Columnist from Detroit News Review

[dekeman]

I hate to ask, what do you believe he is right about?

He's right about the interior's lack of imagination (take a look at the poor lighting for example and too much same-type plastic), right about the poor fuel economy, right about the average handling, right about the second row not offering enough space (have you seen the room in second row of the Tundra?). Heck there's no power outlet in the second row for my kids' PSP even.

I could list just as many more that he's wrong about - the ride quality being the most obvious — the 4R rides 10 times better than Caddy SRX - and the whole notion about people giving the hairy eyeball cause you're driving an SUV - few people really give a rat's ass about that unless they are card-carrying enviroweenies. Not to mention that few will take their 4R offroad - most will.

 

[lightning1]

He's right about the interior's lack of imagination (take a look at the poor lighting for example and too much same-type plastic), right about the poor fuel economy, right about the average handling, right about the second row not offering enough space (have you seen the room in second row of the Tundra?). Heck there's no power outlet in the second row for my kids' PSP even.

I could list just as many more that he's wrong about - the ride quality being the most obvious — the 4R rides 10 times better than Caddy SRX - and the whole notion about people giving the hairy eyeball cause you're driving an SUV - few people really give a rat's ass about that unless they are card-carrying enviroweenies. Not to mention that few will take their 4R offroad - most will.

Lighting, at least for the front 2 rows, is adequate. I actually really like the moonlight LED in the overhead console while night driving....Though there is a lot of plastic, the fit and finish is of a higher quality than you will see in much of the competition. And as far as the competition, I see it like this: People looking to buy a 4R are also looking at

1. Honda Pilot
2. Ford Explorer
3. Nissan Pathfinder
4. Chevy Tahoe

These are the closest in
1. Price
2. Cargo / Towing Capacity
3. Engine HP / Torque
4. Comparable Options

T4R is only slightly more expensive than a comparably equipped Pilot and is slightly cheaper than the Tahoe Explorer, and Pathfinder comparably equipped

The Explorer and Tahoe have, IMO, poorly constructed interiors with as much or more plastic and molded finishes than the 4R. Engines, while you can get a Tahoe and Explorer with a V8 - that pushes their pricing up from what you'll pay for the 4R, considerably, and those v8's are similar in power and torque to the new V6 in the 4R...The Pilot and Pathfinder are underpowered v6's......That being said, I'd like to see another 30-40HP in the 4R

Now - add the off road capabilities of the T4R to the other 4

Case closed in my book....Nothing in this class is as capable off-road for this price

Jeeps are more in line with the Nissan Xterra and smaller sport SUV's - and you can throw the luxury SUV's out as that's an entire different segment of the market...

While I was considering what vehicle to buy, I actually prepared a spreadsheet that compared all 5 vehicles above to include interior dimensions, cargo capacity, towing capacity, standard equipment, etc. the 4R came out on top of 65% of the criteria, and would have been higher except for the Tahoe being larger (more cargo area) and the Tahoe and Explorer V8's supported a higher towing capacity. Factor in the V6 engines for those two, and well the 4R exceeded them as well...

What sold me on the 4R was its rugged good looks (like me :cowboy: ) pricing, and options, an it was most capable for what I intend to do with it with the least amount of modifications. That being said, I have only had my 4R (SR5) for 1 month, have placed 3200 miles on it in that time and have already decided that I will be buying another (TE) as soon as I pay this one off (January hopefully)....

 

[mpaquette]

He's right about the interior's lack of imagination (take a look at the poor lighting for example and too much same-type plastic), right about the poor fuel economy, right about the average handling, right about the second row not offering enough space (have you seen the room in second row of the Tundra?). Heck there's no power outlet in the second row for my kids' PSP even.

I could list just as many more that he's wrong about - the ride quality being the most obvious — the 4R rides 10 times better than Caddy SRX - and the whole notion about people giving the hairy eyeball cause you're driving an SUV - few people really give a rat's ass about that unless they are card-carrying enviroweenies. Not to mention that few will take their 4R offroad - most will.

I guess different things appeal to different people. I think the interior is very nice compared to my 2 most recent vehicles: 2008 Silverado LTZ and a 2003 Passat. Poor fuel economy compared to what, a Prius? Show me another real SUV that gets better mileage? Can't argue with you on the second row, haven't really spent much time looking at or how much space it offers.

 

[fxoffroad]

He's ... right about the second row not offering enough space (have you seen the room in second row of the Tundra?). Heck there's no power outlet in the second row for my kids' PSP even...

When I think Tundra... I think Sequoia. Aren't they built on the same platform? and the 4Runner on the same platform as the FJ?

