As many on here know, I recently traded my 2011 SR5 4Runner for a 2012 TE 4Runner with KDSS and Entune. Most of you are expecting some detailed comparison of suspension systems and such but this ground has already been tilled many times so I won't repeat it.
I instead want to take a few minutes to give my observations on not what I think about the differences between the SR5 vs the TE are per se but the differences between my 2011 4Runner and my 2012 4Runner. What does that mean you ask? You probably are like me and read all the published literature stating the changes between year to year models of the 5th generation 4Runners. What I am about to discuss was not published anywhere to my knowledge.
Brakes:
The 2012 TE brakes engage much quicker than my 2011 SR5. Pedal travel to initial engagement is what I am talking about. Also the "squish" sound has a shorter duration and the noise is almost inaudible.
Downshifting On Hills:
I will call it grade logic but I think that is Honda's name for it. Basically it is when you decend a hill without touching your brakes and if you are in a certain set of parameters, your 4Runner will downshift for you to prevent an unintended increase of speed. The 2011 did this but it was almost harsh in it's shift. Rpm's would go up by almost 1000 in certain conditions and you really felt it when it happened. On my 2012 the RPM change when this happens is much lower and you have to really pay attention to see or feel it happening. Again, much smoother on the 2012.
Homelink:
My 2012's homelink has a significant range advantage over the 2011. I feel like I can open the garage door from the next county! My 2011 had to be within 50 feet or so and even then it took multiple "pushes" before the signal was received. Now it is one push from several hundred feet and *woosh* there goes the door. Magic? I think so.
Hitch Receiver:
What could be different about the hitch receiver you are thinking. Well, I'll tell you. I use my hitch to pull a small trailer and also haul my bikes. I ride daily so I am constantly removing one hitch and installing the bike rack. Anyone ever done the "almost lined up pin wiggle?" You know, that move you make when the pin is almost lined up but not quite? On the 2011 SR5 the receiver pin cross drill was almost, but not quite, square. This resulted in lots of wiggling and forcing the pin through. I had even bought a new pin thinking that was the problem but I eventually came to accept the fact that the receiver drilling was off a hair. When I mounted my bike rack yesterday I fully expected the same dance and was pleasantly suprised when the pin slid right through on the first try. I naturally believed it to be luck so I took it off and did it again...and again. Yep, the hitch is perfect.
(not as) Dirty Rear Window:
I debated about including this one because this is a simple mod I could have done on the 2011 to achieve the same result but I wanted to include it so some of you guys could do it for yourselves. I drove 100 miles or so of interstate travel last night in the rain. I had put over 50K miles on the 2011 SR5 in about two years so I have a lot of seat time in a 4Runner in all conditions. I am also fairly observant. I immediately noticed the rear window did not get as dirty as my 2011. I normally use the rear wiper only when it gets to dirty and blurry to see decent and then I just use the one it for one swipe. I noticed now on the 2012 TE that I went much longer between swipes. I started thinking of the "why" this was happening and came to the conclusion, much to my chagrin, that the solution was simple: Mud flaps! The TE has stock rear mud flaps and the SR5 does not. Did not even think about them providing better rear visibility by decreasing the amount of water spray kicked up from the tires. So, lesson learned there.
So there you have it. First off, I did not trade because I was dissatisfied with the SR5. Nor did I trade because I was lusting after different features. I traded simply because I was offered a good deal. The stars aligned and it happened. Yes, I do like the KDSS and the gauges and the TE body style but I liked the SR5 as well. Back to the story:
I would think that there would be no difference between those items listed above going from a 2011 to a 2012 but there are. Did I just have a substandard 2011 SR5? Did I get a stellar 2012 TE? I don't think so because many of those same issues were reported by multiple other owners. Did Toyota improve these functions by changing internally a few designs? I find that much more likely but that probably won't be answered on this forum. Anyway, thanks for reading and I hope it helps some of you. Now for the obligatory picture:
