Has anyone gone from Land Rover to 4Runner?

[Dexter Morgan]

Currently driving an '07 full size Range Rover Supercharged. Absolutely fantastic driving experience, the air suspension is second to none and the power is exceptional with the blown 4.2L V8. However, lately I have had a few issues pertaining to the CD changer, driver's seat heater and tilt column not working (forcing me to pull the fuse so the lazy entry/exit doesn't stick the column in an awkward position). The drive train has been wonderful.

I have been pouring over countless threads here, lift setups, impressions of the 5th gen ('14+) and nearly all experiences have been positive.

I test drove a '14 SR5 non-KDSS and was actually impressed. The interior enhancements and refinements are a huge step above < '14 where I found materials to be cheap and the cabin to be noisy.

This would be my DD and see nearly 99% on road activity so my question is if there are any members who wish to share their experiences having ditched their LR and jumped into a 5th gen 4Runner?

 

[phillyd2]

Driven many miles in a LR and it’s a completely different experience. Sort of like going from a comfy caddie to a < insert less comfy caddie ride vehicle here >. Actually a little surprised you were good with the 4R ride in comparison but once that hurdle is jumped there is no reason not to upgrade to Toyota’s near bulletproof reliability

 

[1engineer]

A friend of mine just got a 2015 supercharged Land Rover Range Rover. My wife and I rode with them out for a New Year's eve dinner. When I got back in my 2015 SR5 it felt like I was getting back into a 1977 Chevy work truck. There is a bit of difference in luxury between the new RR's and our 4Runners.
Now, I can guarantee my 4Runner will be much more reliable and durable than his Range Rover but if you have $100K to spend you can afford to fix it lol.
More headroom in the SR5 versus the RR but that is about the only thing the SR5 has more of. Wait.... cupholders. The 4Runner has more cup holders. Yep, headroom and cupholders, that's it.

 

[Dexter Morgan]

Driven many miles in a LR and it’s a completely different experience. Sort of like going from a comfy caddie to a < insert less comfy caddie ride vehicle here >. Actually a little surprised you were good with the 4R ride in comparison but once that hurdle is jumped there is no reason not to upgrade to Toyota’s near bulletproof reliability

Thanks both of you guys for responding. I should say that I was good with the ride for what it was. It wasn't overly harsh nor am I that aggressive of a driver, so it seemed like it would fit my needs.

The Range Rover is just about the nicest riding SUV on the road, there's no denying it, but with 108k miles, I just don't want ancillary systems to keep acting funny.

Besides, it would be nice to order a brand new truck with 0 miles and as you said, have Toyota's bulletproof reliability. I also like that 4runner's are still J code trucks.

I suppose its the sexy vs practical choice...which way to go??

 

[Jetboy]

I've never owned a LR. However I thought I'd suggest that if you're looking for more comparable creature comforts the Land Cruiser or the Lexus GX460 might be worth a look as well. The GX460 is basically the same vehicle as a 4runner with a small v8 and nicer interior. It's a bit quicker than the 4runner; 0-60 is about a half second slower 07 range rover supercharged. The Land Cruiser is about a half second faster than the Range Rover, but if you want you can supercharge the Land Cruiser and then you'd be almost 3 seconds faster, basically right on par with a '14 RRSC and about the same $.

Of course you'll have to recognize that the two types of vehicles are very different. The 4runner is a truck with extra seats compared to the LR that's a car with big tires. So the driving dynamics are quite a lot different. The Toyota Highlander is probably a closer vehicle to the Range Rover in design and driving characteristics - and believe it or not it's a dead heat to 60 and 1/4 mile. We have a '15 4runner and a '10 Lexus RX350 (highlander) and the RX350 is a better highway SUV - it's more nimble, quicker, more composed on rough asphalt etc. Probably a lot more like what you're used to than the 4runner. Might be a better choice for 99% street driving.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

 

[manofsteele2003]

Completely different vehicles, but if you liked the way the 4runner rode then go for it I don't think you can go wrong. After working for a Jaguar/Land Rover dealer for a number of years I'd never own one. The 4runner will have better reliablity and resale value.

