Prospective 2018 TRD Pro buyer... question re power...

[rzgkane]

Thanks all. As expected, the responses simply leave me where I was before I made the post.

The 4Runner has everything I want in terms of: 1. appearance - TRD Pro is by far the best looking vehicle in its class and it's not even close, 2. value retention - again, not even close here. Jeep, Nissan, Dodge, Chevy, Ford - none of them have a vehicle that holds value like the 4Runner; 3. Reliability - Toyota is the gold standard and has been for a long time.

Granted, I need to take a comprehensive test drive, which I have not yet done. But my initial impression driving around town on a flat road is that it felt like I was driving a very heavy vehicle that was powered by an engine that needed about 50 more hp. My 5.3L 2004 Z71 has better throttle response and needs you to lay into the throttle far less to get it moving.

I guess I need to try and drive a 4Runner for a few days. Maybe see if I can rent one. Most other manufacturers make a V8 available in their vehicles that compete directly with the 4Runner but I really don't want any of them because they don't stack up in most of the other important areas. I do like the Jeep Grand Cherokee but talk about depreciation! Ouch.

But power is an IMPORTANT area for me and I certainly don't want to plop down $50K and regret it. Thanks for the responses.

 

[Jay_P]

It's not unsafe, but it is most definitely slow. If you want a car that will push you back in your seat, look elsewhere. To be honest, I'm kind of enjoying the lack of power so far. My last car was very powerful, and the power encouraged me to drive too aggressively. The 4Runner is a much more calming driving experience.

I just got my 18 SR5 last week. At first I had a very hard time coming to terms with the lack of power. But I got used to it, and just like you, it has caused me to slow down and enjoy the calm experience. Sure, driving my Mercedes coupe was fun on the highway, but this is much more chill, and I really like it.

 

[Lionel_Hutz]

I just got my 18 SR5 last week. At first I had a very hard time coming to terms with the lack of power. But I got used to it, and just like you, it has caused me to slow down and enjoy the calm experience. Sure, driving my Mercedes coupe was fun on the highway, but this is much more chill, and I really like it.

Exactly. My last few cars have been "yeah, I could drop the hammer and pass this guy in 2 seconds." The 4Runner is much more "why bother?" I'm loving it and so is my blood pressure.

 

[Desertfox73]

If power is the deficiency you’re looking to correct, you should look into the Magnusson supercharger kit. Couple of threads on here already about it, distribution should begin soon.

The HP and torque bumps from the supercharger kit are significant.

 

[johntesi]

Thanks all. As expected, the responses simply leave me where I was before I made the post.

The 4Runner has everything I want in terms of: 1. appearance - TRD Pro is by far the best looking vehicle in its class and it's not even close, 2. value retention - again, not even close here. Jeep, Nissan, Dodge, Chevy, Ford - none of them have a vehicle that holds value like the 4Runner; 3. Reliability - Toyota is the gold standard and has been for a long time.

Granted, I need to take a comprehensive test drive, which I have not yet done. But my initial impression driving around town on a flat road is that it felt like I was driving a very heavy vehicle that was powered by an engine that needed about 50 more hp. My 5.3L 2004 Z71 has better throttle response and needs you to lay into the throttle far less to get it moving.

I guess I need to try and drive a 4Runner for a few days. Maybe see if I can rent one. Most other manufacturers make a V8 available in their vehicles that compete directly with the 4Runner but I really don't want any of them because they don't stack up in most of the other important areas. I do like the Jeep Grand Cherokee but talk about depreciation! Ouch.

But power is an IMPORTANT area for me and I certainly don't want to plop down $50K and regret it. Thanks for the responses.

Prior to about two years ago, I literally ONLY owned manual transmission sports cars. I love cars and the act of driving, but everything else about my lifestyle screams for a truck. The last two years, I drove a 1984 Porsche 911 then a 1989 FJ62 Land Cruiser. I finally decided I was ready for a modern, no-frills vehicle that made living life easier even if it meant less "fun" with cars. I bought a 2017 Tacoma and traded it in within a month on the 4Runner TRD Pro.

The Camry (which essentially shares the 3.5 V6 and 6-speed auto with the new Tacoma) may "make more horsepower," but it makes the 4Runners engine seem torquey and low-revving in comparison. I hated that combo so much that I literally couldn't stomach owning the car.

I road trip frequently and live in a part of the States where driving 80+ mph on the freeway is commonplace, and the 4Runner blows the Tacoma out of the water in this regard. Sure, it's not as much of an all-American "land yacht" as the GM offerings, but that statement goes both ways. The purr of an LS motor is intoxicating, as is their ability to scoot just off-idle. But, realistically, they're not much "faster" than the 4Runner, they just do things differently.

After the Land Cruiser, the 4Runner feels smooth, fast, and light on its feet. What I love about this truck (it's literally my favorite vehicle I've ever owned) is that it feels preposterously well put together. Maybe less power and fewer gadgets, and less "luxury-looking" interior appointments, but everything is so smooth and solid and has the feeling of something that will feel the same day one and day ten thousand. This either appeals to you or it doesn't... everything from a Tahoe to a BMW has more day one curb appeal, but they all have their own tradeoffs. GM's latest trucks last a long dang time, but their vibe is different. They "wear in" and float and rumble down the road. Toyotas "hum." They are smooth, understressed, and built to make your day better by forgetting about them.

I value the type of engineering that goes into something like a 4Runner, though I absolutely see the appeal of a nice Tahoe or Yukon. You have to contemplate your realistic needs.. I think the 4Runner may not make the most sense if you never off-road. GM's trucks are definitely superior for pounding out the highway miles while hauling people, but there's no way I could've driven the trails I drove this weekend in anything on the showroom floor at a Chevy dealer short of the new ZR2.

Exactly. My last few cars have been "yeah, I could drop the hammer and pass this guy in 2 seconds." The 4Runner is much more "why bother?" I'm loving it and so is my blood pressure.

This time a million. I find myself driving surprisingly fast on the highway because my internal clock is so skewed from two years in oooold cars. But, I also feel my blood pressure so much lower than my manual-transmission sports car days. I never try to be first off the line or pass someone who's going 2 mph slower than me. I just look around the cabin and listen to the V6 and the all-terrains purr and hum and smile at how well-rounded this truck is and how eager it is to encourage me to live a more interesting, adventurous, well-rounded life.

I wouldn't fault you for looking for more power elsewhere, but I had three adults and my dog in my truck last weekend and I drove UTV trails for 7 hours then set the cruise on 88 mph on a highway in the Ozark mountains on the way home, and it did all the above with aplomb. YMMV. :lookout:

 

[ScottR]

Try driving with the transmission in "S" mode rather than "D". You'll be surprised at the performance improvement and ease of pedal driven downshifting. Night and day IMHO.

 

[Crocket]

Try driving with the transmission in "S" mode rather than "D". You'll be surprised at the performance improvement and ease of pedal driven downshifting. Night and day IMHO.

+1

Turning off some of the electronic aids helps too (like traction control). Doesn't make it a whole heck of a lot faster, but it's a little better.

 

[Louise]

GX 460. Toyota reliability with a V8. :thumb3:

 

[425Runner]

Granted, I need to take a comprehensive test drive, which I have not yet done.

You'll be hard pressed to find a TRD Pro to test drive, but, if it's the engine you are concerned about, any 4Runner should suffice.

 

[Steel28]

I'm 41 y/o and owned mostly German rockets (e46 M3, X5 4.8is as well as '88 Mustang Cobra, 2017 Golf R , B8 Audi S4. I LOVE speed but can't get enough of my T4R TRD Pro.

It's a solid and true SUV. :amen:

 

[mgreen6616]

If you take a test drive you need to plant your right foot and hold it there. It will wake up from its slumber and let you know what it has. If the power delivered during that test is not enough for you, look elsewhere.

I owned a VW GTI and was in it all the time. I love driving the 4Runner and just relaxing as I drive. Driving the GTI was hair on fire half the time, I couldn't help it, but the 4Runner is mellower but has the grunt if you ask for it. You just have to ask for it with authority.

 

[Jetboy]

I think you're on the right track to rent one for a weekend. You'll get a much better idea of what it's like than just going for a 30 minute test drive.

The practical side of me is very happy with my 4runner. But I can't say that I don't long for more power. And really all I want is a better transmission with more gears. - There's more to adding gears than just moving to lower gears more often. It also means you have far lower gear ratios available. For example - in our other SUV - an RX350 - it has the same basic engine, but a 6AT. It's night and day difference in perceived performance. It just feels a LOT more powerful even though it's close to a dead heat in a drag race. The difference is that with the extra over drive you also regear the final drive. The 4runner is 3.73:1, the RX is 4.30:1 - and both have the same 1st gear ratio in the transmission, nearly identical engine output, and the same weight. The rx also has significantly smaller diameter tires. It's very close mathematically to having 4.56:1 differentials in the the 4runner - but also having the same overdrive. It's a lot peppier all around. It even tows better. And with the 8AT you get another lower 1st gear, so you'd have the equivalent of 4.88ish diffs in the current 4runner in 1st gear, but also great overdrive range. I think with the engine we have it would make a significant difference in overall drive ability. And you could basically choose almost any tire size and never need to re-gear.

 

[425Runner]

What Lexus RX 350 has a 4.0 V-6?

Don't they have a 3.5 (hence the name)? The 3.5 has quite a bit more power, doesn't it? Something like 300/300? And, no way it weighs 4800lbs. I would say closer to 4300?

All that adds up; My '11 Sienna SE is something like 260/260 but weighs several hundred pounds less. It feels way quicker than my 4Runner.

 

[Squire]

Moving from a 96 LX 450 (insert 96 Cruiser) to a base model 4Runner. Amazed and delighted with the upgrades !, first new vehicle ever ! I knew I wasn’t buying tire burning power, I was looking for reliability, ability off road and a rig I can enjoy. I’m sure there are ways of burning rubber on this but I bought it to cruise the road less known.

 

[rzgkane]

GX 460. Toyota reliability with a V8. :thumb3:

I just looked at the GX460 and all I can say is fuuuuuuugly! No thanks. lol

 

[Jetboy]

What Lexus RX 350 has a 4.0 V-6?

Don't they have a 3.5 (hence the name)? The 3.5 has quite a bit more power, doesn't it? Something like 300/300? And, no way it weighs 4800lbs. I would say closer to 4300?

All that adds up; My '11 Sienna SE is something like 260/260 but weighs several hundred pounds less. It feels way quicker than my 4Runner.

rx350 is currently 295hp/267tq now. Ours is the last model with 270hp/260tq IIRC. Very similar to the 4.0L at 270hp/270tq. Some claims on the interwebs including wikipedia state that the high octane fuel the 1GR is 285hp/280tq. Either way they're very similar. The primary difference is the 2GR is slightly smaller displacement and higher revving motor. It's better balanced so you don't feel any vibrations at higher rpms. Otherwise they could probably be interchangeable in almost all the applications. Transmission gear ratios are identical 1-5, but the 6at has the 6th gear.

Weight is 4350 for the RX and 4675 for the 4runner. The 4runner is about 5% heavier, and about 5% more power at the same rpm. And it shows in things like 0-60 time. RX is 7.5 vs the 4runner at 7.8. Overall they are closer than you might think.

The feel is very different though. Having lower gears and two closer overdrive ratios makes for a much nicer driving experience. A downshift at highway speeds isn't a huge jump. And there's more initial torque available at a stop. It helps on both ends as compared to the 5AT. The 8AT would be a lot nicer to drive. I don't think more power is necessary. Just better transmission and better tuning.

 

[mscot]

I came from a diesel so... My initial thoughts were that it lacked power - to the point of being unsafe in an "oops I shouldn't have pulled out" <snicker> situation. I put a sprint booster on it and have it set to Green 2 and it's fine around town now.
My problem is when I'm going over mountain passes - it lacks the grunt to climb easily - when you do gun it to maintain 75+mph the engine screams.

which leads me to my last point - the engine sounds like a giant squirrel fan - not an SUV motor. I would like an engine with more growl.

all that said, i really like my Runner. have not intention of getting rid of it.

 

[corleone91]

I purchased by '18 T4R TRD Pro about a week ago and absolutely love it!

I came from a Lexus GS350 so I definitely lost a bit of the sport, fuel economy and power that had but I don't regret it whatsoever. I wanted a 4Runner for several years and so far it's everything I've wanted it to be.

 

[CRSTX]

I have no issues with the power city or highway. Very happy with the 4Runner overall. Your mileage may vary.

 

[ADK Explorer]

You could put the new supercharger on it.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...n-supercharger-2010-present-2010-2014-fj.html