New to 4Runner...need help in narrowing choice.

[Kinnick]

Have you considered the Honda Pilot? I have been researching SUV's for several months now and personally I am leaning towards that for our family. Currently we drive our 3rd gen 4runner as our primary family vehicle but that was getting cramped with two kids in car seats (ages 1 and 3). My initial plan was to get a 5th gen or a Sequoia. I loved them both but from a practical standpoint the Pilot meets most of our needs. The Pilot can fit three cars seats in the middle row (or two car seats and an adult), and you can put two car seats side by side and still have easy access to the third row. Not many mid-size SUV's can do that. I couldn't do that in the 5th gen. The Sequoia could do that but for the price and gas mileage it doesn't make sense for us. Maybe your kids are not in car seats however. I hope this helps and good luck.

 

[mpalios]

The reviews I read on the Pilot were average to below average. There were a couple that were favorable but the majority were not.

 

[Kinnick]

The reviews I read on the Pilot were average to below average. There were a couple that were favorable but the majority were not.

Interesting. I found just the opposite to be true. After reading hundreds of consumer reviews and many "professional" reviews most of them were very favorable. Anyway, good luck with your decision.

 

[mpalios]

Interesting. I found just the opposite to be true. After reading hundreds of consumer reviews and many "professional" reviews most of them were very favorable. Anyway, good luck with your decision.

If you have any of them booked marked (the professional ones), would you mind linking? If not, no problem.

Later this evening, I will do the same for your benefit, if that's helpful to you.

 

[kingin]

Don't go by consumer reports, check individual vehicles forums to find the truth but you will need to siff through the die hard fans.

4runner aggressive look great interior look compared to Honda vehicles and yes Honda interior is plastic also and will creak in time. Perssonal opinion, I've only owned Honda's in the past 05 element 08 CRV, 4runner is my first Toyota. Also owned a 07 dodge ram hemi.

Dodge/jeep don't have many mechanical issues it's the electrical part that is a pain. And usually dosnt get fixed the first time around at the dealership.

Also Honda V6 transmissions are notorious for breaking. If you get a Honda 4 cylinder is best.

 

[FloridaFeMan]

I have owned a 5th generation 4Runner and recently test drove a Honda Pilot. I was very impressed with the ride and handling of the Pilot. It was very comfortable and the EX-L model has lots of nice interior creature comforts. The 3rd row has much more space than the 3rd row of the 4Runner. The stock stereo in the EX-L sounds tons better than the stock stereo in the 4Runner. There is lots of interior storage space but the downside for me is that I cannot stand my triathlon bike in the back of the Pilot with the front wheel off whereas in the 4Runner I can. The 2WD Pilot's fuel economy is rated at 18-25 (when I took an extended test drive I averaged 23 mpg combined city/hwy) whereas the 2WD SR5 4 Runner that I owned got real life 17 mpg around town and 21-22 mpg on highway. I did find the 4Runner to be a comfortable vehicle and it's towing capacity far exceeds the 2500 lb limit on a 2WD Pilot. I do like the power window on the rear hatch of the 4Runner. The one thing that I had a hard time overcoming on the Pilot is that it is a fugly vehicle from the side profile. Head on it looks good as does the rear but the side view leaves alot to be desired in aesthetics. If your wife has a minivan, why are you worried about 3rd row seating? If this is your vehicle, than I'd say screw the 3rd row seating in the 4Runner as others have said, it does take up unneccessary space in the rear cargo area. For me, it means being able to stand up my tri bike vs not being able to in models with the 3rd row seats folded down (the height from ceiling to floor is about 4 inches less in models with 3rd row seats vs those with the sliding cargo tray). We traded our 4Runner in for a Honda Odyssey as it didn't make much sense for us owning my FJ as well as a 4Runner. Now that my wife is all set in her new Odyssey Touring model, I have been considering trading my FJ in on a Trail Edition 4Runner. By the way, living in Florida, you will be fine with a 2WD 4Runner. They gave us $29,500 trade on the 4Runner and sold us the Odyssey at Invoice. My 4Runner was an SR5 with only options being convenience package and sliding cargo tray. Good luck in your decision.

 

[Bay33saw]

I too was looking at the Pilot as I had narrowed it down to the 4 runner and the Pilot. Regarding the looks the Toyota has it hands down, reliability I would say it's about the same, the 3rd row seat is much easier to get into with the Honda, storage space is a little better on the Honda too. What killed it for me on the Honda is the center console is so busy it drove me mad.
The ride was a little better on the Pilot too, however what sold it for me and this is only my choice was the rear window on the runner, I have two large dogs and I loved the fact they could sit in the back and stick their heads out, also if you crack the moon roof a little while having the back window open it creates a wonderful air flow through the whole car.
Also I was lucky and had a great sales guy who gave me a fantastic deal on my trade in, and sold me a Limited for under invoice, the Honda guy was a bit of a tool when I was at the dealership.
Up too you but I can truly say I'm 100% happy with my choice of the runner.
Good luck

 

[westwind77]

I feel like doing this :bash: after reading this thread.

