If you had to drive another SUV instead of the 4Runner....

[amheck]

Hi group.

2004 4Runner Limited owner here. I've been waiting for the last couple of years hoping the 4Runner gets updated before purchasing a new truck. Well, the 2020 year seem to hit most of my wants (push start, stereo upgrade, safety stuff) but then I started to think, I might like to drive something else for a couple years before jumping into another 4Runner for another 10-15 years.

Just curious what you all would consider driving if you had to chose something other than your Toyota?

I do want an SUV, but truth be told, I don't do any offroading at all. Its mainly a kid and grocery and home depot hauler, but I like the ruggedness of it.

Was thinking about maybe leasing something I'd never buy, but everytime I look at the lease prices, they are way up there. Like the Cayenne/Discovery/Audi Q7, etc. I'd like to stay in the low 400's if possible with little to no money out of pocket.

Anyone know anything about the VW Atlas? I always like the German cars, too.

Was considering the leasing just so I could easily get out of it after 3 years and then jump right into a new or slightly used 4Runner again.

 

[mesooohoppy]

i wouldnt get an SUV the one thing i hate about my runner that im getting used to is the terrible gas mileage. holy hell is it bad. i thought my VW CC was bad enough at 20ish MPG.

if you look into a an atlas, make sure its not one of the VWs with the problem powerplants. i am not sure if theyre still making troubled powerplants, but there is enough documentation around for me to never want to even pertain a VW again. mine was surprisingly very easy to take care of, but it had more recalls than all the other cars ive owned, combined.

kid and grocery hauler? buy a prius.

 

[amheck]

kid and grocery hauler? buy a prius.

For the gas? Definitely? To feel good about myself when driving it around? not so much....

I'd def take one of the Tesla Model S or X but those are $$$

 

[thennen]

If I wanted a 'nicer' SUV, similar in size, I would probably go for a Highlander. My experience with Toyotas is so extensive and so positive that I would have a very difficult time switching to a different brand. That's just me, though.

 

[amheck]

yeah, the highlanders are nice and I'm sure probably fit my driving better. Will take a look at them and see if they are different enough for me. I do love Toyota though.

The other thing is that I think my wife calls those (and many others) "Mom's Cars" so trying to find something I like that's a "Mans car" can be difficult sometiimes.

 

[JAXJeremy]

To be honest, I don't think there's another SUV that falls into the same category as the 4Runner..perhaps a Jeep but that about it and I wouldn't want one over my 4R..sure you could call an Explorer and SUV but to me that's more of a "mom" car..

if you want to step up maybe take a look at a Tahoe or Yukon..

 

[Bumbo]

Ill be honest… if I completely stopped any camping and off-road activities I don’t think I would own a 4Runner. It’s nice, but it’s slow, it’s inefficient in comparison to something that isn’t BOF, and lacks may modern creature comforts, luxury, and safety features when compared to other modern SUVs.

Other SUVs that are of interest to me for a more city or road trip focused drive is the Chevy / GMC Yukon Denali, Porsche Macan, Merc G-Wagon, Land Cruiser and even the GX but that is still about as every bit as capable as a 4Runenr off-road.

I am off-roading and camping less and less these days, but the option to get out there and adventure is why I still have the 4Runner and a truck. 4Runner isn’t a bad daily driver for what I want in life. It’s the responsible choice from a financial standpoint for me. Solid, reliable, good resale, capable.

 

[5thToy]

Perhaps a Grand Cherokee. The only way I would have one is on a lease. I would never try to keep one for 10-15 years like a Toyota.

 

[Bumbo]

Perhaps a Grand Cherokee. The only way I would have one is on a lease. I would never try to keep one for 10-15 years like a Toyota.

I was temporarily in love with the Grand Cherokee SRT, the power and performance is just so satisfying, but I agree with your thoughts about long term ownership.

 

[mteolus]

Get the new Honda Passport. It is just a shortened Pilot but looks better. Very fast with the 6 cylinder and better looking than the Pilot. Will be costly but resale value after 1.5 years will be excellent.

 

[Bumbo]

I do like Honda/Acura products and recently check out the Acura RDX and MDX… those would also be worth looking at as well, they were pretty nice.

 

[dot_tom]

I'm in the opposite boat. I have a 2017 4Runner and want a new JLUR to throw some 37s under and do more off-roading.

If it wasn't for camping and off-roading I would own a sports car. Maybe a convertible.

 

[Bumbo]

I'm in the opposite boat. I have a 2017 4Runner and want a new JLUR to throw some 37s under and do more off-roading.

If it wasn't for camping and off-roading I would own a sports car. Maybe a convertible.

Sounds like fun, get one of those too. I still have an older but nice luxury sedan that I keep around.

A properly fixed up off-road truck blows on road... I learned that with my 4th gen after going to town with modifications. No sense chewing up my mud terrains on the road. At least that's the excuse I tell myself to justify my decision to own more than one vehical.

 

[Charlievee]

I would go back to a 96 Bronco with a 351 and you guys complain about gas mileage. Lol.
No more new. Build not buy!

 

[Drobs]

Wrangler Rubicon w/ 6 speed manual transmission.

I'll probably get one someday. Came real close this time around. The 4Runner was way more comfortable and I expect to be way more reliable.

 

[TacoRunn0517]

Good question. As some have mentioned, I can't really see myself in another vehicle. I really the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Jeep Wrangler that much more. The 4Runner is just something I know that will age better. I do have a '07 Triumph Daytona 675 so its a little bit of a change of pace haha. I know that my main vehicle will always have a Toyota/Lexus badge if I can help it. It will either be a SUV or truck for me. My parents have had their Toyotas since 2005 (Dad = Tacoma) and 2010 (Mom = Venza) and got me to appreciate that Toyota makes vehicles that you can own for a while and enjoy. Flaws and all, Toyota gets the job done for me (and them) consistently.

 

[nimby]

I'd probably go for the new RAV-4 hybrid.

If you're considering leasing, you're going to want to lease a vehicle that has a high resale (residual) value after 3 years. That way your monthly payments will be on the lower side.

 

[thennen]

Good question. As some have mentioned, I can't really see myself in another vehicle. I really the Jeep Grand Cherokee and the Jeep Wrangler that much more. The 4Runner is just something I know that will age better. I do have a '07 Triumph Daytona 675 so its a little bit of a change of pace haha. I know that my main vehicle will always have a Toyota/Lexus badge if I can help it. It will either be a SUV or truck for me. My parents have had their Toyotas since 2005 (Dad = Tacoma) and 2010 (Mom = Venza) and got me to appreciate that Toyota makes vehicles that you can own for a while and enjoy. Flaws and all, Toyota gets the job done for me (and them) consistently.

Some may see sticking with Toyota as boring. Toyota rarely introduces the most cutting-edge anything. But every time I got into any Toyota I’ve owned, that S.O.B started and ran. So if your 4.0 V6 4Runner (or whatever Toyota you have) isn’t the fastest or most flashy, at least it has solid engineering behind it that no other automaker has surpassed. In my view, well-baked reliability is the single most attractive thing a vehicle can possess.

 

[TacoRunn0517]

Some may see sticking with Toyota as boring. Toyota rarely introduces the most cutting-edge anything. But every time I got into any Toyota I’ve owned, that S.O.B started and ran. So if your 4.0 V6 4Runner (or whatever Toyota you have) isn’t the fastest or most flashy, at least it has solid engineering behind it that no other automaker has surpassed. In my view, well-baked reliability is the single most attractive thing a vehicle can possess.

Couldn't say it any better myself! The day I leave Toyota is the day they have abandoned reliability as their calling card.

 

[Hoser]

This 4Runner is my first Toyota, and I'm extremely impressed with it. I have had quite a few 4X4 suv style vehicles. 1 Jeep CJ-5, two Jeep Grand Cherokees, and the 08 Chrysler Aspen I currently own. I hear ya'll say the 4Runner has poor gas mileage, our Aspen has a 5.7 Hemi. So based on that, if I had to choose other than a 4Runner, it would be the new Jeep pickup.