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

[DrVolkl]

My last three SUV's were a Cayenne GTS, an ML63 AMG and lastly an X5M.

I do miss the speed of the other vehicles but if you go in fully aware that you're not going to be getting any speeding tickets or pulling anybody off the line, you'll really enjoy the reliability, off road capability and overall ruggedness of this machine. I love it... and it's a blast to take off road..

 

[Steel28]

My last three SUV's were a Cayenne GTS, an ML63 AMG and lastly an X5M.

I do miss the speed of the other vehicles but if you go in fully aware that you're not going to be getting any speeding tickets or pulling anybody off the line, you'll really enjoy the reliability, off road capability and overall ruggedness of this machine. I love it... and it's a blast to take off road..

damn, some fine rides you had.

 

[STAY IN IT]

Yes, it is slow. In fact, I haven’t owned a vehicle this slow in a long time. That being said, if you do need to accelerate, just mat it and it will do OK. I honestly don’t think much more power with this suspension on the pavement would be such a great idea. In a straight line, I like the suspension pretty well however I wouldn’t be taking corners quickly or making aggressive evasive maneuvers to avoid an animal running out in front of you with this truck. (So carrying extra speed with more power isn’t something that would really benefit this vehicle.). The “sportiness” comes only from off road capability.

If I would have bought mine expecting to run 90mph on the interstate, pass at will on 2 lane roads, and drive aggressively I would be bitterly disappointed. I bought mine more for around town use, off roading in the desert, launching PWC at the beach, etc. and couldn’t be happier.

Just like boats, no vehicle will do everything you want. As long as you pay attention to how it does the things you intend to do with it the majority of the time, you’ll make the right decision.

 

[wanderMT]

I think Toyota did poor job on intake and exhaust sound/note - sounds like engine is really working under any load. I also have a Nissan Frontier 4.0 v-6 5sp 4x4 that weighs nearly the same and nearly the same HP and torque - it will climb highway hills sounding effortless while T4R sounds like it is really working - can't be that much actual difference.

 

[DrVolkl]

I think Toyota did poor job on intake and exhaust sound/note - sounds like engine is really working under any load. I also have a Nissan Frontier 4.0 v-6 5sp 4x4 that weighs nearly the same and nearly the same HP and torque - it will climb highway hills sounding effortless while T4R sounds like it is really working - can't be that much actual difference.

I think that's also a huge part of it... the T4R sounds like you're killing it when you hammer down... it's not a pleasant experience and you feel guilty beating on your car.

I may look into an aftermarket exhaust or intake... but part of me doubts it'll make it any faster, and I can't imagine this engine sounding good no matter what you do to it... certainly don't want to make it any louder. Its like stepping on a cat... just not a good time.

 

[Magnetic]

Speed is relative...

My 1983 GTI was considered a hot hatchback when new, with a 0-60 time of 9.7-10.2 seconds.

https://www.hemmings.com/magazine/h...-First---1983-1984-VW-Rabbit-GTI/3701721.html

Depending on who you believe, our 4runners do 0-60 in 7.6-8 seconds , and yet are consider slow...

 

[rzgkane]

damn, some fine rides you had.

ML63 to a 4Runner? Ouch. Now that's a tough pill to swallow. I just sold my C63 Coupe and man do I miss that car.

 

[Crocket]

Car and Driver tested one or two 4Runners and got 0-60 of 7.5 seconds. It does feel slower than the numbers suggest though due to the laggy throttle response out of the hole.

 

[LimeLED]

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.

I think being able to rent one will really help in your decision.
I always had an interest in 4Runners, but it wasn’t until I rented one that I finally decided to buy one.

Look for a Toyota dealer in your area that participates in Toyota Rent-A-Car.
https://www.toyota.com/rental/dealers/
I had rented from a dealer in Seattle that had only one 4Runner in its rental fleet. As it turns out, their rental was a ‘17 ORP with KDSS and moonroof in Super White. I ended up buying an identical ‘18 (even the same color).

