Thinking about switching to 4Runner from Tundra

[Jhalko]

Not sure where in Colorado you are but I drive into the mountains several times a month year round and it gets up and down just fine. Compared to my old grand Cherokee the drivetrain is so much more smooth I don't mind not having the V8, while you don't zip around folks you don't have any problems passing on I70. I generally average about 19 with mixed city/hwy, still better then the 14 on my jeep. To the person that said that kind of increase isn't worth it, think in terms of percentage increase in mileage!

 

[JohnJerk]

Time for the tundra to follow domestics and get in the 20 mpg range on the highway. Toyota is so slow to adopt technology that the consumer loses in many cases including the 5.7. I had the 5.7 and it is awesome minus mpg, but those big tundras and sequoias are too big for most parking spots and that gets old unless you really need all the space those vehicles provide.

 

[ColoT4R]

Appreciate all of the responses, keep them coming.

Certainly I will miss the power of the 5.7, but I never use even half of it's towing capacity. I figure I will save $75/mo if I get 5mpg better, that's somewhat substanial.

Jessrin - I have the identical truck to the one you had

 

[Auntie Soshul]

My wife's only complaint so far has been fewer drink holders because we keep a butt can in one of the only 2 readily accessible in the front seat area.

She is aware that there is a bottle holder in each of the four doors? They're not so good for holding cups, though.

 

[Rubberdown]

I actually have both a tundra like yours and a 4runner. Hands down the 4runner gets better gas mileage, rides better, and is a more comfortable all around car. I use the truck bed quite a bit, otherwise we would be rocking 2 4runners

 

[13S4]

Time for the tundra to follow domestics and get in the 20 mpg range on the highway. Toyota is so slow to adopt technology that the consumer loses in many cases including the 5.7. I had the 5.7 and it is awesome minus mpg, but those big tundras and sequoias are too big for most parking spots and that gets old unless you really need all the space those vehicles provide.

+1.

I came form a 5.7L 2008 Sequoia and that thing was a beast. It was my wifes DD and once we moved to Calgary she hated it. We came from a small town that had over sized parking lots everywhere so it wasn't bad then. It was great for camping, and moving ALOT of stuff on the highway, but very impractical to use everyday.

I much prefer the 4 runner in every way.

 

[3wbdriver]

She is aware that there is a bottle holder in each of the four doors? They're not so good for holding cups, though.

We are both Sonic Route 44 drinkers with a passion. Bloomberg hates us! LOL

 

[KeithMaine]

I did the same thing...

I had a 2010 Tundra CrewMax with Rock Warrior package and ultimately went to a 2013 4Runner SR5. I am off road for hunting, fishing and work. I occasionally tow a 5x10 utility trailer or 16' boat. In neither case, do I ever get near the 5000 weight limit for towing. A few thoughts:

1) The Tundra's fuel consumption was simply unacceptable to me. I was dumping $500 plus / month into it. I actually traded the RW for an almost new Audi A4 Quattro. The fuel savings (which I track) were staggering and both my overall debt plus operating costs are appreciably lower. My Tundra was unmodified except for a rack and struggled to get more that 13.5. I calculate all fuel consumption by hand.

2) After a few months, I missed having a truck and gave the A4 to my wife and took her '05 Sequoia Limited. After a few more months, I decided that I wanted a 4R so I bought a new '13 SR5. I track my actual fuel consumption and have gone from 13.8 to about 17.6 for the type of driving I do. The 4Runner has noticeably better range than the Tundra.

3) I put aftermarket leather and heated seats into the 4Runner. The Tundra seats were never comfortable to me and I really disliked the black cloth. I find the 4Runner to be exceptionably comfortably.

4) The climate control system in the Tundra is a joke. Both the heat and A/C struggle to keep up with the weather in Maine. My brother has an identical Tundra in Colorado and he has observed the same tepid HVAC performance. OTOH, the 4Runner heats and cools quickly and thoroughly.

5) I carry a lot of gear plus my wife and to kids. While the CrewMax has more absolute interior passenger space, the 4Runner has more interior storage space overall. The kids appreciate the reclining rear seats in both.

6) Maneuverability: the 4Runner wins hands down. I dreaded going into parking garages in the CrewMax. The 4Runner is simply less fuss in parking lots and off road (where it really matters!)

7) With regard to towing, I always enjoyed how the Tundra pulled so effortlessly. With the 4Runner, I do notice that there is a trailer back there, however, the 4R is still 270 horse power and has enough torque to get the job done. Not long ago, a 4Runner with 100 fewer horsepower was the norm.

8) Both my Tundra and 4Runner had the horrible amber dash lighting and stock radios. Thats what I get for not stepping up to a Limited.

9) The paint. If you read the Tundra forums, you will see a lot of complaining about "thin paint" on Tundras. No such issue exists with the 4Runner as far as I know. My theory is that the EPA has cracked down on auto manufacturers putting VOCs into the atmosphere. This affects the Tundra, but not the made in Japan 4Runner.

I hope this is helpful. Good luck.

 

[JayceeP]

On day-to-day tanks I'm getting in the 14's for mpg in the winter and in the 17's in the summer. My commute is 10 miles round trip. Couple lights and has a decent change in elevation both up and down a couple hundred feet.

