Test drove another 5th gen...just couldn't buy it

[odyrunner]

I am not sure on the position being pushed here. The 4Runner is not going to be a big displacement tow vehicle. That has never ever been about what a 4Runner is. Plenty of vehicles out there can do that to choose from.

Those 2011 side doors, you might be aware of, meet very high side impact standards applied to vehicles these days, not to mention the car has side, knee, body, and head airbags. I have no problem with the doors. Sure - they could "feel" more "heavy", but really?

All vehicles to some point are a compromise. However the 5th Gen 4Runner is a sweet ride. Seriously, look at the options you have in the light SUV real 4x4 class right now - esp. in its price range. This car does so much, offers a 270hp vvi-t V6 and I can cruise and get 24mpg on the highway with all it's trim. Not bad at all. Not to mention it is body on frame and doesn't look like it was modeled after a feminine hygiene product.

 

[Renegad44]

Only thing I don't like about my 2011 Limited is, oh well, wait, no locking gas door :dammit:, this is my 3rd 4Runner, and loved them all. :hatsoff:

 

[scott78945]

Thanks all for the comments. I am glad to be reassured that some have the same concerns as I was thinking I was being to critical. I know all will get used to and this is just another one of those things.

 

[1engineer]

Thanks all for the comments. I am glad to be reassured that some have the same concerns as I was thinking I was being to critical. I know all will get used to and this is just another one of those things.

When you get the bug to drive something different have at it and most importantly enjoy it!

 

[kmiller8821]

Thanks all for the comments. I am glad to be reassured that some have the same concerns as I was thinking I was being to critical. I know all will get used to and this is just another one of those things.

Scott,
This is my fifth, 4 runner. I've previously had 2 3rd gen's (my 97 limited and my 2001 sport), 2 4th gens (2005, and 2006. The 2005 was totaled when an idiot decided a stop sign was optional), and now my 1st 5th. I can tell you, initially going from the 3rd to the 4th was wierd to me, but within months, it had become as comfortable, and as familiar as my 3rd. When I got the 5th, initially, again, I felt like I was driving "someone else's truck" for the first month or so, but after things settled, again, it felt like home. 4Runner's, regardless of generation, are an excellent vehicle. I continue to trade up as the technology changes. My 3rd was great, my 4th added more space, my 5th is even bigger. Do I miss certain things from each one? You bet I do. Where did my automatic locking hatch go? Where did my ability to roll down my rear window go (with the fob)? BUT, I have new toys like "key? who needs a key? push the button and go". The point being, each generation will always delete or change something we've grown accustom to, but I think in the end, you will feel just as at home in the 5th, as you do in your 4th. I know I do.

I've now got 18,521 miles on my 5th, and I love it more every day!

 

[webby]

... Where did my ability to roll down my rear window go (with the fob)? ...

There is no way to roll down the rear window with the key fob on the 5th Gen???

 

[scott78945]

There is no way to roll down the rear window with the key fob on the 5th Gen???

I thought you could but only on the Limited but unsure. Some have noted that our remote can be programed to so it but try finding a dealer to do that. With that being said, possibly and aftermarket install could do it for you or if you decide to put in a remote starter. I think someone else commented on this in another post.

 

[Koz]

Scott,
The point being, each generation will always delete or change something we've grown accustom to, but I think in the end, you will feel just as at home in the 5th, as you do in your 4th. I've now got 18,521 miles on my 5th, and I love it more every day!

Well said!

Koz

 

[kmiller8821]

There is no way to roll down the rear window with the key fob on the 5th Gen???

I thought you could but only on the Limited but unsure. Some have noted that our remote can be programed to so it but try finding a dealer to do that. With that being said, possibly and aftermarket install could do it for you or if you decide to put in a remote starter. I think someone else commented on this in another post.

To both of you, nope, the keyfob can be programmed to roll down all your windows (and open the moonroof), but alas, can no longer be used to roll down the rear window. On the Limited, you can use the push buttons on the rear hatch (the "up" and "down" arrows) to roll the window up and down. On the trail and SR5, however, you have to use the key in the rear hatch. A bit of an annoyance considering how long this feature has been in 4runner.

 

[webby]

To both of you, nope, the keyfob can be programmed to roll down all your windows (and open the moonroof), but alas, can no longer be used to roll down the rear window. On the Limited, you can use the push buttons on the rear hatch (the "up" and "down" arrows) to roll the window up and down. On the trail and SR5, however, you have to use the key in the rear hatch. A bit of an annoyance considering how long this feature has been in 4runner.

Yeah, it is both surprising and a bit of an annoyance. Where, by the way, are the up and down push buttons on the rear hatch of the Limited? -- I presume on the inside of the rear hatch, otherwise, anyone strolling by your runner in a parking lot could roll the rear window down.

On my 4th Gen, I roll down that rear window many many times when shopping to drop in bags of groceries, etc, then roll up the window once I hop in the driver's seat. Since there is no power lift gate option on the 4Runner (a serious mistake on Toyota's part, IMHO), to eliminate the key fob rear window roll-down option is just plain stupid.

I have bad shoulders, and since there is no power lift gate option, and now on the 5th Gen, no rear window roll-down option on the key-fob, as much as I really hate to consider moving away from Toyota, I may have to consider a different make of SUV when it is time to upgrade from my 4th Gen.

