Reasons to get a 4runner over a Pilot

[M1911]

It was my wife that said she didn't like the ride and feel compared to the pilot

She said the pilot felt more "secure" what ever that means?

I'm not sure what she's getting at. Did she think that the Highlander ride was too soft, or steering to vague? Or did she feel that the Pilot was a bit wider and she felt safer?

Another alternative is the Toyota Venza. It is built on a similar platform to the Highlander, but is a bit lower to the ground and smaller. It should drive a bit more car-like than the Highlander, which may or may not be what your wife is looking for.

If you think the Pilot is a bit too big, you could also consider the Honda CRV. The CRV is smaller and is also a cross-over vehicle -- built on a platform derived from the Civic, if I recall correctly. But I'm guessing that your wife wants a big vehicle because she thinks it is safer (which is arguable, but not an argument you'll likely win with a new mom).

 

[overdraftfee]

I'm not sure what she's getting at. Did she think that the Highlander ride was too soft, or steering to vague? Or did she feel that the Pilot was a bit wider and she felt safer?

Another alternative is the Toyota Venza. It is built on a similar platform to the Highlander, but is a bit lower to the ground and smaller. It should drive a bit more car-like than the Highlander, which may or may not be what your wife is looking for.

If you think the Pilot is a bit too big, you could also consider the Honda CRV. The CRV is smaller and is also a cross-over vehicle -- built on a platform derived from the Civic, if I recall correctly. But I'm guessing that your wife wants a big vehicle because she thinks it is safer (which is arguable, but not an argument you'll likely win with a new mom).

we actually test drove over a year ago when we bought the 1st camry. we got this from the money when my corolla was totaled..

then camry got totalled....

we then after a few months deciding what to do we just replaced the camry with another one.. that got stolen ..( INSURANCE COMPANY LOVES US none of them our fault) so now that is where this whole suv option came up

so i guess it will be good to test drive all again to see what she likes

 

[mikeync]

(I just bought one of each.)

This is what I recommend to anyone that can't make up their mind

 

[mikeync]

So the Highlander is safer since it is a unibody vehicle (learned that here then we still bought the 4runner )

If you get the 4Runner negotiate in the running boards or it will not be easier with kids. Didn't realize how annoying it is not to have them......before it was to late / pay yourself that is

Others to consider

Honda CRV

Subaru Tribeca

Nissan Pathfinder / XTerra

Nissan Murano

Lexus RX

Acura MDX

Toyota FJ Cruiser

Mitsubishi Outlander

 

[overdraftfee]

So the Highlander is safer since it is a unibody vehicle (learned that here then we still bought the 4runner )

If you get the 4Runner negotiate in the running boards or it will not be easier with kids. Didn't realize how annoying it is not to have them......before it was to late / pay yourself that is

Others to consider

Honda CRV

Subaru Tribeca

Nissan Pathfinder / XTerra

Nissan Murano

Lexus RX

Acura MDX

Toyota FJ Cruiser

Mitsubishi Outlander

thanks ....

looks like my choices got easier


Toyota halts sales of 8 recalled vehicle models - LA Daily News

i wonder what they mean by halt.....

if i go into the dealer today will they not sell me one ?

or do the mean higher up the ladder?

four runner isn't on the list !!!!

 

[M1911]

So the Highlander is safer since it is a unibody vehicle (learned that here then we still bought the 4runner )

I didn't, and wouldn't, put it that way. The Highlander is safer because it has a lower center of gravity, and thus is less likely to roll over in an accident. Rollovers result in many fatalities.

And, in fact, if we look at the ratings:

2010 Highlander rollover rating: 4 stars.
2010 4Runner rollover rating: 3 stars.

You can find the ratings here: Safercar.gov

 

[overdraftfee]

I didn't, and wouldn't, put it that way. The Highlander is safer because it has a lower center of gravity, and thus is less likely to roll over in an accident. Rollovers result in many fatalities.

