A dinosaur still roams the Earth.

["krax"]

It's a fair article, all things considered.

In the last couple months I've had the opportunity to drive around in some current-year SUVs on and off pavement. Navigator, Yukon XL, Tahoe, Pathfinder, and Explorer. A few had some features that I liked, but many "features" were obnoxious, particularly the safety tech on the Yukon XL. I missed my 2011 4Runner the whole time.

I agree that there's some easy upgrades Toyota could make right now to improve the 4Runner without taking away it's soul (i.e. headlights, blind spot mirrors, standard auto headlights, locking fuel door, standard push start). I'd also agree that future models should incorporate some bigger changes (i.e. minimum 6 speed transmission).

I bought a 4Runner because it appeared that many of the features found in older LCs had trickled down to the 4Runner. That would have been a decent trend to follow each year, but it appeared to stop shortly after the release of the 5th gen. Only offering push start on the Limited in 2011 is fine. Not offering it on the SR5 in 2017 is not fine.

 

[Grug556]

The runner drives like a drunken sloppy pig. That said build quality, durability and design for what it actually is was what sold me. Don't buy it to drive sportily as you will be disappointed. Want an old school style frame vehicle made in Japan that isn't a LC and the choices are limited.

 

[e60ral]

The runner drives like a drunken sloppy pig. That said build quality, durability and design for what it actually is was what sold me. Don't buy it to drive sportily as you will be disappointed. Want an old school style frame vehicle made in Japan that isn't a LC and the choices are limited.

get KDSS, it is very planted and confident on the road

 

[Wrighter]

Y'all are overlooking the most important part and one the review gets right. Rear window rolls down.

The review was spot on. I think what has some upset, is that what the review lists as negatives, many of us think are positives.

I'd like better mileage. I'd like a push-button start. I'd like to be able to run google maps through the screen. My choice came down to a 4Runner or an Odyssey and the Odyssey had all those things.

But there are some places in the Tetons and in Big Bend I want to go that the Odyssey cannot. And that might be twice a year. But that's why I bought the 4Runner. And in the two months I've had it, I've been off road twice in places I never thought about going off road before.

The review isn't aimed at the same audience as this board. It's aimed at a general audience.

And seriously, the rear window rolls down.

 

[Grug556]

get KDSS, it is very planted and confident on the road

Negative, I have a limited with BFGs. The truck is what it is. Planted and confident maybe in the dirt, but anything over 60mph and I would suggest its far from planted. IT has crude type handling with much front end float and jiggle, but it is what it is. Make your inputs in advance and slowly and its fine. :lasercannon:

Its not comparable to a unibody suv or crossover sitting on street suspension running 40 series tires...

 

[wfo9]

Consider this. The 5th gen (150 platform) is just very minor tweaks to the 4th gen (120 platform) which went on sale in 2003. Toyota has put 0 effort into the the series and I'm pretty sure they have no plans to revise it again.

If you buy a new 4runner you are basically buying technology developed in the late 90s. It's not horrible... just not anything like what most people expect in 2017.

Good news is... the long run means parts will be available for a long time.... Perfect for what it is..

 

[Watchdogg]

Came from a 09 Tacoma, talk about a dinosaur. My 15 runner is more techy than that thing was. Mid size BOF was big for me. But the biggest thing was the aftermarket support for this vehicle. I could personalize it the way I wanted it. Could you imagine this forum if the only aftermarket stuff you could get was plastidip. For a while people were complaining about all the nanny systems in this vehicle and now your asking for more. Personally, I still use my mirrors to change lanes, don't need a beep to tell me. If we had that stuff we would be having a discussion about how to turn it off.

 

[e60ral]

Negative, I have a limited with BFGs. The truck is what it is. Planted and confident maybe in the dirt, but anything over 60mph and I would suggest its far from planted. IT has crude type handling with much front end float and jiggle, but it is what it is. Make your inputs in advance and slowly and its fine. :lasercannon:

Its not comparable to a unibody suv or crossover sitting on street suspension running 40 series tires...

yeah, you should have gotten KDSS. Even with my KO2's the thick swaybars keep it level in spirited driving. it's not even comparable, the KDSS has completely different on road performance.

 

[engineeer]

Details on the upgrade?

