Girlfriend just bought white runner.
- Thread starter Champ306
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Jeffrey_VB
New member
Can't wait to see some pics and get a review!!
Ok this is a pic from my phone last night prior to driving home. not the best and I will try to get some better when I have time and weather permits.
Overall I really like it. not perfect, like many have pointed out between the 4th gen and the 5th. I have owned 4 other 4runners, 99Limited, 2x 2004 Sports, and a 2006 Limited. all V8 fourth Gens, and that seems to be the biggest debate, and while I agree more power is good all in all I do like the power of the new V6. It is not the sucking vacuum of the 4th Gen. man that engine was noisy, this one, quiet, smooth and actually not too bad sounding when you stomp on it for a V6. I think someday the 4.6 will make it into the Runners, but who knows, and you cant wait around wondering or wishing.
Likes-
The paint, the white pearl, love it.
the size, I am 6'3" and fit easily everywhere, no 3rd row.
no cargo tray, not buying into that gimmick.
built in Sat radio, nice.... sick of installing these on my own in brand new rigs.
Floor to seat relation, yeah, its not like driving a Camaro or CRX. my knees can bend, this has to be one of the best things overall!
Doors, wayyyyyyyy better design than the 4th gen on the buttons, I mean really who signed off on the Eng doc to put the buttons on a slant below your leg??? Oh, and all are auto up/down, cant beat that.
Center console is nice, more user friendly for coffee than either past Gens.
Backup Sonar, handy feature.
Key can be programmed at dealer, notice after we got home and read manual, that you can push and hold unlock button and all windows open to vent out car. This will be handy on hot summer days leaving work.
4wheel drive is easy to use, pull it in, long as you are under 50. Manual states no maximum driving speed? I'm assuming highway speed are ok, will have to find out.
Engine, quiet, powerful. reminds me of the V8's, barely hear it running standing next to hood.
Size, again, parked next to my 99 in garage, oh man she looks like a giant. Love it.
USB hook up to stereo, Bluetooth, handy radio that sounds decent enuf for me. Party mode is neat feature that I just may use sometimes.
Seatbacks recline for back passengers. Nice!
back seat is big, useful, folds flat with head rest installed. taking them out was a pain in the butt on previous gens.
Ride, it is quiet as all get out, and nice on absorbing crummy roads. I live in country in PA , need I say more, old wagon roads...
Dislikes-
Mast antenna, really toyota? come on, thats a joke, who listens to FM anyway. and on my 4th gen FM worked fine in the glass.
No Torsen center diff on all models, bummer you have to get raped with cost on the Limited to get what used to be standard fare on 4th gen.
Tow 4 pin connector is way up near backbone of hitch. umm, not very handy guys. and you will most likely need extension wiring for all your trailers.
No Auto on headlight feature standard, it is 2010 right? cuz I think a rental corolla I drove in like 95 had it. bummer.
Well I hope that is handy for some. I think its a good solid ride, not perfect, but neither was any of the others. they simply are what we like here at this forum. For me I cant imagine not driving or having at least one 4runner. they are just too useful, the right size, off road/snow capable, and can tow stuff. sure I wish that it had a Torsen and a 4.6 in it for 35K, I would be into that for sure, but they dont, and the Lexus variant is way to much money.
Overall I really like it. not perfect, like many have pointed out between the 4th gen and the 5th. I have owned 4 other 4runners, 99Limited, 2x 2004 Sports, and a 2006 Limited. all V8 fourth Gens, and that seems to be the biggest debate, and while I agree more power is good all in all I do like the power of the new V6. It is not the sucking vacuum of the 4th Gen. man that engine was noisy, this one, quiet, smooth and actually not too bad sounding when you stomp on it for a V6. I think someday the 4.6 will make it into the Runners, but who knows, and you cant wait around wondering or wishing.
Likes-
The paint, the white pearl, love it.
the size, I am 6'3" and fit easily everywhere, no 3rd row.
no cargo tray, not buying into that gimmick.
built in Sat radio, nice.... sick of installing these on my own in brand new rigs.
Floor to seat relation, yeah, its not like driving a Camaro or CRX. my knees can bend, this has to be one of the best things overall!
Doors, wayyyyyyyy better design than the 4th gen on the buttons, I mean really who signed off on the Eng doc to put the buttons on a slant below your leg??? Oh, and all are auto up/down, cant beat that.
Center console is nice, more user friendly for coffee than either past Gens.
Backup Sonar, handy feature.
Key can be programmed at dealer, notice after we got home and read manual, that you can push and hold unlock button and all windows open to vent out car. This will be handy on hot summer days leaving work.
4wheel drive is easy to use, pull it in, long as you are under 50. Manual states no maximum driving speed? I'm assuming highway speed are ok, will have to find out.
Engine, quiet, powerful. reminds me of the V8's, barely hear it running standing next to hood.
Size, again, parked next to my 99 in garage, oh man she looks like a giant. Love it.
USB hook up to stereo, Bluetooth, handy radio that sounds decent enuf for me. Party mode is neat feature that I just may use sometimes.
Seatbacks recline for back passengers. Nice!
back seat is big, useful, folds flat with head rest installed. taking them out was a pain in the butt on previous gens.
Ride, it is quiet as all get out, and nice on absorbing crummy roads. I live in country in PA , need I say more, old wagon roads...
Dislikes-
Mast antenna, really toyota? come on, thats a joke, who listens to FM anyway. and on my 4th gen FM worked fine in the glass.
No Torsen center diff on all models, bummer you have to get raped with cost on the Limited to get what used to be standard fare on 4th gen.
Tow 4 pin connector is way up near backbone of hitch. umm, not very handy guys. and you will most likely need extension wiring for all your trailers.
No Auto on headlight feature standard, it is 2010 right? cuz I think a rental corolla I drove in like 95 had it. bummer.
Well I hope that is handy for some. I think its a good solid ride, not perfect, but neither was any of the others. they simply are what we like here at this forum. For me I cant imagine not driving or having at least one 4runner. they are just too useful, the right size, off road/snow capable, and can tow stuff. sure I wish that it had a Torsen and a 4.6 in it for 35K, I would be into that for sure, but they dont, and the Lexus variant is way to much money.
"No Auto on headlight feature standard, it is 2010 right? cuz I think a rental corolla I drove in like 95 had it. bummer. "
Oh that is interesting. We just picked up the Limited last night and what was there....yeah Auto headlights and I was all happy about it since the wife drives to much without using the headlights
(I have mine on 24/7 for safety)
Oh that is interesting. We just picked up the Limited last night and what was there....yeah Auto headlights and I was all happy about it since the wife drives to much without using the headlights
(I have mine on 24/7 for safety)
p0pe
New member
Good review Champ306. I agree on just about everything. While the mast antenna is not very appealing to the eyes, it is functional and works a lot better than our old vehicle with a glass antenna.
The headlights are awesome. Very bright and light everything up in front of you really well. They look similar to the ones on my old Honda S200. My wife does miss having them automatically come on.
The headlights are awesome. Very bright and light everything up in front of you really well. They look similar to the ones on my old Honda S200. My wife does miss having them automatically come on.
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sandcrawler
Senior Member
nice review, Champ306. it is definitely good to hear some positive feedback from a (multiple!) 4G V8 owner.
curious: where do you live? wondering your thoughts on losing the multi-mode 4WD and how that may impact winter driving (if you have winter snow where you live, that is).
thanks again for the thoughtful review. and CONGRATS!
curious: where do you live? wondering your thoughts on losing the multi-mode 4WD and how that may impact winter driving (if you have winter snow where you live, that is).
thanks again for the thoughtful review. and CONGRATS!
Do you have a link to any of those studies? Sorry for the outside the thread topic, but I would be interested in reading more. Coming from a country where it is mandatory (Sweden) and having had employers here in the US require it this would be a very interesting read.
Now how using the lights during the day causes confusion is beyond my imagination, but considering the stupidities that I see on the roads every day maybe I shouldn't be so confused about it......
JB.
New member
Nice review.
When the seats are folded flat, is the entire cargo area flat without a bulge or bump (for sleeping)?
Just had time to look up the models on Toyota's site and that confirms it (not that I was doubting it, but wondered if they had noted it)
Multi-reflector halogen headlamps with auto-off feature -- SR5
Multi-reflector halogen headlamps with auto on/off feature -- Limited
So I guess with that text you can leave the lights on at all times in the SR5 and they will always turn off when you lock the car - is that the correct understanding? That is how my Armada works but it also has the auto for on / off
Multi-reflector halogen headlamps with auto-off feature -- SR5
Multi-reflector halogen headlamps with auto on/off feature -- Limited
So I guess with that text you can leave the lights on at all times in the SR5 and they will always turn off when you lock the car - is that the correct understanding? That is how my Armada works but it also has the auto for on / off
Well I certainly would rather have full time four wheel drive, but the price premium was too much for a limited. I do live in a snowy area, so it's a valid concern. I tried out the 4 wheel system on the test drive and notice it is easy to go into and out of it. A nice suprise. I would love the torsen, but what can you do? I think this is ok though, it's not bad at all.
The headlights, I figured they would shut of after thirty seconds after the doors were locked but nada. I don't know maybe it takes longer? Will have to try it, one thing is you open the door with them on and engine off it does not ding or beep at you. So maybe they shut off after a minute.
I love fourth gens, but this is nicer. The interior is just nicer, I can't imagine having a limited. Especially with smartkey, as I had an Avalon with that and it's amazing. The seats fold down very flat. Not perfect but think totally fine for sleeping.
Hope it helps. Test drive one you won't regret it.
The headlights, I figured they would shut of after thirty seconds after the doors were locked but nada. I don't know maybe it takes longer? Will have to try it, one thing is you open the door with them on and engine off it does not ding or beep at you. So maybe they shut off after a minute.
I love fourth gens, but this is nicer. The interior is just nicer, I can't imagine having a limited. Especially with smartkey, as I had an Avalon with that and it's amazing. The seats fold down very flat. Not perfect but think totally fine for sleeping.
Hope it helps. Test drive one you won't regret it.
sandcrawler
Senior Member
that's what kills me: a loaded Trail Edition is more or less the price of a Limited (and i prefer the looks of the Trail, personally) and i want the torsen but not really the über-clad trim of the Limited!
someone down the street from me picked up the first (and only) 2010 in the area. it's a Limited. i stopped and looked at it from the road the other day (looks a bit better in person), but haven't yet been able to take one for a spin. thanks for posting your impressions and feedback.
Yeah figured out the headlights, thanks! re read the manual and seen the doubleclick of the lock button will shut them off. Nice!
Want to get the key programmed for the Auto All window down feature as well someday. One thing is the 4runners do not come with a ball mount for the hitch anymore. bummer Toyota!! they want 60 bucks a wack for one. I know store is cheaper. And one thing I have is these ball mounts in the garage, 3 of them, from all the 4th Gens. They only fit 4runners as well. the Tacoma and Tundra's have different depths for the Pin hole, so no worky. Long story longer, but I have ball mounts for the new hitch, yeah!
Want to get the key programmed for the Auto All window down feature as well someday. One thing is the 4runners do not come with a ball mount for the hitch anymore. bummer Toyota!! they want 60 bucks a wack for one. I know store is cheaper. And one thing I have is these ball mounts in the garage, 3 of them, from all the 4th Gens. They only fit 4runners as well. the Tacoma and Tundra's have different depths for the Pin hole, so no worky. Long story longer, but I have ball mounts for the new hitch, yeah!
