Hey guys, I'm thinking of switching from my 2008 Civic to a 4runner as I am about to move from California to Maine. I have high hopes of the 4Runner making living in such a snowy climate more easy and fun on the weekends, but man, that mpg is sooooo low. I did a 6 hour road trip with my civic last weekend and averaged 38mpg when gunning it at 80-85 all the way up and 42.7 mpg when I drove back at 70mph the whole way. It just seems so wasteful to drive something that gets 19mpg. Did any of you used to own a more economical car? How was the switch?
Anyone switch from a more efficient car?
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ARunner
New member
I've owned about everything at this point that could be smaller than the 4Runner. It's like anything else. You get used to it. Think of it as a tax to drive the car you want. If you really wanted, you could probably keep chains and snow tires on the civic and drive it in Maine. 
. First world problems.
. First world problems. i had an audi a4, gave me 27-30 all highway, i used to take a lot of 3 hour trips up to mass from nyc. Going to the 4runner, the transition wasnt that bad, i knew what i was getting into.
before the audi, i had a wrx modded, a lot... that one gave me 18 highway and 10 city (and that was premium 93 gas), so yea, kinda used to that.
before the audi, i had a wrx modded, a lot... that one gave me 18 highway and 10 city (and that was premium 93 gas), so yea, kinda used to that.
RunnerAK
New member
I switched from a Camry that got 30ish mpg to my V8 4Runner. Before I bought the 4Runner, I calculated the cost per mile difference and had a bit of heartburn over the huge increase. Since I bought the Runner though, it really hasn't bothered me much at all, the positives of the vehicle definitely outweigh the mpg loss (for me).
With that said however, you have to buy a 4Runner for the right reasons. Just like any car, it excels in certain areas and has tradeoffs in others. Its a big beastly 4000+ pound SUV with a great 4WD system that can carry a load of camping gear over some pretty rugged terrain, not an economical commuter that shoots rainbows out of the tailpipe.
With that said however, you have to buy a 4Runner for the right reasons. Just like any car, it excels in certain areas and has tradeoffs in others. Its a big beastly 4000+ pound SUV with a great 4WD system that can carry a load of camping gear over some pretty rugged terrain, not an economical commuter that shoots rainbows out of the tailpipe.
Martinjmpr
New member
As with so many other aspects of life the key to happiness here is ... realistic expectations. Buy a 4runner expecting to get the great MPG that people claim and you will be disappointed, every time. Right now with a lot of short trips and a lot of 4wd driving (earlier in the month when it was snowy) my T4R V6 is averaging around 15 mpg.
If getting good MPG is important to you then the 4runner is not the right vehicle.
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If getting good MPG is important to you then the 4runner is not the right vehicle.
:I came to my Runner from a 2013 Fusion... I averaged about 25mpg city with it (did mainly city driving). It scared me at first moving on to the 4Runner, but it was totally worth it. I actually drive through snow now instead of on top of it. Lowest MPG I've had so far was 12, but that was over the winter, 4WD engaged and it rarely left the single digits temperature wise. Best was 22 mpg on the highway, driving from NY to NC (mountainous).
In all honesty, the 4Runner is so much more capable than my last vehicle was and that in it self is enough to justify the added cost.
In all honesty, the 4Runner is so much more capable than my last vehicle was and that in it self is enough to justify the added cost.
CoupeDeGras
New member
How much is getting home worth?
My last trade was from a 99 protege at 30 mpg to a 2005 V6 4x4 4 runner at 20 mpg. I drive about 70 miles a day. I live on the VA TN line and the weather changes quick. When the snow was falling (we got 2ft), the floods were washing out roads, or when it started snowing again on top of that, I never once said I wish I could have saved 12 to 15 dollars this week. I have 3 kids, the 4 runner is safe, dependable, useful, and they all fit in it. Call it a stupid tax or whatever you want but chose piece of mind and convenience over mpg's.
My last trade was from a 99 protege at 30 mpg to a 2005 V6 4x4 4 runner at 20 mpg. I drive about 70 miles a day. I live on the VA TN line and the weather changes quick. When the snow was falling (we got 2ft), the floods were washing out roads, or when it started snowing again on top of that, I never once said I wish I could have saved 12 to 15 dollars this week. I have 3 kids, the 4 runner is safe, dependable, useful, and they all fit in it. Call it a stupid tax or whatever you want but chose piece of mind and convenience over mpg's.
I had a 2007 Civic. Most of the road trips I took with it had bikes on the back, and lots of stuff or people, so most of the time I got 28-32mpg. On a rare road trip with only one passenger and no bikes averaging 70mph, I got 40mpg.
