Need Clarification

[chetJ]

Hi Guys,
Last night I found myself playing on the Toyota website and comparing vehicles. One of the comparison I was looking at was between the Highlander and the 4 Runner
My question is about the cargo capacity of the two vehicles..does the 4 Runner have more cargo capacity or not?

Different sites seem to say different things..any input would be appreciated!

 

[Quentin]

The Highlander has more interior space. If you go to Toyota.com, you can directly compare the two vehicles. The "cargo volume" on the Highlander is assuming the 3rd row seats are upright. On the 4Runner, it is assuming there are no 3rd row seats. If you look at overall interior volume, the Highlander is 145 cu ft and the T4R is 97 cu ft. That is the price you pay for a longitudinally mounted drivetrain with dual range and body on frame instead of transverse mounted driveline, slip-and-pray AWD, and unit body construction.

FWIW, I really liked the Highlander. For family type things, it is a superior vehicle. If you like to get off the pavement, the 4Runner is the way to go.

 

[scanny]

I rememebr I was measuring both - they are about same size. I got a feeling that 4Runner a little bit wider and longer but loading floor is higher, so there is a little bit less space from floor to ceiling. To me difference wasn't big enough to affect my choice. But I was looking at the trunk which allows me to carry long thing such as 2x4s, doors etc when I need it. Highlander got a better folding seats, but the vehicle handles like a passenger car - doesn't feel like driving SUV at all. I also didn't like the fact that Highlander has all open differentials and no diff lock.

 

[Quentin]

I rememebr I was measuring both - they are about same size. I got a feeling that 4Runner a little bit wider and longer but loading floor is higher, so there is a little bit less space from floor to ceiling. To me difference wasn't big enough to affect my choice. But I was looking at the trunk which allows me to carry long thing such as 2x4s, doors etc when I need it. Highlander got a better folding seats, but the vehicle handles like a passenger car - doesn't feel like driving SUV at all. I also didn't like the fact that Highlander has all open differentials and no diff lock.

My understanding is that the 4WD SR5 and Limited have open front and rear differentials.* Only the TE has a rear locking diff. The 2WD models have the auto-LSD.

The power transfer from the transaxle is the big difference between the Highlander and 4Runner. The Highlander is always FWD until a certain criteria has been met and the computer will actuate the power transfer to the rear wheels.** On the SR5 and TE, when you engage the 4WD, torque is always split 50/50 to the front and rear of the vehicle. On the Limited, torque is split in some variable ratio to the front and rear thanks to the center differential. When the Limited is in H4L the split is locked at 50/50 and is, in essence, exactly like the SR5 and TE when their 4WD is engaged.

* The open differentials are somewhat compensated for by ATRAC, which can individually apply the brakes to a slipping wheel and transfer the torque to the other side.

** Wiki and other sources say it is a 50/50 fixed split but I don't believe that is correct. Most of these transverse drivetrains are FWD biased (big time).