And, in fact, if we look at the ratings:

2010 Highlander rollover rating: 4 stars.
2010 4Runner rollover rating: 3 stars.

You can find the ratings here: Safercar.gov

great link thanks

 

[adoihcj]

Since she said she wants a Pilot, I would buy a Pilot.

My wife started with a blank sheet of paper and looked at everything she could find to replace her aging Acura MDX (looking online - we don't have dealers of any brand near us). The 2010 4Runner was tops on her list, and after a week of searching dealers within three hours of us we found one 4Runner to test drive. It took her only ten seconds sitting in the drivers seat to realize she hated it up there. Scratch the 4Runner. The Highlaner was not really on her list, but we drove one of those while we were at the dealer and she loved it as soon as she got behind the wheel. She didn't even bother to drive any other vehicles and now she has a Highlander on the way.

In the process of reviewing all of her original choices to make sure she was getting a good vehicle, I decided that I needed a 4Runner (replacing my 2008 MDX) - oops. So now we have two Toyotas on order, and mine new car will have LESS room inside than hers!

We started with a blank sheet of paper as well. We went in originally looking for a Highlander. No offense, but my wife looked at the Highlander and said no way am I driving that around. She's the one that saw the 4Runner first and said, what's that? She said she wanted something more masculine looking and the Highlander looks like every other vehicle out there. I just asked her a few minutes ago to remind me why she didn't like the Highlander. Her response was the following: "When has anyone ever looked at a Highlander and said, wow, look at that?"

 

[Uneek]

The Pilot is rated to tow 3500lbs for a 2WD, and 4500lbs for 4WD. Premium fuel is recommended for towing above 3500lbs. It may also required additional accessories for towing, if it's not the Touring model. I'm not sure why the 4WD would be able to tow more than the 2WD, usually the opposite is true.

The 4Runner is rated to tow 5000lbs. It comes with the tow hitch and trail plug harness in place. If the 5th is like the 4th, it'll even come with the pig-tail harness for a trailer brake controller.

As mentioned, the biggest difference is 4Runner is a truck based SUV. The Pilot is a car-based SUV. But don't be fool, the 4Runner is dog gone comfy for a truck.

 

[Titanpat57]

The Pilot is rated to tow 3500lbs for a 2WD, and 4500lbs for 4WD. Premium fuel is recommended for towing above 3500lbs. It may also required additional accessories for towing, if it's not the Touring model. I'm not sure why the 4WD would be able to tow more than the 2WD, usually the opposite is true.

The 4Runner is rated to tow 5000lbs. It comes with the tow hitch and trail plug harness in place. If the 5th is like the 4th, it'll even come with the pig-tail harness for a trailer brake controller.

As mentioned, the biggest difference is 4Runner is a truck based SUV. The Pilot is a car-based SUV. But don't be fool, the 4Runner is dog gone comfy for a truck.

Is that what that was?!:lmao:

The pigtail is in the glove compartment..learn sumtin new everyday!!..TY Mr Uneek

 

[gm350reratliff]

And parking it in a tight space is not fun.

Really? My '08 turns on a dime and is probably one of the easiest to park vehicles I have ever driven. Even better than a G6 I used to have. That being said, this is the smallest "truck" I have ever owned.

As for Mr. overdraftfee,
one thing that was important for me and my wife was a matching spare tire. At least in size. Some of the places we go, along with the weather conditions that go with these places, having a "space-saver spare" or donut is useless to us. Not sure if its such an issue in LA. Most cross-over suv's only have the donut spare.

 

[M1911]

Really? My '08 turns on a dime and is probably one of the easiest to park vehicles I have ever driven. Even better than a G6 I used to have. That being said, this is the smallest "truck" I have ever owned.

It depends upon your frame of reference. My previous car was a GTI. The original poster's previous car was a Camry. The 4Runner is a good bit bigger.