It has been roughly six months since my 2013 BP 4Runner SR5 4WD was purchased. Many of you were all too kind giving advice and suggestions to my (stupid) questions. I have logged just over 4,000 miles with her including a roughly 2,000 mile family vacation to the Custer State Park in SD.
First off we just love the truck - no regrets on the purchase. We had a great family vacation with lots of room, not something that can be said with the Torrent that we have. On the trip the truck averaged right around 19.5 which was less than I had hoped for but was about what I was expecting - much of the trip was spent at 75-80 MPH on I-90. If the speed was kept at about 70 23 MPG was very possible however very little of the trip was spent at that speed. It was either interstate speed with my heavy right foot or curvy hilly driving in Custer State Park.
The truck also has returned surprisingly good fuel economy in a city with lots of hills. Basically all in town driving it is sitting at 15-16 MPG. Not bad, considering the Torrent which was FWD got 16-16.5. I have never figured out why it hasn't gotten better but it is what it is. The economy does go south quickly in the cold snowy weather by a couple MPG's which is to be expected when 4H is engaged and the roads are totally snow covered. Also I am amazed by its performance in 2H on sloppy streets and roads. It handles a little dusting or half clear/half covered streets just fine in 2WD if you have either a little snow or the typical "tire tracks." Those of you from the North know exactly what I am talking about.
I always had a cardinal rule with snow - if you can't get some place with 2WD then you shouldn't be out. I have changed that rule... The 4Runner is better than I could have ever imagined possible. We have side streets that are full of hills and never get plowed the SR5 eats them up with several inches of snow. In fact we had roughly 6 inches one Monday morning and it trucked right on through it in 4H on the snow covered streets and 2H on the highway as it was "half clear."
I have read all over the internet that the V8 is missed on the 4Runner, I am not doubting a 4.6 from the GX wouldn't be great but honestly the 4.0 does just fine. On my trip at 80 MPH on the interstate I never lacked for any power and would hit 90 passing no problem and quickly! Furthermore, off the line the thing feels really powerful and this is coming from a guy used to 3800's in GM cars which is known for plenty of low end pull. The five speed automatic also clicks off shifts smoothly and the manual mode is handy. It does however shift early for fuel economy sake. Even in my hilly town the tach needle commonly doesn't swing past 2K or 2,500 RPM. The same cannot be said for a Traverse/Enclave/Acadia, I was constantly ringing that "HF" 3.6L V6 out in those not so with the 4.0L.
For the record I was considering one of the GM Lambada triplets when SUV/CUV shopping. I decided I wasn't buying a SUV/CUV for good fuel economy and might as well have a full-frame for towing and a truck engine/trans for the small MPG decrease. Plus the 4Runner was the perfect size not as big or expensive as a Tahoe/Yukon (better for the garage) and still has a full-frame for truck capabilities. All in all it is perfect and just what I was looking for. After 6 months I am enjoying my first Toyota - a company I said I would never buy a car from. If the 4Runner gives me 10 plus faithful years of service or I am offered a great trade-in someday I would certainly get another.
I have compared fuel economy to a buddies 3.5L V6 AWD Highlander and honestly in my town it is hardly any better than my 4Runner which leads me to believe more people would be better off with real SUV's. The 4Runner ended up being a perfect fit as an Equinox was too small and limited with towing and got poor fuel economy with 3.6/AWD. The Tahoe/Yukon were nice but too big and honestly my entire family needs to feel comfortable parking and driving whatever we get/got. That left the Lambada triplets however nice and refined I couldn't get over the lack of power from the high revving 3.6 and piss poor economy in AWD models. However the 3.6 is fine in my Impala or a Camaro which I have sampled it in - it just doesn't belong in nearly 5,000 pound "soft-roader." It made a 4Runner an easy choice once I took off my GM "blinders." I am so glad I did. I just wanted to let you all know I love the "truck" as it is called. I wouldn't be too surprised if another one shows up in my fleet soon.
First off we just love the truck - no regrets on the purchase. We had a great family vacation with lots of room, not something that can be said with the Torrent that we have. On the trip the truck averaged right around 19.5 which was less than I had hoped for but was about what I was expecting - much of the trip was spent at 75-80 MPH on I-90. If the speed was kept at about 70 23 MPG was very possible however very little of the trip was spent at that speed. It was either interstate speed with my heavy right foot or curvy hilly driving in Custer State Park.
The truck also has returned surprisingly good fuel economy in a city with lots of hills. Basically all in town driving it is sitting at 15-16 MPG. Not bad, considering the Torrent which was FWD got 16-16.5. I have never figured out why it hasn't gotten better but it is what it is. The economy does go south quickly in the cold snowy weather by a couple MPG's which is to be expected when 4H is engaged and the roads are totally snow covered. Also I am amazed by its performance in 2H on sloppy streets and roads. It handles a little dusting or half clear/half covered streets just fine in 2WD if you have either a little snow or the typical "tire tracks." Those of you from the North know exactly what I am talking about.
I always had a cardinal rule with snow - if you can't get some place with 2WD then you shouldn't be out. I have changed that rule... The 4Runner is better than I could have ever imagined possible. We have side streets that are full of hills and never get plowed the SR5 eats them up with several inches of snow. In fact we had roughly 6 inches one Monday morning and it trucked right on through it in 4H on the snow covered streets and 2H on the highway as it was "half clear."
I have read all over the internet that the V8 is missed on the 4Runner, I am not doubting a 4.6 from the GX wouldn't be great but honestly the 4.0 does just fine. On my trip at 80 MPH on the interstate I never lacked for any power and would hit 90 passing no problem and quickly! Furthermore, off the line the thing feels really powerful and this is coming from a guy used to 3800's in GM cars which is known for plenty of low end pull. The five speed automatic also clicks off shifts smoothly and the manual mode is handy. It does however shift early for fuel economy sake. Even in my hilly town the tach needle commonly doesn't swing past 2K or 2,500 RPM. The same cannot be said for a Traverse/Enclave/Acadia, I was constantly ringing that "HF" 3.6L V6 out in those not so with the 4.0L.
For the record I was considering one of the GM Lambada triplets when SUV/CUV shopping. I decided I wasn't buying a SUV/CUV for good fuel economy and might as well have a full-frame for towing and a truck engine/trans for the small MPG decrease. Plus the 4Runner was the perfect size not as big or expensive as a Tahoe/Yukon (better for the garage) and still has a full-frame for truck capabilities. All in all it is perfect and just what I was looking for. After 6 months I am enjoying my first Toyota - a company I said I would never buy a car from. If the 4Runner gives me 10 plus faithful years of service or I am offered a great trade-in someday I would certainly get another.
I have compared fuel economy to a buddies 3.5L V6 AWD Highlander and honestly in my town it is hardly any better than my 4Runner which leads me to believe more people would be better off with real SUV's. The 4Runner ended up being a perfect fit as an Equinox was too small and limited with towing and got poor fuel economy with 3.6/AWD. The Tahoe/Yukon were nice but too big and honestly my entire family needs to feel comfortable parking and driving whatever we get/got. That left the Lambada triplets however nice and refined I couldn't get over the lack of power from the high revving 3.6 and piss poor economy in AWD models. However the 3.6 is fine in my Impala or a Camaro which I have sampled it in - it just doesn't belong in nearly 5,000 pound "soft-roader." It made a 4Runner an easy choice once I took off my GM "blinders." I am so glad I did. I just wanted to let you all know I love the "truck" as it is called. I wouldn't be too surprised if another one shows up in my fleet soon.
