Are you happy with your 5th gen T4R?

[Titanpat57]

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.

Came from a loaded Mazda CX-9 to the TE.....

Never looked back...

If I had to pick ONE thing I could carry from the Mazda to the 4Runner...it would be the automatic hatch opener.....it was really handy.

good luck in your search

 

[turbolump]

We went to drive cars again today. I think that this is the fourth time we have driven a 4Runner. We drove an MDX and a 4Runner back to back. Reinforced that MDX handles better, but we aren't looking for a sports car. My wife's opinion was that it is basically the same as what she already has. She actually likes the "truckiness" of the 4Runner and that you sit up higher. She had a Tahoe prior to the Murano and really liked it. Cargo area is a lot bigger in the 4Runner. We have decided that we both prefer the 4Runner over the MDX. So now it's between the 4runner and the Grand Cherokee with the 4runner being most likely. Crappy resale of Grand Cherokee bothers me.

 

[scanny]

Love my 4Runner. It's a truck not a car and it probable is not for everyone, so I suggest that you read all complains and pay attention the them on test drive to see if things bothered other people bother you or not. But for me 4runner is the closest thing on a market to my ideal vehicle : )

 

[Quentin]

Best vehicle I've ever owned. It goes anywhere I want it to and never complains. It fits 5 adults in comfort. I had 6 in there tonight. Stu had to ride in the hatch across town, haha. Between the streaming bluetooth and leather, my premium SR5 gives me comfortable seats and my tunes with no fuss. Mountain bikes? No problem. Camping gear for 7 because the CJ coming with us has zero cargo space? No problem. For what I want, it is a brilliant vehicle.

This mountain top field/graveyard is back 5 miles of super rutted, rocky, unkempt roads. An MDX won't get you here.

If you have no intention of doing that sort of thing, the MDX will probably be a better vehicle.

 

[[email protected]]

Day 1 with the 2011 T4R

Started having problems with a 05 BMW X5 4.4 after the warranty ran out. Decided I wanted something more practical, yet still functional for hauling around bicycles and going on Boy Scout campouts with the kids (ie, needed good off road capability, but good street creed too). Thought I wanted an FJ, but couldn't quite get a grip on the doors and the blind spot(s), so drove a 4R, and really liked it. Not the same power class as the X5, but still responsive. Drove 120 +/- miles today, including to/from a long bike ride. Have 128 miles on it, and already appreciate a lot of the little things the X5 lacked (actually the X5 had everything, stuff just didn't work -- Bluetooth went out a yer ago, 4WD actuator motor (whatever that is) went out, etc, etc).

Looking forward to many years of hassle free ownership and enjoyment from a fine vehicle.

 

[philsey]

@Bret, Dude resize your pics!

 

[Barry694]

4Runner, MDX, Jeep

By all means stay away from Jeeps. Go to a Jeep forum. All they talk about is the problems they are having. Has been this way since the 80's. In my opinion they are just not reliable!

 

[offroadingatc]

If you've been lurking around you will have certainly read about it already but one issue to consider is the nose dive on hard braking. If you haven't already try doing an emergency stop from highway speeds,, and if that doesn't bother you, then you have eliminated the single biggest complaint voiced about the 5th Gen. If you plan to upgrade the suspension disregard this.

IMO the only other major issue I hear voiced is a lack of power (personally don't think this is an issue at all, but that doesn't mean its not a valid complaint) I guess the drive by wire is not linear, so you have to step on the gas hard to get it to go, harder than in other vehicles. I come from a ford ranger so this feels powerful to me

 

[[email protected]]

Images resized!

@philsey -- done

 

[Tyz]

I recently purchased my wife a 2011 T4R Limited and we both enjoy it. She previously drove a VW Touareg, which I didn't care for. The fit and finish of most crossovers is superior to the 4Runner; however, it's a true truck based SUV. We test drove a Highlander Limited as well and its interior was comparable to the Touareg and most crossovers. The ride of the T4R Limited was comparable. It depends on your tastes, but we found the 4Runner to be a wonderful vehicle as a compromise for a truck guy and a crossover SUV girl. I don't think you can beat the resale in comparison to other crossovers and truck based SUV's, plus it appeals to both male and female purchasers. Good Luck!

 

[tjnaples]

The Highlander is the crossover mid-size SUV. Same size interior, crossover suspension drive and feel. Now as someone that never offroaded before (until now) I can honestly say the adventures you will have are unparalleled. Quentin's pics are a great testament to getting out and seeing and experiencing nature in a rawer sense. Think hard about that because that is the biggest plus to this vehicle!

