Car and Driver 40K Offroad SUV Shootout... 4R doesn't win...
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hamiltonj2w1
New member
Wow that is kinda lame they talk about the 4runner not being all luxury duh hence the name Trail Edition. I would never consider a Kia or a Nissian for that matter and considering the new Jeep looks like a minivan. Whatever I guess we all overpaid for a vehicle that will still be on the road in 25 years!
Egstyle
New member
What is up with this review going on and on about earthquakes? I thought it was supposed to be a vehicle review? Then it pretends to be focusing on off-road capabilities, but decides the winner based on luxury features. They could have at least used a Limited to compare to if that's what they were judging on. Furthermore, the Jeep GC had a $4300 greater price tag than the TE, which I don't think is insignificant. $4300 spent on a TE (for a nice lift, nice tires, and full underbody skids) would put it light years ahead of the GC when it comes to off roading capability. Lame review! :uzi:
SeattleMike
New member
What he said.
adkinsadam1
New member
I'm not trying to bash Jeep or anything, but I don't really think they are moving in the right direction with their unibody frame and independent rear suspension...
jreiter
New member
The review isn't as bad as you're making it sound, though. At the end of the 4runner portion of the review, they did note that all the reviewers would personally prefer the 4runner over the other vehicles in off-roading situations if it was a bit less expensive.
"Still, our group agreed: Were it their own money, a 4Runner Trail that could be stripped down to a lower price would be their pick for running the jaws of the San Jacinto."
"Still, our group agreed: Were it their own money, a 4Runner Trail that could be stripped down to a lower price would be their pick for running the jaws of the San Jacinto."
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SeattleMike
New member
They compared the least luxurious 4Runner to the most luxurious and tricked out Jeep Grand Cherokee and said "Well, we had to go with the Jeep because it's nicer for the money". How much worse can a review get, especially considering they never even mentioned that the 4Runner has a Limited Edition available with all the luxoleathergizmos one could want.
This goes to support the discussion in the other thread regarding bias in car mags. It's easy to recommend any Cadillac when you are comparing them to a stripped down Kia. Once again, advertising dollars sway the choices and therefore the outcome.
WTF a Kia? I would have liked to see an Xterra Off-road instead. I also have to agree with the general consensus that the Jeep was way over optioned for this test.
LOL! +1!
The Grand Cherokee has always been unibody. Unibody isn't the problem.
Titanpat57
Senior Member
I would love to have that reveiw done in about a year of driving in those conditions...the Jeep would be in the repair shop for most of that time.
The author seems much more intent about interjecting his knowledge on siesmic activity than a fair assessment of 4 vehicles...I call total BS:bash:
The author seems much more intent about interjecting his knowledge on siesmic activity than a fair assessment of 4 vehicles...I call total BS:bash:
$5k-more-expensive, loaded, V8,newly released vehicle is higher rated by a mag based on luxury appointments versus the off road version. Shocking!
The GC interior is nice looking, though. Hopefully Toyota takes this as a challenge to improve the interior materials of the T4R. The 4Runner's IP lower does have a cheap look to it. The rest of the truck, though, seems extemely well built. I think the TE should also come with the leather steering wheel and shift knob. I think that might be the case for 2011, though.
The GC interior is nice looking, though. Hopefully Toyota takes this as a challenge to improve the interior materials of the T4R. The 4Runner's IP lower does have a cheap look to it. The rest of the truck, though, seems extemely well built. I think the TE should also come with the leather steering wheel and shift knob. I think that might be the case for 2011, though.
dekeman
New member
In the real world, where 4R owners encounter all kinds of conditions, not those artificially inseminated or imagined, the truth comes out with overall satisfaction (both short term and long term) — the 4Runner ranking above all those in the review.
In simpler terms, the "own one and you'll understand" comment comes to mind.
In simpler terms, the "own one and you'll understand" comment comes to mind.
B'klyn_Mike
New member
I think this sentence says it all, "Still, the Jeep is our favorite."
