Help me decide!

M

mabucfan

New member
Just found your site, and I'm thrilled - because I am in the last stages of deciding on a new car. My choices are down to the 4Runner and Highlander, although I am leaning toward the 4Runner!

1. My key considerations for the new vehicle: storage space (I've been driving a Civic for 7 years) and enhanced handling in inclement weather - is the AWD a better option, or 4WD? I am not a hardcore off roader. How does everyone find the cargo space in the 4Runner – decent?

2. In the 4Runner – what are your thoughts V6 vs V8? Is there a noticeable loss of gas mileage stepping up to the V8? Is the 4WD selection in the V6 easy to use?

You can do all the research you want on the web - but nothing beats testimonial from actual users so thanks in advance!



:cool:
 
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mabucfan,

Welcome to the forum. I will defer the comparison to the '03 owners (i have an '02 4Runner).

However, the Highlander is car-like with better handling and more comfort. 4Runner is more capable, but does sacrifice some handling. Highlander is easier to maneuver and likely more practical for everyday stuff. It is quieter and smoother on the highway. It is a proven safe vehicle. 4runner is more for outdoor activities. 4Runner has not been crash-tested.

Hope you enjoy the site.
 
Welcome to the site. I looked at the Highlander before I bought my 2001 4Runner. As I see it, the Highlander is based on the Camry, no frame, engine in sideways and basically front wheel drive. The ride is better, think of it as a tall wagon. The 4Runner has a frame, more truck like handling, it has more clearance, more skid plates, hooks undrneath to tie things off and is mainly a rear wheel drive. The 4wheel drive system are different.

Other than going off road, which of course is a 4Runner plus, the 4Runner is MUCH better at towing. You will get a better ride and better mileage in the Highlander. I feel you will get better deals on the Highlander and is a lower price to start with. The 4Runner seems to have a large loyal following, including me. :)
 
Thanks for the insight here! My battle all along has been that the Highlander is slightly cheaper, has slightly better gas mileage, and is more car like in handling - but I drove the 4Runner and really didn’t find the ride that rough, am I crazy? How about fuel - is premium a must for the Runner?

Also - for inclement weather, is 4Runners true 4WD system not better than the AWD system if the highlander?

In storage capacity too - Edmunds says the 4Runner doesn’t have much more capacity than smaller SUVs, do you find that true? Specs don’t seem to support, and in looking in I thought there was plenty of capacity.

And damn it, the 4Runner just looks cooler - doesn’t it?

Thanks again!
 
mabucfan:

First off... you really can't compare the highlander to the new 4runner. They're both in different leagues...

One is a car that is raised and the other is a truck (basically). 4runners are meant to be on the trail (or it should be) while the highlander, doubt you'll want that on the trail at all..

the new 4runners (both v6 and v8) don't need premium gas (91/92), only regular (87). I personally don't have any experience in the highlander except looking at it on the road :) As for the 4runner I can help ya out in anyway I can.

The ride of the 4runner (v8) is very smooth. Soo smooth that it felt like driving a sedan (comparing it to my 2000 v6 accord). The acceleration on the v8 is very smooth with the new 5 speed auto tranny. The gearing is soo precise that it feels just as smooth and abit stronger than the v6 accord. Keep in mind that the v8 4x4 is fulltime so that means power is being sent to all 4 wheels. I've played w/ the lo gear (when I went offroading) and I can say it's easy. Basically stop and put the car in neutral (make sure you're not moving) and then twist the knob to 4lo. You'll feel and hear the gears change and once it's done, just start driving :). To get out of 4lo just do the same thing, stop and change knob to 4hi and then you're set.

Gas Mileage: Depending on how much you drive and what kind of driving makes a bulk of the difference in gas. I've experienced anywhere from 13-19 which is like city to highway... I think the v6 is only 2mpg better if that...

The reason why I went w/ the v8 is due to the fulltime 4x4 and also the new 5 speed tranny (landcruiser and the new gx's are the only one that has em), which has to mean something good!!!

Cargo space in the back are plenty, enough for me to carry alot of my gear for a weekend out in the desert/woods.

Another thing to consider, the new 4runner has a more complex system onboard. Such as the X-reas system (helps to keep the vehicle level). Best example will be when you slam on the breaks, the vehicle's nose will dip... well w/ the x-reas system, the vehicle will stay level. (not bad)

Rear-height (limited only) raises the rear and lowers rear for towing and having "heavy occupants" onboard (jk... hehe)

I hope this helps.... O yeah, 4runner has higher resale value! :)

good luck! :)

Lance
 
toyota will always recommend a higher grade gas...
But considering the current outlook on the gas prices, I'm sticking to 87... Not like I race my 4runner and also I do maintain my vehicle more strictly than what Toyota suggests so I have no worries :)

I've seen other members use 87 with no problems what so ever (except for some sulfur smellin farts that the yota's get).

