Must decide: Toyota 4Runner vs Highlander

[RickC5]

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).

^^^^^ What he said!

We own a 2014 4Runner AND a new 2015 Highlander, and given what you now drive plus the fact you admittedly know nothing about off-roading, buy the Highlander or the CX9. Then, if you want to try 4-wheeling, do what the kid suggested.

 

[Logan714]

Sounds like the highlander would be a better option for you. My mom bought a new one when I picked up my 4runner and I've driven it quite a bit. It's a (in my opinion) a very quick vehicle and it's incredibly comfortable to ride in, especially in the back seat. The only thing that I don't like is that I feel I don't have a whole lot of head room (I'm only 5'8"/5'9") and I feel waytooclose to the steering wheel when I drive even after moving the seat all the way back and adjusting the wheel itself. My two cents. Good luck!

 

[NoDak]

since no one has gone down this road yet, the creature comforts are night and day for the highlander vs the 4runner.

if the Warden er wife is going to be driving it most of the time, get the highlander.

personally the warden hates driving my 4runner compared to her Tacoma. to be honest, my next vehicle (unless I swap my 14 for a 17 4runner) will be a highlander. I am getting to the point where the creature comforts are starting to be a bigger priority along with the nice features inside the cabin are edging me toward a highlander.

I just wish the 4runner had more of the little things the highlander had.

 

[perkdog258]

LOL I love this topic...

Got my 4runner because of my wife. I looked at the Highlander and was trying to be realistic. I use to offroad all the time in an old CJ7. When I was looking to get a nice family ride that was nice on long trips and also the fun of harsh laws in NY about offroading....the highlander seemed like the best choice.

We took out one of those fancy Limited 4runners just to make the sales guy happy. When I asked my wife what one she liked....well to put it bluntly she said the Highlander looked like a little girly car. She wanted us to drive a real manly SUV.

She and I split the driving and I have to say in the heavy snow we get here in Western NY and summer driving we love it. Better then the Highlander and easy to use. JMO

 

[phillyd2]

Buy the Highlander so you don't need to change your username :typing:

 

[bimrunner]

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).

Now I'm butt-hurt. Lol

 

[KidVermicious]

LOL I love this topic...

Got my 4runner because of my wife. I looked at the Highlander and was trying to be realistic. I use to offroad all the time in an old CJ7. When I was looking to get a nice family ride that was nice on long trips and also the fun of harsh laws in NY about offroading....the highlander seemed like the best choice.

We took out one of those fancy Limited 4runners just to make the sales guy happy. When I asked my wife what one she liked....well to put it bluntly she said the Highlander looked like a little girly car. She wanted us to drive a real manly SUV.

She and I split the driving and I have to say in the heavy snow we get here in Western NY and summer driving we love it. Better then the Highlander and easy to use. JMO

My wife is the same way . She was a car person, and I talked her into getting the 3rd gen 4Runner because I wanted another 4Runner :behindsofa:. A couple times now I've tried to nudge her back towards a newer car so I can take over her 3rd gen and she won't have any of it! lol

 

[desertred]

........ to be honest, my next vehicle (unless I swap my 14 for a 17 4runner) will be a highlander. I am getting to the point where the creature comforts are starting to be a bigger priority along with the nice features inside the cabin are edging me toward a highlander.

I had to laugh at this, as I am about at the same stage. However, my SR5 premium was the answer for me! As (another) Miata owner and an owner of a beat up XJ, the T4R gives me all of the creature comforts I need and is the most quiet vehicle I have owned. However, I am warden-less, so might be able to get by with a bit less convenience.

[Edit]: To the OP; how does the wife like the Miata? One perk with a T4R Premium pkg is the ability to open the sun roof and roll down the tailgate window for some non turbulent "open" air flow through the vehicle. Not many SUVs you can do that with.

 

[KostyaK]

I was in a very similar situation before I got my Limited. Going from a rather fun Acura with a stick. WRX was and will be my dream, especially with the new one that just came out. But it made financial sense to sell the Acura and to get a family vehicle for me to drive.

And not everybody here realizes these body on frame trucks do get cross shopped with typical unibody crossovers. Here is a short list that made me steer towards the 4R:

1. We enjoy outside, camping, fishing, etc. Planning to get a pop-up camper. If you are planning to tow anything 4R is an easy choice. I am talking light towing here. Also with a 4R I feel more comfortable going places I never explored before.