 

[dekeman]

Lots of women say they like a car-like ride, then drive the 4R and say, wow, i like this. Comes down to it not feeling like a minivan.

 

[Batang.Gapo]

I've owned SR5 (Canadian Upgrade Package) for 6 months now and I'm very happy man. I was a bit concerned initially with ride comfort during long trip. However, a lot of forum members assured me that the ride is comfortable.

After 1,600 km, we headed to Orlando,Florida from Toronto, Canada and back. The ride was indeed comfortable, very comfortable.

I also considered MDX and love the way it drives (like car), fit and finish. Out here in Greater Toronto Area (GTA), there are tons on female driving MDX and yet to witness a female driving 4Runner. I guess testament that female drivers prefer the MDX. Just my humble observation.

I suggest let her test drive both and decide which one she prefers.

Good luck...

 

[Renegad44]

At 60 years old, this is my third 4runner, 2011 LE, I'll probably be buried in this one.... :thumb3:

 

[SOcalTRAIL]

My 2011 Trail Edition is the second 4runner I have owned. I absolutely love the truck. It is an animal on the trails, looks great crusing around town, gets acceptable gas mileage and is comfortable! I made the decision the otehr day that the 4runner (all generations) were my all time favorite "all around" vehicle of all time.

 

[turbolump]

Thanks for all the input so far. I think we will probably buy the 4Runner as soon as a 2012 is available. Although my wife thought the MDX drives well. She actually preferred the more truck like attitude of the 4Runner. She had a Tahoe prior to her Murano and she really liked it (just doesn't want quite that big of a car). The 4Runner has a lot more space than an MDX. The truth is that my wife is easy to please. Blizzard pearl paint goes a long way with her.

The last thing we will have to check is the brake dive. Is there much difference between the SR5 and the limited in regard to brake dive? Lastly, do the Bilstein shocks cure the brake drive. I put Bilsteins on my 4x4 truck and it made a world of difference.

 

[Ripsnort]

Couldn't be happier. Coming from a FJ Cruiser (which was a lot of fun in its own respective world of offroading) the ride is nice and dreamy in my 2010 limited.

The gas mileage is incredible for a mid-sized SUV. My FJ averaged 18.1 MPG during the 4 years I owned it, and this 4runner is averaging 22.1 so far, same routes driven.

 

[philsey]

Thanks for all the input so far. I think we will probably buy the 4Runner as soon as a 2012 is available. Although my wife thought the MDX drives well. She actually preferred the more truck like attitude of the 4Runner. Your wife is cool.
She had a Tahoe prior to her Murano and she really liked it (just doesn't want quite that big of a car). The 4Runner has a lot more space than an MDX. The truth is that my wife is easy to please. Blizzard pearl paint goes a long way with her.
Your wife is right. I washed my BP today, and it was pretty dirty but you couldn't tell until up close. I like this color better than any I've owned.
The last thing we will have to check is the brake dive. Is there much difference between the SR5 and the limited in regard to brake dive?
The more sophisticated suspension of the LE does indeed make a difference.
Lastly, do the Bilstein shocks cure the brake drive.
Cure? Totally? No. Reduce it a lot? Yes. Plus they level the front for free.
I put Bilsteins on my 4x4 truck and it made a world of difference. They firmed up my SR5 just right imo.

Good Luck.

 

[GrIlLa]

I'll tell you the two things that I am unimpressed with on my 2011 limited.
1) it's under powered. This truck could use more power.
2) the brakes, you have to engage them a considerable amount to start to slow. I just had it in to the dealer today, they said it was completely normal.

 

[Jtraskell]

I'll tell you the two things that I am unimpressed with on my 2011 limited.
1) it's under powered. This truck could use more power.
2) the brakes, you have to engage them a considerable amount to start to slow. I just had it in to the dealer today, they said it was completely normal.

In other threads, this brake issue keeps coming up. Today, I made an effort to check. I have about 1 to 1.5 inch of pedal play before my brakes engage. Then another ADDI TONAL 1 to 1.5 before they are "locking up" (I know, cant be done with ABS), but you know what I mean. I have 3 other vehicles of different makes and models, the brakes are about the same with them. So, I have to say, at least my 4R seems normal. Now, when I first got the rig, I do remember the squishy sound and longer brake pedal travel for the first few hundred miles. But now, does not seem to be a problem.