Keeping my 5th Gen 4Runner for now despite the 2025 4Runner redesign

[thennen]

I wouldn't want any of those cylinder deactivation engines, regardless of brand. If memory serves, didn't General Motors try that many years ago (in the 1980s I believe) with their V-8s? Evidently it was a flop back then. The idea didn't seem to hang around very long. And now it's being tried again? No thanks. Just more crap to go wrong.

My mom had one of those - a red Coupe deVille with the V8-6-4. They eventually got rid of it for a Lincoln. That V8-6-4 was used for one model year - 1981 - and was a horrible failure. Most owners eventually had it permanently disabled.

 

[flyrv9]

Yup I think Caddy called it the Northstar V8 that would drop cylinders in pairs by computer control. We have a 2000 Tundra with the 4.7 V8. It's been pretty much bullet proof. I've had to change 3 O2 sensors I did myself. I also had the timing belt and water pump changed at 90K by the dealer. Other than that - no issues - it just runs!

We also have a 2013 4Runner SR5 which also has been a great vehicle. It has been problem free. The backup cam is worthless tho! It has about 45K miles now - as being retired we don't drive as much. I'd take either vehicle on a cross country trip tomorrow with no worries. No real gear hunting but some on hills. I remember a thread where it was suggested to use S mode to combat that.

We also have a 95 Nissan pickup 4cyl and 5 speed. It has 200K miles and just keeps going on the original clutch. A 5speed these days is a pretty good security perk. Most of todays car thiefs can't drive a stick!

 

[ridgerunner89]

I decided to pick up 2010 sr5 with 215k on it from a good friend. Vehicle seems to be still running strong, hopefully I’ll be able to put another 215k on it.

 

[Blackgoat]

I Don't know fellas but.. That Damn Seqoia Capstone is the Shizz.
I looked in a Clients last week with the cinnimon interior and that thing looks really really nice..

 

[westwind77]

After seeing the redesign I bought a '24 to replace my '10, so you are not in the 'wrong' at all. The 5th Gen 4R was a great success and I see a lot of them on the road where I am. I see more 4R's than explorers, which was never the case a decade ago. However, I think they are going to lose some of their current owners who look to purchase in '25 and beyond with this redesign.

 

[AggieOE]

I like the new one (if I was in the market for something new) but honestly, I haven't seen anything that'd make me swap from a 5th gen.

Honestly, I think Toyota set the brand's new styling bar with the 2014 4Runner and the design still looks fresh. Exterior wise, the new 6th gen looks good too but doesn't really date the 5th gen like many brands do. Also, I personally don't like the new interior.

Unless safety and MPG increase significantly without compromising capability, I'm pretty good to wait for something that shocks me. A 1-3 mpg increase isn't going to put me into a new tier of lifestyle.

 

[t6pilot]

My youngest works for Toyota and picks up his 2024 this week, specked out how he wanted it, plans on keeping it along time
I have a 18 looks and drives like new, not going anywhere

 

[thatoneguy]

I read an article on MotorTrend comparing the Tacoma (which the 2025 4Runner is based on for the most part) to the Ford Ranger and it pointed out a lot of flaws in the new Tacoma.

Loud when driving, wandering/hunting 8 speed transmission, numb steering feel to name a few things in the article. I’ve done a massive amount of updates to my 2015 4Runner Trail Premium to where it now actually feels like a premium vehicle, so while I was looking forward to the redesign I think this is putting the brakes on me buying the new model. I also kind of like the boxier look of the 5th gen but that one is minor.

I think people with the older generation of a vehicle have a knee-jerk habit of poo-poo'ing on the new one upon release, especially when they haven't driven it. It makes you feel better about what you have, that you "bought the exact perfect one". Maybe it's a coping mechanism. In reality, most new generations are overall better than the prior ones (with some exceptions).

I think there is a near zero chance that:
-The new Tacoma/4Runner is louder than the outgoing generation while driving. Noise, Vibration, & Harshness are what every manufacturer chases on next generation designs, along with increased structural rigidity.
-The new Tacoma/4Runner gear hunt more, or even as much, as the not-exactly-world-class 5-speed and 6-speed autos in the outgoing ones. EVERYBODY talks about the hunting behavior of the 5 and 6 speeds. I've heard 2024 Tacoma reviewers repeatedly say the transmission shifting behavior is night-and-day compared to the notorious old Tacoma automatic. When people list positives of these outgoing transmissions, they list bulletproof reliability. That tends to be the end of the list.

Numb steering? Well, it's generally regarded as a characteristic of EPS racks, and EPS racks are chosen for efficiency and other reasons (such as the ability to be easily controlled by driver assistance systems).

I personally also like the boxier look of 5G compared to the very slanted 6G windshield, which was likely done for efficiency reasons. The Land Cruiser 250 retains a steep windshield and I really like how it looks. This new platform is probably going to be much improved over the old when it comes to thinks like rotting out from rust.

 

[Drew76]

I just ordered a 2024 ORP in Underground. There are none around locally, I had a bit of a hard time finding a dealer that did not want to only sell what was sitting on a lot and force financing on me. Will find out more but could be waiting as long as October. I’ve been eyeing a new 5th gen Runner for a while and the redesign for next year made me pull the trigger if I ever wanted a new one the time is now lol.

I’m in no rush don’t really need a new vehicle but my 3rd gen won’t last forever, still keeping it for winter driving and abuse. I’ve had it for 8 yrs, if I had bought it new or lived south I would just keep it forever.

I daily drive a 2020 F-150 with the 5.0 V8 and 10 speed trans, while the almost 400hp is nice the trans is terrible, keeps needing to be reset sometimes when it downshifts it feels like I am being rear ended. The oil usage is also brutal. It’s a fleet truck I’ve had it since new have over 100k miles if I spent my own money on it I would not be happy as the owner. Just my .02

 

[mnofpeace]

Sounds about right to me 6th gen vs 5th...tho many argued the 5th Gen wasnt as good as the 4th when they kilt the V8 option...

my 2yr plan, depending on if Jr. gets any scholarship money in 2027...

Plan A Test drive the 2024-2025 Land Cruiser...if i like it, im buying it-period
Plan B look for an LC200 or a Full cabin Tundra
Plan C (here's where it ties in) look for the latest yr T4R TRD Pro i can find, lowest miles with a good price...and settle for that.

My 2014 T4R has 170k on the clocks, and still runs new, so an upgraded TRD-P model would still be an upgrade for me...it may not turn into the 'classic' many think it will...but nothing beats a solid, dependable, and rugged 4Runner

the 6th Gen, meh...again, if i like the new LC, then ill buy it, hybrid and all.

 

[Humble Leader]

I daily drive a 2020 F-150 with the 5.0 V8 and 10 speed trans, while the almost 400hp is nice the trans is terrible, keeps needing to be reset sometimes when it downshifts it feels like I am being rear ended. The oil usage is also brutal. It’s a fleet truck I’ve had it since new have over 100k miles if I spent my own money on it I would not be happy as the owner. Just my .02

I don't think any newer cars are really well made anymore. that includes toyota. the older f150s v8 were indestructible. with turbos, cylinder management, and plastic crap parts all to meet environmental standards / earn grant money (it's really sad to see the 4runner go the same route after going strong so long as body on frame, NA v6, built in Japan) that is going to be the result. what's worse is prices keep going up. I'm all for conserving the planet and cleaner technology but in reality the consumers bear a significant brunt of all the costs (higher gas prices and more expensive vehicles, electric vehicles still aren't affordable and not enough charging locations).