Now I have a V8 4runner, and I get 18mpg, or 16 if I drive over 80mph. I wanted a V6, and those can get 20-21, and the worst I've personally seen in a V6 was 19 on a trip with four people averaging 85mph. The V8 is nice in Colorado since the altitude reduces power of any NA engine.
4WD isn't necessary for snow. A civic with snow tires will handle better than a 4runner with all season tires, though there's a small chance of getting stuck. I think the 08 Civic has VSA and traction control, so you might get better traction if it can use the brakes to slow a free spinning wheel. My 07 had an open diff and no electronic aids, so it was effectively 1 wheel drive. I only got kind of stuck once. It was at an icy stop sign at the top of a hill. I had to back up and try again a few times and hope that there was no traffic coming as I pulled out. On snow my 4runner with all season tires slides sideways and stopping almost as easily as my Civic with all season tires did. The 4runner has Michelin LTX MS2 tires, which are a bit better in snow than the Michelin Primacy MXV4 tires on the Civic (The MS2 have snow in the name, after all). VSC helps make it more predictable, and it saved me from sliding into a guard rail once. But if I was in the Civic I would have been driving a lot more cautiously. I knew I had VSC, so I was pushing the limits a bit. If I had a Civic with VSC I probably would have pushed the limits on snowy roads more.
The advantage of a 4runner is that I can go more places with it than with the Civic. I can drive to trailheads and camp sites that require high clearance. I drove to some of them anyway with the Civic, but I bottomed out a few times. I can park in spaces that have too much snow where no one else wants to park, even partly up snow banks. I can go explore high altitude forest service roads. And I can carry bikes without the rear suspension sagging and bottoming out and the rack dragging on the ground, and I can use the roof rack without affecting the aerodynamics because the 4runner isn't aerodynamic anyway.
If the extra cost is too much for you, I would suggest getting a smaller more economical SUV, maybe a Highlander or Rav 4 or CR-V or Pilot. I don't drive much and most of my driving is going places where a Civic isn't meant to go, or carrying more stuff than a Civic is meant to carry, so a 4runner makes more sense. If I had a long commute every day, I don't think I would want one. I can afford the extra cost, though sometimes I wish I had a cheaper and more economical vehicle. But I don't drive enough that owning/insuring/maintaining two vehicles would save me any money.
Now I have a V8 4runner, and I get 18mpg, or 16 if I drive over 80mph. I wanted a V6, and those can get 20-21, and the worst I've personally seen in a V6 was 19 on a trip with four people averaging 85mph. The V8 is nice in Colorado since the altitude reduces power of any NA engine.
4WD isn't necessary for snow. A civic with snow tires will handle better than a 4runner with all season tires, though there's a small chance of getting stuck. I think the 08 Civic has VSA and traction control, so you might get better traction if it can use the brakes to slow a free spinning wheel. My 07 had an open diff and no electronic aids, so it was effectively 1 wheel drive. I only got kind of stuck once. It was at an icy stop sign at the top of a hill. I had to back up and try again a few times and hope that there was no traffic coming as I pulled out. On snow my 4runner with all season tires slides sideways and stopping almost as easily as my Civic with all season tires did. The 4runner has Michelin LTX MS2 tires, which are a bit better in snow than the Michelin Primacy MXV4 tires on the Civic (The MS2 have snow in the name, after all). VSC helps make it more predictable, and it saved me from sliding into a guard rail once. But if I was in the Civic I would have been driving a lot more cautiously. I knew I had VSC, so I was pushing the limits a bit. If I had a Civic with VSC I probably would have pushed the limits on snowy roads more.
The advantage of a 4runner is that I can go more places with it than with the Civic. I can drive to trailheads and camp sites that require high clearance. I drove to some of them anyway with the Civic, but I bottomed out a few times. I can park in spaces that have too much snow where no one else wants to park, even partly up snow banks. I can go explore high altitude forest service roads. And I can carry bikes without the rear suspension sagging and bottoming out and the rack dragging on the ground, and I can use the roof rack without affecting the aerodynamics because the 4runner isn't aerodynamic anyway.
If the extra cost is too much for you, I would suggest getting a smaller more economical SUV, maybe a Highlander or Rav 4 or CR-V or Pilot. I don't drive much and most of my driving is going places where a Civic isn't meant to go, or carrying more stuff than a Civic is meant to carry, so a 4runner makes more sense. If I had a long commute every day, I don't think I would want one. I can afford the extra cost, though sometimes I wish I had a cheaper and more economical vehicle. But I don't drive enough that owning/insuring/maintaining two vehicles would save me any money.
bergs
New member
The commute, the lift and the larger tires on my V8 are the combination that convinced me to buy something more economical so I found a shitbox WRX that I commute with and keep my 4Runner for offroading, towing and general family trips.
