Is a 4Runner for me?

[deadbeat son]

I had a landcruiser, I then had a subaru impreza....i now have a 4runner.

If i could do it all over again, I'd go back to the Subaru. They can do anything you want them to do, still provide a sporty ride on the road, and get great MPG compared to outdated 4x4 SUVs.
If you are looking for "hardcore offroad" like the guy above, then keep looking.

IF you want to go camping, and enjoy your time on the road. Get in a Subaru.

I'm not a "hardcore offroader", but like the OP, I'm a truck guy. I drove a WRX for 75k miles and traded it for my Tacoma. I'm so much happier with the Tacoma than I was the WRX (and I would be just as happy with my wife's 4Runner). Don't get me wrong, Subarus are great cars, but a blanket statement that "If you want to go camping, and enjoy your time on the road. Get in a Subaru." isn't warranted. I, for one, even prefer long highway-only trips in my Tacoma or 4R than the Subaru. The Toyota trucks are more comfortable for me.

 

[Dalko43]

I had a landcruiser, I then had a subaru impreza....i now have a 4runner.

If i could do it all over again, I'd go back to the Subaru. They can do anything you want them to do, still provide a sporty ride on the road, and get great MPG compared to outdated 4x4 SUVs.
If you are looking for "hardcore offroad" like the guy above, then keep looking.

IF you want to go camping, and enjoy your time on the road. Get in a Subaru.

I wouldn't call traditional 4x4 SUV's outdated...I would say they fill a vehicle niche. Granted there are a lot of people with SUV's who never really use them in their intended role, but there is a requirement, especially in the US, for robust vehicles that can haul cargo and move over rough terrain.

A crossover SUV, like the Subaru outback, is extremely limited in that sense of performance. It can get over moderately difficult terrain, but it wasn't designed with that kind of abuse in mind, nor is possible to modify those vehicles (lifts) to deal with more strenuous terrain.

As for fuel efficiency, crossovers, like the Subaru, are inherently more fuel efficient mostly because they carry less weight (unibody frame as opposed to a body-on-frame). Ford is starting to put turbo-chargers into its truck engines, and I suspect that some of the other SUV/truck manufacturers will follow suit...it should make those traditional SUV/trucks slightly more efficient, though they still won't be on par with the crossovers...every vehicle has its pro's/con's.

 

[Stifler]

get the 4runner! you wont regret it!

 

[Laxaholic]

I wouldn't call traditional 4x4 SUV's outdated...I would say they fill a vehicle niche. Granted there are a lot of people with SUV's who never really use them in their intended role, but there is a requirement, especially in the US, for robust vehicles that can haul cargo and move over rough terrain.

A crossover SUV, like the Subaru outback, is extremely limited in that sense of performance. It can get over moderately difficult terrain, but it wasn't designed with that kind of abuse in mind, nor is possible to modify those vehicles (lifts) to deal with more strenuous terrain.

As for fuel efficiency, crossovers, like the Subaru, are inherently more fuel efficient mostly because they carry less weight (unibody frame as opposed to a body-on-frame). Ford is starting to put turbo-chargers into its truck engines, and I suspect that some of the other SUV/truck manufacturers will follow suit...it should make those traditional SUV/trucks slightly more efficient, though they still won't be on par with the crossovers...every vehicle has its pro's/con's.

Interesting comment about the Ford's. My younger brother has a 2014 F150 Ecoboost (twin turbo v6) and it isnt fuel efficient at all. Fast, but sucks just as much gas as the traditional v8. I understand your argument, but you must not have read the rest of the thread. Guy doesnt NEED an SUV for his stated needs....NEED and WANT are very different. I would say 90% of SUV owners, do not use them for the intended purpose, overkill is an American mindset. Until you drive a Subaru for an extended period of time, I wouldnt knock them.