 

[Jayhawk5G]

I've never owned a LR. However I thought I'd suggest that if you're looking for more comparable creature comforts the Land Cruiser or the Lexus GX460 might be worth a look as well. The GX460 is basically the same vehicle as a 4runner with a small v8 and nicer interior. It's a bit quicker than the 4runner; 0-60 is about a half second slower 07 range rover supercharged. The Land Cruiser is about a half second faster than the Range Rover, but if you want you can supercharge the Land Cruiser and then you'd be almost 3 seconds faster, basically right on par with a '14 RRSC and about the same $.

Of course you'll have to recognize that the two types of vehicles are very different. The 4runner is a truck with extra seats compared to the LR that's a car with big tires. So the driving dynamics are quite a lot different. The Toyota Highlander is probably a closer vehicle to the Range Rover in design and driving characteristics - and believe it or not it's a dead heat to 60 and 1/4 mile. Might be a better choice for 99% street driving.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

Hit the nail on the head...

If you are driving a RR with factory supercharger, then the 4Runner even in Limited Trim is not going to feel comparable. If you like the powertrain but not the reliability of everything else, then you can't go wrong with the GX460 or LandCruiser/LX570...

 

[NoDak]

at that price I would be scared to take it off road.

a plain jane disco might be different, but those LR and that evoque.

I have a hard time trying to justify a GX460 luxury new.

 

[Dexter Morgan]

Part of me wants to rid myself of the douchy type reputation of owning a LR, so getting a GX460 wouldn't alleviate all of that. Plus the only way I'll get rid of my LR is to get something brand new, and I don't want to spend GX460 or Land Cruiser type of money.

I guess I just don't want to hate the 4runner after a month or so and have regrets.

 

[Pkniland]

Part of me wants to rid myself of the douchy type reputation of owning a LR, so getting a GX460 wouldn't alleviate all of that. Plus the only way I'll get rid of my LR is to get something brand new, and I don't want to spend GX460 or Land Cruiser type of money.

I guess I just don't want to hate the 4runner after a month or so and have regrets.

I think the biggest thing you would miss is the power. 4runner inst slow, but with the 5 speed and the 4.0 it can feel a bit sluggish at times. I personally like it because it prevents me from giving my hard earned money to the state of North Carolina, but some feel its underpowered. Having driven it you know better than I but I would get it out on an interstate to make sure your ok with it taking its time to find a gear. My $.02

 

[PNTRDPROO]

I personally feel that what youll miss most is the handling characteristics. Ive driven a couple of Ranges and Ive found them to be the best driving SUVs. The steering is just right and it has just the right amount of sportiness and comfort.

The 4Runner's steering feel is non existent and while relatively direct, it still needs a good deal of constant correction and the body motions of the vehicle are like a waterbed. That is something that may play on you after a while having come from a vehicle that handles the way a Range does.

Maybe test drive the Trail Premium with KDSS and the Limited as well, to see which is best in that department.

 

[Neauxla]

For city driving, the RR is head and shoulders above the T4R. You can't even compare the ride quality and luxury of the two.

 

[txbonds]

I had an 01 disco II fitted out with lift and all of the aftermarket goodies and I still miss it. I. It's the v8 power, full time 4x4 and solid axles. What I don't miss is the 9mpg on premium fuel (nearly $4 per gallon when I trade it) and the cost of repairs and maintenance.

Of all of the 3 4runners I've owned the 06 limited with full time 4x4 and v8 felt the most similar. Not sure how your RR compares to my older disco but if I were set on finding a similar vehicle in a newer body I would look for a mint condition late model 4th gen runner with v8 and full time 4x4. If you can live with less power I would look at a 5th gen limited with the full time 4x4.

 

[itsdchz]

We own a 2013 Range Rover and a 2015 4Runner.

They are truly different vehicles and for different drivers.

