What happened to the interior?

[Kali2024]

OK, it's been about 8 years since I shopped for a new car ( i keep mine for a long time) and decided to go with a toyota this time. Last time i checked the limited 4runners had the wood grain accents and actually looked luxurious inside..

I mean I love the exterior, but the interior is awfully rugged looking. Orange illumination? Ugh! I can see the trail version looking like this but the limited? Anyhooo, I still like how big (not too big though) it is, and the huge wheels, but the interior lacks something. What happened?

 

[Antman]

...they changed it.:hello:

 

[Kali2024]

Silly, I know that..But man that sucks...I guess they're trying to save money on the production side?

 

[Antman]

I think they were going with a more rugged look. I personally like it alot better, but I agree they cheaped out on some of the interior materials. It's still a nice place to spend time!

 

[Winstondvm]

I work out of my 2010 TE, and I feel pretty comfortable with the interior. It does scratch pretty easily (especially the center console/ rear AC area, JBL sub plastic surround).... I have owned many American pickups since 1991 (1991 f150, 97 chevy 1500, 2001 chevy z71, 2003 GMC 2500HD, 2005 Ford F150), and compared to them, the 4 runner interior feels very solid. The AC controls are a little primitive with their on/off feel (no dual controls here), but everything stays in place and is easy to clean. My last f150, the seat tore at 30k miles, and the dash squeaked every day.
The orange optitron dials... yes... they are orange, but still easy to read. I do have to take off my sunglasses while watching the backup camera on the JBL screen.
The quality may be due to the value of the yen vs the dollar, and there are plenty of people out there who are more versed in the exchange rate than I am.
It isn't a german luxury car like an x5, but it feels comfy every day...

 

[Scuba6]

Personal opinion: if you want wood accents, you probably want a Lexus. I like my Limited and would have reconsidered the purchase if the Limited included wood paneling. But yes....they went cheap in a few areas.

 

[Quentin]

I personally hate wood in anything other than a luxury sedan like a Lexus LS or GS. I like the 5th gen interior other than the lower instrument panel. They should have gone with a higher quality plastic there.

 

[KCcarguy]

There are a ton of threads on how the 4runner has changed.....especially the 5th gen. In short, Toyota has changed it's philosophy with the 4runner to be more rugged and less pseudo-luxury. The Highlander Limited still uses faux woodgrain accents and the GX470 has a very sophisticated interior if that's what you're after. You also have to remember....a 2011 4runner Limited doesn't cost much more than a 2001 4runner Limited did. So there's obviously some cost-cutting going on to keep it affordable.

 

[A&F]

There are a ton of threads on how the 4runner has changed.....especially the 5th gen. In short, Toyota has changed it's philosophy with the 4runner to be more rugged and less pseudo-luxury. The Highlander Limited still uses faux woodgrain accents and the GX470 has a very sophisticated interior if that's what you're after. You also have to remember....a 2011 4runner Limited doesn't cost much more than a 2001 4runner Limited did. So there's obviously some cost-cutting going on to keep it affordable.

I would argue the 5th Gen is a step in the right direction, ditching the V8 and getting more back to basic.

Gen 3 was the big step toward a larger, more luxury vehicle and Gen 4 was bigger still.

My '98 SR5 had a sticker price of $34,800. That is $45,000 in today's dollars. With a crazy strong yen today (and weak dollar) Toyota has had to jump thru hoops to keep the price around $30,000.

 

[A&F]

I mean I love the exterior, but the interior is awfully rugged looking. Orange illumination?

Amber (orange) is very JDM ^_~

Amber lighting has been clinically proven to be the softest and easiest to read at night. So while that bright blue and red is all the rave today, it's actually one of the most strain-full combinations on your eyes.

I see the Gen 5 as a welcome step toward more utility and less glitz. If your looking for comfort Toyota has you covered with the Highlander.

 

[KCcarguy]

I would argue the 5th Gen is a step in the right direction, ditching the V8 and getting more back to basic.

Gen 3 was the big step toward a larger, more luxury vehicle and Gen 4 was bigger still.

My '98 SR5 had a sticker price of $34,800. That is $45,000 in today's dollars. With a crazy strong yen today (and weak dollar) Toyota has had to jump thru hoops to keep the price around $30,000.

Yep...and I'd bet a '98 Limited in today's dollars would be very close to the price of a GX470.

I also like the direction they're going. I think it's a more focused vehicle now. With the premium package, I think the SR5 has a good amount of luxury while still maintaining a rugged/ functional character. The only de-contenting item I wish they would have kept is the torsen center diff from the 4th gen. And I'm keeping my fingers crossed the cost-cutting didn't affect quality if construction.

