A dinosaur still roams the Earth.

[17KT4R]

C&D or R&T

They are aging magazines themselves, including the self proclaimed field of auto journalists amongst them. Regardless - I suppose some people still buy magazines.

I came out of 2000 Jeep TJ last month, original owner, daily driver vehicle for the most part. Cross shopping the new 4 door in my parts (Canada) at $50K for a well equipped Sahara was just something I couldn't accept. The 4Runner fit the bill and then some, we ended up with the TRD version (only one type sold up here other than the Pro of course)

For us it was all research on forums like this which swayed the buying decision, not some magazine guys, we never even test drove the thing. These trucks seem to attract a specific buyer with needs that Toyota certainly tailors well in the features which are offered through the line. Enough said really. Couldn't be more happy with it (only had it a few days now). It is everything we expected and far more.

I doubt Toyota even blinks an eye at negative reviews, their customer base is far too educated in the products already to change opinion.

 

[jron4]

Funny I switched to a 4runner from a jeep because I kind of liked the more simplistic feel of it. My main criteria was no more leather. My only gripe with the 4 runner is a feels "floaty" for a truck. But Im still only 2 weeks in.

 

[BruceB83]

Guess I fall into the "right person" category. 30 days ago I finally stepped out of my 2001 SR5 4WD into my 2013 Trail. For the money I paid, there's no other truck/suv I care to drive...hell, can probably say for twice the money. My two boys think it's the coolest car on the road, I feel like I'm in a tank when driving it (in a good way) and we're already using it's "go anywhere capability" to make memories. I don't need my car to vibrate my butt cheeks to tell me I'm in the wrong lane or be able to swipe my foot under the bumper to open a hatch. I wouldn't complain if they added some of these creature comforts, unless it sacrifices reliability/capability, but I like the 4Runner the way it is.

If I wanted luxury I would have bought an Overland Grand Cherokee. That's my $0.02. :bounce:

 

[WallyT4R]

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!

And this is why I have been so critical of the PRO model 4Runner. It's basically what I have...a Trail.. with an appearance package and it costs $42K...I paid $35K out the door for my 2016 Trail. So if I paid $7K plus more for it than I did, I would be pissed! The 4Runner is not cheap and Toyota is riding on their reputation instead of putting out better and higher performance models.
The ZR2, hopefully it catches fire and it causes Toyota to redesign the current Tacoma.
As far as the 4Runner goes, when Ford comes out with the Bronco, Toyota better have their shyte together on the 4Runner.

New Ford Bronco, Ranger - Details on 2018 Ford Ranger and 2020 Bronco

 

[LawnDart]

As far as the 4Runner goes, when Ford comes out with the Bronco, Toyota better have their shyte together on the 4Runner.

Toyota is already bumped out of the top spots by other manufacturers selling more feature laden vehicles for similar prices or better. And the competition has stepped up with engineering as good or better.

My sister owns a Subaru XV, and it has a ton of features even my 4Runner doesn't have, for half the price.

I'm either going to get a Raptor, or wait and get a the raptor version of the Ranger for a light truck need.

 

[rlarroque]

I love my 4Runner, but plenty of honest truths in the article. I love the 4Runner platform, but I love technology. The techie part of my life suffers when I hop into the 4Runner. Sure it has nav on it but who really uses it? It's pretty damn useless and takes me on the longest possible route. As mentioned by others it needs an overhaul, but it's damn fun to drive. If I had the money for a Raptor I would have been all over it. Both are fun to drive, one just costs more for what is a better platform (boo me all you want! ).

I knew what I was getting into, I enjoy it, but Toyota get on your shit! Please

 

[mvt4r]

Toyota is already bumped out of the top spots by other manufacturers selling more feature laden vehicles for similar prices or better. And the competition has stepped up with engineering as good or better.

My sister owns a Subaru XV, and it has a ton of features even my 4Runner doesn't have, for half the price.

I'm either going to get a Raptor, or wait and get a the raptor version of the Ranger for a light truck need.

The raptor version of the ranger sounds mighty interesting. I didn't go for a raptor mainly because it was way too big and too expensive as a result. The question on the ranger raptor is how big is the cabin? I found the tacoma cabin small for the overall size of the truck so I ended up with a 4runner.

 

[Inked]

Can I haul gear? Check.
Can I take my 2 dogs with me? Check.
Can I sleep in it in a pinch? Check.
Can I modify it for my intended purpose? Check.
Is it reliable? Check.

I could go on and on...the reality is, I don't need all the thrills and luxuries of a modern, sophisticated utility vehicle. My 4runner is about as complicated as I need.

Is this the right vehicle for me? Check.

 

[1engineer]

My wife just got a new Highlander. It is a very nice ride and for 99% of the people reading this, will take you everywhere you want to go.

One thing that this reviewer didn't mention, and, while it gets mentioned occasionally when talking about sports cars, is the 4Runner has a soul. My new manual Tacoma has a soul. My wife's new Highlander, while nice and fancy and all kinds of better that the 4Runner, has no soul.

Very few regular vehicles nowadays have a soul. The 4Runner has it. My Tacoma has it. A Jeep Rubicon has one. A Raptor has one. The friggin Hellcat I rode in the other night has a whole truckload of a soul.

 

[rpontbriand]

What I get out of this article is that my taste does not match what the "masses/general public" demands.

I am good with that.

 

[engineeer]

I love my 4Runner, but plenty of honest truths in the article. I love the 4Runner platform, but I love technology. The techie part of my life suffers when I hop into the 4Runner. Sure it has nav on it but who really uses it? It's pretty damn useless and takes me on the longest possible route. As mentioned by others it needs an overhaul, but it's damn fun to drive. If I had the money for a Raptor I would have been all over it. Both are fun to drive, one just costs more for what is a better platform (boo me all you want! ).

I knew what I was getting into, I enjoy it, but Toyota get on your shit! Please

Spend the money to upgrade the Entune system. I did that today and wondered why I didn't do it 5 months and 8200 miles ago.

Wireless CarPlay, so I don't even have to take my phone out of my pocket or plug it in. My steering wheel controls are now custom programmed to do what I want AND I can see vehicle info through the OBD (e.g. tire pressures (!!!), temperatures, etc.). The color mismatch dash kit is temporary while a body shop paints the other one I have to match the black sparkly interior.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

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...

I was just stating that Dodge gives you a choice like Toyota gave us on the 4th gen with a V8 option.

 

[Crocket]

...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.

I love my 4Runner, but my single biggest gripe with it is ALL the f#%king plastics inside are cheap junk!!! Looking at them too hard causes them to scratch. I've been fairly easy with my truck so far, but the interior is already looking pretty scratched up after 5 months of ownership. The crappy level of quality in their plastic selection is simply inexcusable!!! Not sure how it......or I will fair after a few years of use!!!!

 

[CatahoulaManiac]

Spend the money to upgrade the Entune system. I did that today and wondered why I didn't do it 5 months and 8200 miles ago.

Wireless CarPlay, so I don't even have to take my phone out of my pocket or plug it in. My steering wheel controls are now custom programmed to do what I want AND I can see vehicle info through the OBD (e.g. tire pressures (!!!), temperatures, etc.). The color mismatch dash kit is temporary while a body shop paints the other one I have to match the black sparkly interior.

Details on the upgrade?

 

[MossJenks]

I love my 4Runner, but my single biggest gripe with it is ALL the f#%king plastics inside are cheap junk!!! Looking at them too hard causes them to scratch. I've been fairly easy with my truck so far, but the interior is already looking pretty scratched up after 5 months of ownership. The crappy level of quality in their plastic selection is simply inexcusable!!! Not sure how it......or I will fair after a few years of use!!!!

Be careful what you wish for. The plastic interior parts may well scratch easily, but they're very simple and durable. Contrast that with my Audi's high quality interior - so high quality that the glove box lid is so heavy that it breaks it's own hinge if not opened carefully. The Toyota stuff may get scuffed up, but 20 years down the road it'll still be intact and working.

What I get out of this article is that my taste does not match what the "masses/general public" demands.

I am good with that.

Depends on exactly which "masses/general public" we're talking about, doesn't it? I totally agree that for MOST people the 4Runner doesn't make much sense. If you're in Kansas, or New York City, or Florida or someplace like that how a 4Runner makes sense - well, really for anyone who isn't going to take it off road. Then again, I never understood the craze for huge Suburbans, etc. Here in Colorado it doesn't take much looking around to notice that 4Runners and Outbacks are pretty much the most popular vehicles on the road - but even here in offroad heaven most people don't do it.

 

[CoMtn4Runner]

With how quickly technology continues to evolve, it is a bit strange that the platform hasn't really changed in 7 years. With that said, it doesn't seem to hold people back from buying 4runners; demand/sales numbers have done nothing but grow during that time period. With that said, it would be nice to see some improvements in the next generation to at least keep pace with some of the newer technology companies have put into their vehicles without fully abandoning the 4runner heritage.

 

[bimrunner]

Details on the upgrade?

Well it looks like the new wireless airplay head unit from Alpine iLX-107.

 

[ic0517]

Outback was too long to fit in garage. XTerra too high. 4Runner reliability beat them both. Not sure which model year of Outback, the mirrors didn't fold, they since fixed it. My wife routinely hits the mirrors of her Sienna into the side of the garage door opening.

 

[Jetboy]

The next generation of cars will all drive themselves. Current cars can go find a parking spot and drop you off at the door. Hell, even current subaru's almost all have binocular camera systems and complex automation. And we're hoping for a thermostat and a light sensor. And maybe functional navigation system. In a world of chess, we're just asking to play tic tac toe.

In all honesty - if Toyota would just drop a 5.7L in it - I'd buy another without thinking twice. The power delivery is the biggest issue I have by far.

 

[djhuff7]

Took my new truck to an old buddy "reunion" we had this weekend. All the other guys are driving CX-9, 2 Pathfinders, Rav4, Q5. All of them, non provoked, individually, said "I really like your truck" to me. All spent time looking it over closely.

Sort of like they all wanted something like it, but the wives overruled and they got something more practical for daily use. Unfortunately that's the market.

I might use the 4WD capabilities twice a year, but those 2 trips will create memories with my family that I will cherish, and open opportunities to explore so much more than would be possible in a Pathfinder with dual zone climate, rear seat entertainment etc.