Are you happy with your 5th gen T4R?

[turbolump]

I'm in the market for a new SUV for my wife. We like the 4runner, Grand Cherokee and MDX. My wife currently drives a Murano. She loves way it drives, but would like something bigger. She likes her SUVs to look like a truck, but likes them to drive more like a car, which is a bit of a challenge. I like the history of great resale values on 4runners.

After lurking a while, I hear some negative comments about the new 4Runner. I'm especially curious about how people feel about the 4Runner who switched over from a Crossover.

Sorry about the long post.

 

[tjnaples]

Went from a car to my Trail Edition and love it. Stiffer sway bar and KDSS make the ride wonderful.

 

[fishnlab]

My wife drove her Volvo XC90 for 6 years before we bought our T4R.

She loves the way it drives.

 

[tlflow]

love it

 

[1engineer]

I'm in the market for a new SUV for my wife. We like the 4runner, Grand Cherokee and MDX. My wife currently drives a Murano. She loves way it drives, but would like something bigger. She likes her SUVs to look like a truck, but likes them to drive more like a car, which is a bit of a challenge. I like the history of great resale values on 4runners.

After lurking a while, I hear some negative comments about the new 4Runner. I'm especially curious about how people feel about the 4Runner who switched over from a Crossover.

Sorry about the long post.

What negative comments? You have to remember that some people have buyer's remorse no matter what type of vehicle they buy. It could be a corvette or an f-350 some people will have bought it spur of the moment and wished it hadn't happened later. I notice some of this on this board and the owners justify getting rid of it by saying things like "brakes are not right" or "ride is too stiff" or sounds "tinny when you shut the door"or something. My advise: No matter what you buy just test it completely and multiple times before making a decision. I love the 4Runner and most here do too. Just make sure before you buy this is right for you.

 

[STLDAVE]

I moved from a 2003 Honda Pilot to a 2011 4Runner Trail Edition. They are two completely different animals when you compare them. IF your wife likes her vehicle to drive like a car, go with he MDX (it's basically a dolled up Pilot, which drives like an Accord). BUT, you won't have the off road capability of the 4Runner or the GC. And the 4Runner rides like a truck...cause it is.

 

[chemtw]

I used to drive nothing but Volkswagen cars, but wanted more space and an SUV. I jumped to an FJ Cruiser, and while it was an awesome truck, I found parking it a pain, and on long trips it wasn't what I hoped for. I recently switched to the 4runner TE and I love it! I find that it fits right in the middle between having a car and a total off road machine like the FJ. I just finished a 2500 mile road trip with 900lbs of stuff from Washington to Oklahoma and it handled great!

 

[MarkWalker]

Yes.

Yep, so far I'm very happy with my LE 4R.

 

[rickwol]

Go with the MDX for her. If you live in area that gets snow and you drive on roads that are partially covered with snow, slush, alternating with stretches of clear roads etc then it will be easier for her to not have to worry of when to have it in 4wd etc. Remember, 4wd is part-time on the 4Runner and if you run it on pavement where there is no slippage you will do damage to the 4wd components. The MDX is AWD. And if she wants it to drive like a car then the MDX will fill that requirement nicely as well.

 

[DEKA3]

Remember, 4wd is part-time on the 4Runner and if you run it on pavement where there is no slippage you will do damage to the 4wd components.


Not unless they get the Limited. Only the SR5 & TE have P/T 4WD

 

[TxCJ3Pilot]

Power

I love my 2011, just wished it had more power. . .

 

[My 4R]

Wife wants a car like ride in an SUV, then body on frame (4Runners) are probably not the best choice. Although it rides well, its not like the Murano or MDX..............

 

[Intruder]

What negative comments? You have to remember that some people have buyer's remorse no matter what type of vehicle they buy. It could be a corvette or an f-350 some people will have bought it spur of the moment and wished it hadn't happened later. I notice some of this on this board and the owners justify getting rid of it by saying things like "brakes are not right" or "ride is too stiff" or sounds "tinny when you shut the door"or something. My advise: No matter what you buy just test it completely and multiple times before making a decision. I love the 4Runner and most here do too. Just make sure before you buy this is right for you.