 

[scanny]

Thanks all for the comments. I am glad to be reassured that some have the same concerns as I was thinking I was being to critical. I know all will get used to and this is just another one of those things.

In my opinion 4Runner is the best vehicle today in class for the price. Yes, it has its shorcomings and compromises, I miss some features I got used to in other vehicles I drove. But there is simple no other mid size SUV today in the same price category so well suitable for roads and offroad and as reliable as T4R.

 

[scott78945]

As everyone said it will take some time to get used to. With that being said I am going back again tomorrow to look at it again and see if I can strike a deal on the magnetic gray that they have on the lot. I got used to it before I am sure I will again...

 

[kmiller8821]

Yeah, it is both surprising and a bit of an annoyance. Where, by the way, are the up and down push buttons on the rear hatch of the Limited? -- I presume on the inside of the rear hatch, otherwise, anyone strolling by your runner in a parking lot could roll the rear window down.

Webby,
The up/down arrows are actually located on the back of the hatch, where the keyhole would normally be. The LIMITED has the new smartkey system, so the arrows do not activate unless the keyfob is detected. I don't have to actually use a physical key to unlock, or start the limited. (Push button). I simply need the smartkey fob in my pocket, and the doors unlock when I touch the handle, the car starts when I press the button, and the rear window arrows function only when I'm standing at the rear of the truck. Hope that clarifies your question.

 

[webby]

Webby,
The up/down arrows are actually located on the back of the hatch, where the keyhole would normally be. The LIMITED has the new smartkey system, so the arrows do not activate unless the keyfob is detected. I don't have to actually use a physical key to unlock, or start the limited. (Push button). I simply need the smartkey fob in my pocket, and the doors unlock when I touch the handle, the car starts when I press the button, and the rear window arrows function only when I'm standing at the rear of the truck. Hope that clarifies your question.

Great, thanks for that info. I was already familiar with the press to start button and the door unlock function on the Limited. And I did own a Corvette once that had those features. But I wasn't familiar with the up and down buttons on the rear gate and that they were also linked to the presence of the key fob. That's awesome to know. Thanks for explaining!

 

[WIT4R]

how many previous generation 4runner owners does it take to screw in a lightbulb? Three. One to screw it in and two to talk about how good the old lightbulb was!

lmao

 

[Screecha]

The Up arrow also locks all the doors if you press it for about 3 seconds.

 

[WIT4R]

The Up arrow also locks all the doors if you press it for about 3 seconds.

I don't think you have to hold it down for 3 seconds. I just press the button and let go and it locks everything as I walk away.

 

[Jin]

scott,

bet you could save a boatload of cash by buying another 2005 instead.

i would have considered older gen 4 runners...but i like how the 3rd row seats fold down. i also like the looks of the 5th gen way more; but that's how it goes, not everyone has the same tastes.

 

[KCcarguy]

As everyone said it will take some time to get used to. With that being said I am going back again tomorrow to look at it again and see if I can strike a deal on the magnetic gray that they have on the lot. I got used to it before I am sure I will again...

What's wrong with the 2005? If you don't like the 5th, don't buy one and risk regret later. Are you just really hard-up for a new truck?

I love the 4th gens. I would have bought one, but they hold their value so well, I bought a new 5th for only $2k-3k more than a low mile used 4th would have cost. Now that I have my 5th, I'm glad I did it. However, they are very different vehicles than the 4ths. The fifth is less refined than the 4th gen in about every way, except the 5th is much quieter on the highway. The 5th's second row seat is also more spacious/ comfortable. To be honest, the 5th gen reminds me more of my 2005 Tacoma than my dad's 2004 4runner. As a matter of fact, the first thing my wife said when I brought home the new 4runner is "this is just like your pickup....it even sounds the same". Since I loved my Tacoma, but had to upgrade for a new baby :reddance:, it was a perfect fit for me.

The 4runner is not a refined pseudo-luxury SUV anymore (Thats the GX 460's job). I think of it as a Tacoma-SUV with a quieter ride and more luxury features (leather, heated power seats, bluetooth, ipod connectivity, sunroof). If I can have all this in a package as tough/ reliable as my Taco was, I'll forgive the minor quirks.

I think you'll find most guys (and gals) on the forum bought their 4runner primarily because of its combination of rugged capability and reputation for reliability. We all knew there were more refined vehicles out there, but chose reliability and longevity instead. On that note: Toyota obviously did some cost-cutting on the 5th gen. and that's OK. Let's hope for their sake they didn't cut back on quality of construction or they might lose all of their loyal customers. I, like many on t4r.org, bought my truck expecting to keep it for the long-haul and use it as intended. I hope the new 4runners keep the legend alive. Only time will tell.

:cheers:

 

[-JD-]

I can't believe some of the whining going on on here. If the worst complaint about a vehicle you can find is the sliding rear window isn't remote and the gas cap doesnt' lock I'd say we are in pretty good shape. Seriously, get on a Jeep forum or a ford forum and see what they are complaining about. Suspension components breaking in the first few months, bushings replaced and lots more. I'd say Toyota did a pretty damn good job, especially considering the economic conditions that the 5th gen was built in. I'm OK with some cheaper plastic if it means that I still have a bulletproof drivetrain. Hell, plastic is cheap and easy to replace....