Jetboy
New member
On the bright side you're trading arguably the worst SUV ever for one of the best. It may be slow - but it's faster than walking!
Why so many beefs about the 5th gen speed?
- Thread starter alirawk
- Start date
On the bright side you're trading arguably the worst SUV ever for one of the best. It may be slow - but it's faster than walking!
jafrush
New member
I find that with mine in D and left to itself, its incredibly sluggish due to the ECO programming.
So I drive it about 90% of the time in S mode, and select the gear that I want, and surprisingly it has pretty good performance that way. Its still not a sports car, but good enough for being a heavy 4x4.
So I drive it about 90% of the time in S mode, and select the gear that I want, and surprisingly it has pretty good performance that way. Its still not a sports car, but good enough for being a heavy 4x4.
ForeRunnerSi
New member
Its a 4750 lbs 4x4 truck with a V6 that doesn't hit peak torque until 4400 rpm. I think it has alot to do with the ECO logic that a bunch of you brought up. Because it seems like nothing happens till 75% throttle, which drops you down a gear then your off. Its really counterproductive if you travel roads with hills and <45mph speed limit. Also short on-ramp and merging on a highway can become sketchy. That said this is my first "truck". I've really only owned sporty small cars with manuals. But I really wasn't expecting it to be a rocket ship. My only real complaint it is, I was expecting marginally better gas mileage. I'm thinking part of that is Michelin LTX tires (maybe higher load rating) and the 5100's in the rear from the previous owner.
4Rager
New member
My complaint has always been more about the gearing than the actual power. 2nd-4th could be a lot shorter to make better use of the power. But like others have said it's there if you rev for it, and the trade off is better gas mileage while cruising. Oh wait, we get poor gas mileage too.
4R vs Wrangler
Traded our '15 Wrangler JKU 4 door on a '16 4R Trail last September. No comparison. The 4R is mucho quieter at highway speeds (you can even listen to the radio), handles much better on twisty roads, maintains speed better on the hills, accelerates every bit as quickly, gets slightly better gas mileage. and is generally much more comfortable. What's not to like? - Ted
:violin:
Traded our '15 Wrangler JKU 4 door on a '16 4R Trail last September. No comparison. The 4R is mucho quieter at highway speeds (you can even listen to the radio), handles much better on twisty roads, maintains speed better on the hills, accelerates every bit as quickly, gets slightly better gas mileage. and is generally much more comfortable. What's not to like? - Ted
:violin:
We traded a 2014 Explorer Sport for our 2016 4Runner LE and while the Explorer was chipped and had DPs (~500 lb/ft) it was significantly peppier even in stock form. A few years back we handed our 2001 MDX down to my brother with almost 300K on the clock and it is significantly quicker than our 4Runner. The 4Runner is pretty lethargic by most standards but it does have a smooth and ultra-reliable 6 cylinder and exceeds almost everything on the planet in reliability and off-road ability. There's always a trade-off and as a whole, we're extremely happy with the 4Runner but quick it ain't.
cbreze
Member
I don't mash my throttle pedal and have no issues merging to freeway speeds quickly. I've always been somewhat puzzled by everyone's complaints about acceleration. I think that like everything else it's relative to driver perception. Seems normal and fine for the size and weight of the vehicle.
mrblah
Senior Member
Around town, acceleration is fine from stop light to stop light. It does feel sluggish getting up to freeway speed, especially if you have to do it in a hurry (short on ramps, and 80 mph free way speed limits make the 4runners slow acceleration very apparent).
Once up to freeway speed, passing acceleration is good.
Most of the complaints about acceleration can be addressed if Toyota updated the 4runner's transmission and gearing. (of course, we will then get complaints about reliability, cost, replacement availability, etc).
I wish Toyota could find a way to adapt the tundra's transmission to the 4runner. I came from a 2012 tundra, and I loved that transmission.
Once up to freeway speed, passing acceleration is good.
Most of the complaints about acceleration can be addressed if Toyota updated the 4runner's transmission and gearing. (of course, we will then get complaints about reliability, cost, replacement availability, etc).
I wish Toyota could find a way to adapt the tundra's transmission to the 4runner. I came from a 2012 tundra, and I loved that transmission.
pcrdude
New member
I agree that it's programmed into the throttle body plate opening speed in relation to accelerator input. They tuned my V8 Camaro the same way. In THAT car, it was unacceptable, so installed a throttle controller (Vitesse), set it to #5, and now it performs as it should.
I find the poor throttle response in the T4R to be annoying, but tolerable. If I really need to access the power it is still there....
YMMV
I find the poor throttle response in the T4R to be annoying, but tolerable. If I really need to access the power it is still there....