 

[A&F]

Yep...and I'd bet a '98 Limited in today's dollars would be very close to the price of a GX470.

I also like the direction they're going. I think it's a more focused vehicle now. With the premium package, I think the SR5 has a good amount of luxury while still maintaining a rugged/ functional character. The only de-contenting item I wish they would have kept is the torsen center diff from the 4th gen. And I'm keeping my fingers crossed the cost-cutting didn't affect quality if construction.

Precisely. I think the '95 Limited, fully loaded was just north of $38,000; that is $54,000 today, and guess how much a Mini-LandCruiser from Lexus retails for?

Starting $53,xxx

 

[WIT4R]

I just drove my brother's 4th gen tonight (had to leave my 5th gen at his house), so it was a good time to do a quick comparison.

His is an SR5, mine is a Limited. Aside from the major luxury features mine has that his doesn't, the biggest thing that struck me was how improved the seating position is in the 5th gen over the 4th.

The 4th gen felt like I was sitting in a car as the seats are on the floor and you sit further down. That alone was enough to make me miss my 5th gen on the ride home lol.

Not to mention the 5th gen just looks more masculine.

 

[Grape Ape]

Toyota and luxury do not go together...Toyota's, even in the past trying took luxurious always looked cheap and cheesy to me

 

[robotkiller]

There is nothing wrong with the interior. Most of the switchgear are smooth operating and dampened, the optitron gauges are excellent and the interior pieces are fit tightly with no rattles. Wood grain looks ridiculous in a Toyota.

 

[jsun_2k]

I would argue the 5th Gen is a step in the right direction, ditching the V8 and getting more back to basic.

Gen 3 was the big step toward a larger, more luxury vehicle and Gen 4 was bigger still.

My '98 SR5 had a sticker price of $34,800. That is $45,000 in today's dollars. With a crazy strong yen today (and weak dollar) Toyota has had to jump thru hoops to keep the price around $30,000.

well said
Definitely I like '11 SR5 more than '98 SR5

 

[mountaineer83]

Amber (orange) is very JDM ^_~

Amber lighting has been clinically proven to be the softest and easiest to read at night. So while that bright blue and red is all the rave today, it's actually one of the most strain-full combinations on your eyes.

I see the Gen 5 as a welcome step toward more utility and less glitz. If your looking for comfort Toyota has you covered with the Highlander.

I actually made a comment the night I picked my 4Runner up and drove it home. I had about a 250 mile drive back home and it was night. At the time, my fiance had a Sanata Fe with the blue illumination that would blind me to drive it unless I turned the dimmer down extremely low. I noticed right away that with the orange illumination, it doesn't bother me at all. I love it and it's different. The blue looks cool, but it's hard for me to block it out, especially when I have a head ache.

Also, I love the interior of the 5th gen. The only thing I would change is to add dual climate to the SR5 and Trail (even manual like the SR5 Tundra) and memory seating/mirror postions.

 

[jsun_2k]

I just drove my brother's 4th gen tonight (had to leave my 5th gen at his house), so it was a good time to do a quick comparison.

His is an SR5, mine is a Limited. Aside from the major luxury features mine has that his doesn't, the biggest thing that struck me was how improved the seating position is in the 5th gen over the 4th.

The 4th gen felt like I was sitting in a car as the seats are on the floor and you sit further down. That alone was enough to make me miss my 5th gen on the ride home lol.

Not to mention the 5th gen just looks more masculine.

IMHO 5th gen is more drivable and comfortable than 4th gen

 

[robotkiller]

I actually made a comment the night I picked my 4Runner up and drove it home. I had about a 250 mile drive back home and it was night. At the time, my fiance had a Sanata Fe with the blue illumination that would blind me to drive it unless I turned the dimmer down extremely low. I noticed right away that with the orange illumination, it doesn't bother me at all. I love it and it's different. The blue looks cool, but it's hard for me to block it out, especially when I have a head ache.

Also, I love the interior of the 5th gen. The only thing I would change is to add dual climate to the SR5 and Trail (even manual like the SR5 Tundra) and memory seating/mirror postions.

I agree with this

 

[Renegad44]

I enjoy my 5th Gen Limited, inside, and outside. My 2000 SR5 was pretty well loaded, looked good inside, but rode a lot rougher than this Limited. 3rd 4Runner for me, and actually I've enjoyed them all. :thumb3: