Backseat comfort for the long haul

[sprocket47]

I'm ditching my Xterra off-road project, before I waste any more $ on her. My growing boys (already 5'9" - twins) were totally cramped in the backseat for the last 3 hour camping drive.

I've had a 4Runner Trail on my list since I almost talked my wife into getting one for our primary car but she chose the Outback, which was probably a practical choice for the function.

I'm lined up to get a '14 4Runner Trail this weekend but I would like some honest input on the backseat. Sitting in it at the dealership and going on a 10 minute test doesn't always give a true picture.

I'm 6'3" and fit in the front just fine (which wasn't the case in the old models) and I can even sit in the back with the seat set for me. But what about 3 hours down the road for 2 people in the back? Thanks and I'm anxious to be part of the 4Runner circle and have some fun modification plans.

 

[mrbtd]

Sounds like you need a Sequoia not a 4Runner...My 5'7 girls are barely comfortable even with the reclining rear seats.

 

[1engineer]

I'm ditching my Xterra off-road project, before I waste any more $ on her. My growing boys (already 5'9" - twins) were totally cramped in the backseat for the last 3 hour camping drive.

I've had a 4Runner Trail on my list since I almost talked my wife into getting one for our primary car but she chose the Outback, which was probably a practical choice for the function.

I'm lined up to get a '14 4Runner Trail this weekend but I would like some honest input on the backseat. Sitting in it at the dealership and going on a 10 minute test doesn't always give a true picture.

I'm 6'3" and fit in the front just fine (which wasn't the case in the old models) and I can even sit in the back with the seat set for me. But what about 3 hours down the road for 2 people in the back? Thanks and I'm anxious to be part of the 4Runner circle and have some fun modification plans.

My son, (6'3" 20 years old) rode in the back yesterday for 327 miles while on the way to play in a soccer game last night. He slept about 3 hours of the 5 1/2 hour trip and he felt (and played) just fine.

 

[1engineer]

Sounds like you need a Sequoia not a 4Runner...My 5'7 girls are barely comfortable even with the reclining rear seats.

I don't know how old your daughters are but when my daughter was in her early teens I could have put her in a Rolls Royce and she would have whined about it. My daughter is now 5'10" and at 23 has no problems riding back there.

 

[Intruder]

Me and two buddies drove from Calgary to Terrace a few years back to do some steelheading. In total it was 18 hours of driving in one day and my 6'3" friend sat in the back without a single complaint. I don't think it hurt when I showed him that the back seat reclines a little. Obviously it's going to vary from person to person though - for example I've got arthritis in my knees so it's difficult for me to sit where I can't straighten my legs completely every so often.

 

[mrbtd]

I don't know how old your daughters are but when my daughter was in her early teens I could have put her in a Rolls Royce and she would have whined about it. My daughter is now 5'10" and at 23 has no problems riding back there.

True

 

[sprocket47]

Sounds like you need a Sequoia not a 4Runner...My 5'7 girls are barely comfortable even with the reclining rear seats.

The new Sequoias are certainly not an off-roadable vehicles. I had an '06 Sequoia and the old models were great and modifiable and wish they didn't change the design. Unfortunately those are old enough that any old style Sequoia are maxed out with mileage.

I'm struggling to find a true off road capable vehicle that will also have reasonably comfortable rear seats for 4 people to go on long trips. The Jeep rear seat are awful, the Xterra has no rear legroom, Land Cruiser is way too pricey, and I don't want a truck. I live in redneck alley and want anything but another truck on the road. My wife saw a Mercedes G class SUV and said that looks great...but I pointed out that it costs $120k. Off the list.

We fit great in the '15 Subaru Outback and the 4Runner legroom isn't too much less so I believe it'll work. My boys don't need lounge chairs, entertainment system, and a wet bar in the back seat. I'm fine reminding them to "suck it up and have fun or I'll turn this car around!"

 

[mrevilandy]

Give n take relationship. Sequoia and large suv will have more room. Minivans have even more room. 4Runner has a good amount compared to competitors.

 

[Boardmember]

I've got two girls - 5'8" & 5'9" - and we've driven 10 hours comfortably a number of times. Of course that's to Disney, so who's to complain?

The question may become, are your boys still growing? Does the TE have a sunroof (a TEP)? That impedes headroom somewhat.

 

[spencenasty]

I'm 6'4, my brother is 6'5.. Whenever my girlfriend is with me, she takes the front and he will jump in the back and has no complaints about leg room, he has complained about head room.