Mike :artist:
Mike :artist:
RonMAIDEN
Super Moderator
I can agree with their statements about the Jeep being a better situated vehicle when considering daily driving duties and the 4Runner being more focused when it comes to the off road portion and that is why it gives up some of it's on road handling but you gotta have tradeoffs somewhere. I'm not so high on luxo items and even not being biased I'd take ther 4Runner becasue I would actually leave the road on many occasions.
On another note I think some of you are taking too much of the article to heart since none of it matter on these forums just like if you go to a Jeep forum and read their opinions.
On another note I think some of you are taking too much of the article to heart since none of it matter on these forums just like if you go to a Jeep forum and read their opinions.
453030
New member
Bingo Ron. I don't make my buying decisions on what "reviewers" say :violin:
03_4x4Runner
Senior Member
Motor trend also did a 4runner to Grand Cherokee comparison and the Grand Cherokee won. http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests..._2010_toyota_4runner_trail_edition/index.html
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RonMAIDEN
Super Moderator
The Jeep is only winning by a small margin and that margin is due to the overall driving experience and on road worthiness is a much bigger factor than going off road since the majority (90% or more) won't be seeing much more beyond a gravel road so being a comfortable and controlled ride is a pretty big deal to your average Jeep target buyer. So the Jeep really only won out by that slim margin because maybe it is a tad better for your sheep following public.
They had a lot good to say about the TE at the same time but it's accolades were more toward the off road portion and did say the Jeep struggled a tad while the 4Runner did more with less electronic involvement.
Here's an exerpt about the 4Runner.
"As an everyday commuter and grocery getter, the Trail Edition 4Runner is less at home in suburban sprawl than out on a rocky trail, where it becomes a thing of beauty and a tool of rare strength." -
That's a very well written compliment and that statement should make most of you content. Let's also remember this is an enthusiasts forum so more TE owners on here didn't buy a TE simply as a plush riding,gas sipping daily commuter that will never see dirt.
I say most of that is being attributed to it being more trail worthy since the handling isn't as tight as the Jeep's which is geared for pavment more than the trail.
Overall I don't have any issues with the article since I know how car magazines have to sell to the largest group they want to please and the Jeep suits the pavement pounding majority better than the rugged and (understandably so) and a bit rougher riding 4Runner. The 4Runner vs Jeep thing is good to see since then the more you'll see the 4Runner getting press and the off road mags will probably even give it higher praise when they really thrash out a TE vs Cherokee.
Maybe they should have compared the Limited version but I wonder how it would compare off road since I admit I be alot more nervous wheeling a 5th gen Limited in stock trim.
They had a lot good to say about the TE at the same time but it's accolades were more toward the off road portion and did say the Jeep struggled a tad while the 4Runner did more with less electronic involvement.
Here's an exerpt about the 4Runner.
"As an everyday commuter and grocery getter, the Trail Edition 4Runner is less at home in suburban sprawl than out on a rocky trail, where it becomes a thing of beauty and a tool of rare strength." -
That's a very well written compliment and that statement should make most of you content. Let's also remember this is an enthusiasts forum so more TE owners on here didn't buy a TE simply as a plush riding,gas sipping daily commuter that will never see dirt.
I say most of that is being attributed to it being more trail worthy since the handling isn't as tight as the Jeep's which is geared for pavment more than the trail.
Overall I don't have any issues with the article since I know how car magazines have to sell to the largest group they want to please and the Jeep suits the pavement pounding majority better than the rugged and (understandably so) and a bit rougher riding 4Runner. The 4Runner vs Jeep thing is good to see since then the more you'll see the 4Runner getting press and the off road mags will probably even give it higher praise when they really thrash out a TE vs Cherokee.
Maybe they should have compared the Limited version but I wonder how it would compare off road since I admit I be alot more nervous wheeling a 5th gen Limited in stock trim.
socal4rnr
New member
In my personal opinion being a former Jeep owner (I traded in my 08 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited for my current 2010 Toyota 4Runner Limited 2x4) they are simply not comparing apples to apples. They should have had a Limited to go up against a fully loaded Grand Cherokee. They should have had a Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon go up against a 2010 Trail Edition 4Runner.
Just sayin...
Just sayin...