This. Exactly this. The 5th gen 4Runner is not right for everyone and those of us who love ours just bought the right vehicle for us. I did months of research online and going into dealerships before deciding on my TE.

 

[philsey]

What negative comments? You have to remember that some people have buyer's remorse no matter what type of vehicle they buy. It could be a corvette or an f-350 some people will have bought it spur of the moment and wished it hadn't happened later. I notice some of this on this board and the owners justify getting rid of it by saying things like "brakes are not right" or "ride is too stiff" or sounds "tinny when you shut the door"or something. My advise: No matter what you buy just test it completely and multiple times before making a decision. I love the 4Runner and most here do too. Just make sure before you buy this is right for you.

Perfect.

Go with the MDX for her. If you live in area that gets snow and you drive on roads that are partially covered with snow, slush, alternating with stretches of clear roads etc then it will be easier for her to not have to worry of when to have it in 4wd etc. Remember, 4wd is part-time on the 4Runner and if you run it on pavement where there is no slippage you will do damage to the 4wd components. The MDX is AWD. And if she wants it to drive like a car then the MDX will fill that requirement nicely as well.

Inclined to agree with this too.

You don't state your driving needs, but if this is her car, I'd say pick between the awd 4R LE and the MDX, but have her test drive both extensively, and let it be her choice.

 

[offroadingatc]

Love the 4runner, and I think most on here do, although there is a fair amount of complaining

There do seem to be quite a few people on here that don't seem to do a thorough test drive, I knew the potential issues before I even went in for a test drive so I was able to focus on them and decide if they were going to be deal breakers for me

Love the MDX, infact I was waxing my wife's Matrix today and told her she should look at one. Love the safety of the brake warning system, and they drive really nice, bit too girly for me but perfect for the wife

 

[Mtn.Rush]

I'm in the market for a new SUV for my wife. We like the 4runner, Grand Cherokee and MDX. My wife currently drives a Murano. She loves way it drives, but would like something bigger. She likes her SUVs to look like a truck, but likes them to drive more like a car, which is a bit of a challenge. I like the history of great resale values on 4runners.

After lurking a while, I hear some negative comments about the new 4Runner. I'm especially curious about how people feel about the 4Runner who switched over from a Crossover.

Sorry about the long post.

If she likes the Murano and likes the size and drive of it, then look at the MDX. We had one (it was my wifes) for 5 years with ZERO issues and it was great in the slop with the AWD. The new ones are even better, faster and the drive is VERY nice. Test drive it and go from there, I dont think the 4-runner will be right for her if she wants it to drive like a car, you wont get that from the Toyota. My wife doesnt like to drive my Limited 4runner because its too big and drives like a truck, she loves her X5...which is fine with me because I dont want her in it anyway.

 

[mpaquette]

Love my 4Runner because it's a truck and it doesn't ride like a car. Get a bigger crossover if you want an SUV type vehicle that rides like a car.

 

[4everunner]

B E S T!:tongue:

 

[Okki]

While the T4R Limited is my primary vehicle, the wife LOVES that "it rides like a Cadillac" (her words; not mine), but the turning radius takes a little getting used to (it's big) and for that reason she hates parking it. However, if she were to drive it more regularly, I'm sure she would get used to it like I did (I came from a Volvo V50 T5).

We went with the LMT because it had more interior features, is full time 4WD and has OEM leather.

I contemplated the MDX, but the back seat in the 'Runner has more room ( I have the sliding deck, no third row). I also liked that the 'Runner has better off road ability (IF you want/need it). Slightly higher ground clearance too.

As mentioned; have her test-drive both and go from there. Both are good vehicles; just different features for different needs.

Okki

 

[PracticalFJ]

Love mine (30k and no issues yet), although my GF and I went to the Land Rover dealer to check out that new mini Range Rover thingy that was just released (she wanted it). We left after seeing how small it was and when we found out she could buy a Range Rover Sport for the same price (discounted of course), and went to Acura to look at the MDX and Audi to look at the Q5.

I'm sort of biased towards the Audi since my previous car was a chipped Allroad. She currently drives a TL.....She does not enjoy driving my trail.

We'll see what she picks....of to dinner and looking forward to "car talk" tonight over drinks.