Why so many beefs about the 5th gen speed?

[alirawk]

I've read quite a few complaints about the speed of 5th gen -- and frankly, I'm a bit confused. My rig, even with steel bumpers, skid plates, and a gobi roof rack, has no problem hitting 80mph and cruising steady in that range. This is my first 4runner since about ten years ago, and I don't recall that one being much zippier. Was the 4th gen faster? More power off the line? Higher top end?

If so, I then wonder, how much faster do you need to go? It seems most of the folks on this site are loading their rides with steel and hitting trails where going really slow is more ideal.

I'm just curious about the roots of this complaint.

 

[Ron4RNevada]

I think most people on this site are former or present Ferrari owners.

From the stupid questions asked for most it must be their first 4x4; non of them have a clue how 4 wheel drive even works. They have illusions that they have to have roof racks, blacked out chrome, crazy lifts, led lights, extra badges, remote reservoir shocks, monster bumpers, lockers et all.

This single site keeps half the country's aftermarket suppliers in business.

:ban:

In truth a basic SR5 will take them everywhere they will ever want to go.

Things like a small bit of of pitch while braking they think is wrong - It comes from more articulation than a street racer.

Leveling? It's due to a bit more opening on wheel wells from one end to the other.

I think they all feed on each others mythology.

:behindsofa:

 

[WaldoOneFive]

I've read quite a few complaints about the speed of 5th gen -- and frankly, I'm a bit confused. My rig, even with steel bumpers, skid plates, and a gobi roof rack, has no problem hitting 80mph and cruising steady in that range. This is my first 4runner since about ten years ago, and I don't recall that one being much zippier. Was the 4th gen faster? More power off the line? Higher top end?

If so, I then wonder, how much faster do you need to go? It seems most of the folks on this site are loading their rides with steel and hitting trails where going really slow is more ideal.

I'm just curious about the roots of this complaint.

I don't think overall top end speed is a factor, but the pick up and 0-60 time. There are countless threads I've read here about the slow acceleration times.

And, I admit, it is something I noticed right away on my new 2016 SR5. Prior to this I came from a 2014 Tundra with the 5.7L, and obviously that was great, but this is far worse than my 2009 Tacoma Double Cab, long bed TRD I had with the same engine right? I know the Tacoma is lighter, but that's why I mentioned that I had the double cab long bed, that truck seemed to be far better on acceleration than this 4Runner.


-

 

[MeanoTorino]

I have no issues with the speed. For a family hauler it serves us well. I'll be 40 next month, so maybe my old age is slowing me down

Also I'm sure the lack of great acceleration can frustrate those that came from more powerful vehicles. I had a 1000cc sport touring bike years ago so most vehicles acceleration seem slow to me.

 

[wfo9]

It has very little to do with the HP or acceleration potential. It is the driving experience that most ***** about.

Toyota programmed the throttle to run in an ECO mode all the time. It sucks, no ifs ands or buts about it... The throttle is not linear, you have to mash it to actually get the throttle blade to open up.

My understanding is they use the exact same motor in one of t he LCs overseas and the eco mode that we have for the dash light also controls the throttle mapping on that model. People who have them laugh about how horrible it feels in ECO mode and how great it feels otherwise. We are stuck with ECO mode. The sprint booster is an expensive hack around it, but people who have them seem to have no complaints about the power.

 

[1engineer]

I've read quite a few complaints about the speed of 5th gen -- and frankly, I'm a bit confused. My rig, even with steel bumpers, skid plates, and a gobi roof rack, has no problem hitting 80mph and cruising steady in that range. This is my first 4runner since about ten years ago, and I don't recall that one being much zippier. Was the 4th gen faster? More power off the line? Higher top end?

If so, I then wonder, how much faster do you need to go? It seems most of the folks on this site are loading their rides with steel and hitting trails where going really slow is more ideal.

I'm just curious about the roots of this complaint.

Because.... human nature. People will complain about anything. If the 4Runner had every option and 100% reliability and was faster than a Corvette and got better gas mileage than a Prius and only cost $25K and could off road in the King of Hammers and had a street ride like a 1976 Cadillac.... people would still complain.

 

[alirawk]

Because.... human nature. People will complain about anything. If the 4Runner had every option and 100% reliability and was faster than a Corvette and got better gas mileage than a Prius and only cost $25K and could off road in the King of Hammers and had a street ride like a 1976 Cadillac.... people would still complain.

Amazing response -- I love the Frankenstein ride you just described.

A friend just returned from Cuba as was telling me about the cars they have there, of which I am reminded by your response. As a consequence of being shut of from the world, they have put together these incredible Frankenstein rides. He saw one with a Ford chasis, Toyota tractor engine, Pontiac rear end, and Volga interior. He said nearly every car he saw there was either a pristine 1950's American car or a wild hybrid of bits from around the world.

Crisis does breed creativity.

