Thought I'd give a review of my new 2014 Trail Premium w/ KDSS I picked up just before New Years. I've got about 1300 miles on it thus far.
A little background info: This is my fourth 4Runner. I've had a 2000 Sport, 2006 V8 Limited and a 2011 Limited. About midway through 2013, I decided it was time to part ways with my 06' 4Runner and possibly get a 2014 when they came out. I really LOVED the V8 but with it approaching the 100K miles, I figured it was time for a new one.
In August, while working up in Chicago, I had accident with an uninsured driver that resulted in my 2006 being totaled. The 2014's were still about 3-4 months from being released and I did not have the luxury of waiting on a 2014 so I went ahead and picked up a 2011 Limited with 28K miles.
After having the 2011 for about 3 months and dealing with a few of it's quirks, I decided to trade it in on a 2014 Trail Premium with KDSS. Since there was ZERO chance of getting a KDSS-equipped rig in the Gulf States Region (unless ordered) I scoured the net for one in other states. I found the dealers in the Phoenix area had THE best prices on Super White Trail Premiums with KDSS. At the time, there were only about 18 or so of these in the entire country so I didn't have a lot of options. After a few days of haggling on price and negotiating a good deal on my 2011 trade in, I pulled the trigger.
I left my house around 2:30pm and drove ALL the way to Phoenix. I rolled into a hotel at 4am thanks to a wreck outside El Paso that shut the entire interstate down for an hour. Headed up to the dealer at 9am and was back on the road at 11am. Drove ALL the way back home, arriving at 1am. While I buy most of my cars out of state, I have never driven out of state to trade a car in on another and then drive it all the way back home. I doubt I'd do that again. 27 hours of driving over 2 days was a bit much!
Anyhow, on to the review:
I had 2 main gripes I had with the 2011, (1) steering wheel shake and (2) the annoying diesel sound that's heard occasionally. I was not a fan of the 20" Limited wheels so I got some new 4th Gen Limited wheels and Michelin LTX M/S2 tires to hopefully resolve the vibration problem but it didn't solve it. Helped but it was still there. As far as the diesel sound, as many people on here told me, it's normal. I drove 3 other 4Runners at the dealership where I got my 2014 and they all made the same sound so I guess I'm just going to have to live with the annoying engine sound it makes sometimes.
2011 Limited vs. 2014 Trail Premium
LIKES:
1. KDSS - Completely blown away by this! The rig drives like a completely different vehicle compared to the 2011. Turns and corners 10X better with very little body roll. Having driven the 2011 for 14 hours straight and then driving the 2014 w/ KDSS, the difference was night and day IMHO. To those debating on getting a Trail with or without KDSS, you would be a fool NOT to find one with KDSS. I do little off-roading but the KDSS system on the pavement is phenomenal!
2. Interior - The interior is a HUGE improvement over the 2011. The ugly orange lights are gone. Love the dash and instrument panel. The easily scratched silver trim pieces are also gone and a much better darker setup is used. I like the Soft-Tex seats with red stitching and think they are on par with the Limited leather seats. Homelink buttons that light up are a nice addition too.
3. KDSS - Did I mention the KDSS system? It rocks!!
4. Radio Interface - While I didn't hate the non-Etune system in my 2011, I think the interface in the 14' is much better. I cannot compare it to the Etune system in the 2012-13's since I've never used it.
5. Drive - The 2014 feels a lot lighter than the Limited did. Feels a little quicker and the exhaust sounds a bit louder? Perhaps the Limited simply had more sound deadening in it. Anyhow, it's nice to hear the exhaust when you step on it.
6. Steering Wheel - Love the new wheel and audio/phone controls. The controls on my 2011 would seem to stick when the temperature changed. The buttons are configured in a more user-friendly manner on the 14' and work a lot better.
7. Exterior - I didn't care much for the 2014's at first but after seeing them in person, the looks have really grown on me. (I'm even digging the chrome grin on the new Limited!). My 14' did not come with running boards which was something I simply could not live without after having them on all my other rigs. Another plus is the body colored door handles. I hated the chrome handles! Finally, there is the hood scoop! Who doesn't like a non-functioning 4Runner hood scope!! haha Not sure what it is but it just looks right on a 4Runner. I put one on my 06' Limited and it just didn't feel right driving the 11' Limited without one!
8. Doors - The doors no longer feel like tin cans when closing them.
DISLIKES:
1. Diesel Sound - I was pretty bummed when the new 4Runner made this same annoying sound the 2011 did. As other members said, it is a characteristic of the vvti engine. I guess I'll just have to live with it.
2. Sound System - The JBL system with the 15(?) speakers was great for a stock system. The 2014 system sucks in comparison.
3. Navigation Screen - This is another thing I really hate. The 7 inch screen used with the JBL system in the 2011 was SO MUCH better. The 2014 just seems too small.
4. Tail lights - While I love the new headlights, the tail lights are still up for debate. The more I look at them, the more I think they are okay. The still have the cheesy Altezza look to them. haha
5. Keyless Entry - Not a huge deal but if a Corolla comes with a Smart Key feature, you would think all the 4Runners would.
6. Sunglass Holder - Not a big issue but I kind of miss it! haha
That's about all I have so far. All in all, I am VERY happy with the 2014 and glad I made the swap. I do a lot of highway driving so I don't see me making too many changes to the car beyond what I've already done below:
1. Swapped out the stock 17" wheels for the 18" 4th Gen wheels w/ Michelin's
2. Hotwired radar detector under the rearview mirror
3. Had Xpel paint protection film put on the entire front of the car
4. Bought OEM running boards from member mikemike_bc (Thanks Mike!)
5. Toyota exhaust tip
Here are a few pics. I suck with a camera...