 

[Dalko43]

Interesting comment about the Ford's. My younger brother has a 2014 F150 Ecoboost (twin turbo v6) and it isnt fuel efficient at all. Fast, but sucks just as much gas as the traditional v8.

Really? Well I don't know about your brother's specific truck, but a simple search of fueleconomy.gov shows that the new turbo engines are in fact more efficient:

https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/PowerSearch.do?action=noform&path=1&year1=2015&year2=2015&make=Ford&model=F150%20Pickup%204WD%20FFV&srchtyp=ymm

I understand your argument, but you must not have read the rest of the thread. Guy doesnt NEED an SUV for his stated needs....NEED and WANT are very different. I would say 90% of SUV owners, do not use them for the intended purpose, overkill is an American mindset.

If you had read my previous posts, you would see that I acknowledge there is a difference between want and need and that many SUV owners don't actually need those vehicular capabilities (though there are some that do). And in some of my earlier responses to the OP, I suggested that he would be better off looking at other vehicles because he didn't seem to "need" a SUV like the 4runner (though he seems interested in getting one anyway because he wants one).

Until you drive a Subaru for an extended period of time, I wouldnt knock them.

I wasn't knocking any brand of car. I was stating an opinion that AWD crossovers, like the Subaru outback, have limited performance when it comes to difficult off-roading (I'm not talking about gravel roads and unplowed highways)...especially when compared to body-on-frame SUV's that have actual transfer cases for low-range gearing and dedicated 4wd. I have driven Subarus and similar crossovers before. I am familiar with their capabilities.

I would point out that you were the one who was "knocking" certain vehicles by calling traditional body-on-frame SUV's "outdated." Like I said earlier, I disagree with that statement, as there are inherent advantages to having that kind of vehicle compared to a unibody crossover.

 

[MOguy]

In stock form the Rubicon is the most capable vehicle off road but of course gives up some comfort, handling and mileage. The Subaru is low and with its great gas milage the most practical for light off road and street. At this time I'm leaning towards the 4Runner Trail. Having a locked rear axle makes a huge difference. The electric rear window is a big plus also.

Having spent most of my life driving modified 4X4's and trucks I'm sure a 4Runner will seem like a Cadillac. If I can get a realistic 20 mpg on the highway I'll be very pleased.

If lockers are a concern then I assume offroading is in the future. The Jeep Rubicon has dual lockers.

 

[Arktikos]

Having a locked rear axle makes a huge difference.

Might help for getting out of a snow ditch, but otherwise don't see much use for it given your stated plans for the vehicle.

 

[Honu]

we just sold our FJC and got a trail edition 4 runner

we got ours for around $36k base price but the doc fees and tax add up here in AZ

purchased the trail with KDSS really liked the way it handled on the road and for us we drive to trails then go off road and dont rock crawl so the on road and mileage were huge things to consider
cant say what we get yet as we have only done one trip since getting it but fully loaded with 4 of us and 2 dogs we got about 17 figure its going to go up once broken in our FJ would have gotten about 11-12 for the same trip

have heard many get just over 20 on HWY and around 17+ in city but that can vary greatly of course

I would say drive one with KDSS and one without
compared to my FJC that had OME on it with the heavy/heavy springs they had the stock 4runner cornered flatter and felt less lean on some mtn pass roads the stability was amazing which is what we were after
did not get to test drive the vehicles fully loaded but reading and driving both KDSS and non I was sold on the KDSS so something I would look into especially with your intentions I can go out and check the rear window from the inside if it goes down part way never tried it

the trail edition has some better waterproof fabric seats over the normal ones so the seats and KDSS and the easy crawl controls if my wife wants to drive it in rougher roads and make it easy for her were things we looked at when shopping and those are unique to the trail edition

hope this helps

edit to say since rigs are so personal as we see by this thread hahahahaha
we checked out the sequoia and the subaru and a couple others like the lexus GS series etc...