 

[mscot]

I'll be going from my current Touareg TDI to a 4Runner in the next year or so and the lack of torque and how much the engine whines when you gun it is a concern.

Also, I live in Denver and spend a lot of time in the mtns. Torque matters here more than at sea level.

A 4 liter engine should have more HP and Torque than this one is tuned for.

 

[4FL]

I do not know why, maybe it is because they are coming from something else that they got use to? I came from an Explorer (2003 model, v8) and then a brief miserable experience with an Edge (worst car I have ever owned), and I do not really see what the whole speed thing is about. The only thing I can guess is that the throttle pedal has a longer travel or something, and you have to sort of smash it down more to get the 4r going quick (like getting on an interstate) than what many other cars require.

I find while already going fast, like 60mph, it is a bit slow to hit 70, especially on a hill, but damn, I am not complaining, it is an suv for off-roading, plenty of suv options if on-road performance/quickness is a priority.

 

[stphnman20]

Those that complain about the 5th Gen speed are probably Hillary supporters. They complain about anything and everything. :flamethrwoer2:

 

[Breadman03]

Hitch rack with a Yeti, Thule bars with a cargo carrier, 6 people and 6,000 miles of road trip from PA to SoCal and back with stops in a few pretty places.

And a friendly OK State Trooper that told me I was going quickly enough without a note.

I think people just like to futz around with their stuff. Sure, I'd like my 4R to be faster, but I never have trouble getting to 70+ on in Interstate onramp. I cruised along at 80 on my road trip with all the stuff, with stints a bit faster. I got decent economy even with that cargo carrier on top.

But I saw a video of a late 80's pickup with a Cummins 4BT just shredding tires and I think I'd like to put one of them on a trailer behind my 4R to abuse.

 

[pj2006]

There is a huge difference in throttle operation between 4th gen and 5th gen. My 2006 4Runner was essentially "manual" in that the accelerator linked directly with the throttle body. That meant nearly instantaneous response to pushing the gas. Acceleration was good, not like a sports car, but good. There would often be a sulfury smell from the exhaust after this kind of acceleration.


Fast forward to 5th gen, my 2014 and 2016 4Runners are awful in terms of acceleration. You get the impression that the computer is saying, "Ok Dave, I see you want to accelerate, but let me save some gas for you and take it easy." It is very difficult to get the acceleration response you need or want out of these "modern" cars. The most maddening thing for me is that my fuel economy was much better in my 4th gen vs. the 5th gen. ECO seems to be the big deal even though most people who really give a shit about ECO buy Priuses.

It's disappointing but a sign of the times I guess.

 

[e60ral]

Because.... human nature. People will complain about anything. If the 4Runner had every option and 100% reliability and was faster than a Corvette and got better gas mileage than a Prius and only cost $25K and could off road in the King of Hammers and had a street ride like a 1976 Cadillac.... people would still complain.

well i mean it doesn't sound like they did anything about the cupholders or drinks rolling out of the bank

 

[bofa]

I'll be going from my current Touareg TDI to a 4Runner in the next year or so and the lack of torque and how much the engine whines when you gun it is a concern.

Also, I live in Denver and spend a lot of time in the mtns. Torque matters here more than at sea level.

A 4 liter engine should have more HP and Torque than this one is tuned for.

It gets around just fine out here.

 

[wcjeep]

Heavy vehicle with moderate powered V6. Losing the frame would increase take off and fuel mileage. But, the Highlander already exists.

If you want better take off buy a car. The 4runner is not fast. It is reliable and will arrive at your destination. The Toyota Sequoia has a V8. If you want a cheaper V8 "SUV" consider the Durango or Explorer. Both of these choices have very low rated reliability. They are also unibody. I would prefer Blind Spot Monitoring.

 

[Foques]

I was thinking my 4runner was sluggish until last saturday; I took a custom built Taco for a photoshoot. Oh. My. God. That thing is SLOW.

 

[wanderMT]

I'm not fan of the intake noise/sound - seems it makes engine sound like it is really working. I also have a Equator 4x4 w/4.0 liter v-6/ 5sp auto/pushing 4800# and it isn't any faster or stronger etc., but it sure doesn't sound like it is working as hard.

 

[propain]

Toyota programmed the throttle to run in an ECO mode all the time. It sucks, no ifs ands or buts about it... The throttle is not linear, you have to mash it to actually get the throttle blade to open up.

I agree with this statement as it is true.

 

[Mariner]

I come from a tuned Ford Raptor, and while I can't smoke the tires off the 4Runner, I was happily surprised with the pep. I passed up the Tundra for the 4Runner and I haven't ever regretted it. Different strokes for different blokes.

 

[jspagna1]

Going from a 95 Jeep rand Cherokee V8 (318) to a 97 4Runner and then to the 11 4Runner, yes we always want faster especially the HP that today's cars are making. I agree with most on here that it is slow out of the hole. Otherwise it's fine at top end.