 

[Jayhawk5G]

I'm ditching my Xterra off-road project, before I waste any more $ on her. My growing boys (already 5'9" - twins) were totally cramped in the backseat for the last 3 hour camping drive.

I've had a 4Runner Trail on my list since I almost talked my wife into getting one for our primary car but she chose the Outback, which was probably a practical choice for the function.

I'm lined up to get a '14 4Runner Trail this weekend but I would like some honest input on the backseat. Sitting in it at the dealership and going on a 10 minute test doesn't always give a true picture.

I'm 6'3" and fit in the front just fine (which wasn't the case in the old models) and I can even sit in the back with the seat set for me. But what about 3 hours down the road for 2 people in the back? Thanks and I'm anxious to be part of the 4Runner circle and have some fun modification plans.

It's funny you ask this question. Last weekend my wife, sister-in-law, and myself made a run to the store, and the girls sat up front. It was my first time really riding in the second row and I made a comment to my wife about how much room I had, and how comfortable it was. I'm 6'1" and it seemed fine for long rides.

 

[Auntie Soshul]

I'm struggling to find a true off road capable vehicle that will also have reasonably comfortable rear seats for 4 people to go on long trips.

My thought is that any vehicle heavily modified for true off road use isn't going to be comfortable for anyone riding in it for a distance.

 

[JayceeP]

I'd love the backseat to feature a lazy boy with full recline and foot rest features. In all seriousness, I drove from DC-Philly-Nantucket-Saint John, NB with 2 6'+ adults in the back seat and both said they were comfortable the whole time. The low ceiling due to the sunroof tray annoys me more than the legroom itself probably would. I'm 6'4 and while I haven't sat back there for any extended period of time, it accommodates me rather generously in my opinion.

 

[4Surfin]

I just drove 12 hours with 3 boys outs in the 2nd row without issue. Slid the seat all the way back and they reclined them. Good to go

 

[2014 Warthog]

I htink that you might want to specifically pass on the sunroof option. Not just to gain headroom for yourself but for taller people in the back the dip down in front of your face in the back seat takes a bit fo getting uset to. The ceiling is fine right above your head but just in front of your face it dips down for the sunroof and is a little weird.

I think it would be great without that. And frankly I think the back seat is far more comfortable than the front passenger seat! The 4R tunnel is so wide that it makes it hard to restfully place your left leg when sitting in the passenger seat for a long time. Your left foot is always being pushed to the right more than I find comfortable. The back seat doesn't have that problem.

 

[sprocket47]

I really appreciate the help! Sound like it will work great and verifies my first impression of the back seat. I'll definitely be avoiding the sun roof.

This is my daily driver and will only have the family packing in for weekend off-road camping trips. Not looking for luxury. Just need to avoid smashed kneecaps in the back seat. The reclining function is very appealing. I'll post a pic of my new rig once I get it. Very excited.

 

[m85476585]

I'm 6' tall, and I've sat in the rear seat of a 4th gen (*with manual seats) on many long family road trips, and it's about as comfortable as you can be sitting in a seat for hours at a time. I know this is the 5th gen section, but they are similar.

*On the 4th gen the manual front seats leave a bit more foot room under the seat. The power seats (leather ones at least, not sure if cloth would be the same) extend lower, so there's less room to put your feet under the seat. That's unfortunate because mine has power seats. Anyone want to trade seats?

Also on the 4th gen my head brushes against the headliner next to the sunroof if I have the driver's seat where I like it for good visibility. If the sunroof was wider there would be enough clearance, but the edge of the headliner lines up with the center of my head.

The rear legroom in the 4th gen is listed at 34.6 in. In a 2014 5th gen it looks like 32.9 in. Don't get the third row, it's useless for adults. A typical airline seat pitch is 30-32 inches, and my knees normally hit the seat in front of me.

I have only minor complaints about the back seat of the 4th gen:
-There is less climate control back there, so it's warmer in the summer and colder in the winter. In the winter it gets particularly cold by the rear doors. They could use some insulation. It might help to partially close the front vents to send more air to the back vents.
-The center arm rest is slightly too low to comfortably rest my arm
-The ride is a bit more rough than in the front, especially if you have worn out shocks.

 

[Toyota4runnerguy]

We drove 1.5 hours to LA and my kids(5'9 and 5'5) slept almost all the way.