Does the 4Runner make a good family car???

[MikeDUBS]

My 2 cents. Minivans are the way to go for expanding families. Strollers take up a ton of space and you almost always have to have them. Functionality/ease of use is huge when you have little ones; and it doesn't get much easier than a van.

I love my 4Runner (my girls are 8 and 6), but if I was gonna have more kids I would go back to my Honda Odyssey in a second. It's not easy driving a minivan at 22 (6 years ago) in the military, but screw it. You won't pick up any cool points and you definitely won't pick up chicks, but the convenience/comfort is unmatchable. They aren't sexy and they feel like you've lost youth, but you're not thinking about just you anymore.

 

[Jack19]

My friend, you need a Highlander.

 

[roktoy]

The pricing seems high, you should be able to shoot for at least 3k off MSRP, i know dealers here in WA, have advertised prices for 3k off msrp, i got my 2014 for 4k off MSRP for a SR5 base with Nav, they would have done the same for a SR5 base with 3rd row no Nav.

 

[forwheeler]

I have the third row seats but don't consider the Runner a "7 seater". It's just there in the case I need to haul more than 5 people. For what it's worth, it has already been used quite a bit.

I'm in the same boat as the OP. I think this quote is perfect, don't consider it a 7 person vehicle, but if/when you need an extra seat for a ride or two, I can see it being very handy to have for the occassional ride.

 

[RoadRat]

It was our first family car....10 years ago...and now

 

[nevada]

it depends on your family.

typically, I would say no, for many of the reasons listed above.
but, since YOU are considering a 4runner, you may not have the typical family.

how are the rear seat belts? I know in my 06, they are flush(just under actually) with the top of the seat. this makes it VERY difficult for the kids to buckle themselves in. there are 3 in boosters. I did get some buckle extensions, and it helped. but its still a pain.

when they are very young, you will be buckling them in...this is still a PITA.
just something to consider.

 

[Biggcrisp]

Thanks for the responses. If we end up buying one I want to install a 3 inch lift and 33 Inch Baja Claws.

Well that escalated quickly...

 

[91'4bee]

I bought my 4runner for safety reasons. Of course now it is known that the safety ratings on the driver side only received one star. It was bought brand new back in '91 because I immediately loved it even though it was out of the price range. But the biggest selling point was (at the time), big, commanding, and safe. Since air bags weren't a big thing then it was better to have a big reliable vehicle for the kids. That is the reason you are looking at one?

Of course there will be some people saying that if I wanted a bigger car then there were plenty of options. But hey I liked the way the 4runner looked (and still looks, cause I still have it) and if it was anything else it probably wouldn't be my DD anymore let alone still running and driving.

 

[JayceeP]

You don't need a 4Runner, or a Tahoe for that matter, just because you have a baby. Let's face it. It's a purely discretionary purchase for the want not the need. For the record, you can get out of the 3rd row by yourself. There's a latch on the 2nd row back rest. If families can do fine with a Camry or something generic like that, a 4Runner will be more than adequate unless you need more towing capability or something more practical like a minivan. I hauled around 5 12 year olds in the 2nd and 3rd row a couple weekends ago and it was perfect.

Anyway, what else is there in this price point? RDX, Lexus RX, Grand Cherokee, Explorer, Pathfinder, Audi Q5, Highlander, Traverse, Pilot, Acadia and Santa Fe, Tiguan, CR-V etc at the lower end of the price spectrum... Nothing out there, for this price point, is as unique as the 4Runner IMO. It's not worth saving $50 a month in gas to drive a generic mass marketed cross-over. I do like the GC's but reliability is a concern.

Good luck.

 

[hyper15125]

Hey Fellas, I'm new to the 4Runner world. Just found out my wife is having a baby so it's time for a family car. Neither of us have a car big enough, I recently sold my RAM R/T and she has a 2010 Beetle.

I have my eye on a 2014 SR5 4x4 with the 3rd row seating. MSRP is 37,200. Dealer is asking 35,388 for it + 2837.44 for tax & fees + 446.77 for DMV for a grand total of 38,672.21. Is that a good deal? We are located in Nor Cal if that matters.

So how do 4Runners stack up as family cars? We are also considering Tahoe's or a crew cab full size truck.

Anyone regret buying one?

Out of all the cars we looked at 4Runners have really caught my eye and most likely we will end up with one. Only downside IMO is the interior is a little cramped.

Thanks in advance!!!