A little background info: This is my fourth 4Runner. I've had a 2000 Sport, 2006 V8 Limited and a 2011 Limited. About midway through 2013, I decided it was time to part ways with my 06' 4Runner and possibly get a 2014 when they came out. I really LOVED the V8 but with it approaching the 100K miles, I figured it was time for a new one.
In August, while working up in Chicago, I had accident with an uninsured driver that resulted in my 2006 being totaled. The 2014's were still about 3-4 months from being released and I did not have the luxury of waiting on a 2014 so I went ahead and picked up a 2011 Limited with 28K miles.
After having the 2011 for about 3 months and dealing with a few of it's quirks, I decided to trade it in on a 2014 Trail Premium with KDSS. Since there was ZERO chance of getting a KDSS-equipped rig in the Gulf States Region (unless ordered) I scoured the net for one in other states. I found the dealers in the Phoenix area had THE best prices on Super White Trail Premiums with KDSS. At the time, there were only about 18 or so of these in the entire country so I didn't have a lot of options. After a few days of haggling on price and negotiating a good deal on my 2011 trade in, I pulled the trigger.
I left my house around 2:30pm and drove ALL the way to Phoenix. I rolled into a hotel at 4am thanks to a wreck outside El Paso that shut the entire interstate down for an hour. Headed up to the dealer at 9am and was back on the road at 11am. Drove ALL the way back home, arriving at 1am. While I buy most of my cars out of state, I have never driven out of state to trade a car in on another and then drive it all the way back home. I doubt I'd do that again. 27 hours of driving over 2 days was a bit much!
Anyhow, on to the review:
I had 2 main gripes I had with the 2011, (1) steering wheel shake and (2) the annoying diesel sound that's heard occasionally. I was not a fan of the 20" Limited wheels so I got some new 4th Gen Limited wheels and Michelin LTX M/S2 tires to hopefully resolve the vibration problem but it didn't solve it. Helped but it was still there. As far as the diesel sound, as many people on here told me, it's normal. I drove 3 other 4Runners at the dealership where I got my 2014 and they all made the same sound so I guess I'm just going to have to live with the annoying engine sound it makes sometimes.
2011 Limited vs. 2014 Trail Premium
LIKES:
1. KDSS - Completely blown away by this! The rig drives like a completely different vehicle compared to the 2011. Turns and corners 10X better with very little body roll. Having driven the 2011 for 14 hours straight and then driving the 2014 w/ KDSS, the difference was night and day IMHO. To those debating on getting a Trail with or without KDSS, you would be a fool NOT to find one with KDSS. I do little off-roading but the KDSS system on the pavement is phenomenal!
2. Interior - The interior is a HUGE improvement over the 2011. The ugly orange lights are gone. Love the dash and instrument panel. The easily scratched silver trim pieces are also gone and a much better darker setup is used. I like the Soft-Tex seats with red stitching and think they are on par with the Limited leather seats. Homelink buttons that light up are a nice addition too.
3. KDSS - Did I mention the KDSS system? It rocks!!
4. Radio Interface - While I didn't hate the non-Etune system in my 2011, I think the interface in the 14' is much better. I cannot compare it to the Etune system in the 2012-13's since I've never used it.
5. Drive - The 2014 feels a lot lighter than the Limited did. Feels a little quicker and the exhaust sounds a bit louder? Perhaps the Limited simply had more sound deadening in it. Anyhow, it's nice to hear the exhaust when you step on it.
6. Steering Wheel - Love the new wheel and audio/phone controls. The controls on my 2011 would seem to stick when the temperature changed. The buttons are configured in a more user-friendly manner on the 14' and work a lot better.
7. Exterior - I didn't care much for the 2014's at first but after seeing them in person, the looks have really grown on me. (I'm even digging the chrome grin on the new Limited!). My 14' did not come with running boards which was something I simply could not live without after having them on all my other rigs. Another plus is the body colored door handles. I hated the chrome handles! Finally, there is the hood scoop! Who doesn't like a non-functioning 4Runner hood scope!! haha Not sure what it is but it just looks right on a 4Runner. I put one on my 06' Limited and it just didn't feel right driving the 11' Limited without one!
8. Doors - The doors no longer feel like tin cans when closing them.
DISLIKES:
1. Diesel Sound - I was pretty bummed when the new 4Runner made this same annoying sound the 2011 did. As other members said, it is a characteristic of the vvti engine. I guess I'll just have to live with it.
2. Sound System - The JBL system with the 15(?) speakers was great for a stock system. The 2014 system sucks in comparison.
3. Navigation Screen - This is another thing I really hate. The 7 inch screen used with the JBL system in the 2011 was SO MUCH better. The 2014 just seems too small.
4. Tail lights - While I love the new headlights, the tail lights are still up for debate. The more I look at them, the more I think they are okay. The still have the cheesy Altezza look to them. haha
5. Keyless Entry - Not a huge deal but if a Corolla comes with a Smart Key feature, you would think all the 4Runners would.
6. Sunglass Holder - Not a big issue but I kind of miss it! haha
That's about all I have so far. All in all, I am VERY happy with the 2014 and glad I made the swap. I do a lot of highway driving so I don't see me making too many changes to the car beyond what I've already done below:
1. Swapped out the stock 17" wheels for the 18" 4th Gen wheels w/ Michelin's
2. Hotwired radar detector under the rearview mirror
3. Had Xpel paint protection film put on the entire front of the car
4. Bought OEM running boards from member mikemike_bc (Thanks Mike!)
5. Toyota exhaust tip
Here are a few pics. I suck with a camera...
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