I used this thread: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/211541-new-maestro-radio-solution.html

The iDataLink Maestro RR allows you to use all of the vehicles steering wheel controls, backup camera, tap into OBD, etc..

As for the head unit, any double DIN that is compatible with the Maestro is sufficient.

Dash kit has two options: Metra (in my picture) and Scosche. They only make them in silver, so if you don't have a silver interior you'll need to paint it or get it painted. I don't recommend trying to wrap it (I tried, it didn't look good).

 

[-dustin]

Came from a 09 Tacoma, talk about a dinosaur.

I came from a 2015 Tacoma and could not believe that my 2015 was damn near the exact same as my 2008 Tacoma. my 15 4Runner felt like a luxury sedan in comparison.

then I got into my wife's 2008 Avalon that has technology the 4Runner can't even comprehend yet and I felt cheated.

still....i'd rather have my 4Runner.

 

[sn_85]

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.

Toyota has to overhaul their entire truck and SUV line. The Tundra, Sequoia, and 4Runner are in dire need of upgrades throughout. I wouldn't even consider a Tundra or Sequoia at this point but for some reason people are still buying the Tundra.

A coworker of mine just bought a brand new 2018 Subaru Crosstrek and I sat in it yesterday. Heated and cooled leather seats, soft touch dash and side panels, more robust gauge cluster and infotainment system. All for $30K. I get why people buy a 4Runner but the next 4Runner, Tundra, and Sequoia better catch up to the playing field or people will start to look elsewhere.

 

[JayToo]

Y'all are overlooking the most important part and one the review gets right. Rear window rolls down.



The review was spot on. I think what has some upset, is that what the review lists as negatives, many of us think are positives.



I'd like better mileage. I'd like a push-button start. I'd like to be able to run google maps through the screen. My choice came down to a 4Runner or an Odyssey and the Odyssey had all those things.



But there are some places in the Tetons and in Big Bend I want to go that the Odyssey cannot. And that might be twice a year. But that's why I bought the 4Runner. And in the two months I've had it, I've been off road twice in places I never thought about going off road before.



The review isn't aimed at the same audience as this board. It's aimed at a general audience.



And seriously, the rear window rolls down.

I agree on most of your points. But I'd actually like less features. If I could have gotten mine with a stick shift and manual locks and windows (with the exception of the tailgate), I'd have been thrilled. Delete the backup camera, nav system, and heated seats for that matter.

This is probably my last new car, primarily because I'm tired of all the unnecessary tech that gets foisted on us.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[mnofpeace]

Maybe im missing something.

im looking at every graph they give...and the Yota is right there with every other model SUV they are comparing it to...so how is it SOOOOOOO terrible again?

and the vehicle it pretty much directly compares with, the Jeep Un., it beats at most of this stuff....

it would be nice if any of these mags hired a 'truck' or 'off road' type guy...so the soft candy a$$'d lux car reviewers dont get in and immediately scream at the fear they have of a true off-roading SUV...

whos shopping a Sante Fe Sport or Ford Edge vs a 4runner anyway?!?!

 

[larrylegend]

Another thing to consider is how much the price of SUVs has changed over the years. I did some googling and came up with these numbers.

1999 4Runner Limited Sticker - $33,438 - Adjusted for inflation (2017 $) $51,343

2017 4Runner Limited Sticker - $45,000 roughly

1999 Tahoe LTD Sticker - $32,520 - Adjusted for inflation (2017 $) - $48,484

2017 Tahoe LTZ Sticker - $53,750, the Premier trim $63,435

1999 Jeep GC Limited Sticker - $34,190, Adjusted for inflation (2017 $) $50,973

2017 Jeep GC Limited Sticker - $37,995, Trail Hawk $43,095, Overland $47,795, Summit $53,495

I think the pricing of the 4Runners has made them a good deal compared to other SUV's. I also think that Toyota has priced them (and thus given them the features to match) in order to fit them between the Highlanders and Lexus models. How many of us would want to pay $50k plus for a Limited 4Runner? What kinds of features would you expect in that price range? Possibly the same features found in a Lexus (ie a $55k to $65k plus SUV similar to the top of the line Jeeps and Chevys).

 

[03_4x4Runner]

Maybe im missing something.

im looking at every graph they give...and the Yota is right there with every other model SUV they are comparing it to...so how is it SOOOOOOO terrible again?

and the vehicle it pretty much directly compares with, the Jeep Un., it beats at most of this stuff....

..

Having driven a 4runner since 2003 I will try to answer this. Most other vehicles are an easier drive. By this I mean that at the end of a long day driving the 4runner just wears you out more. When I had my Avalon and other vehicles at the end of the day I felt like I could go many more miles. This was mainly due to less rpm at highway speeds, car like ride and handling and generally better power and gearing. Also I liked being able to drive most of the day without stopping for gas. Since I only have one vehicle now the 4runner is the best compromise for me since I like to go off road on my trips.

 

[sweaty]

...
This is probably my last new car, primarily because I'm tired of all the unnecessary tech that gets foisted on us.

Exactly! All these BS enhancements that we don't need. I still hate the keyless start after four years. First of all, it is not keyless. There is a key, only we are not supposed to use the key. Then what the f*** is the point of having the key that we are not supposed to use? And if we still need a key, why is it called keyless? And that stupid cycle you have to go through. If you stop the car and want to keep the radio going, you have to cycle really fast, or the radio will shut off. With a key, you just turn it counter clockwise and engine shuts and radio keeps going. And since it is keyless, it times out and shuts off on its own. With a key, it will keep playing until the key is removed. Don't tell me it is to protect battery. If you don't remember to remove the key, you shouldn't be driving. Walk or ride a bicycle. Sorry for the rant. I hate it.

 

[Grug556]

yeah, you should have gotten KDSS. Even with my KO2's the thick swaybars keep it level in spirited driving. it's not even comparable, the KDSS has completely different on road performance.

Yeah but I wanted a luxo barge for Armageddon:suspicious:... Also with usual snow and rain I didn't want a part time system. Stupid the best driveline is on the arguably less capable off road model (20 inch stock tires, running boards etc).

Ive had a sport tuned for driving SUV in the past with ultra low pro tires, coilovers the usual junk. The 4 runner is a nice change at times, very comfortable...

 

[gundrted+t4r]

The LC/Prado/4Runner often get reviewed this way. Also keep in mind that it other parts of the world there is no 4Runner. Its all one LC line and there are much greater ranges in the cost. The USA only gets the full loaded LC, but in other parts of the world you can get the same LC in many different trim levels.

Personally I think the '15 Limited we have was almost an insult for the price. Yes we love it, but if someone just looks at sticker prices the Limited 4Runner is a joke. People argue that you are paying for the reliability. This maybe true, but a lot of people lease these types of cars because they coat to much outright and want something new in x years.

I'm sure Toyota understands this, but they are slow to change. If its not broke don't fix it and risk a loss of efficiency. They will not change until customers demand it (sales drop) or they are forced to from a regulation stand point.

When we got the customer sat survey I went into a lot of detail of things I felt were 'wrong' with the Limit. A lot of it revolved around value. Personally I wouldn't mind if Toyota dropped the Lexus line in the US and just had one line with greater options.

 

[josefmd]

Good discussion!! I am in the camp also of having a more bare bones vehicle! I guess I pretty much have always leaned that way. That's one of the reasons I opted for the 4R Pro. I like some of the basic luxury's....heated and pwr seats, but on the other hand would hate blind spot monitor, lane asst, and the other high tech gagitrey. Had most of the stuff on my 17 Taco and didn't use it anyway.

 

[Quentin]

Toyota has to overhaul their entire truck and SUV line. The Tundra, Sequoia, and 4Runner are in dire need of upgrades throughout. I wouldn't even consider a Tundra or Sequoia at this point but for some reason people are still buying the Tundra.

A coworker of mine just bought a brand new 2018 Subaru Crosstrek and I sat in it yesterday. Heated and cooled leather seats, soft touch dash and side panels, more robust gauge cluster and infotainment system. All for $30K. I get why people buy a 4Runner but the next 4Runner, Tundra, and Sequoia better catch up to the playing field or people will start to look elsewhere.

$30k for a Crosstrek?! You say that like it is a good thing. I don't care what tech you throw in that car, at the end of the day it is a lifted Impreza with 140hp and a CVT.