Midwest and NorthEast non-LE 5th gens...snow?

[999cm999]

Hey all,

I'm considering getting a 5th gen SR5 Premium or Trail edition 4Runner.

I live in South Western Pennsylvania, and we get our fair share of snow, slush, rain, and ice. I used to have an 86 Toyota Pickup 4x4 years ago, and drove it occasionally in the winter, but since then, I've had either front-wheel or AWD vehicles.

I know the Limited has AWD, but I really don't like the looks or the cost of those. But I really do love the 5th gen 4Runners.

So I'm asking non-Limited owners, how does your SR5/TE 4Runner do in snowy weather?

Thanks!

 

[1engineer]

Hey all,

I'm considering getting a 5th gen SR5 Premium or Trail edition 4Runner.

I live in South Western Pennsylvania, and we get our fair share of snow, slush, rain, and ice. I used to have an 86 Toyota Pickup 4x4 years ago, and drove it occasionally in the winter, but since then, I've had either front-wheel or AWD vehicles.

I know the Limited has AWD, but I really don't like the looks or the cost of those. But I really do love the 5th gen 4Runners.

So I'm asking non-Limited owners, how does your SR5/TE 4Runner do in snowy weather?

Thanks!

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/213139-careful-out-there-5th-gen-drivers-storm-pics.html

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/135039-getting-little-snow.html

If you want to know how the 4Runners, all 5th Gen models, do in the snow then read these 20 or so pages I just searched out and linked for you.

 

[funkshovel]

I am in Northeast, PA and picked up my '16 SR5 in early January of this year. I drove in the blizzard at the end of January on stock tires through 20+ inches without issue. Other than that I haven't had to engage 4wd. As long as you drive per the road conditions and use common sense I think you'll be very happy with a 5th gen (non-limited).

 

[999cm999]

I drove in the blizzard at the end of January on stock tires through 20+ inches without issue.

Wow, that's impressive! Were you in 4HI the entire time? Was it mostly a flat, straight route? Or did it involve curves and/or hills?

Thanks!

 

[roaringplains]

Part time 4WD vs Limited

I also live in SW PA (USC) and very recently traded a 2012 limited for a 2016 Trail, so I haven't been through a winter with the new one yet. The Limited was a nice ride and not having to worry about engaging 4WD was nice and lazy.
But I used to have a 99 (01?) T4R and several Tacomas with part time 4WD and never had problems in the snow; if it got too slippery for 2WD you'd know soon enough (though the pickups could be spooky - not uncommon to see your rear end in the mirror trying to pass you on the highway). Besides, part time 4WD, Full time 4WD, AllWheel drive and all the other iterations are for going - not for stopping or turning. Just get a good set of snow or AT tires and motor happily along.

 

[nb rob]

Hey all,

I'm considering getting a 5th gen SR5 Premium or Trail edition 4Runner.

I live in South Western Pennsylvania, and we get our fair share of snow, slush, rain, and ice. I used to have an 86 Toyota Pickup 4x4 years ago, and drove it occasionally in the winter, but since then, I've had either front-wheel or AWD vehicles.

I know the Limited has AWD, but I really don't like the looks or the cost of those. But I really do love the 5th gen 4Runners.

So I'm asking non-Limited owners, how does your SR5/TE 4Runner do in snowy weather?

Thanks!

The limiteds actually have full time 4wd, not AWD.

I have a TE, and it's a tank in the snow.... like nothing I've ever driven.
prior to that, my ex wife had 3 subarus, which all made my 4x4 pickup look like a boat anchor. The 4runner is even more impressive than the subarus.

Add winter tires, and you're all set.

 

[999cm999]

The 4runner is even more impressive than the subarus.

That's impressive! I've heard that Subarus are excellent in the snow.

 

[Engineer]

Winter Tires will make more of a difference then any trim level.

 

[wadle5]

The limiteds actually have full time 4wd, not AWD.

I have a TE, and it's a tank in the snow.... like nothing I've ever driven.
prior to that, my ex wife had 3 subarus, which all made my 4x4 pickup look like a boat anchor. The 4runner is even more impressive than the subarus.

Add winter tires, and you're all set.

That's impressive! I've heard that Subarus are excellent in the snow.

While I agree they are extremely capable vehicles, I don't think it performs better than the Subarus symetrical AWD system. Just my .02 cents from personally owning several Subarus and the wife and mother in law currently own them.
As others have said, the model trim isn't going to make a difference the driver will make due with either. A nice handicap though is to have a good set of snow tires for that weather and it will do just fine. Happy Trails :lookout:

 

[mrevilandy]

I look forward to snow in my trail. Snow tires will just make it that much more better. I do find myself from 4wheel drive to two wheel drive only because it still performs fine with 2wd. I also do it to remind me just how slippery it really is from a stop and go to not over due it. The only thing I have not messed with is 4wheel drive and putting the mts in dirt/sand which is suppose to work with snow as well.

 

[kevinpt]

was out in 18 inches of snow in my 4th gen this past winter without any problems. tires are a 255/70/18 bfg rugged terrain

 

[Antman]

My SR5 is a complete beast in the snow. It's crazy what it'll go through.

 

[cbielat]

It does just fine.

 

[pitstain]

I plan on studded tires for the winter for my 16 TRDP, I have had 3 Subarus and always ran snow tires and never got stuck unless the snow reached the chassis, the wife is on her second Subaru and refused to use winter tires and i have had to extract her twice, even with the symmetrical AWD.

Nothing beats winter or studded tires no matter what vehicle they are mounted to FWD, RWD, 4WD, AWD.

 

[jwkilgore]

In solid snow cover the trim level is irrelevant. You'll put it in full 4Hi (locked center diff) either way. The advantage of the Limited's Torsen center diff (AWD) is when you are going back and forth between snow and dry pavement.

Millions of cars on the road up north with 2WD. A Limited would be better, but any 4WD 4Runner will do fine.

(And you're right... I think the 2014+ Limited front bumpers are fugly).

 

[MayorBloom]

got mine in Dec 15 (2016 TEP). You'll be fine, think i used 4wd only a couple times, drivng up tp secen springs was one of them. It handles very well even in 2wd on the snow

 

[sandcrawler]

no problems with snow and a part-time 4WD. consider tires, as others have stated. and be sure everyone who drives it knows how and when to engage/disengage 4H.

 

[Trail Wonka]

I plan on studded tires for the winter for my 16 TRDP, I have had 3 Subarus and always ran snow tires and never got stuck unless the snow reached the chassis, the wife is on her second Subaru and refused to use winter tires and i have had to extract her twice, even with the symmetrical AWD.

Nothing beats winter or studded tires no matter what vehicle they are mounted to FWD, RWD, 4WD, AWD.

That seems odd that you would put studded tires on a TRD Pro. Really not necessary unless you like the sound they make. I would have to imagine a set of studded tires that size would be very expensive as well.


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[CoMtn4Runner]

Couldn't agree any more with this. I have owned 4 subarus and the 4runner trumps them all when it comes to snow performance. There isn't another automobile I would rather be caught in during a snowstorm.

I have a TE, and it's a tank in the snow.... like nothing I've ever driven.
prior to that, my ex wife had 3 subarus, which all made my 4x4 pickup look like a boat anchor. The 4runner is even more impressive than the subarus.

Add winter tires, and you're all set.

 

[Jhalko]

That seems odd that you would put studded tires on a TRD Pro. Really not necessary unless you like the sound they make. I would have to imagine a set of studded tires that size would be very expensive as well.

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If I had to pull my wife's car out from time to time I'd want better tires as well, I can just hear that phone call while sitting in the couch watching it snow...

Couldn't agree any more with this. I have owned 4 subarus and the 4runner trumps them all when it comes to snow performance. There isn't another automobile I would rather be caught in during a snowstorm.

I don't mind driving my wife's Audi in the snow, much lighter vehicle is much easier to stop. Once we get more than a few inches it's not fun anymore, but we usually just take my 4Runner everywhere cuz I love driving it.