Is the 4Runner the best vehicle in the world?

Zhaicne

New member
Since the stay at home orders have been enacted pretty much everywhere, I've had a lot of time to think and ponder. Is the 4Runner the best vehicle in the world? I mean this in terms of reputation, quality, capability, craftsmanship, looks, reliability, and price. I'd venture to go as far as to say yes it is. I can't really think of any other vehicle that would fit the bill as well? Ideas? Thoughts?
 
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The best is kinda relative to what you need the tool to do. I would agree it is one of the most versatile vehicles out there, and probably offers the most versatility per dollar (if there was such a calculation).
 
Since the stay at home orders have been enacted pretty much everywhere, I've had a lot of time to think and ponder. Is the 4Runner the best vehicle in the world? I mean this in terms of reputation, quality, capability, craftsmanship, looks, reliability, and price. I'd venture to go as far as to say yes it is. I can't really think of any other vehicle that would fit the bill as well? Ideas? Thoughts?
I would say "no" just because all of those criteria are so subjective.

Reputation - It does have a great reputation
Quality - How do you define that? Sure it is mechanically sound but the interior materials are not nearly on par with more expensive vehicles or even my last '20 Rubicon. The Entune sucks compared to UConnect and that's just sad.
Capability - Many more capable vehicles out there... Jeep in the same price range. Land Cruiser if you want to spend more money.
Craftsmanship - Decent, but again more money can buy better. Is it the same craftsmanship as a Ferrari or Kirkham Roadster? Admittedly limited by price point.
Looks - Very subjective. I still get aggravated that I let my '10 TE go last year.
Reliability - Probably pretty hard to beat in this category.
Price - It is priced well for what you get.

It's a very good vehicle, but "best in the world" is a stretch. My wife thinks her Subaru is the best vehicle in the world. I know somebody who thinks Chevrolet makes the best cars and trucks in the world. Final answer is... it depends.
 
I would say "no" just because all of those criteria are so subjective.

Reputation - It does have a great reputation
Quality - How do you define that? Sure it is mechanically sound but the interior materials are not nearly on par with more expensive vehicles or even my last '20 Rubicon. The Entune sucks compared to UConnect and that's just sad.
Capability - Many more capable vehicles out there... Jeep in the same price range. Land Cruiser if you want to spend more money.
Craftsmanship - Decent, but again more money can buy better. Is it the same craftsmanship as a Ferrari or Kirkham Roadster? Admittedly limited by price point.
Looks - Very subjective. I still get aggravated that I let my '10 TE go last year.
Reliability - Probably pretty hard to beat in this category.
Price - It is priced well for what you get.

It's a very good vehicle, but "best in the world" is a stretch. My wife thinks her Subaru is the best vehicle in the world. I know somebody who thinks Chevrolet makes the best cars and trucks in the world. Final answer is... it depends.

I think I agree with all of this 100%; couldn't have said it better,

Edit: BUT I would say YES rather than No due to bang for buck.

I would like to add that I think part of what makes it great is how you are really able to personalize to your preferences more than probably any other vehicle in this category (Jeeps would be close for sure). Kind of reminds me of the way the aftermarket is for a Mustang. There are so many tasteful and useful modifications you can do to make it work for what you want and make it your own.
 
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Yes. It is the best in the world. I have two.
 

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I like the LC76 far more than the 4Runner, but you can't buy a new one on the US.

If FCA cared about QC, the Wrangler/Gladiator would be better than the 4Runner.

The redesigned Prado is better in every way than the current 4Runner and GX, but also not available in the US.

So, no.

With that said, I love my 2013 TE as much as my 60 and 80 series LCs. It's the only non-Land Cruiser vehicle I've kept past 5 years.
 
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Comparison is subjective try to to keep apples tp apples I think at the price and reliability the 4Runner has no comparison there are issues with upscaling but from experience I’ve had with a x5(quality ride handling)and Range Rover(unstoppable I had 9 people in mine in a blizzard) but both had expensive habits as well finding a tech with computer knowledge to fix routine items
Mike
 
For my current lifestyle, yes, it checks most boxes.
For my previous life conditions, no, it would not be the best vehicle.
We currently have four "cars" in our motor pool (not including motorcycles & atvs) that covers our needs.
Wifes 4 door Ram 2500 has room for 4 adults, carrying (long bed) and towing.
The 4runner hauls the 4 of us, offroad capable, and has a/c which my previous daily driver didn't.
Dodge Magnum fits all 4, slightly better fuel mileage & easier to park.
My old F100. Only seats 3, hauls lots of stuff (long bed) & light towing. This one doesn't have a/c.
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I’m not going to dig it up again, but Consumer Reports says the 4Runner is the most reliable vehicle you can buy over the past ten years or so. It was the top vehicle each year. If you’re talking about something other than reliability, I don’t know.
 