Congrats on the new one coming! My wife and I bought a brand new 04 4Runner Sport V8 4WD in 06 before we brought our first child home. Since that time we have lugged both of our kids around in it everywhere and she loved it. Reluctantly I just traded that one in with only 76K for a 2014 SR5 because she wanted one with a 3rd row so she can cart around my kids friends. She loves the '14 a little more because of the headroom improvements since '04. You really can go wrong, they really hold their value. I only did general maintenance on the '04 and never had an issue. The newer V6's model, even though they have less power, have less maintenance because the oil changes are a longer duration and there is no timing belt to change. 4Runner is a great choice, good luck

 

[classic72]

I went with the SR5 because I needed third row (as well as still think that pullout deck is not as useful as it seems compared to a true overland cargo system/deck and my trust for ARB front and rear locker's anyway). That said, two car seats in the middle row, and use one 3rd row seat for my oldest son who climbs in through the rear hatch. We then put the middle section of the middle row down so he can interact with bro's and climb through if necessary.

They all fight over who gets to sit in the third row though because they think it's cool. Since the other's are in car seats though... we don't let them until they are older.

Leaving the other 3rd row seat down leaves plenty of room for costco runs for a family of 5.

It's a truck though... not a car... as other have said. Don't confuse the two. It has a rugged, reliable, offroad heritage that goes along with it's name(s)... Just like Land Cruiser, Land Rover, Prado, Hilux, Tacoma, and G-Wagon.

If you want a car SUV, get a highlander. Toyota wouldn't waste the money on production for totally separate mid-size/full-size for no reason. They serve two extremely different roles.

I have owned three modded overland Rovers (Disco's and Rangies), and this is my second 4Runner (my first was an 87 and my first car!). They have all preformed awesome offroad and in sketchy situations. My '14 is the one I would take over all of them though. It's Reliability teamed with it's Offroad-ability makes a package that is hard to beat.

With my Rover's, I could trust they would get me through the tough stuff... but I couldn't alway's trust they would get me home, if you know what I mean. If I didn't work on my own vehicles I would have been in some bad situations a couple of times out in the middle of nowhere.

 

[Quentin]

Like everyone is asking.. What is the intended use of the SUV?
If no off roading and your wife is ok with it, I would go with a Mini van.

Mini van's are better on cars, can fit more gear/people and might be safer.
Obviously totally different platforms.

Also, how many kids are you planning on having? Are you planning on having this as the primary transport of children?
I ask because we are a month away from number 2, I spent an hour trying to figure out how to put the infant seat in the center while having one seat on the driver side. Well, you can't, 4RUNNER is not equipped to have 3 child seats in the back. If you are planning on having 3 kids back to back, you will out grow the 4R. SO - [MENTION=89562]bimrunner[/MENTION] your kids must be out of safety seats.

If you plan on a third row seat, consider your cargo area gone. There is maybe 3" of cargo area if you use the third row seat, not even enough room for a stroller, maybe grocery bags.

Now - I love this thing and its an INCREDIBLE machine. It's served us well and have used it for many different uses. You just really have to know what you intend on using it for.

Have you looked at the Pilot? Has a bit more cargo space.

You can absolutely get 3 child seats across the 2nd row of a 4Runner. It depends on the width of the seats. 3 wide infant seats? You're in trouble. 2 infant seats and a narrow convertible in the center? You can do it. The 4Runner does not have LATCH in the center on the 2nd row, but you can use the seatbelt instead.

http://blogs.cars.com/kickingtires/2014/05/2014-toyota-4runner-car-seat-check.html

Out of curiosity, why wouldn't you just put a kid outboard on each side instead of trying to get one in the center? The only thing I can think is that your infant seat requires you to push your driver or passenger seat too far forward. Putting the seat in the middle definitely frees up some legroom for the front seat passengers. That is a negative of the 4Runner as a family hauler. The legroom is great for adults, but rear facing car seats require the person sitting in front of them to not be too tall.

The other thing I didn't like about my 4Runner versus our Rav or Prius v is that the rear doors aren't particularly long. It doesn't make a big space to get that carrier into the car to put in the cradle. It is passable, but not ideal.

I'd definitely recommend skipping the 3rd row. It makes the load floor higher, eats up cargo space, and you won't be able to get to it with car seats in the 2nd row anyway. My 2 row model had TONS of space for all the crap that comes along with a kid.