I owned an FJ Cruiser just before the 4Runner, as a reference point.

We bought the RR after the FJ, as my wife really wanted a Lexus RX350/450. I was pretty against the RX because it looks like everything else on the road, and WAY overpriced for what you get, in comparison to other vehicles. She wanted all the creature comforts, and I wanted a capable on and off road go anywhere vehicle. She really didn't consider the RR. We looked at the Escape Sport, VW Toureg and Tiguan, Audi Q7. I suggested maybe looking at RR, as I have always loved them, but I know the tragic Service issues. After driving the RR, and hooked on all the gadgets, and comfort, I knew she was hooked. Thankfully, we are good friends with the owners of the local Jaguar/LR dealership, and they gave us a very nice deal, and stepped up on the trade.

We were planning a trip across the US, and I had just had my FJ lifted, and installed a ton of aftermarket to take on MOAB and other points of interest along the way. However, my wife was eager to take the RR. She won, we did. We had a very comfortable trip, and even went on some off-roading adventures along the way. Most notable: Jug Handle Road in MOAB. We took the RR through the roughest, scariest, 3000ft sheer drop off, road. Lifted, highly modded Jeeps and 4Runners were yelling at us along the way to get that car off this road, as we were going to get stuck and dont belong on this type of road. All this and our 4 year old was asleep in his car seat during the roughest of the rough road. The things that impressed me the most were the Downhill assist and active traction control. The RR literally drove itself through some of the hairy stuff. Quite impressive. I was happy with the capability, but missed the harshness and pure adrenaline of a vehicle like the FJ or 4Runner.

The RR is very capable, but a warranty and service nightmare. Thankfully ours has only had a transmission error code, and problems with steering wheel control, and a few recalls... Thats great compared to the norm. My wife loves the luxury feel and is happy with her RR.

I on the other hand, went from a Gen 3 4Runner, to the FJ, and now back to the 4Runner. I am VERY happy, and cannot wait to get on the trails, and finish my build to get it mean and stout like my FJ was. I am very happy with the fit and finish, smooth ride, and quieter cabin, compared to the FJ. I am happy with the modding capabilities and the reliability that I know the 4Runner has. My Gen 3 had 260,000 on the odometer when I sold it, and I did all factory maintenance and never had a failure of any sort.

The RR and 4Runner are definitely two different vehicles. Depending on the mindset of the primary driver, the decision will be a tough one, or an easy one. In my case, my wife loves and prefers her RR. In my case, I love the T4R.

Hope my story helps a little.

 

[phillyd2]

The RR literally drove itself through some of the hairy stuff. Quite impressive.

While I don't think I'll ever own one I too have driven that new auto system off road and it really is very impressive. Almost scary impressive.

 

[Jeremy556]

Jug Handle Road in MOAB. We took the RR through the roughest, scariest, 3000ft sheer drop off, road.

I've seen a Sebring Convertible, driven by a 65+ year old woman, go through that trail. Just sayin :bigok:

 

[Ron4RNevada]

I went from this

to this

Pretty comparable if you spend most of your time exploring northern Nevada

 

[itsdchz]

I've seen a Sebring Convertible, driven by a 65+ year old woman, go through that trail. Just sayin :bigok:

I used to brag about that road, but after seeing this....

 

[Jeremy556]

I used to brag about that road, but after seeing this....

Sorry, man. If we're talking about the same trail, its' only rated a 2. Did you drive under a rock? Not my pic, just got it off GIS. Long Canyon

 

[Dexter Morgan]

I feel the Range Rover has A LOT of body roll, maybe its just me, maybe it's the 5700 lbs :tape2: I can't really do corners of any even semi-aggressive nature. However, the smooth and powerful pull is excellent, combined with the faint whine of the blower :hat:

What someone did comment on was the steering. It is very nice in the Range...I can leave my hands off the wheel for 5-6 seconds and on decent roads it just tracks dead straight. I can also do 100 without a sweat.

Does the 4runner sweat and strain looking for gears, downshifting and doing 80-90??