I have a 2012 4runner with 165k miles and a 2010 rx350 with only 115k miles. the rx is a garage queen, in near perfect condition and doesn't really get driven at all. I won't sell it. it's been the most reliable vehicle I have ever owned with not a single non-wear and tear maintenance item in over 14 years (of being in the canada winter/road salt climate). the 4runner is not far behind but there has been the odd repair here and there, but nothing significant -granted it does have more miles (and some trail / battle scars) on it

 

[thatoneguy]

Sounds about right to me 6th gen vs 5th...tho many argued the 5th Gen wasnt as good as the 4th when they kilt the V8 option...

my 2yr plan, depending on if Jr. gets any scholarship money in 2027...

Plan A Test drive the 2024-2025 Land Cruiser...if i like it, im buying it-period
Plan B look for an LC200 or a Full cabin Tundra
Plan C (here's where it ties in) look for the latest yr T4R TRD Pro i can find, lowest miles with a good price...and settle for that.

My 2014 T4R has 170k on the clocks, and still runs new, so an upgraded TRD-P model would still be an upgrade for me...it may not turn into the 'classic' many think it will...but nothing beats a solid, dependable, and rugged 4Runner

the 6th Gen, meh...again, if i like the new LC, then ill buy it, hybrid and all.

Plan C isn't too bad. I'd maybe suggest looking at TRD ORP's rather than PRO's, used PROs hold value much more stubbornly than ORPs, and don't have much extra to show for it. Far more ORPs are built as well, lots of selection.

 

[thatoneguy]

(it's really sad to see the 4runner go the same route after going strong so long as body on frame, NA v6, built in Japan) that is going to be the result.

The new 6th gen 4Runner is still body on frame (and likely more resistant to rotting out this time...), and still built in Japan. The only one of those three points that seems to be correct is the N/A V6 bit. If you can't trust a well-designed 4 cylinder engine, there's nothing wrong with that, but others can, and you will be restricted to the Nissan Frontier, or the used market.

I'm pretty sure the sky isn't falling. I don't think we're entering a new age of Tacomas and 4Runners being unreliable. I bet a lot of people saw the more modern 4th gen 4Runner, with all its extra complication, and thought "oh man the 3rd gen will be the last reliable 4Runner".... and then the 4th gen proved as or MORE reliable, with significantly less problem points and costly maintenance.

 

[mnofpeace]

Plan C isn't too bad. I'd maybe suggest looking at TRD ORP's rather than PRO's, used PROs hold value much more stubbornly than ORPs, and don't have much extra to show for it. Far more ORPs are built as well, lots of selection.

Full disclosure, id opt for a full TRD Pro to basically go FULL TILT Upgrade at that point. Ive got nothing against an OR...i would just want every ounce of upgrade i could get at that point, including the upgraded or overhyped suspension as well. Not to mention the cosmetics of getting a PRO as well.

but again, ALL of this dreaming is predicated on my brilliant high schooler earning some sort of scholarship as to keep me from shelling out monthly allotments of tuition payments the way his older sister had me perform...

and if i have to pay for him too...then my current 4Runner might still be my chariot of choice.

 

[gomiami]

Sounds about right to me 6th gen vs 5th...tho many argued the 5th Gen wasnt as good as the 4th when they kilt the V8 option...

my 2yr plan, depending on if Jr. gets any scholarship money in 2027...

Plan A Test drive the 2024-2025 Land Cruiser...if i like it, im buying it-period
Plan B look for an LC200 or a Full cabin Tundra
Plan C (here's where it ties in) look for the latest yr T4R TRD Pro i can find, lowest miles with a good price...and settle for that.

My 2014 T4R has 170k on the clocks, and still runs new, so an upgraded TRD-P model would still be an upgrade for me...it may not turn into the 'classic' many think it will...but nothing beats a solid, dependable, and rugged 4Runner

the 6th Gen, meh...again, if i like the new LC, then ill buy it, hybrid and all.

Plan B looks wonderful if you can find a pristine 200-series. :trophy: