Good grocery getter?

M

mile9c1

New member
Hi everyone, how good is the 2015 4runner as an everyday family vehicle aka minivan alternative? My wife and I are looking to purchase a new vehicle for her and I'm considering the 4runner because of its optional 3rd row.

We haven't driven one yet, but I like it a lot more than say the Highlander based on looks alone.

We live in Michigan and would purchase the 4x4 probably TR5 version.
 
Register to hide this ad
mile9c1 said:
Hi everyone, how good is the 2015 4runner as an everyday family vehicle aka minivan alternative? My wife and I are looking to purchase a new vehicle for her and I'm considering the 4runner because of its optional 3rd row.

We haven't driven one yet, but I like it a lot more than say the Highlander based on looks alone.

We live in Michigan and would purchase the 4x4 probably TR5 version.
Click to expand...

Agreed. The TR5 is the one to get.

Also, make sure to get the optional action track package - includes 33's and a self drive system like the new google car.
 
She would probably like the Toyota Highlander or Honda Pilot better. Those were designed for picking up the kids from school, taking the dogs to the park, and even for weekend family camping trips. They are roomier, more gas efficient, and more comfortable due to their construction. I don't understand why somebody would choose a 4Runner over a Highlander or Pilot if they really didn't need a true 4x4 vehicle or something that requires to be driven on other than on-road conditions. I'm positive a good majority of these average soccer moms do not know what to do in a situation where they actually need to activate the SR5/Trail's part-time 4x4 system. I think the Highlander or Pilot strictly as an everyday city errand/chore vehicle outshines the 4Runner in every way.
 
Last edited:
Seattle206 said:
She would probably like the Toyota Highlander or Honda Pilot better. Those were designed for picking up the kids from school, taking the dogs to the park, and even for weekend family camping trips. They are roomier, more gas efficient, and more comfortable due to their construction. I don't understand why somebody would choose a 4Runner over a Highlander or Pilot if they really didn't need a true 4x4 vehicle or something that requires to be driven on other than on-road conditions. I think the Highlander or Pilot strictly as an everyday city errand/chore vehicle outshines the 4Runner in every way.
Click to expand...

I agree with this. The mileage is not good on the 4runner and the third row seating is honestly a joke.
 
Thanks guys. We don't need the ultimate grocery getter, but I didn't realize the 3rd row was that small. I'd consider the Highlander, just not fond of the looks. Pilot, never liked that one.
 
1. Who will be driving it?

2. How many children?

3. For most women and many men AWD is a better choice than 4WD.

4. Economy is always an issue.

Don't buy the vehicle for your wants and needs if it will be her car the majority of the time. Happy wife, happy life.
 
She might not even enjoy driving it. It certainly drives and feels like a truck, and you can definitely tell when parking or making a u-turn. My girlfriend LOVES the looks of the 4runner but absolutely HATES driving it. I definitely wouldn't choose my wife's car based on looks alone.

The 4runner also performed somewhat poorly with the Small Overlap Front Crash Test Ratings. Something to consider since children will be in the vehicle.

Obviously I love the 4runner as I bought one and drive it daily, but I'm the only one driving it.
 
sorry guys, but i have to disagree with some of your points about wives NOT liking T4Rs...

i brought my 2014 SR5 home, super white...the wife took it out for about an hour, came home and proclaimed she didnt know if she liked it or not.

i let her drive it for the next three days, and now its a tug of war to see who gets it day to day (i do mostly because i get up hours before she does to get to work). my wife LOVES driving it, loves taking the kids, the girlfriends, her relatives around in it. she loves the smooth power, loves sitting up high as she calls it. I make sure i give her a week or so a month so she can enjoy it as much as she is. and in the latest mid atlantic snow storm where the DC area got from 6-10 inches, i made sure she knew to put it in 4hi, and just take her time, and she got home without any problems. in the end, i was VERY glad she had the truck, or else she may not have gotten home around all of the idiots driving around in rear wheel driver cars in a moderate snow storm.

The truck might just bring out a side of your wife you have never seen before.
 
additionally...depending on how much you will be using the 3rd row...its a hit or miss.

i wanted my 3rd row model because at least one weekend a month my family of 4 has a 5th wheel to carry around (mother in law, cousin, friend, ect.) so its nice to be able to put one of the smaller kids back there, and they love it. I have ridden in my 3rd row once or twice, its not the greatest, for what it is, it works well in an emergency.

but if you need a dedicated 3rd row daily, i would look for something else, something larger.
 
BettysNephew said:
Happy wife, happy life.
Click to expand...


Bullshit_7bff3f_727444.png
 
We bought our 2015 specifically for my wife to drive. Baby is due in a few weeks, and she loves it. She went from a convertible mustang to this, and loves the seating position, how it drives, and the fact that you can roll down all 5 windows, open the sunroof, and it almost feels like an open air vehicle.

She wasn't too fond of the highlander and rav 4, too much like cars. Even looked at new explorers, and you get a lot of bang for your buck with the 4runner.
 