Something to keep in mind with a rental is that while any will give you a good idea of engine power, different trim grades of 4Runners will handle vastly different. SR5/OR vs OR w/KDSS vs TRDP vs LE all have pretty different handling and ride characteristics.

 

[425Runner]

Speed is relative...

My 1983 GTI was considered a hot hatchback when new, with a 0-60 time of 9.7-10.2 seconds.

https://www.hemmings.com/magazine/h...-First---1983-1984-VW-Rabbit-GTI/3701721.html

Depending on who you believe, our 4runners do 0-60 in 7.6-8 seconds , and yet are consider slow...

Man, I miss my GTI's

Had two MK1's, a black 83 and a silver 84. 90 break and a stupid grin every time I drove the thing. I brought my first daughter home in a lowered MK1 GTI.

 

[TrkyMfns]

I think that's also a huge part of it... the T4R sounds like you're killing it when you hammer down... it's not a pleasant experience and you feel guilty beating on your car.

I may look into an aftermarket exhaust or intake... but part of me doubts it'll make it any faster, and I can't imagine this engine sounding good no matter what you do to it... certainly don't want to make it any louder. Its like stepping on a cat... just not a good time.

It has power, but the power is up high. It can be a bit sluggish until the RPMs climb. You really do have to keep your foot in it. As for climbing up steep grades and mountain passes, it downshifts like crazy to keep highway speeds.

Having test driven the 4th gen v8 4runner, I would have loved to have had a v8 option available. That being said, Sport Mode does an adequate job around town.

 

[Magnetic]

I think being able to rent one will really help in your decision.
I always had an interest in 4Runners, but it wasn’t until I rented one that I finally decided to buy one.

Look for a Toyota dealer in your area that participates in Toyota Rent-A-Car.
https://www.toyota.com/rental/dealers/

I had rented from a dealer in Seattle that had only one 4Runner in its rental fleet.

As it turns out, their rental was a ‘17 ORP with KDSS and moonroof in Super White. I ended up buying an identical ‘18 (even the same color).

Something to keep in mind with a rental is that while any will give you a good idea of engine power, different trim grades of 4Runners will handle vastly different. SR5/OR vs OR w/KDSS vs TRDP vs LE all have pretty different handling and ride characteristics.

I also rented a 2017 4runner while in Seattle, and it convinced me of two things.

It wasn't exactly the vehicle we initially imagined it was.

Compromises notwithstanding, I still wanted it and we would buy it soon after.

 

[GB-man]

rent one for a weekend trip

Bingo. I rented an sr5 and drove it from NY to FL and knew I had to have one after. At the time I was driving a 911 so the difference was hilarious.

We would all welcome more power but frankly this isn’t the sort of vehicle you’ll be making white knuckle two lane passes in. It’s a vehicle you roll the windows down and set the cruise!

 

[b407driver]

...I honestly don’t think much more power with this suspension on the pavement would be such a great idea. In a straight line, I like the suspension pretty well however I wouldn’t be taking corners quickly or making aggressive evasive maneuvers to avoid an animal running out in front of you with this truck. (So carrying extra speed with more power isn’t something that would really benefit this vehicle.). The “sportiness” comes only from off road capability.

Not sure what flavor of T4R you are driving, but as far as SR5s and Limiteds go, I would agree; I can only assume you've never spent much/any time in a KDSS T4R. I hated the handling characteristics of the SR5/Limited/Trail models I test drove on an identical course. The KDSS vehicle handled more like a sports car in turns, if you can believe that. It holds onto the road in cloverleaf exits like it's on a rail. Literally.

Something to keep in mind with a rental is that while any will give you a good idea of engine power, different trim grades of 4Runners will handle vastly different. SR5/OR vs OR w/KDSS vs TRDP vs LE all have pretty different handling and ride characteristics.

Amen. I was astounded by the first SR5 both my wife and I test-drove; the nose-dive just navigating a parking lot at low speeds was simply unacceptable. Would have driven me nuts every time I drove it.

 

[sr5owner?]