I did the math and realized that in any given month I was burning as much fuel in my 4Runner as I was heating my house (if the woodstove wasn't used).
I did the math and realized that in any given month I was burning as much fuel in my 4Runner as I was heating my house (if the woodstove wasn't used).
When you get home, you should park your 4runner inside the house so it radiates the excess heat and offsets your heating cost. Not in the garage, but inside the house, like the living room or something. You can also use it for additional seating to save on how much furniture you need.
This, I came from a 2012 mazda3 that averaged over 32 no matter how I drove it. I bought my 4runner so I can hunt and carry the gear I need to the places I need without getting stuck. Luckily I don't drive more than a few thousand miles a year.
CAN-03runner
New member
Put some 33" Duratracs on the civic.
But more seriously, up north here in Montreal, gas and taxes are so high, civic, corolla, mazda3 is the norm. All year, rain, shine ice or snow. Try it out with real winter tires. not M/S tires. tires with the mountain snowflake symbol. You might be surprised.
Something from here
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireS...true&minSpeedRating=S&minLoadRating=S&tab=All
I had a civic with Bridgestone Blizzaks awesome
I had an RSX with GoodYear Ultragrips very good
Have 3series with Dunlop M3-Wintersport very good
In the winter be more concerned with stopping than get up and go. That's what a winter tire brings to the table beyond just a regular all season.
I couldn't have my runner without also a more fuel efficient car or if I had to drive very far to work everyday or if I didn't take the metro to work everyday.
What the 4runner brought to the table was no need to clear any snow in the driveway. No need to shovel a spot to park in the street. If parked in the street and the snow plow comes on by, no need to shovel a path. My 5$/gallon gas is worth it then. And I can tow stuff if I need. I can pack a lot in the trunk. In a long trip the wife actually fit comfortably between the 2 rear child seats to keep the kiddos entertained and not crying. And it's paid. I just put gas and change oil. ( and mod....watch out for that.... )
The reality is that, unless you live in a remote village the roads will typically salted and cleared pretty quick. A civic with proper winter tires might be able to handle it. You'll need to shovel in and out of parking spots but once on road it will be decent.
But more seriously, up north here in Montreal, gas and taxes are so high, civic, corolla, mazda3 is the norm. All year, rain, shine ice or snow. Try it out with real winter tires. not M/S tires. tires with the mountain snowflake symbol. You might be surprised.
Something from here
http://www.tirerack.com/tires/TireS...true&minSpeedRating=S&minLoadRating=S&tab=All
I had a civic with Bridgestone Blizzaks awesome
I had an RSX with GoodYear Ultragrips very good
Have 3series with Dunlop M3-Wintersport very good
In the winter be more concerned with stopping than get up and go. That's what a winter tire brings to the table beyond just a regular all season.
I couldn't have my runner without also a more fuel efficient car or if I had to drive very far to work everyday or if I didn't take the metro to work everyday.
What the 4runner brought to the table was no need to clear any snow in the driveway. No need to shovel a spot to park in the street. If parked in the street and the snow plow comes on by, no need to shovel a path. My 5$/gallon gas is worth it then. And I can tow stuff if I need. I can pack a lot in the trunk. In a long trip the wife actually fit comfortably between the 2 rear child seats to keep the kiddos entertained and not crying. And it's paid. I just put gas and change oil. ( and mod....watch out for that.... )
The reality is that, unless you live in a remote village the roads will typically salted and cleared pretty quick. A civic with proper winter tires might be able to handle it. You'll need to shovel in and out of parking spots but once on road it will be decent.
Well, it's one of the "major" cities in the state - population ~30,000. My job requires me to commute to work at 4AM so I'm also worried about the roads not being plowed yet. Frankly, I'm also beginning to grow concerned about the size differential between pickups/suv's and my civic in a more rural state like Maine. I may just go for it despite the fuel penalty...
Sporin
New member
Further bad news is I wouldn't count on an actual 19 either. My V6 gets about that in the summer, and more like 15-16 in the winter (hand calculated, the on-board MPG display is a dirty, dirty liar). Unlike LA, your MPG will vary WIDELY from season to season.
We traded in our 2006 V8 on a Prius, which was great for us because we commuted in it. It's about paid off and we'll get many more years of use out of it.
