time comes!

 

[sandcrawler]

The real comparison is the Prado. Same frame, same engine. 6 speed transmission, radar based cruise control, auto headlights, rear seat Bluray. 3 zone climate control. 14 speaker audio system, auto control headlights(optionally LED) . All for around 54000 AUD which is about 44000 USD
Oh yeah and a cooler in the center console.

i've been in a Prado; a few more creature comforts, but nothing i really cared for personally.

the funny thing is, in my experience, my 4Runner gets more attention now than it did 7 years ago. nearly every week i get questions, comments, compliments, or find someone doing a walkaround while it's parked.

 

[Jetboy]

It certainly meets most of my needs. However, I completely agree that it's WAY overdue for an update on a few things.

First - transmission. Even 3rd world Prados with the base engine and vinyl floors get a 6 speed. Most Toyota vehicles have 8 or 10 speeds. Yet the 4runner still hasn't even been upgraded to a 6 speed that Toyota uses in the same vehicle in almost every other market in the world. It should have the 8 speed. And at least some engine option with decent power. Either the 4.6L v8 or a turbo 2.5L 4cyl would probably work. Just something that can maintain highway speed on flat ground without constant downshifts. I've never really wanted more power in absolute - but it's not a great highway cruiser because it can't find a gear to stay in. I think an 8 speed might solve it. And a better balanced engine.

Second is tech. There's no excuse for all models not having auto headlights since 1995. They should also all have at least a single zone climate control if not dual zone. Does your 1940's house have a thermostat? But Toyota can't figure out how to fit 50 cents per vehicle into the budget for one? Those are just low hanging fruit. It's overdue for a facelift on the nav system. At least a high resolution screen of some sort and a functional navigation that uses Google maps or similar should be included.

I don't think we're asking for the world to request features from Toyota's cheapest vehicle.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

I have yet to have anyone get inside my 2015 TEP for the first time and NOT say, "wow this is nice!"



Also - the Durango GT was the only vehicle that accelerated faster than the 4Runner...and those were all crossovers?!

They tested a V6 Durango. A hemi V8 is available also and would be even quicker. The Durango is basically a longer version of the Grand Cherokee.

 

[Jetboy]

i've been in a Prado; a few more creature comforts, but nothing i really cared for personally.

the funny thing is, in my experience, my 4Runner gets more attention now than it did 7 years ago. nearly every week i get questions, comments, compliments, or find someone doing a walkaround while it's parked.

There's a few Prado things I'd love to have. Three of them are in this picture from the last time I was in one; smart key, high idle, and gas door lock.

 

[LawnDart]

There's a few Prado things I'd love to have. Three of them are in this picture from the last time I was in one; smart key, high idle, and gas door lock.

Well since the Toyota 4Runner has such great resale value that totally negates the fact that we're a 42K dollar vehicle that doesn't even have a flip out key fob. HOW DARE WE EXPECT SUCH OPULENCE!

 

[Swarty]

More Gears!

i've been in a Prado; a few more creature comforts, but nothing i really cared for personally.

Yeah to be honest the biggest thing is that 6-speed transmission. 4runner needs more gears. But radar based cruise control and auto headlights are pretty standard fare from other brands at this price point.

 

[SacStateHornets]

No locking gas door is really my only complaint.

You want more gears? Check out the Armageddon happening on the Tacoma forum and the new 6speed.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[smallfry]

Subaru=CVT, I wrote all Subaru's off because of this. Our old Forester with 4spd auto hit over 220,000 miles, don't expect new ones to do even 60,000 with that rubber band tranny.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

the 2015 outback I just bought has 137,xxx miles on the cvt and no issues.

 

[mbumpus11]

They tested a V6 Durango. A hemi V8 is available also and would be even quicker. The Durango is basically a longer version of the Grand Cherokee.

Well, right, because...obviously. This is a V6, too.

If this thing had a turbocharger then maybe they would've tested it against the Hemi V8, right?

Doesn't detract from my statement since the Hemi V8 Durango is a marketing ploy to get streetgawds to buy a SUV. I mean, why not test it agianst a SRT10 while we're at it? That thing would be light years quicker...

 

[83Mule]

Reviews by guys like C&D miss the point......there isn't another vehicle ''like'' the 4Runner IMO. And no, uni-body all wheel Mommy vans aren't equal to a 4Runner. I like Toyota for being a little ''raw'' and old school with a real frame and heavy construction. There is a Niche market for this type of vehicle and those of us who want them know who the last man standing is.........4Runner!

 

[sn_85]

Reviews by guys like C&D miss the point......there isn't another vehicle ''like'' the 4Runner IMO. And no, uni-body all wheel Mommy vans aren't equal to a 4Runner. I like Toyota for being a little ''raw'' and old school with a real frame and heavy construction. There is a Niche market for this type of vehicle and those of us who want them know who the last man standing is.........4Runner!

Uhhh did you even read the review? Everything they said was spot on. At the end they lauded the 4Runners off road capability, tried and true BOF design, cargo space, roll down rear window and mentioned that for the RIGHT person it is a great vehicle.

Seriously some of you guys are so emotionally invested in the 4Runner that any complaint or criticism is taken the wrong way. Compared to other SUVs the ride, engine/transmission, interior, infotainment, creature comforts the 4Runner lags behind. That's the truth. Does it make it a terrible car? No but it has a specific market (which they mentioned) and it's not the right vehicle for a majority of people.

 

[nglayton]

Fake news.

At best, who freaking cares what some lonesome writer at C&D says.
At worst, some pansy boy will skip the T4R and get a 'real' car.......

As long as they keep producing them, I'm good. I know what my next car will be.

 

[83Mule]

They want to ''compare'' a vehicle that has no ''equals'' at doing what it does.......and point out it's shortcomings as they see them. Pointless.