03_4x4Runner
Senior Member
The trail edition would have came in last if the xtera air bags would not have blown. The Ultimate Factory 4x4 Shootout - Four Wheeler Magazine
Trail edition test in Fourwheeler magazine
- Thread starter 03_4x4Runner
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These reviews and articles would be so awesome if they'd put the same tires on each vehicle. Anyone taking their vehicle in that type terrain would not be doing it with their highway tires.
I know they wanted to take the vehicles as they come from the dealer's lot, but it's a joke when there's such a difference in tires on these vehicles.
tests like this sometimes really irk me. no sh!t the rubi and raptor will win. They're purpose built with very little else in mind. Having spent extended periods of time in a rubicon (drove one for 3 months while I was in training), they are a blast and damn near unstoppable. However, they lack hugely in interior space, refinement, cargo room and efficiency.
The t4r may not be as capable out of the box, but with a few well placed mods, it will hold it's own on almost any trail. Pair that with the quiet, comfortable ride, reliability, space for a family and they're crap and better efficiency and you have what I feel is a much smarter rig; esp if it is your primary ride
The t4r may not be as capable out of the box, but with a few well placed mods, it will hold it's own on almost any trail. Pair that with the quiet, comfortable ride, reliability, space for a family and they're crap and better efficiency and you have what I feel is a much smarter rig; esp if it is your primary ride
03_4x4Runner
Senior Member
The real joke is that Toyota does not put better tires on the trail. What were they thinking? And why not some decent tow hooks on an off road machine.
I'll definitely agree on the tow hooks, though in the three 4runner I have owned (3rd, 4th and 5th gens), none of them had truly sufficient recovery points from the factory. As for tires, you can't go much more aggressive from the factory without compromising ride quality and road noise. Maybe a better AT tire. The bottom line with this is that inevitably, anyone who is buying they're t4r for regular off road use is going to to upgrade they're tires, either for size, tread or both. I'm sure Toyota realizes this
veloindy
New member
I'll agree FW tends to lean toward the manufacturer that is advertising. The only vehicle I wouldn't own on the list, is the Xterra, never been a fan.
BUT - I can see their ranking.
All of the trucks tested are marketed as off the lot, offroad 4x4's. When the vehicle name includes Rubicon, Raptor, Trail, Pro 4x, you expect them to perform. There has to be a standard, and straight off the lot was it.
Yes, it sucks Toyota doesn't put real tires on the Trail model.
BUT - I can see their ranking.
All of the trucks tested are marketed as off the lot, offroad 4x4's. When the vehicle name includes Rubicon, Raptor, Trail, Pro 4x, you expect them to perform. There has to be a standard, and straight off the lot was it.
Yes, it sucks Toyota doesn't put real tires on the Trail model.
JohnnyT
New member
The Toyota 4Runner TRAIL isn't purpose built with little else in mind??
Oh it is absolutely built with much more off highway use in mind. I would say it was built to be able to tackle that job the best it can while still being a comfortable, well rounded everyday vehicle. The two truly purpose built rigs in this test (at least in my mind), the raptor and the rubi, can definitely be used everyday if the owner so desires, but you are going to make sacrifices to do so. ride comfort and overall utility in the rubicon. While maybe not a huge sacrifice to some, the Raptor takes a huge hit in fuel efficiency, though I'd rather have it everyday than a jeep.
If I had to have one from this test, other than my 4r, that provided the best of both worlds, it'd be the power wagon, though its size is a bit of a turn off to me
JohnnyT
New member
Well said.
If you looked at the rating section for Trail Performance which seems to be the only relevant section for a test of this type (IMHO) the TE placed third (behind the 2 door Rubicon and the Raptor).
I also believe the 4 door Rubicon would have been a better model to compare to, though don't doubt it would still rank first, but perhaps with lower scores given length (turning radius longer and 20.5 breakover angle).
I also believe the 4 door Rubicon would have been a better model to compare to, though don't doubt it would still rank first, but perhaps with lower scores given length (turning radius longer and 20.5 breakover angle).
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WindomEarles
New member
Good article. Trail edition would have jumped up to 3rd or 4th with some BFG all terrain. It also should come with rock sliders. It did place 3rd in trail rating as someone else pointed out.
I think it's lame that they gave a thumbs up and thumbs down to some of the technology.
I think it's lame that they gave a thumbs up and thumbs down to some of the technology.
Any subjective standard that puts a pickup against a rubicon based upon the trim level name is a non-starter for me. Compare a 4runner/grand cherokee/pathfinder/explorer as those are supposed to be the same category.
I assume the crappy stock tires on the trail have more to do with mpg than anything else.
I assume the crappy stock tires on the trail have more to do with mpg than anything else.
brockeverly
New member
Toyota puts BFG A/T's on the Tundra Rock Warrior, they could easily at minimum put the same tires on the Trail Edition IMO.
Very true, I absolutely agree
redbull9944
New member
Where's the FJ!?
bernardmwrangle
Member
Usually when you dig in to the details of these shootouts and tests you find their criteria are pretty loopy, like with the winch review in 4 Wheeler that was discussed on the forum a while ago that came up with some pretty questionable results. I don't understand Toyota's choice on the stock tires for the Trail, my dealer said Toyota assumed off-roaders would run two sets of wheels anyway, don't know about that but I never would have taken those tires off road. My main objection to the article is describing crawl control as a gimmick - it's not, I have been off-roading the same trail for over 20 years in several different rigs and nothing has gobbled up rocks and climbs like the Trail with crawl control, it is the real deal. And, as a former Xterra owner I never miss an opportunity to bash Nissan, my '05 Xterra was junk, plastic breaking off in the first month and a shot trannie that cost me thousands, the Xterra is not even close to a 4Runner in overall quality. Finally, the Raptor is cool I guess for flying over sand berms at 60mph but how are you going to go on any big off road trip getting 10 miles per gallon?
Intruder
New member
You just have to look at where the lion's share of their ad revenue comes from along with what the majority of their readership drives. That's their test criteria...
Yeah, the running two sets of tires thing doesn't sound right, but I'd think a serious off roader is more likely to ditch stock tires in favour of tires that suit the terrain they drive on - sand, big rocks, loose rocks, snow, etc.
