ciaz
New member
Today I sold my 2010 Limited after 29,401 miles. It wasn’t an easy choice and there were many factors at play that helped influence my decision to sell. I’ve been on this forum for a while, and many of you have gone out of your way to help me out, so writing a “farewell” and a subjective critique of my ownership experience seemed like a good idea!
I should mention that before buying the 4runner, I owned a 2007 Infiniti G35 S Sedan with a 6speed manual gearbox. It was loaded with every conceivable option. I purchased it new in 2007 because my 2005 Infiniti G35 Coupe was totaled. I have nothing but great things to say about the Infiniti G series, I just needed a change and ended up with a 4runner.
The 4runner really stood out when I was researching vehicles to buy. First, I desperately needed something larger. I have a 90 pound Chocolate Lab, and putting him in the back seat of my Infiniti was not fun. The 4runner’s cargo area (with the retractable rear window) was a total plus! Also, I drive a lot for work so I put roughly 15 – 20k per year on my vehicles. This isn’t hard to do living in the Phoenix Metro area. The 4runner’s reputation for reliability/durability and its off-road capabilities were factors that drew me in. I was looking for something that I was going to own for a decade or more. After weeks of research and a few test drives later, I was in a brand new fully loaded Limited.
The transition to the 4runner was peculiar. It was an immense change going from a 315+HP sport sedan to a (what I felt at the time) MASSIVE SUV. I embraced it and slowly remembered what driving an SUV was all about. My first car was a 1992 Ford Explorer 4x4. I knew that Toyota wasn’t considered a luxury brand, so I wasn’t surprised when the technology and the interior materials seemed to lack a bit in comparison to the Infiniti.
Right off the bat I learned to HATE the NAV & Voice interface. I found this out at the dealership while test driving 4runners, so I knew what I was getting in to. I can learn to live with certain things. Not a huge deal, but the technology in my 2007 Infiniti was light-years better than the tech in my 2010 4runner. Toyota/Lexus’ tech seems behind everyone else’s. However, the bluetooth mic in the 4runner works much better than it did in the Infiniti. I should also mention that the upgraded JBL system in the 4runner is WAY better than the “premium” Bose system in the Infiniti G series, even without the 3.5” kappa upgrade. The lack of Xenon Projectors was also a big letdown, but I must admit that the headlights & fogs work great in the 4runner.
After a few thousand miles of driving the new 4runner, it become clear that most of the plastic interior surfaces felt sort of cheap and hollow. There are many different grades of plastic available to choose from, and in my opinion, Toyota cheeped out big-time in this area. I’ve taken meticulous care of every vehicle I’ve ever owned, and by comparison, the plastic interior of the 4runner scuffs and scratches the easiest, with the exception of the plastic they use for the A and the D pillars. Also; I’m not sure if it’s the warm AZ weather or the lack of humidity, but the black plastic that surrounds the window/door lock controls likes to creak when pushed on or when you drive over bumps. I’d also like to point out that the large plastic handles that you use to close the doors from inside the car feel cheap not very sturdy. In addition to my gripes with the interior panels, the exterior sheet metal is VERY thin for a rugged SUV. The sheet metal on the FJ cruiser and the Sequoia is noticeably thicker.
Another complaint I have with the 4runner is its engine performance, or lack thereof. I know I know - you don’t buy a 4runner because you want to go fast. With that said, the 2010 4runner is still slow, or at least it’s designed to encourage you to drive slowly. It took me a long time to get used to the throttle response. The first 40% of the pedal press felt “numb” and not very responsive. To get any real power out of it you need to mash the accelerator pedal further into the floor than what I consider to be normal. My 4runner was not in the VIN range to have any “throttle lag” TSB applied. I understand that Toyota wants to try to improve the fuel efficiency in their mid-sized SUVs, but dumbing down the throttle and placing a flashing green leaf on my dash just isn’t going to do it for me. My buddy has a 2010 Sequoia with 380HP and 400 pounds of torque. With my 3” lift and 285/70/17 tires, we get the same gas mileage… The engine in the Sequoia is AWESOME. Every time I drive it I’m blue with envy. Even without the lift and 3-4mpg better fuel efficiency, the Sequoia is (ironically) more fun to drive. Which brings me to my next point…
Handling - This was the kicker for me. My 4runner had some strange handling issues. I noticed it with the XREAS and with the Toytec lift. No matter how many alignments I got, or what level I raised the coils to, the truck never felt stable. The 4runner is noticeably impacted by crosswinds on the highway and on uneven/crowned roads. By comparison, my friend’s Sequoia demonstrates much, much more stability on and off the highway. Even my old Ford Explorer handled better. I’ve heard other 4runner owners complain of the handling, so I know I’m not alone here. I think this issue could be attributed to the fact that the fuel tank, the battery, and the driver are all located on the same side of the vehicle. Toyota seemingly made no effort to compensate for this. It’s pathetic that the vehicle leans to the driver’s side when you completely fill the gas tank. I refuse to consider that “normal”.
I really wanted to love the 4runner, but in the end I only sort of liked it. It was a lot of money to have tied up in a vehicle I wasn’t wild about. The vehicle itself has such potential. The new styling is awesome and the off-road capabilities are great. If they could find a happy compromise between the 4runner and the Land Cruiser (that isn’t a Lexus) I’d seriously consider it. Maybe their “refresh” will address some of my complaints, but I’m moving on to greener pastures. I just couldn’t see myself driving it for another 5-10 years. On the bright side – the 5th gens have AMAZING resale value!!!
I’m sure I’ll continue lurking in the forums, and maybe one day I’ll own another 4runner. I’m glad to have been a part of such a great forum. I wish you all the best. Also, please don’t flame me. I’m just speaking my opinion.
I should mention that before buying the 4runner, I owned a 2007 Infiniti G35 S Sedan with a 6speed manual gearbox. It was loaded with every conceivable option. I purchased it new in 2007 because my 2005 Infiniti G35 Coupe was totaled. I have nothing but great things to say about the Infiniti G series, I just needed a change and ended up with a 4runner.
The 4runner really stood out when I was researching vehicles to buy. First, I desperately needed something larger. I have a 90 pound Chocolate Lab, and putting him in the back seat of my Infiniti was not fun. The 4runner’s cargo area (with the retractable rear window) was a total plus! Also, I drive a lot for work so I put roughly 15 – 20k per year on my vehicles. This isn’t hard to do living in the Phoenix Metro area. The 4runner’s reputation for reliability/durability and its off-road capabilities were factors that drew me in. I was looking for something that I was going to own for a decade or more. After weeks of research and a few test drives later, I was in a brand new fully loaded Limited.
The transition to the 4runner was peculiar. It was an immense change going from a 315+HP sport sedan to a (what I felt at the time) MASSIVE SUV. I embraced it and slowly remembered what driving an SUV was all about. My first car was a 1992 Ford Explorer 4x4. I knew that Toyota wasn’t considered a luxury brand, so I wasn’t surprised when the technology and the interior materials seemed to lack a bit in comparison to the Infiniti.
Right off the bat I learned to HATE the NAV & Voice interface. I found this out at the dealership while test driving 4runners, so I knew what I was getting in to. I can learn to live with certain things. Not a huge deal, but the technology in my 2007 Infiniti was light-years better than the tech in my 2010 4runner. Toyota/Lexus’ tech seems behind everyone else’s. However, the bluetooth mic in the 4runner works much better than it did in the Infiniti. I should also mention that the upgraded JBL system in the 4runner is WAY better than the “premium” Bose system in the Infiniti G series, even without the 3.5” kappa upgrade. The lack of Xenon Projectors was also a big letdown, but I must admit that the headlights & fogs work great in the 4runner.
After a few thousand miles of driving the new 4runner, it become clear that most of the plastic interior surfaces felt sort of cheap and hollow. There are many different grades of plastic available to choose from, and in my opinion, Toyota cheeped out big-time in this area. I’ve taken meticulous care of every vehicle I’ve ever owned, and by comparison, the plastic interior of the 4runner scuffs and scratches the easiest, with the exception of the plastic they use for the A and the D pillars. Also; I’m not sure if it’s the warm AZ weather or the lack of humidity, but the black plastic that surrounds the window/door lock controls likes to creak when pushed on or when you drive over bumps. I’d also like to point out that the large plastic handles that you use to close the doors from inside the car feel cheap not very sturdy. In addition to my gripes with the interior panels, the exterior sheet metal is VERY thin for a rugged SUV. The sheet metal on the FJ cruiser and the Sequoia is noticeably thicker.
Another complaint I have with the 4runner is its engine performance, or lack thereof. I know I know - you don’t buy a 4runner because you want to go fast. With that said, the 2010 4runner is still slow, or at least it’s designed to encourage you to drive slowly. It took me a long time to get used to the throttle response. The first 40% of the pedal press felt “numb” and not very responsive. To get any real power out of it you need to mash the accelerator pedal further into the floor than what I consider to be normal. My 4runner was not in the VIN range to have any “throttle lag” TSB applied. I understand that Toyota wants to try to improve the fuel efficiency in their mid-sized SUVs, but dumbing down the throttle and placing a flashing green leaf on my dash just isn’t going to do it for me. My buddy has a 2010 Sequoia with 380HP and 400 pounds of torque. With my 3” lift and 285/70/17 tires, we get the same gas mileage… The engine in the Sequoia is AWESOME. Every time I drive it I’m blue with envy. Even without the lift and 3-4mpg better fuel efficiency, the Sequoia is (ironically) more fun to drive. Which brings me to my next point…
Handling - This was the kicker for me. My 4runner had some strange handling issues. I noticed it with the XREAS and with the Toytec lift. No matter how many alignments I got, or what level I raised the coils to, the truck never felt stable. The 4runner is noticeably impacted by crosswinds on the highway and on uneven/crowned roads. By comparison, my friend’s Sequoia demonstrates much, much more stability on and off the highway. Even my old Ford Explorer handled better. I’ve heard other 4runner owners complain of the handling, so I know I’m not alone here. I think this issue could be attributed to the fact that the fuel tank, the battery, and the driver are all located on the same side of the vehicle. Toyota seemingly made no effort to compensate for this. It’s pathetic that the vehicle leans to the driver’s side when you completely fill the gas tank. I refuse to consider that “normal”.
I really wanted to love the 4runner, but in the end I only sort of liked it. It was a lot of money to have tied up in a vehicle I wasn’t wild about. The vehicle itself has such potential. The new styling is awesome and the off-road capabilities are great. If they could find a happy compromise between the 4runner and the Land Cruiser (that isn’t a Lexus) I’d seriously consider it. Maybe their “refresh” will address some of my complaints, but I’m moving on to greener pastures. I just couldn’t see myself driving it for another 5-10 years. On the bright side – the 5th gens have AMAZING resale value!!!
I’m sure I’ll continue lurking in the forums, and maybe one day I’ll own another 4runner. I’m glad to have been a part of such a great forum. I wish you all the best. Also, please don’t flame me. I’m just speaking my opinion.
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