2. Living in Canada I felt 4R was a better choice for winters we have, specifically Limited model with full-time 4WD.

3. Make sure to test drive all the vehicles you consider. A couple things that stood out during a test drive were amazing visibility and confidence on the road. Also XREAS on Limited seems to perform on paved road pretty well.

4. Highlander seems to be a much smaller vehicle. Probably has to do with the boxy shape of the 4R.

5. All 4Rs are made in Japan which is a plus in my books.

6. Highlander is recently redesigned which means potential issues. 4R platform is rather aged but I hope is reliable.

7. Highlander is overly popular right now. I was having a hard time finding one to test drive. I got a pretty good deal on the 4R, can't imagine I would have had same luck with the Highlander.

8. My wife actually liked the 4R much more than the Highlander so that made the purchase so much easier. She thought the new highlander looks too much like a van.

And here is a short list of negatives as compared to Highlander:

1. Fuel economy is not best. It will require more gas than Highlander even in best scenario. So far I have not been impressed at all, much worse that advertised, hoping it will improve over time.

2. Highlander will handle much better, will feel much more like driving a sedan.

Hope that helps somewhat!

 

[Jayhawk5G]

This topic has been well covered but I figured I would throw my hat into the ring.

I will out myself now, as much as I look at these forums and dream about epic camping trips driving through the wilderness... it hasn't happened. I purchased my 4Runner for a couple main reasons, 1. It was BOF and well-known for reliability and 2. It was a vehicle I could grow into both with a family and should I choose it the ability to go camping go off the beaten path. I find comfort in having the ability and not needing it, as opposed to needing it and not having it.

That being said when I took my 4Runner in for it's last oil change, I sat in an XLE Highlander AWD and it was great. I certainly wouldn't knock anyone for deciding it made more sense for their family. Know that neither one is a WRX, the only similarity the 4Runner shares is that people modify them but the comparison ends there. If a vehicle like that is what you really want, then word to the wise would be get your wife what she wants as it will put you in a better spot down the road to get what you really want!

Good Luck!

 

[tobyson21]

I'm on vacation, so why not...

toss my 2 cents in here.

If you're driving it, I suspect you'll like the 4runner more. Because car guy.

I had a Highlander, it was an appliance car to me. It got me safely and reliably from point A to point B in comfort. Ditto the RX350, had a few of those, same as a highlander, a few more toys. Boring, safe, but hold value well and reliable. My wife loved them. It was like driving nice dishwasher to me.

I got bored and got a WRX. Fun! Wife hated it. Small. Got kids? SKIP. A few cars later ended up with a 4runner. Its slow as crap but that's not the point. I don't "off road" like some on this forum, but I drive into the woods, down class 6 roads and over stuff that's in my way. It's a sort of family hauler that has a "0 ****s given" attitude to it.

For example, the other day, traffic at the mall was stupid, I drove over the islands and left. I'm a MALL WARRIOR (*******?). Dad's in Sienna's were crying. A Highlander might have high sided. An RX350 would have broken a nail. My kids laugh hysterically when I "off road" down dirt trails, it makes me smile. I have stupidly overkill 10 ply E tires on it. It gets shit mileage. (So does the CX9).

So there, go get a 4runner. They are fun. Get a limited if you want some toys. Mine is comfy enough. To be honest, I bought it hoping the TRD supercharger was coming out. FAIL. I'm used to it now, it's slow, but I just don't care.

Again, just my 2 cents, enjoy!

T

 

[KidVermicious]

toss my 2 cents in here.

If you're driving it, I suspect you'll like the 4runner more. Because car guy.

I had a Highlander, it was an appliance car to me. It got me safely and reliably from point A to point B in comfort. Ditto the RX350, had a few of those, same as a highlander, a few more toys. Boring, safe, but hold value well and reliable. My wife loved them. It was like driving nice dishwasher to me.

I got bored and got a WRX. Fun! Wife hated it. Small. Got kids? SKIP. A few cars later ended up with a 4runner. Its slow as crap but that's not the point. I don't "off road" like some on this forum, but I drive into the woods, down class 6 roads and over stuff that's in my way. It's a sort of family hauler that has a "0 ****s given" attitude to it.

