Contemplating the 2015 4runner

[BigJones24]

Hey everyone, I'll be buying a new vehicle in the upcoming months and I've narrowed it down to the 2015 4Runner or the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. I want something that's off road capable but I don't ever see myself going to the super off road places that Rubicons were made for. I also have 3 dogs (160lbs combined) so I need something that will fit them and something easy to clean (lots of short dog hair that gets stuck in cloth seats). Currently driving an 07 Jeep Patriot and keep the dogs in the cargo space. Any tips for others who debated these 2 vehicles or 4Runner owners who travel with multiple dogs would be greatly appreciated.

 

[williamlv282]

Hey everyone, I'll be buying a new vehicle in the upcoming months and I've narrowed it down to the 2015 4Runner or the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. I want something that's off road capable but I don't ever see myself going to the super off road places that Rubicons were made for. I also have 3 dogs (160lbs combined) so I need something that will fit them and something easy to clean (lots of short dog hair that gets stuck in cloth seats). Currently driving an 07 Jeep Patriot and keep the dogs in the cargo space. Any tips for others who debated these 2 vehicles or 4Runner owners who travel with multiple dogs would be greatly appreciated.

I used to drive a 2010 2-door Wrangler Rubicon and I strongly considered moving up to a 4-door Unlimited.

When comparing the Unlimited and the 4Runner, the 4runner has more leg room in the rear, and it has much a larger trunk space with a roll-down rear window (which will be great for your dogs.) The Rubicon was undoubtedly better at tough stuff like rock-crawling but for most of the off-roading that I do, the 4runner is more than enough. I haven't regretted buying it for a second, it's a better daily driver in almost every way. My girlfriend also likes riding in the 4runner more than my old Jeep, not sure if that's relevant lol.

 

[roscoep]

several years ago I leased a Trail Edition 4Runner. When the lease ended, I got a 4 door wrangler, put on a lift and bigger tires, and promptly hated the ride and the lack of space. Great looking vehicle in every way, but, it ended there. After one year I got rid of it and went back and bought a 4Runner. It's bigger, gets same or better mileage, has better creature comforts and in my opinion is built much better.

 

[KidVermicious]

If I wanted a 4x4 and needed to haul three filthy dogs, I'd get a pickup and put a shell on the back. A Tundra will go about anywhere a 4Runner will go, and there's no carpet seats in the bed for the dogs to tear up.

 

[BigJones24]

I used to drive a 2010 2-door Wrangler Rubicon and I strongly considered moving up to a 4-door Unlimited.

When comparing the Unlimited and the 4Runner, the 4runner has more leg room in the rear, and it has much a larger trunk space with a roll-down rear window (which will be great for your dogs.) The Rubicon was undoubtedly better at tough stuff like rock-crawling but for most of the off-roading that I do, the 4runner is more than enough. I haven't regretted buying it for a second, it's a better daily driver in almost every way. My girlfriend also likes riding in the 4runner more than my old Jeep, not sure if that's relevant lol.

Right off the lot, without modifications how are the 4runners off road capabilities? I've never had an off road capable vehicle before so I've always been timid even venturing onto dirt/grass haha... I'm a city kid through and through but now living in Oklahoma I've been force to adapt.

 

[BigJones24]

If I wanted a 4x4 and needed to haul three filthy dogs, I'd get a pickup and put a shell on the back. A Tundra will go about anywhere a 4Runner will go, and there's no carpet seats in the bed for the dogs to tear up.

I'm not really a truck guy and I'm definitely not a fan of the trucks with shells on them all though I do see the purpose.

 

[Friggin Idiot]

Go with the 4Runner. It rides smoother than any Geep, and has plenty of room. There's plenty of dog stuff out there. As previously stated, that rear roll down glass is great for dogs. Check around here, there's more than a couple dog threads, including one on the best protector for the cargo area. I don't imagine the dogs would be as protected in the back of a Geep.

 

[Mikey01]

I run around with my dog all the time. She loves it as much as I do. The seats are easy to clean and she lays her head on the arm rest when she gets tired.

 

[BigJones24]

Do you have leather seats in there Mikey01? I've got a blonde dog and black cloth sets... The hair is a killer without leather seats.

 

[Mikey01]

No cloth, I think she would rip the leather up. It's not very hard to vacuum out.

 

[williamlv282]

Right off the lot, without modifications how are the 4runners off road capabilities? I've never had an off road capable vehicle before so I've always been timid even venturing onto dirt/grass haha... I'm a city kid through and through but now living in Oklahoma I've been force to adapt.

They are more than capable. The ones equipped with the KDSS suspension have less ground clearance, but I am totally stock on my Trail Premium and I haven't encountered anything that has stopped me yet!

 

[Mikey01]

They are more than capable. The ones equipped with the KDSS suspension have less ground clearance, but I am totally stock on my Trail Premium and I haven't encountered anything that has stopped me yet!

