Have to pick Highlander or 4runner ? Help decide!

[97BlackAckCL]

Highlanders are nice, I looked into switching to one after owning 2 4Runners and just couldn't get over the difference in size and interior head room. They're great for soccer moms, but I ended up getting a brand new 4Runner instead of switching to a highlander and I'm happy that I did. But to each their own

 

[Axix23]

4-Runner is more of a Man's car.. Bad-ass Offroader... Highlander is a nice SUV that I wouldn't mind my wife and kids being in.

 

[RichinRidgewood]

I don't know why people keep posting this stupid bullshit:

"90% of the people who buy a 4Runner dont need a 4Runner" blah blah blah tell it to your mother. We dont care.

Most of the rest of the goddamn world drives around in 1 liter to 2 liter cars 2/3 the size of a VW Golf or 125 cc motorcycles. 90% of us here in the US don't "need" anything more than either of those two either.

 

[Humble Leader]

one's a truck, one's a car
one does truck things and drives like a truck, one does car things and drives like a car
if you need a truck and like trucks, get a 4runner. if want a more of a car feel get a highlander
if you care about mpg get the highlander, they have hybrids. highlander marginally better for families, but not 'minivan better'

both are great vehicles, capable of 500k miles if taken car of

 

[Swipter]

My wives Limited 3rd row is solid. All we have driven in is rain and flooded streets but no issues and was planted. She won't drive anything else and loves riding in my lifted sr5.

 

[1jzgte]

4-Runner is more of a Man's car.. Bad-ass Offroader... Highlander is a nice SUV that I wouldn't mind my wife and kids being in.

funny because ive seen more women driving 4runners than men

 

[Axix23]

funny because ive seen more women driving 4runners than men

yes, I seen both. But I bet you dont see more men driving Highlanders than women.

 

[Soulsurvives]

I had a second gen Highlander and liked it. Very roomy, could tow and was versatile. I looked heavily between the 3rd gen Highlander and the late 5th gen 4runner. The 4runner was more driver friendly for me, controls easy to get to and use. I also think it rides better than the Highlander. The final blow to the Highlander is it's awd system. It's just not good at all on anything more than a few inches of snow. I also really love the roll down rear window.

 

[barry581]

I had a 2015 Highlander Limited that I traded on my 2021 4Runner. Had I not seen the Trail in Cement, I'd probably still be driving the Highlander. It was a great car, handled well, was quiet, plenty of room and comfortable. Mine had 90K trouble free miles on it, and still rode like new.

 

[MedicLt]

Why not both?

I have a ‘15 Inferno TRD that my wife doesn’t like riding in and we traded a ‘19 Highlander XLE for a ‘21 Highlander Platinum.

I thought I was smitten with the ‘19 ride quality, comfort,etc but boy howdy do I love this ‘21 Platinum. Black on black with gunmetal wheels. Super.
Ride is puff, thing is quick, sound system is bangin. Sweet whip!

 

[luked14]

They both serve very different needs so the correct answer is just get one of each.

But seriously, just take the time to test drive different trims of each. You mention the limited having a softer suspension but a lot of people say the 20" wheels give it a stiffer ride than the other trims.

 

[Bmnorm2]

one's a truck, one's a car
one does truck things and drives like a truck, one does car things and drives like a car
if you need a truck and like trucks, get a 4runner. if want a more of a car feel get a highlander
if you care about mpg get the highlander, they have hybrids. highlander marginally better for families, but not 'minivan better'

both are great vehicles, capable of 500k miles if taken car of

A 7 page thread to a subjective question that only the OP can determine the right answer to...

I think your post sums it up. Both are excellent options that are 100% capable of meeting the few concerns OP mentioned about inclement weather and reliability.

Test drive them both, decide which you prefer, walk out the door and order what you want later when supply has normalized.

 

[CharlesNellis]

I've owned and/or driven the following:

19 4runner TRD OR: suspension too soft, feels like a boat, nose dive is horrendous

19 4runner with 1.75" suspension lift all around with bilstein shocks and 265 tires: perfect

Same 19 4runner but with e load 33" tires: bone jarring at first but your body gets used to it.

21 Limited: perfect, even smoother than with the 1.75" billies. It's like the smoothness of stock without the nose dive and with improved cornering.

21 Sienna Hybrid: loved it. Would pick a sienna over a highlander.

 

[WhiteMudhorn]

.....
21 Sienna Hybrid: loved it. Would pick a sienna over a highlander.

I have a '21 TRDOR and my wife has a '21 Sienna Hybrid XSE...

The Sienna XSE's "Sport" suspension is almost too rough for a minivan, but its crazy maneuverable for a minivan. The Hybrid system gets nearly 35mpg city and when we take road trips going 80mph... 29-30mpg... crazy

Its not sports car fast but plenty fast enough for city or hwy driving. Lots of usable cargo space and very versatile people hauler.

We were also able to move the middle row captains chairs back far enough to lay down thick blankets for the kiddos to sleep on the floor stretched out during our breaks.

 

[PhillySilver]

I have both and they are VERY different vehicles for VERY different purposes. As other have said, drive them and honestly evaluate your needs.

Long road trips - Highlander all the way
Simplicity - 4Runner
Utility of hauling stuff - push with maybe a slight edge towards the Highlander
Fun to drive - 4Runner
Offroad utility - 4Runner
Creature Comforts - Highlander
"Modern Interior (auto headlights, auto climate, etc) - Highlander
Better - who knows, depends on your needs. For me, 4Runner although I do drive her Highlander. For my wife, Highlander although she does drive my 4Runner.

 

[DMurder]

I test drove the Highlander Hybrid and she was a bit like a heavy girl in the hips. The 35mpg was the only positive I found. The 4Runner is a proven platform that is awesome and tough. If you want a minivan SUV get the Highlander they are great. If you want something you can work on and take off-road get the 4Runner. Both are awesome vehicles (Toyota for the win) but the highlander has had an identity crisis through the years imho.

 

[Snowtrooper]

If you can consider a Highlander in the same breath, why suffer 4Runner drawbacks like the rest of us? Get a Highlander.

Just don’t forget to post your license plate here so the lifted fellas can park next to you: Lift your spirits.