Consumer Reports....not big fans

[smilycook]

Consumer reports should really test a limited, which will address many of its complaints. We just sold our 2011 highlander since both me and my wife prefer the 4runner and decided we did not need two SUVs.

We use consumer reports for reliability only when it comes to cars since they tend to focus on what main stream america wants not what we look for in a car.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

People only like Consumers Reports if they like whatever product it is we just bought. It helps us justify our decision. We hate Consumers Reports when they do not like whatever it is we just bought. Actually Consumers Reports is the most read and trusted name when people make automotive buying choices whether we agree with them or not.

 

[Jayhawk5G]

No big surprise, and they are right...

The 4Runner even with all it's tweaks isn't going to handle a like unibody crossover, but for people that love the 4Runner we don't care. There benefits to a body on frame suv.

The 4Runner scored where it matters, reliability!

 

[AnthonyMV]

Cr morons

First- she's a soccer mom/granny ( that alone removes any credibility) bet if u asked her - "is this 4x4, just like the soccer milf/gilf-mobile highlander?" She'd dingbattingly respond - yes
Second- she's female ...... RWD/4x4 and females DONT mix.....huge confusion

 

[Fiona]

First- she's a soccer mom/granny ( that alone removes any credibility) bet if u asked her - "is this 4x4, just like the soccer milf/gilf-mobile highlander?" She'd dingbattingly respond - yes
Second- she's female ...... RWD/4x4 and females DONT mix.....huge confusion

I agree the video review is pretty bad but really?? ^^^^

 

[blizz86]

I agree the video review is pretty bad but really?? ^^^^

lol yea. I felt some deep deep hurt going on there :l

 

[JohnnyT]

CR has had a hate on for the 4Runner for years, so no big surprise really. They just don't get it or don't want to understand it's purpose. Imagine what they would write about the Land Rover Defender series...yikes!!!

Original video review of the 5th generation 4R by Consumer Reports in 2010...

Toyota 4Runner Review - YouTube

Prior to the 5th gen, 4runners were highly recommended for many years.

What part of what CR says is false? Seems on-the-money to me.

It's made for the very small market that requires capability and likes it.

For most people it sucks thus you don't generally see many. I very rarely see them and there are more vehicles in NJ than anywhere.

 

[Antman]

Prior to the 5th gen, 4runners were highly recommended for many years......

Prior to JohnnyT, the 5th Gen forum was much less full of shit.:der:

 

[M1911]

A cross-over is a better vehicle for the majority of drivers than a body-on-frame SUV. In general, a cross-over will ride better, handle better, brake better, have more room, and get better fuel efficiency.

I put up with the crappy handling, poor braking, nose dive, and crappy fuel efficiency because I take my 4Runner offroad. But 99% of SUV owners idea of going offroad is parking on the grass at Muffy's soccer game.

 

[Redwolf]

99% of SUV owners idea of going offroad is parking on the grass at Muffy's soccer game.

Funny, but true....

 

[<<<<]

I stopped my subscription long time ago, because CR was getting biased. At the time it was pushing for Ford Motor Company products and how great the quality was. Nothing against Ford, but quality CR is looking for is "soft to touch plastics" or "easy to use entertainment unit". We would still use tape players and have knobs for everything (no touch screens) if Consumer Reports had it their way. Bunch of self proclaimed gurus and not even by a long shot car entusiasts or technology driven people...

 

[Intruder]

Second- she's female ...... RWD/4x4 and females DONT mix.....huge confusion

Wow, really?

This is my friend Bette driving her FJC. She's 65 and recently did the Dusy Ershim.

Untitled by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

This is Melissa. She's 25 and has been off roading for only 6 months or so.

IMGP0927.jpg by BurningChr0me, on Flickr

We also have other women in our group who regularly take their RWD/4x4s on the trails and most of them drive with more finesse than the men.

 

[Restomod]

Do you really trust a guy who reviews toasters to review our 4Runners?

 

[Quentin]

I drove a Highlander from SW WV up to northern Ohio today for work (it is a pool vehicle). I had a little over 500 miles all told.

Imagine you are the mother of two. You get 10 solid days of snow per winter. The kids are getting older to where they like to bring friends when you go to a ball game on the weekend. You want a midsize SUV with good gas mileage, 4WD, and lots of space. I would think it is fair to say that this is a pretty common consumer... much more common than the consumer that wants to load his SUV up with camping equipment, a few coolers, and hit some backcountry for a night under the stars after pinstriping his $36k SUV. Agreed?

When you show up to the Toyota dealership, you have the 4Runner and the Highlander as options. For consumer A, the Highlander is far and away the better vehicle. It has better road manners, lower step-in height (I was doing a 4Runner/Highlander comparison for my brother-in-law today who is the proud pappa of twins as of a few weeks ago), and generally just a much more family friendly passenger space setup (3rd row is easy to get in and out of, 2nd row captains' chairs, etc). I'd wager to guess that I averaged over 25mpg on the drive where my 4Runner is around 23mpg on a similar route. Consumer Reports is looking out for Consumer A. Their road test does mention the 4Runner offroading chops, but that isn't their criteria for a "good car". We're a special (maybe in the derpy way, for those of us that offroad brand new vehicles, haha) breed. We shouldn't expect CR to see the value that we do.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

I drove a Highlander from SW WV up to northern Ohio today for work (it is a pool vehicle). I had a little over 500 miles all told.

Imagine you are the mother of two. You get 10 solid days of snow per winter. The kids are getting older to where they like to bring friends when you go to a ball game on the weekend. You want a midsize SUV with good gas mileage, 4WD, and lots of space. I would think it is fair to say that this is a pretty common consumer... much more common than the consumer that wants to load his SUV up with camping equipment, a few coolers, and hit some backcountry for a night under the stars after pinstriping his $36k SUV. Agreed?

When you show up to the Toyota dealership, you have the 4Runner and the Highlander as options. For consumer A, the Highlander is far and away the better vehicle. It has better road manners, lower step-in height (I was doing a 4Runner/Highlander comparison for my brother-in-law today who is the proud pappa of twins as of a few weeks ago), and generally just a much more family friendly passenger space setup (3rd row is easy to get in and out of, 2nd row captains' chairs, etc). I'd wager to guess that I averaged over 25mpg on the drive where my 4Runner is around 23mpg on a similar route. Consumer Reports is looking out for Consumer A. Their road test does mention the 4Runner offroading chops, but that isn't their criteria for a "good car". We're a special (maybe in the derpy way, for those of us that offroad brand new vehicles, haha) breed. We shouldn't expect CR to see the value that we do.

I agree, we 4runner owners are a dying breed.