YMMV
bimrunner
New member
It would totally suck that you couldn't find a dealer with one in stock for a purchase much less a test drive. Dats it I'ma bill dit!
the 2016 T4R I have does need more torque. the tranny does down shift all the time when I have it in cruise control. this is at 45-65MPH..
on the speed it does move . I had it up to 90 mph but not for very long. not designed for high speeds like that.
70 MPH it does operate very good. MPG 18.5-19.5. it will not down shift when on the hyway in cruise mode at 70 MPH.
This is the first vehicle I have owned or rented that does this down shifting.
my family member has a V8 Toyota 4R and no downshifting.
this is a good vehicle for off road and snow and harsh road conditions .
certainly not a vehicle for those that like to put the pedal to the metal .
I would not use this for towing with that V6 engine... I would get a tundra V8 for that towing. I don't believe that the 5KLBS is a sustainable amount to tow. mods will need be done to protect the tranny .like a huge fluid cooler.
Engineer
New member
Really? Mine wont hold 80 on cruise without constantly dropping down a gear do you only drive downhill and with tailwinds or is there a mythical super charger under your hood?
I don't think its that bad, and its all self inflicted so I have no complaints but it is not "pleasant" to drive at 80mph either unless you modulate the throttle yourself. The same people install re-buildable shocks and then complain when they squeak and leak or need more attention then OEM.
MTN4RNR
New member
The 4R moves, if you get into it. Which works just fine for me. I like knowing that at the end of the skinny petal, there is a good amount of go when I need it. Sometimes it can be a bit cumbersome. For comparison, my dad's '16 GX, which has 2 more cylinders and about 30 more HP is very quick on the throttle response, and much more "scooty" on the low end. BUT the stopwatch has him at 60mph a mere tenth of a second faster than me. So, the 4R is quick (by relative standards) but you need to adjust your driving to accommodate it.
MTN4RNR
New member
That is because the Toyota cruise control system is run by a Neanderthal-like computer with little to no knowledge of how fast you actually want it to drive.
Maybe its the terrain he drives in? I live in NM so we have plenty of straight a ways and mountains. Mine will hold 80 no problem on straights but when I start climbing some inclines it does drop down a gear, but so did my 2014 Chevy Silverado with a 5.3 V8.
The speed thing I really don't understand. I'm coming from a 2016 Range Rover Sport V6 Supercharged and a 2002 BMW M5 (4.8 0-60) and I don't find the 4R to be slow. I don't consider it quick, but it's a SUV not a track car.
I'm sure that opinion will change slightly when I (finally get it and) take it up to the mountains and passing on uphills at altitude takes a little longer, but like I said it's a SUV.
One big difference I noticed between the RRS and the 4R is the throttle response. In the RRS if you press it a little bit it goes whereas in the 4R you have to press a lot harder to go. I prefer the 4R way (for now) because it allows for better throttle modulation.
I'm sure that opinion will change slightly when I (finally get it and) take it up to the mountains and passing on uphills at altitude takes a little longer, but like I said it's a SUV.
One big difference I noticed between the RRS and the 4R is the throttle response. In the RRS if you press it a little bit it goes whereas in the 4R you have to press a lot harder to go. I prefer the 4R way (for now) because it allows for better throttle modulation.
Last edited:
That's not remotely close to a true statement.
As for comments on the transmission programming and throttle control - is there really no way to do a tune/chip/thingamajiggy that reprograms this for better performance? Sounds like there's a market.
Last edited:
Bumbo
New member
I have only driven a 5th Gen Limited but I thought it drove pretty well... I think I spent more time admiring how planted and flat the xreas suspension was driving than paying attention to throttle response. Can't speak for the other trims.
I have other family members with a new 5th gen SR5 that complain about how it feels... say its sluggish and all the stuff that has already been said here. Its not like she was coming from a fast car either, she had a 10 year old Acura TSX 2.4L 4 cyl before the new 4Runner...
For what the 4Runner might lack in speed/acceleration it makes up for in agility. But if you came from a car you might not know that. My Silverado with a burly V8 has grunt just doesn't move like my 4th Gen at all.
If you have owned larger 1/2 ton or larger trucks, you would think the 4R drives like a sports car. Unless you own a Ford Raptor...
I have other family members with a new 5th gen SR5 that complain about how it feels... say its sluggish and all the stuff that has already been said here. Its not like she was coming from a fast car either, she had a 10 year old Acura TSX 2.4L 4 cyl before the new 4Runner...
For what the 4Runner might lack in speed/acceleration it makes up for in agility. But if you came from a car you might not know that. My Silverado with a burly V8 has grunt just doesn't move like my 4th Gen at all.
If you have owned larger 1/2 ton or larger trucks, you would think the 4R drives like a sports car. Unless you own a Ford Raptor...
Last edited:
Similar threads
