What (if anything) do you miss from the 4th Gen model?

[PolkManiac]

There's nothing big for me, but a handful of very minor things:

1 - I like the starter system in the 4th gen, the way it would automatically hold the starter until it cranked. That's probably the biggest thing for me, I've already half started the new one a few times because of this.
2 - I liked the extra compartment in the glove box, miss that on this model
3 - The fold out thing on the front console was kinda nice, didn't use it much but was nice to have when we did use it.

That's really it for me. Obviously those are offset by huge improvements overall, but curious if you guys have anything?

 

[jgedmond]

I had 2004 SR5 4WD and now have a 2010 TE. Everything that you mentioned plus

• climate control
• torsen center diff
• full time 4WD
• mirrors on c pillar
• map pockets on front doors were actually usable
• double decker
• storage compartment in rear passenger side
• electric latch on rear cargo door
• alloy wheel spare

My biggest complaint with the 5th Gen is the removal of many significant capabilities and convenience features from the 4 th Gen. I think that if you increase the price substantially you add features or improve existing features, you do not wholesale remove many features.

Granted the 2010 TE has some cool stuff (KDSS, multi-mode, crawl control), but many of the things removed were either major items or fairly cheap add-ons and many of the new features do not add value for me. I would definitely like the Torsen diff, climate control and full time 4WD over party mode, an i-pod jack, and a usb connector.

 

[TTown]

At first I wasn't going to post anything. I had an SR5 and bought a Limited. There are are so many improvements, that I haven't looked back since.

After reading the posts above, I did like the mirrors on the c-pillars and shelf on the center console, but the rearview camera makes up for the lack of mirrors. I wonder if the shelf would have transferred over to the 5th gen? I should have checked.

Polk, I love the new push button starter on the limited. I can see that making it to the SR5 and TE in not too distant future.

The one thing I would say I miss is the electric latch on the rear gate. At the time of purchase I didn't think it was a big deal, but there have been many times I had to lift the rear door again and close harder.

 

[PolkManiac]

Yeah I went to stick my CD case in the door this morning, won't fit, that sucks.

I prefer the sliding cargo deck over the double decker we had in the '04. The double decker was nice, but for us the sliding deck is much more useful.

I did prefer the climate control in the '04 now that I think about it.

I wasn't aware that the spare wheel wasn't an alloy wheel, that kinda sucks but we never rotate the spare so not a big deal for me.

I'm kinda mixed on the electric gate latch. It was good on the '04 I guess, but then anytime someone closed it they'd just end up slamming it shut anyway, so it never mattered. Its not like I have to slam this new one shut with alot of force, but it'll take closing it a few times to get used to it.

 

[4RBob]

I miss the solid ride quality of the 4th Gen the most. Although, we still have the 4th Gen (wife drives it).

 

[Quentin]

Torson center diff and full time 4WD go hand in hand. Not sure why you guys are listing it as separate.

I'm personally glad it is a manual transfer case. I get 2WD fuel economy 99% of the time and can shift into 4WD on the fly when needed. (Yes, I'm aware some of you claim that the road will go from dry to snow covered in a single drive and you don't like switching back and forth... not a concern, at all, for me.) I've mentioned it before, but I think the reason the Limited has 245 series tires is because of the extra drivetrain drag of full time 4WD and how that affects fuel economy.

 

[4RBob]

better fuel economy? according to the info on the center console, i get 18.1 mpg in my full-time 4WD V8 4th Gen and i get 17.6 mpg in my V6 5th Gen in 2WD. actually, 18.1 mpg is wrong because i have oversized tires so i am actually getting better than that.

 

[blkmagic5]

I wish the LED tail lights and projector headlights had carried over to the 5th gen, and the factory integrated mudguards, but I'm sure they'll be included in the mid-cycle refresh. I loved my 4th gen and I love my fifth, they feel like very different vehicles to me though.

 

[jgedmond]

jgedmond--Can you elaborate on your choice to go with the TE as opposed to the Limited given the focus of your post?

lack of multi mode and crawl control, 20" wheels, and styling on the limited made it a non-starter. why can't we have torsen and full time 4wd with the other off-road goodies?

but I did agonize over the decision, finally went with what I thought was the more off-road capable model

 

[jgedmond]

Torson center diff and full time 4WD go hand in hand. Not sure why you guys are listing it as separate.

I'm personally glad it is a manual transfer case. I get 2WD fuel economy 99% of the time and can shift into 4WD on the fly when needed. (Yes, I'm aware some of you claim that the road will go from dry to snow covered in a single drive and you don't like switching back and forth... not a concern, at all, for me.) I've mentioned it before, but I think the reason the Limited has 245 series tires is because of the extra drivetrain drag of full time 4WD and how that affects fuel economy.

fulltime 4WD does not equal alltime 4WD, my 4th gen SR5 ran in 2WD most of the time, but if I forgot to take it out of 4WD on dry pavement, no big deal

 

[TTown]

I miss the solid ride quality of the 4th Gen the most. Although, we still have the 4th Gen (wife drives it).

I like the 5th gen ride a lot better than the 4th. This just might be different trim levels.

 

[LongBallLarry]

Agreed on the power close on liftgate. Projectors heads and LED tails would be really nice, too. Window antenna is gone now. Other than that, 5th gen is leaps and bounds better in every other way from my perspective.

 

[Mtn.Rush]

Agreed on the power close on liftgate. Projectors heads and LED tails would be really nice, too. Window antenna is gone now. Other than that, 5th gen is leaps and bounds better in every other way from my perspective.

Exactly. These are the only thing on my list also.

 

[Champ306]

I had 3 fourth Gens, all V8's.

Miss:

Torsen,
Engine
Torque
Xreas
Autoclose hatch

5th Gen Plus:

Size
dont hit head on the way inside cockhouse
size
all power up windows
Push button start on Lim, even though I dont have with SR5.


I wish for the XREAS, pushbutton and the 4.6 V8 that the Lexus gets. but, overall I make due. The Torsen is a given, all 4wd vehicles wish they had that drive system, as its way better than standard transfer case. I am ticked you have to get 10 grand more in debt to get those goodies with the 4runner.

the antenna on the 5th is just total cheeseball.
looks

 

[westwind77]

I had 3 fourth Gens, all V8's.

Miss:

Torsen,
Engine
Torque
Xreas
Autoclose hatch

5th Gen Plus:

Size
dont hit head on the way inside cockhouse
size
all power up windows
Push button start on Lim, even though I dont have with SR5.


I wish for the XREAS, pushbutton and the 4.6 V8 that the Lexus gets. but, overall I make due. The Torsen is a given, all 4wd vehicles wish they had that drive system, as its way better than standard transfer case. I am ticked you have to get 10 grand more in debt to get those goodies with the 4runner.

the antenna on the 5th is just total cheeseball.
looks

I am confused by your post a little. Some of the stuff you listed that you 'miss' is available on the 5th Gen, you just have to pay a little extra $$$ for it.

The Torsen is available along with the XREAS suspension. The engine/torque go had in hand, not much you can do about that.

In short you miss those items because you did not want to pay extra for them (LE). I guess my big question is do you miss them enough that you wish you spent the extra on the LE now that you have had yours a little while?

 

[davefisher]

I've looked at a 5th Gen... but don't think I'd get one for lack of the full gambit of off road features that Toyota has limited out to only the TE. I'd like to get KDSS and crawl control goodies on a leather interior model. I can't go back to water resistant fabric now, it'll never happen. That's why I drive a 4runner and not a Jeep Wrangler....

Just my $.02.

 

[PolkManiac]

The antenna on the new model is dumb, must be a cost cutting measure by Toyota, because I can't think of a single good reason to do it, gets worse reception and is ugly

 

[LongBallLarry]

The antenna on the new model is dumb, must be a cost cutting measure by Toyota, because I can't think of a single good reason to do it, gets worse reception and is ugly

Mast antenna are much better with reception. If you are 4wd, you tend to be further away from radio signals. Best explanation I can come up with other than cost cutting — though, how much does it really save? I figure if you need a mast antenna for a cb or ?, you can get one on your own — like on-board air.

 

[LongBallLarry]

I've looked at a 5th Gen... but don't think I'd get one for lack of the full gambit of off road features that Toyota has limited out to only the TE. I'd like to get KDSS and crawl control goodies on a leather interior model. I can't go back to water resistant fabric now, it'll never happen. That's why I drive a 4runner and not a Jeep Wrangler....

Just my $.02.

Easy enough to have leather installed aftermarket and will likely be of much better quality. Problem solved.