Also, everyone, please read your owner's manual for the car and the seat before installing the seats. The seatback in the 4Runner is supposed to be fully reclined when you install the seat on the 2 row model. I don't remember the recommendation for the 3 row model. You can use LATCH on the two outboard positions, but the middle should use the lap and shoulder belt. There are also weight limits to LATCH. I believe it is something like 40 lbs, but your seat owner's manual will have that info.

 

[NoDak]

1. its an average family vehicle trip wise, as long as you never need to carry more than 4 people

2. if you want a family car, this wont come close to any 25-35k 4 door family sedan. I went from a Subaru legacy and that was great for hauling 4 people 600 miles in 10 hrs on 2 tanks of gas.

3. that same trip will take 3-4 tanks depending on load and head wind (for me that is).

4. doing a 45 miles jaunt up the road to one of my fishing spots, I still cant find a decent setup for the seat just yet for my summer clothing. now I have found the seat setup for winter clothing.

just adding a winter heavy jacket makes a big difference in posture for me were the seat doesn't give a pain in the ass/back.

thankfully there is 2 preset seat memory buttons so I can recall one for winter and the other for non cold months.

 

[JayceeP]

1. its an average family vehicle trip wise, as long as you never need to carry more than 4 people

2. if you want a family car, this wont come close to any 25-35k 4 door family sedan. I went from a Subaru legacy and that was great for hauling 4 people 600 miles in 10 hrs on 2 tanks of gas.

3. that same trip will take 3-4 tanks depending on load and head wind (for me that is).

Must be some crazy headwinds out in the plains/prairies! I can easily get 600 miles out of 2 tanks on a bad day (15+mpg highway). Even at 18-19mpg you could go 750 miles and still have gas in each tank.

I personally love it as a road trip vehicle. Last summer we brought 2 friends with us that we met up with down in DC back up to the Maritimes (900 miles) and they said they were very comfortable. He is 6ft+ and she is 5'10ish. The only thing that irks me about the 2nd row is the low ceiling you have right in front of you because of the sun roof. Other than that, plenty of leg room and space for each passenger in our experience.:cheers:

Edit: here's one of those top 10 lists to scare the OP into getting a 4Runner: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/glob...top-10-smart-family-vehicles/article18726403/

 

[Stifler]

My friend, you need a Highlander.

why? that is just a smaller 4 runner

 

[Stifler]

dont get a damn minivan.... before you know it your kids will be out of child seats and you will be kicking yourself in the ass for driving a mom mobile.... if you make sure you get a lease so you can unass it quickly.. I would get a Sequoia long before a minivan

 

[nevada]

why? that is just a smaller 4 runner

we have one, they are really good cars. the women loves hers. it has more interior space, and storage than my 4runner.

dont get a damn minivan.... before you know it your kids will be out of child seats and you will be kicking yourself in the ass for driving a mom mobile.... if you make sure you get a lease so you can unass it quickly.. I would get a Sequoia long before a minivan

true. but at that point you sell it and by something else.

they will be in car seats/boosters until they are about 10 or so. that's a LONG time to deal with the hassle of the wrong vehicle, just to avoid a "mom" car.

 

[Maz]

Back on track, 3rd row, I bought it because my wife had visions of loading up the cars with people. The 3rd row has very little headroom. I've never used it. I wish I had gotten the sliding floor or nothing instead.

Todd

I agree with Todd. Particularly with kids a sliding floor in the rear is going to be very, very handy. In fact it makes for the perfect change station. However the chances you'll even use the 3rd row seats is slim and none, and that's not even mentioning the fact they're a pretty expensive item.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

After my son was born many years ago we used our regular cars and a pickup truck as transportation. It was a pain hauling all the crap and getting him in and out.
We needed something with more room. I found a good deal on a new leftover Dodge minivan. My wife did not really want a minivan but we decided to buy it anyways. It turned out that it was the only vehicle that got used. It had room to spare, easy access and was very comfortable. As my son got older he would put up a fit if we took the car anywhere because he like his captain chair seat and his own a/c controls etc. You could take out all the back seats and haul a lot of stuff home from home depot. A 4runner would not have worked for us. Not that it is just my wife and I a 4runner is just the right size although when we take trips in it there is not any room left after putting suitcases and other crap in the back. No one really cares other than you what vehicle you drive. If it makes you feel like a bigger man driving a 4runner go for it.

 

[Stifler]

they will be in car seats/boosters until they are about 10 or so. that's a LONG time to deal with the hassle of the wrong vehicle, just to avoid a "mom" car.

my kids were in the regular seats by age 5... If I could ride in the trunk of a station wagon or in the bed of a truck..... anyway they turned out just fine