I second that, mine is a sr5 and will go wherever I point it to.

 

[BigJones24]

Right on, I love how the 2015 looks, so I was thinking getting one in leather because I'll keep my 3 in the cargo area, they won't be getting on the actual leather and any hair that floats up front will be usually wiped off without me having to go full shop vac mode on the back seats when I have people riding with me.

 

[Friggin Idiot]

Grab a premium edition then. Leather alone makes it worthwhile. Also look hard at the KDSS on Trail edition, it smoothes the ride out nicely. The X-REAS on the Limited is similar but works differently. Either can do what most people consider of road just fine. Several professional reviewers did a revisit on the '14 Trail after 6 months and found they liked the KDSS Trail better than any other version.

Are you in the Tulsa area by chance? Plenty of us on here, beehappy to share a beeravand chat if you want.

 

[BigJones24]

Thanks for the tips, I've been really confused on the KDSS - good to know it's worth it. I like the 2014 and 2015 - look pretty similar to me so I'll check out the premium edition and the Trail editions, I've been looking at the Trails anyways so good to know that they're a favorite. I'm currently way Southwest in Altus, Ok, I'm moving back to the metro area (Norman) in a few months though.

 

[_#1_]

Have you visited the Jeep boards and ask which one you should get? Wonder what they have to say...

 

[williamlv282]

I wanted to be fair and unbiased when I mentioned my old Jeep previously.
I loved my Jeep when I owned it, but I feel like I should also mention some of the problems my family has had with it lately.
While the Jeep is an amazingly capable off-road machine, we have had some trouble with it as a daily driver.
I sold the Jeep to my brother so it is still in our family. We just got done putting a brand new engine in it last month, because the old engine threw a rod at 38,000 miles. Of course we were out of warranty by about a month and by about 3000 miles, so we had to replace everything out of pocket. The remanufactured engine was just over $3000 and labor to install it was just under $2000.
I've seen the Jeep on the back of a tow truck two times since February because of engine problems.
I don't want to say that all Jeeps are unreliable, but our experience definitely made an impression on me, and it would definitely be a factor in my next vehicle purchase.

All that being said, Jeep has moved on to a newer engine that seems to be more reliable, but we haven't really had time to see for sure. Our Jeep went 5 years before it had any major problems, but when we did, it sat in the shop for an entire month while we waited for the correct engine to be shipped and installed. My brother still loves the Jeep and doesn't want to get rid of it, but I felt like I should at least share our experience.

 

[BigJones24]

Have you visited the Jeep boards and ask which one you should get? Wonder what they have to say...

I was at the jeep board a week or so ago - everyone said hands down go Wrangler and that if I came to the Toyota forum they'd also say go with the Jeep lol...

The other day I saw an attitude black trail with black rims/wheels (excuse my non car lingo), a black foot rail (I guess that's what it's called) and - black roof rack, I fell in love and talked to the owner for a bit. Then driving home saw a Wrangler at the stop sign and said to myself, "wow that's just not in the same league as the 4Runner I just saw..."

 

[BigJones24]

I just like the looks of the 4Runner now that I see pictures of them on here. A little bigger, more leg room for the back seat and more cargo space. I'm sure for certain people the jeep is the way to go but I've got 3 dogs, will be a newlywed in a couple months time, and I travel back home to Canada a few times a year - I just think with those details in mind the 4Runner is the better fit for me

 

[cowtown]

I just like the looks of the 4Runner now that I see pictures of them on here. A little bigger, more leg room for the back seat and more cargo space. I'm sure for certain people the jeep is the way to go but I've got 3 dogs, will be a newlywed in a couple months time, and I travel back home to Canada a few times a year - I just think with those details in mind the 4Runner is the better fit for me

OP, I'm currently on my second 4Runner, and I've owned a Wrangler in the past. My dad also currently owns a Rubicon so I'm definitely familiar with both vehicles. I think your decision here is a no-brainer in favor of the T4R.

First, unless you're a hardcore offroader (and it doesn't sound like you are), the 4Runner can easily handle everything you're ever going to throw at it in dramatically greater style and comfort than the Jeep.

Second, if the vehicle is your daily driver, and your daily drive involves any significant highway time, you're not going to enjoy that part of your day if you're in a Wrangler. Period. The T4R, on the other hand, is extremely comfortable. Also great for longer road trips, unlike the Wrangler.

Third, your dogs will fit way better in the T4R. My dog has loved having the cargo area as "his" space for years, especially with the back window rolled down. It's literally a perfect space for dogs. Three small to medium size dogs (sounds like what you have) can fit back there with no problem.

And last---but not least---your fiancee will enjoy the T4R WAAAAAY more than the Wrangler. Trust me on this one.

Wranglers are fun, and I kinda think every guy needs to own one at least once in his life. But if it's going to be your daily driver, and you're not a college kid, I think you'll be disappointed in the Wrangler. Especially if your alternative is the T4R.