For example, the other day, traffic at the mall was stupid, I drove over the islands and left. I'm a MALL WARRIOR (*******?). Dad's in Sienna's were crying. A Highlander might have high sided. An RX350 would have broken a nail. My kids laugh hysterically when I "off road" down dirt trails, it makes me smile. I have stupidly overkill 10 ply E tires on it. It gets shit mileage. (So does the CX9).

So there, go get a 4runner. They are fun. Get a limited if you want some toys. Mine is comfy enough. To be honest, I bought it hoping the TRD supercharger was coming out. FAIL. I'm used to it now, it's slow, but I just don't care.

Again, just my 2 cents, enjoy!

T

Best. Fecking. Review. Ever.

 

[philsey]

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!

OK, I just reread your first post. You referred to your wife once, and yourself several times.

I read the thread, and here's an important question: "just who's vehicle will this be"? I'm assuming it's a family vehicle, with the wifey being the primary driver .... yes?

I suggest you take the wifey for test drives in whatever appeals to her and shut yer pie hole! Seriously dude, speak only when she has a question), - don't steer her- and let her decide.

BTW, we each have our own cars (she picks hers), but she does not care to drive my 4R - especially parking it.

 

[meRockboost]

My wife liked driving my 04 dodge diesel when it had stacks on it because it was loud, fast and she felt like it was a dump truck. Plus people would move out of her way and not pull out in front of her all the time.

My wife loves the 4Runner because it's an aggressive truck suv. We tried a RAV4 because we only have two kids but it's a very crappy car.

 

[NoDak]

This topic has been well covered but I figured I would throw my hat into the ring.

I will out myself now, as much as I look at these forums and dream about epic camping trips driving through the wilderness... it hasn't happened. I purchased my 4Runner for a couple main reasons, 1. It was BOF and well-known for reliability and 2. It was a vehicle I could grow into both with a family and should I choose it the ability to go camping go off the beaten path. I find comfort in having the ability and not needing it, as opposed to needing it and not having it.

That being said when I took my 4Runner in for it's last oil change, I sat in an XLE Highlander AWD and it was great. I certainly wouldn't knock anyone for deciding it made more sense for their family. Know that neither one is a WRX, the only similarity the 4Runner shares is that people modify them but the comparison ends there. If a vehicle like that is what you really want, then word to the wise would be get your wife what she wants as it will put you in a better spot down the road to get what you really want!

Good Luck!

lol I have been eyeing the Highlander Limited with Platinum Package, its about the same oem price as my 4runner.

edit : the current highlander is a 3rd gen and the generation started in 2013 and is on a typical 6-7 year cycle.

 

[ProspectiveBuyer]

Thanks everyone for the advice. It really looks like the 4Runner has a lot more interesting and has a lot more potential than cross-over, and, in a way, is a lot more like a Miata than a Camry.

What do you guys think of the Nissan Xterra Pro-4X (manual transmission)? Isnt it is a cheaper clone of the 4Runner with stick shift?

PS: my wife kinda knows how to drive stick shift, and is open to the idea of a suv with stick shift

 

[dougfoglesong]

I just purchased a 15 4R premium. Started out wanting Highlander AWD. Although I don't go offroad too much I wanted something I could...4R. Wanted a little more cargo space...4R. Depends on your wants and priorities.

 

[badhabits]

Thanks everyone for the advice. It really looks like the 4Runner has a lot more interesting and has a lot more potential than cross-over, and, in a way, is a lot more like a Miata than a Camry.

What do you guys think of the Nissan Xterra Pro-4X (manual transmission)? Isnt it is a cheaper clone of the 4Runner with stick shift?

PS: my wife kinda knows how to drive stick shift, and is open to the idea of a suv with stick shift

Please do yourself a favor and DO NOT buy the Xterra. I know a number of people who own and have owned them, they say the wished they had not bought them.

 

[Cheers!]

or a used Lexus RX350... Lexus are pretty reliable.

 

[nevada]

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).

i agree with pretty much all of this.

but, I have to say,

before I got my 06, we bought an 02 highlander for the woman. we went on a road trip, bought a map local to the area, and took a "dirt" road home. it was a very gnarly road. we stopped and talked to a firefighter at the entrance, asking if the road was open(there was a large fire in the area)
he stepped back, looked at the car, then at the tires, and said, "IN THIS?!" lol. he definitely didn't recommend it.

we took it slow, and I only bottomed out once or twice. lol. it was a lot of fun.
but, its not something I would do with that vehicle on a regular basis.