Must decide: Toyota 4Runner vs Highlander

[ProspectiveBuyer]

We need to buy a larger vehicle (my current daily commuter is a Mazda Miata) and my wife wants either a Highlander or a Mazda CX9. Personally, I think that the 4Runner is a more interesting alternative, although the lack of manual transmission is a major turn-off. My off-roading experience is zero, although I did take my Miata to the track a few times. I would be interested in having fun off-road, although I dont know where to begin

From a driver enthusiast's perspective, which one is superior? Is the 4Runner essentially an off-road truck?

Thank you for your help!

 

[Cheers!]

Buy a highlander.

 

[mace.]

^^^^^ x2

 

[ProspectiveBuyer]

Buy a highlander.

Thanks. Are you saying that simply because the Highlander is more car-like than the 4Runner?

 

[Gobius]

Yep, if you're even considering a Highlander and a CX-9, then you'll probably be happier with the Highlander.

 

[Bad_Influence]

FWIW, i went on a road trip last year in a 2012 highlander and it drives a lot better on the highway than my 4runner.

 

[ProspectiveBuyer]

Yep, if you're even considering a Highlander and a CX-9, then you'll probably be happier with the Highlander.

Let me clarify. If it was my choice alone, I would buy a Subaru WRX.

However, my wife (not me!) wants 'an SUV'. I was wondering which SUV can potentially offer ME a potential for fun. The Highlander is nice, but super-boring.

 

[Seattle206]

Wife would enjoy the Highlander a lot more. My auntie has one and her kids love riding in it.

Especially with the 2014+ 4Runners, most females consider then too "aggressive" in the front but the 4th gens are good looking in their books.

If you plan to drive an SUV offroad on just gravel roads/grass but not rough terrain with mud, dirt and primitive roads I would opt the Highlander or even a Pilot.

 

[1engineer]

Highlander for the win for you.

 

[oljedi11950]

Assume we're talking 2wd ? If so highlander for sure rides like a camry & the best part of an suv IMO is being up higher to see traffic which to me is super important especially if you have kids ! The advantage to see ahead is a luxury with as many bad drivers out there . Also have awd if needed !

 

[AudiTech]

The Highlander is crossover, the 4Runner is a body on a frame truck.

The Highlander will ride better, it's smoother, the steering is more precise, the turning radius is smaller, it'll brake better, etc, etc, etc, it's an easier to drive vehicle, it's like a big car.

The 4Runner is bigger, higher, MUCH burlier, better off road, better in bad weather, it can haul more, it can tow more, it can accidentally back over your miata if you're not paying attention. It's a big, burly, rugged, reliable go (almost) anywhere truck.

Neither one is better than the other, it's all about using the right tool for the job. If you look under a Highlander it's a McPherson Strut front suspension, independent rear suspension, small axles, small driveshafts, small differentials, small control arms... it's a big cushy AWD hatchback. You look under a 4Runner and it's a solid rear axle, skid plates, huge suspension components, bulky drivetrain, big everything... it's a truck with a full body. They are totally different classes of vehicles, if you're cross shopping a CX9 a 4Runner is not what you're looking for.

 

[spitfiremkiii]

There is more vertical clearance in a miata with the top down than any suv

I have a 97 Miata (supercharged) a 94 4R SR5 and 2012 T4R trail with KDSS. Before purchasing the trail I rented several suv's including a Jeep, a Caddie, a highlander and test drove a CX9. Of all the vehicles the T4R Trail was the best handling on the road. The lack of manual box is annoying but I have gotten use to it and frequently use manual selection of gears especially on twisty roads. I liked the handling of the highlander and I drove both on and off road -rutted and steep gravel roads covered in snow and ice and the AWD worked well in all situations I encountered. Generally a good ride but softer than my trail. I liked the highlander and shortlisted it. Especially the price compared to the Trail.
The Highlander I think has easier access for driver and passengers (not as high off the ground)
The T4R with KDSS has thicker roll bars which help in the handling coupled with manual selection of gears makes for an all round joy in driving on road.
Now the T4Rs have stability control and if the ecu thinks you are going too fast round a bend it will "break" the outside front wheel causing the front end to wash out of the bend. When it first happens it does cause certain muscles to contract. The SR5 and trail are both part time 4X4 , which means they are rear wheel drive when not in 4x4. It's definitely not a miata but for a big truck the handling is excellent. The T4R is an off road truck that handles well on the road. If you are considering T4R do test drive a trail with KDSS before you decide. Now I will admit my Trail spends nearly 100% of its time on the road but when it has been in adverse conditions it has performed exceptionally well……which just means you will have the capability of getting really stuck in a really remote place!
…as for space the miata wins….I needed to transport a compressor and tall air tank that had to be kept vertical so the oil would stay in place. So it was top down in the miata with the thing squeezed between the center console and the door with window down in the passenger seat…oh and it was snowing.

 

[Maverick]

You sound like a car enthusiast with a miata taken to the track and the desire for a WRX. The 4Runner is more of an enthusiast vehicle than a highlander. If it is mainly for you to drive, then consider the 4Runner. If it is mainly for your wife, then she would likely be happier in the highlander. You could also consider a used SUV and a WRX :car:

 

[ProspectiveBuyer]

The Highlander is crossover, the 4Runner is a body on a frame truck.

The Highlander will ride better, it's smoother, the steering is more precise, the turning radius is smaller, it'll brake better, etc, etc, etc, it's an easier to drive vehicle, it's like a big car.

The 4Runner is bigger, higher, MUCH burlier, better off road, better in bad weather, it can haul more, it can tow more, it can accidentally back over your miata if you're not paying attention. It's a big, burly, rugged, reliable go (almost) anywhere truck.

Neither one is better than the other, it's all about using the right tool for the job. If you look under a Highlander it's a McPherson Strut front suspension, independent rear suspension, small axles, small driveshafts, small differentials, small control arms... it's a big cushy AWD hatchback. You look under a 4Runner and it's a solid rear axle, skid plates, huge suspension components, bulky drivetrain, big everything... it's a truck with a full body. They are totally different classes of vehicles, if you're cross shopping a CX9 a 4Runner is not what you're looking for.

That was an excellent explanation. Thank you!

 

[ProspectiveBuyer]

Thank you all for the informative replies. I now have a much better idea of what is involved.

My wife is asking: which of these vehicles is easier to get into trouble (accident) with for a causal driver: 4Runner or Highlander/CX9?

 

[spitfiremkiii]

My wife is asking: which of these vehicles is easier to get into trouble (accident) with for a causal driver: 4Runner or Highlander/CX9?

Difficult question to answer. All three vehicles are large. The T4R is a large vehicle, it does have a backup camera that helps a lot. Not until I raised the driver seat vertically, where I now get better all round vision did I get comfortable driving the truck. My wife also found the raised seat a great help when driving. As for loss of control type accidents that depends on how you drive, conditions, tires, polar moments of inertia, etc. I don't think any vehicle is better than the other. It's possible the T4R may have a lower rollover moment, it's higher off the ground, than the other two but I don't have actual data on the roll over moments. Consumer Reports may be a good place to look.

 

[FrontRange4Runner]

It's pretty simple, have the wife drive them both and then pick. Happy wife = happy life. After she gets her new Highlander, you can start some subtle hinting about WRX's

 

[Kenworth]

Lexus rx 350, we went looking at gx460 wife over ruled me and came home
With glorified highlander. Nice car not trk , but nice to sit in back and drink beer?

 

[KidVermicious]

which one is superior? Is the 4Runner essentially an off-road truck?

Not really, the 4Runner has never been a vehicle dedicated to offroad prowess. Which is not to say that it's not quite capable offroad, but it's absolutely a pavement-oriented SUV with several nods to offroad ability. The 5th gen guys will disown me for saying this, but that means that it doesn't do either as well as a vehicle dedicated to one or the other.

You definitely should get the Highlander, it's a much more practical vehicle for what you want it to do. It's pretty much a dedicated pavement pounder, which means it's ideal for a pavement pounding family.

To begin having fun offroad (which I highly recommend), take $2500 or so and start trolling your local classifieds for old 4x4s. Get the one that runs good and makes your balls tingle (may I recommend a 1st gen 4Runner? ). Then get in touch with one or more of your nearby four wheeling clubs and go get dirty with them. You'll either be hooked, in which case you can kiss all your excess cash flow goodbye as you start fixing up and modding your pile of junk, or you won't, in which case you sell your junk for what you bought it for and enjoy your Highlander (or CX-9, or whatever).

 

[JayceeP]

I don't think the obvious answer is Highlander unless you and your wife know nothing about cars and just want to be practical. Do you even need an SUV? Why not just get a large 4-door sedan?

Anyway, you don't need to go off-road to justify owning a 4Runner. Most vehicles people buy are not practical. You should test-drive both and see how you like them. Personally I would never fake owning an SUV. I laugh when people reference their VW Tiguan or Ford Escape as a "truck" or "SUV" and complain about the "terrible" gas mileage. To me, a big crossover like a Hoghlander is just the modern sporty minivan. The 4Runner looks way better, and is obviously more capable as other posters alluded to.

I am a good example of someone who has very little need for a 4Runner. A small sedan would do me just fine and would be way more practical for my day-to-day use. However, I like big vehicles, their looks, and capabilities should I call upon them. The 4Runner is also sort of a "toy" for me. So, the question for you is: will this purchase be strictly a practical purchase or will any part of this purchase be for fun/novelty/toy etc?