I would suggest driving both the Highlander and 4Runner. For most consumers the AWD system on the highlander may serve better than the 4x4 system on the SR5 4Runner. There are a couple links on here that explain the differences of the 4x4 systems. Also we have friends that just purchased a Highlander with the 3rd row and captain chairs 2nd row which is easier access to the 3rd row for kids and isn't an option on the 4Runner.

SR5 4runner has a closed differential when in 4x4 so not really designed to stay in 4x4 for city driving.

Lots of good information on this site. But will depend on your family needs.

My wife drives an Odyssey and from a kid hauling, road tripping, perspective is hard to beat for our family needs. 4 Runner is awesome for the fishing and hunting trips that I take.
 
I personally don't see a problem driving a Sienna AWD - my opinion. Winter driving? Blizzaks or studs will just be fine.
 
We're expecting our first baby in June and would like to have a few more, God willing. I have a 4x4 Silverado crew cab and she has a compact Saturn Ion. As you can guess, she has low driving standards and generally has no interest in cars as long as it gets her from A to B. Doesn't like my truck too much but she rarely drives it and when she does its a big change from an Ion. She says she wants an Outback but knows almost nothing about them. Never tested one, never priced options, etc. Outbacks have no 3rd row so anything with a small 3rd row would be better than an Outback IMO.

I'm not necessarily against an Outback but I don't know if it's our best option. She feels a minivan is "too much" for only one child. I'm sure I could talk her into a Tahoe though. I like them but they are way overpriced.

We get a fair amount of snow here in Michigan but I only put my truck in 4x4 if I'm at an uphill stop sign and in a hurry. That's with all season tires. Her car has snow tires and probably always will.
 
I think it'd be a pretty poor choice of vehicle for what the OP is intending. Paying for a low range T-case and a ladder frame when you don't need either of them seems foolish to me. Like swatting a fly with a sledgehammer - I mean, I guess you COULD do it but there are better tools for that task.

And you will pay for the BoF construction. You pay for it once when you buy (BoF vehicles like the 4runner are generally more expensive than their unibody counterparts) and you pay for it every time you fill with gas.

Yeah, yeah, gas is cheap now. :rolleyes: If you think it's going to be cheap forever I've got a bridge to sell you. ;):
 
Martinjmpr said:
I think it'd be a pretty poor choice of vehicle for what the OP is intending. Paying for a low range T-case and a ladder frame when you don't need either of them seems foolish to me. Like swatting a fly with a sledgehammer - I mean, I guess you COULD do it but there are better tools for that task.

And you will pay for the BoF construction. You pay for it once when you buy (BoF vehicles like the 4runner are generally more expensive than their unibody counterparts) and you pay for it every time you fill with gas.

Yeah, yeah, gas is cheap now. :rolleyes: If you think it's going to be cheap forever I've got a bridge to sell you. ;):
Click to expand...

Everyone complains about BOFs and gas mileage, but if you compare the 4Runner, to any other equivalent unibody Midsize SUV, the MPGs aren't that different.

If you look at the real world MPGs of a 2015 Highlander on Fuelly, they average 19.7MPG combined.

2015 Toyota Highlander Mileage

My combined MPGs on my stock 2013 4Runner SR5 is 18.5:

2013 4Runner SR5 (Toyota 4Runner) | Fuelly

When measuring MPGs on a flat freeway, keeping it at 60mph, I see 24 MPGs!

Not too bad for a Midsize 7-passenger SUV with a 4.0L V6, 5 Speed Auto, and a Frame!

1.2 MPGs isn't that much of a hit to take to have a Frame, Transfer Case, and a real 4WD system.
 
mile9c1 said:
We're expecting our first baby in June and would like to have a few more, God willing. I have a 4x4 Silverado crew cab and she has a compact Saturn Ion. As you can guess, she has low driving standards and generally has no interest in cars as long as it gets her from A to B. Doesn't like my truck too much but she rarely drives it and when she does its a big change from an Ion. She says she wants an Outback but knows almost nothing about them. Never tested one, never priced options, etc. Outbacks have no 3rd row so anything with a small 3rd row would be better than an Outback IMO.

I'm not necessarily against an Outback but I don't know if it's our best option. She feels a minivan is "too much" for only one child. I'm sure I could talk her into a Tahoe though. I like them but they are way overpriced.

We get a fair amount of snow here in Michigan but I only put my truck in 4x4 if I'm at an uphill stop sign and in a hurry. That's with all season tires. Her car has snow tires and probably always will.
Click to expand...

Toyota : highlander awd, venza awd, or sienna awd

Subaru : outback, forester (no 3rd rows in Subaru since they don't have a Tribeca anymore)

unless you have more than 2 kids currently or next 6 years I wouldn't worry about a 3rd row since with the 3rd row up, you have no room to stow even 1 baby stroller in the back much less 2.

in a minvan you might be able to have more room or maybe a highlander.

but the biggest issue with any 3rd row, unless your driving a suburban or equal size suv, there is no decent room for storage.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 198 (members: 4, guests: 194)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,306
Messages
3,554,046
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top