Again, no vehicle can be all things to all people - and it appears that some writers have that mentality. Compare the 4Runner to its direct competition, not family yachts like Chevy Traverse/GMC Acadia/Buick Enclave (which rarely see any off-road action). If (some) writers would do this, I think not only would the article/report be more accurate, it would also benefit consumers.

I did, however, find this (familiar) extensive road test was well written (as the writer :thumb3: clearly knows the purpose of the 4R).
2010 4Runner tough enough?

 

[dekeman]

Thanks fxoffroad. And yes, Sequoia and Tundra are on same platform, and 4R and FJ also share.

There's no question the 4R is in a league of its own, something I appreciate, though I would put the Xterra and Tahoe a little closer to 4R than some, and the Pilot further away since its off-road ability is not in same league.

Certainly, for the price, the 4R is the absolute best off-road bang for the buck. And the best part of the 4R is that it is NOT a crossover, it does not pretend to be something it isn't - in fact its honesty about what kind of vehicle it is makes it more credible. Only the Xterra and LR3 or LR4 come close, but look at the price jump (and maintenance headache and depreciation curve) for the Rover.

Don't get me wrong about the interior - I don't mind it, it's not terrible at all - but the Detroit writer is not out of bounds to say it lacks imagination - look at the new interior of the 2011 Touareg or BMW X5 or 2011 Porsche Cayenne or Audi Q5 - now those are truly inspired interiors (albeit for much more money, except Q5) but the point is Toyota never seems to push the automotive design envelope too far off the beaten path, trying to be neither too hot or too cold. Perhaps borrowing a couple of nifty bits from the Lexus GX (not the stability system though) would have made a big difference. Even adding some genuine aluminum would have done it.

 

[RyanE]

Don't get me wrong about the interior - I don't mind it, it's not terrible at all - but the Detroit writer is not out of bounds to say it lacks imagination - look at the new interior of the 2011 Touareg or BMW X5 or 2011 Porsche Cayenne or Audi Q5 - now those are truly inspired interiors (albeit for much more money, except Q5)...

But that's just the point, those vehicles are MUCH more expensive that the 4R. Hell, even the piece of sh*t Touareg starts at $40k, and see how that interior holds up in 2-3 years.

On a side note, how can you call the X5 interior "inspired"? I'm a BMW owner/fan, but that interior is poorly planned and full of cheap materials.

 

[adoihcj]

"...It's a good-off road vehicle but nothing special on pavement. And nobody wants strangers tsk, tsking them on the highway..."

Seriously? "tsk, tsking" - the writer just made me feel better, cuz according to him, I'm obviously not in the mainstream.

Is it just me or does everybody laugh when someone says the 4R is nothing special on the pavement? I agree things get bouncy if there are potholes all around, but this baby is one of the best rides I've ever experienced ON ROAD. I've never felt this way on the road with any other vehicle I'ved owned/driven.

 

[qs933]

I take auto reviews -- positive or negative -- with a grain of salt. The only review that matters is mine, as I'm going to be the one living with my vehicle purchase on a daily basis.

I remember a lot of writers questioning Toyota's vehicle strategy -- why they needed yet-another-one whenever a new model was introduced. It's pretty clear now -- each one of their vehicles fills a particular need and doesn't try to be everything to everyone.

The 4Runner isn't going to have the people-moving practicality of a Highlander or Sienna. It's not going to be as luxurious as a GX. It's bigger and bulkier than a RAV4. It lacks some of the features and gets worse mileage than the Venza. But that's exactly why there's an array of models. Depending on your priorities, there's a Toyota/Lexus/Scion vehicle that will likely match 90%+ of what you're looking for.

If you're looking for a mid-size SUV with a rugged truck-like appearance, refined (maybe not exactly luxurious) interior, towing and off-road credentials, and decent room for up to 5 people (or 7 with the 3rd row, albeit only for emergencies), then that's where the 4Runner fits. It's not trying to pretend to be a cross-over or minivan -- hopefully that's not news to the Detroit News author or anyone who buys one.

 

[Quentin]

Is it just me or does everybody laugh when someone says the 4R is nothing special on the pavement? I agree things get bouncy if there are potholes all around, but this baby is one of the best rides I've ever experienced ON ROAD. I've never felt this way on the road with any other vehicle I'ved owned/driven.

My wife giggled when we crossed some railroad tracks in the 4Runner shortly after purchasing. "It is sooo smooth compared to my little MINI!" So, it depends on your frame of reference. I find the 4Runner very comfortable and easy to drive. The MINI and GTI have almost too much feedback for going on road trips. Everything on the road gets back to the driver and honestly, it starts to wear you out. The 4Runner just soaks it up and goes exactly where I point it.