Why didn't you buy a Tacoma or Nissan X-Terra or.....

[NAdams65]

I'm shopping for a vehicle to replace my 2006 Jeep Wrangler. I need something midsize, 4wd, and super reliable. We have 2 smaller kids and whatever rig we get would be a daily driver. I'm no hardcore offroader but would like the ability to get off the beaten path and explore some mountain roads. I think I've decided that the 4runner is just about perfect for my needs.
I've driven some of the competition including the Taco and even a Tundra. I have not driven the Nissan but I am intruiged by it's looks and reported off-road ability. Don't tell anyone.....but I even drove a Ridgeline (great ride but I want more 4wd ability and I can't get past the looks of the thing).
So my question is why did you folks choose the T4R over the others?

 

[08t4rUR]

I just replaced a 2000 Jeep Cherokee and drove just about everything and ended up getting a 2008 Urban Runner 4runner.

I almost bought a Tacoma but, You can't get it with power seats and You can't raise the manual seat. I am 6 feet tall and the seat feels about 4 inches too low or more...

Nissan Xterra - rides ruffer than my cherokee did.

Nissan Pathfinder - close second to the 4runner but, felt too big inside and felt bulky & heavy while driving.

Tundra - too big.

Ridgeline - ? Not my taste.

The 4runner is amazing to me. It weighs 4300 lbs, very quick with V6/5 speed, handles decent , gets 18mpg even with my leadfoot, over 21 mpg on the highway. Ohh..and the best part is that it rides really nice.

 

[aaronfro17]

I second the ride quality of the Xterra; they ride like a loaded dump truck, no exaggeration. The Tacoma was an option for me too. I ultimately chose the 4Runner over the Taco because I rarely haul anything in the bed of the truck that wouldn't fit in the cargo area of the T4R. Also, the covered cargo area is great for storing your grill, chairs, etc. during tailgates (not to mention the lift gate gives some shelter from the weather!) without worrying about someone taking it from the bed of your truck. I am also driving an 08 Urban Runner, good luck with your decision.

 

[jlmilligan]

The reason I choose the 4Runner? My wife was driving a Jeep Liberty. That pretty much says it all. We bought the 2003 V8 SR5 in mid 2006. We were set on a 4dr TRD Off Road Taco but all we found were new ones. With being in the middle of building our house, we decided to wait on dropping $27k for a truck. One day we drove thru the local dealer and saw our 2003 sitting there and decided to take a look. Long story short, it was a 3 year old SR5, V8, 31,000 miles, and a sunroof. $20,900 out the door. In my opinion, between the 4R and the Taco, do you want a truck bed or indoor storage. Other than that it comes down to engine options and styling. We did try out the current gen Xterra, we were just not that impressed. Have fun looking and if it says "Toyota" on the tailgate, you will not be disappointed.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

The safety of the stability control was big for me and that eliminated the X-terra from the running. I wanted an SUV not a truck so the Taco wasn't a real consideration.

I have no regrets:bigok:

:cheers:

 

[Thai]

4runner can be in 4wd on dry pavement...Xterra cannot. Xterra interior is cheap, which is consistent with its asking price...but cheap nonetheless. In addition, i do NOT think that you can shut off the side curtain airbags in the Xterra. The 4runner can. This is a useful switch because side airbags can deploy while off-roading over uneven terrain.

If you have the cash, then get the 4runner. If you're a bit tight on money, then get the Xterra (or FJ Cruiser).

 

[W211_to_T4R]

Originally, I was in the market for a Tacoma Doublecab (current generation) to replace my old Toyota truck, but I found the rear passenger leg room to be too cramped. I test drove a 4Runner and fell in love instantly! The power, fit and finish, styling, and passenger room won me over! I

 

[coolpop]

I'm on my 4th 4Runner. For me, you just can't beat the value this truck provides for your money - safety, reliability, ride, comfort, looks, all of it. Despite Toyota's recent slide in quality, it still remains a great option.

 

[Will816]

I'm a Toyota guy because of my father. He is a mechanic and does some contract engineering for them. My first car was an 85 4Runner and I have stuck with them. So for me, its kinda one of those things where no matter what anyone tells me, I have an opinion about Toyotas and 4Runners in general that no one can change. At least I can back that opinion up- 300,000 miles on the 85, 250,000 on the 98, and 125,000 so far on the 2003 and I have NEVER had to do anything more than replace an alternator. Its quality.

Nissans may be quality products as well, but keep in mind that the labor typically has more hours involved for major repairs (by major, I mean replacing a transmission or something).

And honestly, I know Honda makes a phenomenal car, but that's the problem right there- they make cars. Not body on frame trucks with real 4WD and low range.

Most of us here will say get the 4Runner

 

[Conspearasea]

My other car is a 2001 pathfinder, and my Dad has the 2006 pathfinder.............all I can say is that while the pathfinders are nice cars, They are "not a Toyota".

After riding in my 07 4runner, my Dad promptly went to the Toyo dealer and started shopping! My Mom who drives a Cadillac DTS, has driven the Toyo, and is amazed at the ride of the Toyota compared to my Dads Nissan.

I'm actually getting rid of my pathfinder and getting a 3rd Gen 4runner VERY soon based on my experiences. This is my second Nissan truck, not bad cars, but the Toyo is superior in my experiences

 

[NAdams65]

Wow....I just left to go to my kids soccer game and came back a ton of thoughtful responses. Thanks!
I think my wife and I both know the 4Runner is right for us. Our other "car" is a 2001 Suburban that we plan to keep alive as long as we can...so we have a big rig to haul struff and a trailer but I really want a GOOD 4WD vehicle that we can still travel in.
This summer, my wife will deploy to Afganistan for a year and I'm taking the summer off from work so I can take my kids on an extended road-trip out West. This upcoming trip is what prompted replacing the Jeep....no way in heck I'm taking a Jeep Wrangler (soft top) any further than a couple hours down the road. Some might say "Take your Burb." and we have for the last 8 years so now the milage is up there and I don't want to have a major breakdown a hundred miles from God-knows-where.
Sooo.....as soon as the Jeep sells, I'm all over a new-to-me
4Runner.

