Have to pick Highlander or 4runner ? Help decide!

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w210210

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Hi everyone !
My wife has a 17 Lexus GS 350 ... I have a Benz 01 ..it old and it's a rusty ...
We being think to get a new car instead of Mercedes...
So I am trying to pick between Highlander and 4runner.
Just wonder.. I heard that 4runner has terrible anchors system for a child safety seats and its tight also ...
Is that true.. somebody has a child safety seat or have expirience with that ?
Personally I dont really like Highlander looks and style...its probably more for mom's...
We expecting baby soon so nust wonder what to get ...
But if I am going to buy 4runner i go for Limited trim ..cause a softer suspension..
Also heard that Highlander has more space ...
We planning to keep car for long time like 7 -10 years ..
 
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We have 3 kids across the rear seat. One full car seat and 2 boosters. Depends on who the primary driver will be and their expectations. Honestly sounds like the highlander may be what you need. The 4Runner is decidedly more like a truck and the highlander is more car like. Other than both being in the same class they’re very different vehicles.
 
Thanks .. I want to feel worry free in bad weather.. also I recently first time in my life tried ride in Nissan Titan 2012 ...and I never drove in body on frame SUV .. i liked being isolated from the road .. 4runners they too body on frame suv
I just need something to feel safe on the road ,In bad weather ( living in Upstate NY )..and realible factor N number 1 ..
Any way thank you for answering...
And how does 4runner ( especially Limited trim) good in a long road trip ? How comfortable ?
Oh primary driver will be me ...
 
Forgot to mentioned why I liked ride in Nissan because we have some bad roads uneven, small potholes and you feel less imperfections then in the car .. ... typical for NY state because salt is ruined the roads .
But I also want to my wife be happy when we is going to buy a car ..
 
If your concerns are about driving through torrential on-road conditions, don't be swayed to get an SR5 or Trail has they only have part-time 4WD! That being said, no kids but I like to sit far back and my in-laws (6'5") still have tons of space. Not sure if the limited comes with a 3rd row option but don't expect that to be entirely comfortable back there.
 
It's always precious to listen to guys pretend that they have any effective input into the purchase of the next family ride...
 
Ive done some long road trips, SC to chicago, SC to boston, SC to pittsburgh numerous times. Driven in the snowiest winter in Pittsburgh history a couple years back. No issues. 2 kids. 2 britax marathons all the way up through booster seats.

If I had 3 kids, I would have gone bigger. I rented a sequoia recently and drove it 2 weeks out west. I liked it, it was solid, like the 4runner but bigger with 3rd row and a v8.

Landcruiser is another good option if you have the beans.

Lexus GX460 Luxury might be an option. same size as 4runner with 3rd row.

Before the 4runner, we had a Volvo XC90. That thing was a beast and the most comfortable thing I've ever driven. It handled snow no problem.

All that being said, let the wife pick it.
 
My wife has the Highlander with the 3rd row, she loves it. We have 3 kids and it really is nice to have the extra space when a friend comes along. It is a little more spacious compared to my 4Runner, more kid friendly for sure. I love my 4Runner and we have taken road trips in it, but it is not as comfy as the Highlander for road trips. If it is your only family SUV, the Highlander is really the choice.
 
wife loves her 4runner. i drove my buddy in his Highlander from Minnesota to AZ and i was impressed. More power, more room, quieter, better fuel economy, way more comfy. Everything about it is nicer and it's 2 years older than wife's minivan. BUT man they're ugly.
 
Based on your needs, I would suggest looking at AWD SUV/CUVs. Highlander, Honda Pilot, Subaru Forester/Ascent (even Outback), Audi Q7, etc.,. There are tons of options in this market segment which means you can cross-shop and find a good deal. Having lived in upstate NY for 6 years, I really think AWD is far superior to dedicated 4WD. Also, other options listed have a lower center of gravity, which makes them far more stable. The 4R Limited is full time 4WD, but you can get many other vehicles that offer considerably more creature comforts at that price point.
 
I own both. A 2019 4Runner Pro (My daily driver) and a 2019 Highlander Hybrid (my wife's daily driver). I have owned every generation of Highlander going back to 2002 and have been nothing but, impressed with all of them.

Although I love my 4Runner and it's great for what I do and how I use it, it is hard to argue with the practicality and comfort of the Highlander as a family vehicle.
 
I recommend the Highlander unless you need the offroad ability of the 4Runner, it's a more comfortable vehicle and has more creature comforts as standard equipment
 
Here's how I compare the two.

-Looks (subjective)

-Off roading (4runner wins this one hands down)

-Reliability (slight nod to 4runner, but highlander is still toyota and should be just as reliable)

-Towing capacity (4runner I believe can tow more)

-Headlights (you will hate the 4runner headlights at night)

-Safety (highlander most likely scores better in crash testing)

-Fuel consumption (you'll most likely average 10mpg more in the highlander)

-winter driving (4runner limited = highlander > 4runner sr5/or/pro

So if you don't plan to off road I would choose the highlander. I think they get a redesign in a few months.
 
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Good problem to have. Lots of people suggesting highlander here, probably for good reason, but here is my input. My wife drives a 2017 Highlander Limited Platinum Hybrid and I have a 2019 TRD Offroad 4Runner. Both cars are excellent and safe family vehicles in all weather conditions. We have 2 kids under 2. Her highlander has the captain seats which would make for easier trips with more people, whereas our 4Runner is virtually worthless other than taking our immediate family. That said, my wife and I both prefer driving the 4runner. The drive is by far more fun, feels safer, better visibility by sitting up higher, and does better in snow. I don't think you should cross off the 4runner just yet. I do wish I had her heated steering wheel though. -15 tomorrow.
 
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karmatp said:
My wife has the Highlander with the 3rd row, she loves it. We have 3 kids and it really is nice to have the extra space when a friend comes along. It is a little more spacious compared to my 4Runner, more kid friendly for sure. I love my 4Runner and we have taken road trips in it, but it is not as comfy as the Highlander for road trips. If it is your only family SUV, the Highlander is really the choice.
Click to expand...

Have both as well (17 SR5 and 18 Highlander Limited) and completely agree. The Highlanders comfort and practicality as a family vehicle gives it the nod in my opinion.
 
I own both. A 2011 4Runner Trail (for play), and a 2019 Highlander Hybrid
(for work).
No kids, so I can't answer any of that stuff.

The 4runner gets at best 16mpg on average, the Hybrid gets 27mpg.
Due to stupid small tanks sizes you get about the same total distance out of both.

Haven't had any weather to test the hybrid in, the 4runner is obviously excellent.

Both are fine vehicles for long road trips, I've done them in both many times.

I will keep the 4runner forever, the hybrid will be sold off in a few years if that helps any. It's a fine car but has zero sex appeal, personality or attitude. Basically a soccer mom's expensive mini van, without the mini van look.
 
I've been in various Highlander models from different years and they are far more friendly to riders in regards to the interior layout. It feels far more spacious than the 4Runners. Everything else though feels far more solid and well built on the 4Runner.

If I ever decide the 4Runner though I would much rather go for a used Landcruiser than downgrade to a Highlander.
 
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