jacal said:
Thai,
You own both (jealous!)...personally I cross shopped the g-500 with the 4runner. J.
Note: i owned a 2002 4runner Ltd. 4wd (aka 3rd gen)
Ride: G500 is actually better on-road than my 3rd gen 4runner...possibly due to it's longer wheelbase and heavier weight. G is less bouncy for sure. Wind noise is surprisingly a bit better than 4runner despite boxy shape. Handling is about the same.
I did testdrive a 4th gen recently (2006 V8 4wd model). I am pretty sure that the 4th gen 4runner is significantly more comfy on the highway than my G. Wind noise is about the same. I think that if there was more windforce during the testdrive, the 4th gen would be quieter. Handling also favors 4runner, esp. if it has XREAS. My G feels more top-heavy around corners.
Off-road: For rocks & hillclimbs, the G is definitely better than my old 4runner. Over washboards, the G is also slightly more comfy.
As for the 4th gen, i have seen it off-road because we have several owners with one at our off-road meets. I doubt that 4runner can match G500 over rocks or hillclimbs. The ride over washboards probably favors 4th 4runner.
The G does beat 4th gen 4runner over most off-roading terrain due to it's three 100% lockers, solid axles, superior approach/breakover/departure angles, true ground clearance, underbody clearance (underbody of G is one of the cleanest of any SUV...nothing protrudes below frame), body clearance (rocker panel is higher), visibility (sit very high up with almost 360 visibility), and size. The G500 is about the same size as my 3rd gen 4runner...so, it can fit in tight places. Breather tubes (all 4) are located high up in the engine bay. The forged steel control arms are attached to the frame on the SIDE; thus, clearance over rocks is very good.
Cargo: G is actually quite big inside despite it's small size outside...cargo space is more vertical than horizontal. Cargo space is 45/79.5. This is slightly bigger than 4th gen 4runner.
Passenger room: G has much more room than my 3rd gen 4runner. It does have significantly less hip/shoulder room than the 4th gen 4runner because G is much narrower than 4th 4runner. Otherwise, legroom and headroom is better than any 4runner.
Interior quality: I do believe that the G is better than any 4runner in this aspect. I have soft-touch panels everywhere in addition to leather and wood. None of the panels are scratchable. I have carried some heavy & sharp stuff...scratches just get wiped off. Leather is soft & thick and has held up to punishment without any creases developing. This is actually even better than the Nappa leather in my old BMW M3. Wood panels are real, but look kinda fake.
Stereo is quite good in G, far superior to my old 4runner and is easily on par with my brother's Mark Levinson system in his LX470.
However, to mix with the good, i have had 3 window regulator failures. This is a known problem with G. No fixes yet. Otherwise, i have not had any quality issues. Most factory quality mishaps have been fixed by end of 2003. My CD-ROM Navigation is truly pathetic when you compare with the systems from Toyota or Honda. Despite big cargo area, small storage space is at a premium, unlike the 4runners. Cupholders are OK, but certainly more of an afterthought. These are the price you pay for buying something that was designed in 1979!
Gas consumption: Oh boy, don't remind me! Definitely, any 4runner is much better than the G. I get about 10-11 mpg in city and 14.5-15 mpg on highway. Overall, with 75% highway driving, i am averaging 14.2 mpg.
And it does
require premium gas. I'm hurting these days.
Insurance cost: My G commands top-tier rate.
It was a lot cheaper with my '02 4runner.
Overall, i love my G. It is both classy and rough & tough. It is unique...you don't see them everywhere. My G gets front parking at restuarants.
I feel like Brad Pitt...without his good looks, Angelina (or Jennifer), and money!
And when 2010 comes along, there won't be anymore civilian G around. And right now, you can only get a G by special order through MB dealership. It won't be as popular on dealership showroom floors as before because sale volume has never been good with G (unlike LX and Range Rover). The main push from MB these days is the new GL-class.
However, if i were to start over, then i would not mind getting an '06 4runner. Or i would get GX470 with KDSS. Or FJ Cruiser. Would i get G again? Definitely, but with rising gas prices, i would probably hold off for now from buying any SUV. Maybe, i would get Lexus GS450h instead.
Or a cheap off-roader like the new '07 Rubicon.
My opinion.