So if ya get the 4runner, don't stress too hard on putting 87... it's fine.... :)
 
Well, my opinion is opposite to GoodTimes. The 4Runner is too new to see any damage (if any) from regular fuel. I do not think Toyota always recommends a higher grade. My 3rd gen 4Runner uses 87 octane. Sequoia/Tundra uses 87 octane, BUT Land Cruiser/LX470 is recommended at 92 octane. Therefore, Toyota is pretty specific with it's recommendations.

In my OPINION, it is a wise idea to use/do whatever the manufacturer recommends.

My opinion...and 2 cents.
 
Thai:

Actually I think from what I remember, I don't remember reading anything about Toyota recommending 92 octane for the v8's and the v6's... I could be wrong but from what I remember, I believe it's 87..

I know the LC's need 92's and the Tundra's/Seq's need 87 only.

Now the flipside... If you have a sc or running it hard then 92's are needed... Other than that, the engine will be able to retard the system to be able to accept the 87's! :)

Now if someone can show me in their manual or the svc manual (cuz i got em both) and tell me that it needs 92's, my poor back pocket will be shelling out 87's...

:D

Lance
 
My owner's manual states:

"Select Octane Rating 87 (Research Octane Number 91) or higher. For improved vehicle performance, the use of premium unleaded gasoline with an Octane Rating of 91 (Research Octane Number 96) or higher is recommended."

No distinction on the V6 or V8. Based on the wording, I'm buying 87 octane (regular) gasoline.
 
Thanks John:

Reading that confirms that 87 is okay :).. Like I said before, unless you're one major "lead foot", then 87 is okay. If you can afford the 91/92 then that's cool too... As for me, I'm looking to save every penny I have on mods! hehe

Lance
 
Here we are giving opinions about 4Runner and Highlander on a 4Runner board. Of course we are going to pick the 4Runner. I would also recommend Edmunds Forums. It is very good advice on buying new cars & SUV's. If you have time read the last 3 months of Highlander and 4Runner Forum. It may give you a lot of insight for both SUV's.

http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/[email protected]@.ee94f6f

http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/[email protected]@.ee95049


(Thai you said you gave your 2 cents worth, isn't it more like 20 cents worth. That's what the difference is between regular and premium gas here in Georgia.):rolleyes:
 
peter78 said:
Here we are giving opinions about 4Runner and Highlander on a 4Runner board. Of course we are going to pick the 4Runner.
Click to expand...
Nobody claimed to be objective in our opinions .... :D

And in Arkansas, 20 cents is the price differential, too. Just trying to figure out how the station I passed today that said "full service free" was 4 cents a gallon higher than the station across the corner....
 
Thai you didn't like my joke about your 2 cents worth? :rolleyes:


Actually the use of premium gas came up when I looked at the 2001 Pathfinder. It turns out the engine will run on regular. The computer will change the timing slightly to run on regular. I assume that is what is happening with Toyota's.

If I bought the Pathfinder, I would of used premium.

That is my 20 cents worth.:)
 
Sorry Peter, somehow, i missed that joke! I am blind in my old age! :D

From what i can read on Edmunds board, the Pathfinder does lose some performance when using regular fuel, right??

I dunno, i am kinda anal in some sense. I always do what the manufacturer recommends...same for oil changes, etc..
 
That is my understanding too, if you use regular the horsepower rating drops. The engine does not run the way it was intended. The computer changes to make sure it runs on whatever you put in. (That also goes for the Toyota engines.) My thinking is, if it is meant to run properly on premium, that is what I should use. I remember adding up the difference between regular and premium at 16 MPG for 100,000 miles. It was $1,250. While it is a bit of money, in the overall scheme of buying a $30,000 SUV it was not a deciding factor.

It is OK not to laugh at my jokes, it has to be funny first before you can laugh.:)
 
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Thai:

I took a close look at the 4runner spec link you provided and this is the first that I have seen that says 91/92 is recommended for both v6 and the v8 models. Now thinking about it, I would say that maybe the v6 should use premium only because it has a significantly higher compression ratio compared to the v8.

Keep in mind that a 10.0 (v6) compression ratio isn't relatively too high that it requires premium gas. But anything over 10.0 is pretty high enough that I would put in some premium.. :)

These newer cars have retarding systems in the mechanical and the electrical side to control the fuel. It senses the knocking and then adjusts accordingly. This means that even if you throw in some really crappy gas, the engine will adjust accordingly so that it can run. Obviously, prolong use crappy gas can result in some problems but in the 03 4runner case (v8), I believe that using 87 octane is a non-issue.

The bottom line is that the v8's has a lower compression of 9.6 (which is identical to the tundra/sequoia) and both those vehicles only require 87, so I believe that regular is fine. UNLESS you are driving aggressively then I suggest premium. But the way I drive (old fart style!), I don't think I need to worry about a few hp loss..

All the v6 owners out there, I'd say go with premium since the compression hits 10.0... (like maybe every other fill or something like that).

Peter:
Both the v6/v8 engine is designed to run on 87 octane gas. It just states that it can run on both 87 and 92 octane. This doesn't mean that because you run 87 octane, the engine will deteriorate and break down. The design is built to run on 87, but it can use 92...

my .20 cents of comment (worth 1 gal upgrade of gas!)

Lance
 
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