When the time came for a second vehicle last spring, my #1 choice was another 4th Gen 4runner because they are great trucks all around. We love it.
So as a pair, the Prius and the 4Runner is the best of both worlds.
Will you be commuting a long ways daily in Maine? There is some bus service around Portland and South Portland, and you may be able to ride share.
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Bossman
Senior Member
I guess the term "more efficient car" is relative ...
I traded my 1997 Lexus LS400 (with a 4.0 L V8 making 260 HP) in on a 2003 4Runner Limited 4WD (with the 4.7 L V8 making 235 HP).
The Lexus was a great sedan - very refined and luxurious! Those ponies liked to move, too! But it gulped premium fuel - ratings of 19/25 mpg. And the rear wheel drive in the winter (with dedicated winter tires) was finally the deal breaker.
The 4Runner does get worse mileage (estimated 14/17 mpg), but regular fuel. However, it was the full-time 4WD that really sold me on it for driving in my Canadian winters (running all season Michelin LTX M/S2s). Also liked all that extra room to haul around my hockey gear.
I traded my 1997 Lexus LS400 (with a 4.0 L V8 making 260 HP) in on a 2003 4Runner Limited 4WD (with the 4.7 L V8 making 235 HP).
The Lexus was a great sedan - very refined and luxurious! Those ponies liked to move, too! But it gulped premium fuel - ratings of 19/25 mpg. And the rear wheel drive in the winter (with dedicated winter tires) was finally the deal breaker.
The 4Runner does get worse mileage (estimated 14/17 mpg), but regular fuel. However, it was the full-time 4WD that really sold me on it for driving in my Canadian winters (running all season Michelin LTX M/S2s). Also liked all that extra room to haul around my hockey gear.
I'm in Maine and commute to Boston twice a week. It's about three hours each way. Most of my past vehicles have been far more fuel efficient than my 2006 V8 4runner. The next vehicle the wife and I get will be more fuel efficient than the 4runner.
But we love the 4runner.
It's refined, smooth, reliable. It's more comfortable than many of my past vehicles. It can fit the whole family and then some. We can tow our trailer with no problem. It uses regular gas instead of premium....and yeah...the wife feels a little better with me out there in the snow in the 4runner vs. a smaller car like a Rav4 or Honda Civic.
She also appreciates the power of the V8.
lane:
Do I wish I got better gas mileage (about 15.5 with winter fuel)?
Sure.
I support Toyota's hybrid technologies and their foray into hydrogen fuel. With luck, in ten years or so when I'm ready to retire my 2006 there'll be something more fuel efficient available.
Until then, I'll happily drive my 4runner knowing it can take me anywhere I need to go reliably and in comfort.
But we love the 4runner.
It's refined, smooth, reliable. It's more comfortable than many of my past vehicles. It can fit the whole family and then some. We can tow our trailer with no problem. It uses regular gas instead of premium....and yeah...the wife feels a little better with me out there in the snow in the 4runner vs. a smaller car like a Rav4 or Honda Civic.
She also appreciates the power of the V8.
lane: Do I wish I got better gas mileage (about 15.5 with winter fuel)?
Sure.
I support Toyota's hybrid technologies and their foray into hydrogen fuel. With luck, in ten years or so when I'm ready to retire my 2006 there'll be something more fuel efficient available.
Until then, I'll happily drive my 4runner knowing it can take me anywhere I need to go reliably and in comfort.
wadle5
New member
This is exactly what I did. And the argument of this route being more expensive I would argue that my 15 inch wheels and tires on my Subie are cheaper than my bfg A/ts. Plus my subie was bought with a completely rebuilt motor and gets double the milage of my runner
BRUIN8124
New member
If you're thinking of picking up a 4Runner, get one out there in CA and bring it to Maine. The ones up here all are battling the rust/road salt.
I would recommend it though. Mine handles whatever the weather throws at it quite well.
I had a Buick before. Sure the gas mileage was better but I love to hunt, fish, camp etc. The Buick just didn't make much sense. On top of that, My plow guy SUCKS! I would always be stuck in the drive way, not once with the 4Runner. I am happy with my decision to get my 4Runner.
Welcome to Maine!
I would recommend it though. Mine handles whatever the weather throws at it quite well.
I had a Buick before. Sure the gas mileage was better but I love to hunt, fish, camp etc. The Buick just didn't make much sense. On top of that, My plow guy SUCKS! I would always be stuck in the drive way, not once with the 4Runner. I am happy with my decision to get my 4Runner.
Welcome to Maine!
