Is a 4Runner the right vehicle for me?

[CJSheridan]

Hi everyone,

My wife and I are in the market for a new vehicle. We've been driving Rav4's for the last four years and when we travel with our two small dogs, all our stuff, and with children hopefully in the near future, we both agree that we need something bigger. We have had great experiences with Toyota, so the two logical choices are the 4Runner or the Highlander...

I know this topic has been discussed before, but I have researched like crazy and I am still on the fence, so any and all advice or opinions would be great.

We live on Long Island and it will be are daily driver, so we do a lot of local driving, but we spend a great deal of time at my family's cabin upstate. We spend quite a bit of time on the highways and it snows like crazy up there. We also need to have the ability to tow an ATV or a Jet ski from time to time. I doubt it will see a ton of off road time aside from the occasional fire road or camping trip. but the roads up there are not in good shape and pot holes etc have done some pretty good damage to other cars in the past.

Obviously the 4Runner is more interesting and I think it is the vehicle that I think I want, but the reviews for the highlander are so much better than the 4Runner as far as on road performance goes. Are 4 runners that bad on the highway? A very close family member was recently hurt badly in an accident so we are extremely concerned with feeling secure and safe in our vehicle. Also, my wife thinks the highlander is one of the most boring cars she's ever seen, but it seems like a good value for the $.

I know this is a 4Runner forum so opinions my be biased, but do I need a body on frame truck like the 4Runner or is the Highlander the right choice? There are also better deals and promotions on the Highlander...

I will be test driving both very soon. Sorry for the long post. Thanks!

 

[combatmedic]

Don't apologize for asking about your families safety and needs . The 4runner will definitely be an upgrade for you as far as power and room go. I would suggest a v8 4x4 for your needs especially if driving in snow and ****ty new york winter weather. With that being said, yes the 4runner still is built on a truck chassis. The highlander is built on camry chassis. You wont be disappointed with the 4runner. Going between a highlander and 4runner is sort of going between a mustang and mustang gt. Yeah, the mustang will get you from a to b, however the gt would have the power you wanted.

Save yourself the headache, get the 4runner v8 4x4.



Quote from Highlander site on Toyota.com:

Note: The Highlander Hybrid is not designed to be driven off-road.

 

[oldsweng]

Don't apologize for asking about your families safety and needs . ...

Save yourself the headache, get the 4runner v8 4x4.



Quote from Highlander site on Toyota.com:

Note: The Highlander Hybrid is not designed to be driven off-road.

The 5th Gen 4Runner does not have a V8 available.
As far as safety goes you might want to look at this thread.

 

[gamerc]

To clarify, there is no NEW 4runner with a v8. There is a v6 that is the same across all 3 platforms: SR5, Trail, and Limited. There are some complaints that the v6 is a little lacking in power, but I am used to it, and I don't find it to be the case. I don't tow often, but when I have, I felt the weight of the trailer and ditch witch. Not a problem for me though. Towing should be expected to feel some resistance.

As for suspension and safe feeling, I didn't care for the suspension in my SR5. I also felt it lacked some of the creature features I really wanted, so I upgraded to a Limited. The XREAS difference to me was night and day.

Pros of the SR5:
~33k should get you out the door with a nice set of features.
Most of the features of the other platforms

Cons of the SR5:
Suspension is splashy and will require replacement to at least bilstein shocks to eliminate it.
No KDSS

Limited pros:
Lots of creature features. While not a luxury SUV, it is nice to see a little refinement.
XREAS suspension. This will eliminate the splashy feeling with the SR5 and Trail. KDSS (Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System) will help with lateral force, it doesn't do anything for nose dive, which is an issue with the trails and SR5. Because most of my driving is highway/city, I find the XREAS to suit my needs the best.

Cons of the Limited:
You're looking at ~41k
No KDSS

Trail Pros:
KDSS, Crawl Control, terrain select, etc. But it doesn't sound like you go off-roading (to justify the trail), so I'm not sure it's going to suit you or your wife's needs. It is essentially the same setup as the SR5 interior with a few minor modifications.

Cons:
~39k price tag with KDSS
DOES NOT COME IN BLIZZARD PEARL. <--- biggest con IMO.

 

[4RBob]

It definitely sounds like the 4Runner would be the better vehicle for your needs. The 5th Gen V6 is plenty for the light towing you will be doing and you can pack a lot of stuff in the 4Runner for those trips.

I would strongly suggest test driving the Highlander, 4Runner SR5, and the 4Runner Limited on highway, on curvy back roads, and under moderately heavy (quick) braking. As you probably have read here, the Trail with KDSS option (hard to find) and the Limited which has XREAS standard are far better handling vehicles vs the SR5 and non-KDSS Trail.

 

[Stifler]

Sounds like a good fit for your needs

I don't think the 4runner is that lack luster in the power department. Compared to a V8 sure but it isn't a sports car. SR5 with under $1k in suspension upgrades = perfect at a smaller price tag.

 

[M1911]

I have a 4th Gen 4Runner (V8 Limited 4WD with XREAS), not a 5th Gen, but I believe that my comments hold for the 5th gen as well.

My 4Runner handles pretty well, for a truck. It rides pretty well, for a truck. It brakes pretty well, for a truck. The ride can be somewhat busy on bumpy roads, as that heavy solid rear axle starts moving. On the highway, it doesn't track that well and requires concentration to keep it in your lane -- replacing the OEM Dunlops with Michelin CrossTerrains greatly improved this, but it still wanders a fair bit.

I will never mistake it for anything other than a body-on-frame, solid-rear-axle truck. That is what it is. Every time that I drive my wife's Mercedes C300, I am reminded just how badly my 4Runner handles, brakes, and tracks down the highway. I put up with my 4Runner because I take it offroad, and while it isn't a Wrangler, it has more offroad capability than a Highlander.

The Highlander has more room and drives more like a car, more like the RAV4 that you are used to. An AWD Highlander will do just fine in the snow. If you are concerned about it, then run snow tires in the winter -- that is what I do on my 4Runner. The Highlander has a lower center of gravity and is less likely to rollover in a side-impact accident. Both the Highlander and 4Runner are plenty safe in front and rear collisions.

You can get a Highlander with up to a 5000 lb towing capacity, which is the same as a 5th Gen 4Runner. Buy what you want, but given how you have described your needs, I think you should strongly consider the Highlander -- it is closer satisfying your needs than a 4Runner. Take an extended test drive in both the 4Runner and the Highlander.

 

[thebwlife]

Go test drive them both. Slam on the brakes, speed on the freeway, drive it just like you would if it was yours.

I think you'll lean toward the highlander based on your needs and previous vehicles. Not that one is better than the other, but they are two completely different vehicles. The highlander will kill the 4Runner in handling on road, in tight traffic, and drivablitly fatigue - which seems to be 99% of what you do.

From the factory the highlander will feel like a more secure vehicle due to the body roll for a body on frame vehicle vs a unibody vehicle. But test drive and find out what YOU like.

A highlander will also be fine on gravel roads and slight offroad situations.

 

[Jeremy556]

From your description, the Highlander is better suited to your needs.

Go test drive them, then get what you want.

 

[4RBob]

what i don't like about the Highlander is the gas mileage is the same as the 4Runner (4WD 4Runner vs AWD V6 Highlander). I would expect it to be better than that for being smaller, more aerodynamic, and being a crossover SUV.

if I was going the crossover route, I might look at similar vehicles that get better gas mileage.

 

[03_4x4Runner]

I think the Highlander is what you want. They ride and handle a lot better than the 4runner. The Highlander also have a lot better power right from low rpm on up and also get better mpg. Only get the 4runner if you plan to do a lot of off road and need low range. My cousin had a 4runner and traded it on a Highlander. She said she could not belive the difference and said she should have done it a long time ago, much more comfortable and easy to drive.

 

[4RBob]

The Highlander also have a lot better power right from low rpm on up and also get better mpg.

This isn't real world, but according to Toyota.com, max HP and torque come at lower RPM's on the 4Runner and gas mileage is equal when comparing apples to apples.

However, the Highlander should be quicker being lighter weight.

 

[wolfpack45]

My wife has the highlander (Base v6 2WD w/Tech Package) and the 4Runner (SR5 4WD) is mine. The Highlander handles better on the highway and gets better gas mileage. It also comes standard with a folding 3rd row, great for kids. For what you are describing my personal recommendation would be a Highlander with the optional v6 4WD. The added power would help with the occasional towing and the AWD/4WD would help with some of those nasty areas you described.

 

[KCcarguy]

My wife and I have both a Highlander LTD and a 4runner SR5. Both are great vehicles with different strengths. The highlander averages about 21-22 mpg mixed driving, the 4runner about 18 mpg. The Highlander handles and accelerates off the line better than the 4runner......my wife says my 4runner is "gutless". Though the 4runner moves pretty good with a heavy foot. The Highlander is also more versatile for carrying passengers and cargo. Seats fold down easily and the layout is easily changed. The Highlander's 3rd row is actually usable for adults, unlike the 4runner. The Highlander also does surprisingly well out rutted roads and deep snow.

Also, the rear vents on the highlander are a nice touch when carrying 4-7 people. The 4runner's climate control is a bit archaic.

I bought the 4runner for myself simply becuase it's rugged, masculine, and off-road capable. I like to hunt, fish, etc., and it was a logical upgrade from my beloved Tacoma when I became a dad.

Both vehicles have been rock-solid as expected.

In the end, you just have to test drive each and pick for yourself. You really can't loose either way, so don't be TOO LOGICAL, or you'll end up regretting it later.

 

[4RBob]

KCcarguy, is your Highlander a V6 AWD?

 

[tjnaples]

Try to test drive the Trail Edition (TE) with KDSS. You are hard pressed to find someone that isn't thrilled with the onroad performance. Offroad, well let me understate things by calling it very capable.

PM me if you have other TE questions, have a great day!

 

[whiskywizard]

It sounds like a Highlander should be in your future. I didn't see anything in your description that would cause you to favour the 4Runner.

 

[CJSheridan]

Thank you so much for all the replies - this is a great forum!

I think the problem is that I am extremely practical and reserved when it comes to big purchases like this. It seems that the Highlander is probably the right choice based on my needs, but it is just so boring! The 4runner looks better and I really like the idea of having a truck, not a car (the highlander is pretty much an AWD Camry right?) The RAV 4 sometimes does not feel "tough" enough for us in those crappy conditions in upstate NY.

Like so many of you have said, I think I need to do extensive test drives with both and see which I like better. I just need to make sure I truly like the 4Runner and not just the idea of the 4Runner... It also sounds like KDSS makes quite a difference. Is it an option on the SR5 or is it just available on Trail and Limited models?

Thanks again for all the advice!

 

[Bay33saw]

I was in the same boat as the OP, I actually liked the look of the Highlander, but after taking it for a test drive and actually sitting in it I changed mind, it was more car like to me and the inside did not really appeal to me, I actually felt cramped and I'm only 5'7.
I have two large dogs no kids and none on the way, so I was looking for a SUV based vehicle that could accomodate my needs, two large dogs, a wife that takes too much luggage everywhere no matter where we go, and truck like feel with some offroad prowness.
I did take a SR5 for a test drive but did not like the interior as it looked lacking to me, then I found a LE at Carmax that I took for a test drive, night and day difference to me between the SR5, loved the navigation and stereo, wasn't a fan of the black leather but going without was not an option on the LE, what sold me on the whole thing and it might sound crazy, but the fact that the rear window rolled down was a huge thing for me, my dogs love to hang there head out of the windows and while the window is open with the moonroof you get an amazing breeze that wafts around the back of your neck.
I have not towed anthing yet, but although it's no speed demon you plant your foot and it gets up and go, as for MPG I average 21-22 MPG on my 16 mile drive to work on the freeway.
Your doing the right thing by asking on here although some answers may be biased I would advise like others on here to decide on how much you want to spend and take both cars in the trim you want for a good test drive, in fact take several test drives, both with you and your wife and luggage eveything you would take if you had the car and then decide.

Sorry to ramble, good luck and if you get a 4 Runner post some pictures of your new ride

 

[Stifler]

If you get a highlander you can't driver through Chick Fil A anymore! lol