 

[jspagna1]

Again, thanks for the responses here everyone. A couple of responses...

1) we already have a minivan. This one is my vehicle.
2) Sequoia...I think that's out of my price range, but I've not looked into it at all.
3) Dodge resale...terrible. Past performance may be an indicator of future results with a car. So, while the dodge gets great reviews just about all around...in 4 years that means nothing.

Also the latest version of the Sequoia is HUGE. My buddys wife drives ona nd the truck is enourmous. They should have kept it the same size as the previous generation which was perfect imo.
As for the Honda pilot, that is also a Crossover vehicle and not truck based. An for that matter I again like the previous style over the latest style. My cousin has the previous style and she loves it, but the new one is just an ugly box.
As for ride quality, my 2011 4Runner blows away my 97 4Runner in ride and comfort. And I just replaced the rear shocks and front shocks and struts on the 97 and it still stiffer than my new truck.

 

[mpalios]

I feel like doing this :bash: after reading this thread.

Westwind, why is that?

 

[Wakeborder556]

I feel like doing this :bash: after reading this thread.

then don't read it So Gay

 

[1engineer]

Everyone has their reason for buying a particular vehicle, which is why so many different varieties are manufactured. Logic goes out the window with most folks also when picking out a vehicle. Sounds like you like the 4Runner only for the looks as a Highlander is much better suited for your duty cycle and will give you the dependability and resale like the 4Runner. Many above posts have tried to persuade you to get something more "suited" to your needs but if you like it, get it and enjoy!

 

[westwind77]

Westwind, why is that?

See below

then don't read it So Gay

Like a train wreck, can't look away.

....Logic goes out the window with most folks also when picking out a vehicle. Sounds like you like the 4Runner only for the looks as a Highlander is much better suited for your duty cycle and will give you the dependability and resale like the 4Runner....

1engineer said it best! I can just picture the OP getting frustrated with certain aspects of the 4R when 'logically' it is not the best suited for his needs. It is a GREAT vehicle, no doubt, but there are other great ones out there as well that will work better and he would be happier with. My crystal ball is foreseeing another 'why I sold my 4R' thread in the near future. Personally I would not put the looks of a vehicle ahead of the functions I needed that vehicle to perform for myself and the comfort of my family. Unfortunately the 4R is not for everyone, my friend loves mine but they have a growing family and got the highlander, said it was the 'right' choice.

 

[mpalios]

Rather than putting an emoticon that was vague, all you had to do was explain why this thread makes you crazy. Pretty simple to me.

 

[westwind77]

Rather than putting an emoticon that was vague....

Just to you maybe. Good luck with your decision!

 

[mpalios]

Funny because I thoight you were referring to others in the threas recommending a vehicle other than a Toyota on a toyota forum.

Don't assume. You know what they say....

 

[westwind77]

Funny because I thoight you were referring to others in the threas recommending a vehicle other than a Toyota on a toyota forum.

That in itself should tell you enough about your thought process and decision making skills. When a board full of loyal 4R/Toyota owners are advising you against the 4R and you still are pushing for it, what does that say? Wait, don't answer that. I guess I don't see the humor where you did above. Like I said before, just be happy with what you get and enjoy.

 

[mpalios]

That in itself should tell you enough about your thought process and decision making skills. When a board full of loyal 4R/Toyota owners are advising you against the 4R and you still are pushing for it, what does that say? Wait, don't answer that. I guess I don't see the humor where you did above. Like I said before, just be happy with what you get and enjoy.

Can't believe I'm sitting here arguing with some message board hero about my car decision making skills.

FYI:
Highlander. Don't like it. I decided a long time ago I wasn't getting it.

Pilot. For whatever reason, I don't have faith that vehicle will survive 200k miles as I think a 4R would. The Honda I had lasted only 125k miles until the tranny blew out. Couple that with the reviews I have read...you're damn right I'm hesitant about it.

I'm not pushing for anything. Just trying to ask questions to get better informed. Sorry you don't like that. No need for you to continue to post in this "train wreck" of a thread....

 

[jca21]

Can't believe I'm sitting here arguing with some message board hero about my car decision making skills.

FYI:
Highlander. Don't like it. I decided a long time ago I wasn't getting it.

Pilot. For whatever reason, I don't have faith that vehicle will survive 200k miles as I think a 4R would. The Honda I had lasted only 125k miles until the tranny blew out. Couple that with the reviews I have read...you're damn right I'm hesitant about it.

I'm not pushing for anything. Just trying to ask questions to get better informed. Sorry you don't like that. No need for you to continue to post in this "train wreck" of a thread....

honda oddesy's were notorious for transmission blow outs. apparently the pilot and mdx had the same problem. atleast the first gens anyways dunno if they've fixed it yet.

 

[-JD-]

I dont understand WHY you are so set on a 'truck based' SUV, when you want 2wd and dont intend do take it off road...?