Thanks again....

Nate

 

[blaniac22]

My family is growing - a new baby and 2 dogs. I still like to do some things around the house that require a truck, but I like the ability to put the dogs in the back and haul the family off to the beach or a lake.

The 4Runner just works for me - I never bothered to look at the Nissans. My father in law used to work for Toyota and he turned me on to them - I used to be a Chevy person through and through - but my luck wasn't good with them in recent years.

 

[4boer]

I looked at a couple of pathfinders. Interiors seemed to be scratched or stained. More importantly, as I pull a boat, brakes seemed soft. 3rd row seat seemed useless for me. Like a few features on buick rainiers (built in air compresser, drivers seat goes all the way back when you put it in park, absolute rocket ship wit the V8). I was under time pressure and once I found a T4R with the side-curtain air bags it followed me home!

 

[SubSonic]

Why not a Taco (Tacoma)? I already have a Tundra, didn't need another pickup truck. My Tundra is a 2WD though, and I did want to keep a 4WD in the family for the few snow days we get here a year, plus a fun vehicle for going to the mountains (where it does often snow) and for the beach - since we have a few that we can still drive on here in NC.

Why not an XTerra? Because I've made the mistake of owning several Nissans over my lifetime - and never will again until they step up their quality by a TON. My wife's cousin bought one of their full sized Titan P/Us last year, kept it 6 months, dumped it for a new Tundra. He had the same complaint - felt cheaply built and just didn't like the overall quality.

I test drove a Tahoe (several of my other vehicles are Chevy), too big for my purposes. Drove a Range Rover - too pricey, and honestly didn't ride as good as the Limited T4R. Drove a BMW X5 - again too pricey for what you're getting, and I didn't trust its 4WD system or tires for genuine off-roading, which I do a little bit of. The X5 also, IMHO, does not "ride" as good as my Limited T4R, though it did "drive" better. Even tried a Durango - not even in the same class as a Toyota IMO, in smoothness, quietness, ride, overall quality or power for that matter. Lastly, I drove a GX470 Lexus - but for the money and minor differences between it and a V8 Limited T4R, I had to go with the Toyota. Even if the wife and I were to become a standard "2 vehicle" family again, I'd still own a T4R, and would figure out how to use it as a pickup truck when I needed it. I like it that much, having only owned it about 3 months now. Can't believe I hadn't tried one out before now.

 

[FluByU]

I ask myself this same question everytime I see a new TRD double Taco. I really like the truck but it doesnt have the backseat room my 4R has plus the interior of the taco just looks like crap to me with the huge buldging dash. If they put the 4R interior into the taco I would be the first in line to get me a new one. I like my 4R but sometimes you just want a truck ya know.

 

[mudbelly]

The pathfinder is a closer comparison than the xterra.

Sport model did it for me - great handling for an SUV that can tow. Wish we got 4X4, but I had a 4X4 Avalanche when we got the T4R, and the wife liked the 2wd ride better. Surprisingly fast.

In a couple of years I will either get another TR4 or a new style Highlander. Yea, I know its less burly off road than the TR4, but it apparently does good enough. My 4x4 needs are limited to occasional snow and trail use (6-7 times a year). Additional pluses for the HL are the fold flat 3rd row seats, MPG, and roomier interior. I found a nice used 2008 4X4 with leather for $24K with 27K miles. I will never buy a first year model redesign though, so I will probably look at a 2010 in December of that year if the reliability holds up...

 

[SubSonic]

I ask myself this same question everytime I see a new TRD double Taco. I really like the truck but it doesnt have the backseat room my 4R has plus the interior of the taco just looks like crap to me with the huge buldging dash. If they put the 4R interior into the taco I would be the first in line to get me a new one. I like my 4R but sometimes you just want a truck ya know.

If they were to ever put that "new" 4.6L V8 in a Taco, and gas were still below 4.50 a gallon -and I could genuinely justify replacing my cool old 2000 Tundra - I'd snatch one up in a minute. My pickups have to have a little bit of grunt, because they are my primary (boat, utility trailer, race car) tow vehicle. I haven't even been tempted to trade the old girl yet, even at 134k miles. She's like the engergizer bunny - just keeps going and going. I feed her a new Bank 2 Sensor 2 O2 sensor about every year and a half and she just keeps on chugging. Runs nearly as smooth today as she did when I picked her up new with 12 miles on the ODO and pulls every bit as hard as when she was new. Of course, I moved her over to Mobil 1 at 1500 miles, rotate her tires and change the Mobil 1 every 6k miles, and have kept up with the maintenance as required...They'll prbably bury me in her when my time comes...lol

 

[4runr30]

Somedays I wish I had the taco over the runner. Would come in handy with hauling things like mulch, bikes, etc. Didnt go with the competition because 1) Jeeps are crap, the wranglers are nice for offroad but not travel. 2) Xterras look cheap to me with all the plastic, just not my thing. 3) I havent seen anything else out there that really compares. Great vehicle inside and out. May pay more upfront but get more enjoyment out of it in the end.

 

[alaskaman]

My Best Answer Why

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=43781&highlight=eagle+river

 

[chaz]

why

really liked the V8 & full time 4wheel drive, very smooth to me, the price was right also, compared to the v8 grand cherokee i was looking at. i did like the interior more in the GC though.