I thought the same when I first test drove the 4Runner. Second test drive I told the dealership I wanted to take an extended test drive w/o a salesman.
The second test drive I was able to take it home to see if it would fit in my small garage. While on the highway I punched the accelerator (didn't floor it) and it moved pretty quick.
It's the set up of the accelerator, not the engine.
Per many online comparisons the 4Runner is quicker than your Chevy 0-60 and also on par with all the other suvs. How true that is I don't know. Especially when you load friends and gear.
However I do agree with the others on here regarding the transmission and mpgs.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[hazards280]

"It's more fun to drive a slow car fast, than a fast car slow" :car:

I agree that speed is based purely on ones perspective, and is quite subjective.

I own a 18' TRD OR as a daily and a 16' Charger Scat Pack (6.4L V8 485 HP/TQ) that I drive on the weekends. I came from a 2015 Grand Cherokee Summit (5.7 V8 360 HP 390 TQ) and found the 4Runner's power to be quite adequate for the vehicles intended purpose. Yes, the GC had more power with better fuel economy, but a majority of the power wasn't needed on a daily basis.

I do agree that it could use an extra gear, but the only time that comes across my mind is when I'm driving 75+ MPH. In daily driving, I believe the gearing on the 5-speed is spectacular. I don't run into issues with the transmission searching for gears or what not. Some folks make it sound like the 4Runner is a threat to society or something, but they tend to forget that not too long ago V8's were putting out similar HP/TQ figures. All told, it's a "large" V6 in terms of displacement and seems to have a great torque curve and does great in daily driving. We drove a Tacoma prior to the 4Runner and found that 3.5L V6 to be underpowered in that application, and yes we drove the manual instead of the terrible automatic. An engines torque curve can make a break it, and I think this 4.0 has a solid one for my needs.

As someone touched on earlier, the high HP cars tend to make you drive like a jerk and I can attest to that with the Charger. I find myself driving faster than I really need to since I feel that I should be making use of the power.

 

[LaFJ86]

I didn't realize how much lag was in the pedal of the 4runner until driving a Durango with the v6 as a rental. That thing actually felt like it had balls, even with a comparable motor as far as HP/TQ goes. I can only assume its the transmission programming in the 4Runner. That being said, I dont find it lacking in power even when pulling my 2500 pound trailer. It does exactly what it needs to do, and I find myself driving less aggressively because its not a speed demon.

 

[Toffees]

Does anyone here regret getting their 5th Gen 4Runner because of the arguable lack of power and torque from the 270hp? I was disappointed to see Toyota threw almost 300hp in the Camry but left the 4Runner where it was. I am in the market to replace an old Tahoe and I'm struggling to decide whether I'd be better off in something more powerful than the beautiful 4Runner. I don't tow much, but I do drive some significant grades with passengers on board and I hate the feeling of wanting more power and it's not there.

It's not made for running down highway at any speed you want. If you want that, get a sedan or a sport-SUV like the BMW or Porsche. It's not made to haul heavy stuff a long way, accelerating simply by stretching out your pinky toe on the pedal. If you want that, get a Tundra. What it's made for, it does very well. As to highway driving, I think it's fine. It's not like you're driving a Wrangler down the highway. And it's also not a Grand Cherokee, both for better and worse.

 

[arehman11]

it isn't fast, but it has no issues keeping up with traffic. Coming from a G37, this thing feels really torquey off the line.

 

[Toffees]

I think that's also a huge part of it... the T4R sounds like you're killing it when you hammer down... it's not a pleasant experience and you feel guilty beating on your car.

I may look into an aftermarket exhaust or intake... but part of me doubts it'll make it any faster, and I can't imagine this engine sounding good no matter what you do to it... certainly don't want to make it any louder. Its like stepping on a cat... just not a good time.

Maybe I'm contrarian, but it sounds well engineered to me. It doesn't purr like a sports car, but it doesn't sound labored to me. And it doesn't sound colic-y like so many trucks burping along the road with their aftermarket pipes.

(I'm not a fan of pretension, which probably influences my view on the sound)