On the highway in the summer, 20mpg+ is very realistic for me even at 75-80mph on reasonably flat highway. Otherwise, you're looking at 17-20mpg at 75-80mph depending on conditions.

I have full-time 4wd.

 

[adam2562]

don't expect much better mpg's.. i average 14-15.. and at best 17mpg highway.. but this is with winter fuel. i have a 3" lift and 285's

 

[clin9383]

at least you bought the most fuel efficient truck based SUV there is!

Yahoo!

 

[jeffjcalweb]

Funny - I did the SAME thing. I had a new 2011 Tundra 4x4 Platinum Edition...it was an "impulse" buy. I kept it for 2 1/2 years. I called it "truck fatigue" as why I got rid of it. Like many of you, the power of that 5.7 iForce V8 was amazing and like many of you, the price of that power reached points of just, well, being stupid. I was averaging 12.5mpg around town which was 95% of my use.

I had a boat and sure the towing was a non issue. But guess what was the issue? 3 full sets of front brakes in 33k miles (a whole different topic of frustration).

I now have a '13 SR5 4Runner, bought it used. I've had it for 2 months now. I am so impressed with this vehicle. I have told my wife on several occasions "I wish I had bought this 2 years ago and not the Tundra".

I am averaging 17.5mpg with the same commute - that is a huge difference from the Tundra. The ride is very solid and comfortable (as was the Tundra). The space is way more functional for what I need and we have 3rd row seating.

The Tundra was a beautiful truck but the costs to maintain it (20" tires, brakes, gas) was another car payment each month.

So what's really interesting is seeing how many in this thread have made the same move, some for same/similar reasons. I wonder if Toyota is catching on and how will they respond? The Tundra is a great truck but Dodge and Ford beat the crap out of it for efficiency and hard to really argue quality between the three now.

TL;DR = 4Runner :thumb: Tundra :rip:

 

[-JD-]

I too went from a Tundra to a 4runner and would reiterate what others have said; don't switch for the fuel economy. The difference in my experience was minimal and you obviously lose a lot in power. The main advantage for me was maneuverability. The tundra was a beast to park and maneuver around tight places.
Ultimately it's an apples to oranges comparison though. If you don't need the box and don't tow a lot then you don't need the tundra.

 

[gm350reratliff]

I don't own a tundra but I'm seriously thinking of trading my F150 ecoboost for a 2014 TE or TRD pro when they come out. That would put me at 2 4runners, an old F100, and 2 old jeeps that don't run. If I decide to trade I may buy another beater truck to haul with or at least a light 14'-16' flatbed trailer to pull when I need it.

My ecoboost is fun, roomy, tows great but I just have a hard time trusting it as I rack up the miles on it. I've only had a few minor issues but I still like I trust my 2008 4runner with 117k more than my 2012 f150 with 36k.

I was going to test drive some new 4runners yesterday but I ran out of time. Maybe next month as my next few weekends are booked.

 

[ColoT4R]

So I finally went and drove a 2014 Trail Premium today. Here are my impressions vs My 12' Tundra Rock Warrior.

Interior: Loved the seats and softex (current Tundra is cloth), loved the new gauges, entune display and controls. (My 12' tundra has an analog radio that seems so dated). Downside is the inside definitely felt tighter and cramped compared to the big wide crewmax, obviously but in person it felt small.

Ride: Definitely rode better than my Tundra(unloaded) around town. It's obviously a stiffer style off-road suspension but it definitely rode better over bumpy sections of road. My TRD Rock Warrior with Bilsteins and 10-ply BFG's is so harsh at slow speeds on crappy roads!

Power/Handling: Snappy around corners, so much easier to manuver and steering is much lighter, loved the handling compared to my big lumbering Tundra. Power is a different story, felt like I really had to get into the pedel to get some speed. Obviously I'm coming from the opposite; which is a big powerful V-8 with a sensative pedal and torque comes right away. So that would take some serious getting used to. Engine obviously would feel different broke in, I'm sure you all can attest?

I have a 25 mile round trip commute and use my truck daily to go around town and visit customers. It sucks to park and maneuver. I do tow a trailer a few times a year but it's getting hard to justify the mileage, size and ride for those few times a year.

Any more input is appreciated!

 

[splash101]

The 4runner has a flat rubber pad to rest your left foot on long trips. Your legs will be about equally extended.

My Tundra had a slippery, L-shaped, metal footrest that sucked.

 

[ColoT4R]

I wanted to update on everyone since I made this post back in February.

I pulled the trigger!!! We are now owners of a 2014 Magnetic Gray Limited 4Runner and we LOVE it. While I may miss my Tundra and it's power from time to time I don't think I've liked a vehicle as well as this 4runner. I think Toyota did a fantastic job with the interior and the exterior is beautiful and rugged. Yes it could use a 6th gear but other than that I love everything about it. So comfortable and it fits our family and our lifestyle so much better than the huge Tundra that I commuted in and then parked on weekends - Just didn't make sense.

I'll be commuting in my wifes old 05' 4Runner which is just fine. Can't wait for our first road trip in the new Runner to Crested Butte next month.

Thanks again for all that chimed in, super happy with the 4Runner!