:music:

You're the best, around.
Nothing's gonna ever break it down.

You're the best, around.
Nothing's gonna ever drive me 'round.
 
The best truck in the world would at least:

Come with a set of manuals - or a CD

Display data about the vehicles condition without having to connect a computer to do it.

Display tire pressure without having to connect a computer and for God's sake include the spare.

Have a descent Nav system with free and easy map updates - like most all the other GPS makers.

Be able to connect your phone without a degree in communications and have the system not require more action after updates.

No not the best - not even close when they have trouble with the simple stuff.
 
America is unlike most of the world. What we value isn't nearly the same as most other vehicle owners in the world. This is why Toyota is as big as it is. And that's why most, including myself, consider the LC the best Toyota vehicle.
 
For my current lifestyle, yes, it checks most boxes.
For my previous life conditions, no, it would not be the best vehicle.
We currently have four "cars" in our motor pool (not including motorcycles & atvs) that covers our needs.
Wifes 4 door Ram 2500 has room for 4 adults, carrying (long bed) and towing.
The 4runner hauls the 4 of us, offroad capable, and has a/c which my previous daily driver didn't.
Dodge Magnum fits all 4, slightly better fuel mileage & easier to park.
My old F100. Only seats 3, hauls lots of stuff (long bed) & light towing. This one doesn't have a/c.
c593e1334e98a6854cfb68376aaf92e2.jpg


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My 68 F100 is all numbers matching. My Grandpa was the original owner, over 50 years ago.
Manual transmission, brakes, steering, windows. No circuit boards anywhere on the vehicle (ok, the radio). Still rocking the breaker point ignition. So it's EMP proof.
Three fuel tanks.
Not the most comfy. Not the easiest to drive. No air conditioning. But it always gets from point A to point B. Always.
The best vehicle? Depends on wants vs needs.

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Yes indeed

Toyota makes the greatest number of vehicles that are likely to exceed 200,000 miles. They are the best made vehicles and I think the 4 runner is better made than any vehicle in its class. My 96" has 319,000 miles and still runs as well as new and is still ultra reliable. My son's 07 4th has 260,000 miles and runs as good as the wife 2018 Trd. Yes it is the best all around SUV.
 

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I think I agree with all of this 100%; couldn't have said it better,

Edit: BUT I would say YES rather than No due to bang for buck.

I would like to add that I think part of what makes it great is how you are really able to personalize to your preferences more than probably any other vehicle in this category (Jeeps would be close for sure). Kind of reminds me of the way the aftermarket is for a Mustang. There are so many tasteful and useful modifications you can do to make it work for what you want and make it your own.

Coming from the Jeep world for 2 decades. there is nothing that compares to it as far as modifications. I actually wish it were easier to mod the 4R, but I enjoy driving it way more than any Jeep I've owned. I'm also assuming it will be better in terms of quality. Jeeps are way better off road when crawling. The 4R blows it out if the water going faster in the dirt which I prefer. I own a 4R because I like the looks and it does exactly what I want off road. Its a true Swiss army knife.
 
The best truck in the world would at least:

Come with a set of manuals - or a CD

Display data about the vehicles condition without having to connect a computer to do it.

Display tire pressure without having to connect a computer and for God's sake include the spare.

Have a descent Nav system with free and easy map updates - like most all the other GPS makers.

Be able to connect your phone without a degree in communications and have the system not require more action after updates.

No not the best - not even close when they have trouble with the simple stuff.

My 2020 Off Road Pro Premium came with a paper manual a big one, has tire pressure monitoring system that is displayed between the tack and speedo. Has Apple Car Pay. And as to your comment about the GPS, I own several different GPS units, on a boat (most difficult), BMW X5, Harley Davidson, a handheld, and my Toyota. I can say through experience that the Toyota is the most intuitive one of all.

The OP asks is the 4Runner the best vehicle ever? IMO of course not, every vehicle is a comprise.
My wish list for the perfect 4Runner:
1) More power on the highway. Of course I compare it to my X5, but still at times it seems a bit anemic.
2) Better interior plastics. I consider myself very careful when it comes to loading items in my vehicles, the 4Runners interior panels seem to scratch much easier then any other vehicle that I have owned.
3) A better tow capacity but this may go hand in hand with a more powerful engine, and speaking of towing who put the trailer plug 6’ under the vehicle. I have to lay on my back to plug the trailer in. That is until I made an extension and bolted to the rear bumper.
 

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