tough to say if you love domestic the jeep with top off could be a fun rig on nice days if you want that kinda top off vehicle but never liked them as much otherwise but my only verts have been my old FJ40 and BMW and VW cars
but if you got a hard top for the jeep

I dont get into the mine is better than yours arguments I always feel one is better than the other for a persons reasons though

never owned a import ? the 4runner could be the perfect vehicle to step out and try a toyota though

got a coin handy look forward to hear what you get

I've had many 4X4's over the years. My wife and I are now in our late 60's and need to consider something new. At this time we have a 2005 Ford F-150 4X4. Nice truck but it likes gas, normal highway mileage is 14-15 mpg. The bed is too high and is difficult to load. At this point I feel we need a SUV. I feel the Jeep Rubicon or the 4Runner Trail would be about right. We have always had domestic vehicles, this will be a big step for us. What is the real world gas consumption on this vehicle? Is there anything I should beware of before spending $40,000? I've been involved in built, modified (think lockers, winches and 35's) for a long time. This new vehicle would be used for shopping, commuting to our vacation home with the dogs and an occasional camping trip. Is this rig for me?

 

[MOguy]

Might help for getting out of a snow ditch, but otherwise don't see much use for it given your stated plans for the vehicle.

Having extra traction at the flip of a switch is a great thing. You just never know were the trail may take you.

 

[MOguy]

cant say what we get yet as we have only done one trip since getting it but fully loaded with 4 of us and 2 dogs we got about 17 figure its going to go up once broken in our FJ would have gotten about 11-12 for the same trip

have heard many get just over 20 on HWY and around 17+ in city but that can vary greatly of course

Is there a V6 option with the package you are talking about? I have a 2004 with the 4.0 V6 and it has more than enough power, even towing my camper. On the freeway I do better than that. I live in the country and do very little city driving so not sure about city mpg.

 

[BigSwede]

cant say what we get yet as we have only done one trip since getting it but fully loaded with 4 of us and 2 dogs we got about 17 figure its going to go up once broken in our FJ would have gotten about 11-12 for the same trip

have heard many get just over 20 on HWY and around 17+ in city but that can vary greatly of course

Sounds like something was wrong with your FJC. My last two trips with my FJC got 24.6 and 22.5 mpg (had a tailwind the first time).

You realize the 4Runner and FJC have essentially the same drivetrain, right?

 

[Dalko43]

Sounds like something was wrong with your FJC. My last two trips with my FJC got 24.6 and 22.5 mpg (had a tailwind the first time).

You realize the 4Runner and FJC have essentially the same drivetrain, right?

Pretty much the drivetrains are the same, though the 5th gen 4runner's 4.0L V6 gets slightly different HP and torque outputs.

 

[toylandcruiser]

Might help for getting out of a snow ditch, but otherwise don't see much use for it given your stated plans for the vehicle.

Same thing could be said about 4wd or awd. 95% of the time it's not needed. So why have it right?
I would rather have it and not need it than not have it and need it.


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[Honu]

yours must be stock

and you wont get that with 4 people two dogs and fully loaded for camping or a fully modified rig

mine had lift larger tires armor all around and gobi rack dual batteries etc..... so daily MPG sucks as every other FJC owner who has done the same mods gets
also once you lift put 33 bumpers etc... on a 4 runner the mileage drops

yes I know quite a bit about the FJ and the 4 runner
FJ built in the Hino plant and shares the platform with the prado as does the 4 runner but are not the same and are not the same in mileage my 5th gen 4Runner are built in Tahara plant
I could go on and on yes I know my Toyota quite well

Sounds like something was wrong with your FJC. My last two trips with my FJC got 24.6 and 22.5 mpg (had a tailwind the first time).

You realize the 4Runner and FJC have essentially the same drivetrain, right?

 

[BigSwede]

yours must be stock

and you wont get that with 4 people two dogs and fully loaded for camping or a fully modified rig

I was loaded pretty well on the second trip but yes it is stock for now. Not even a roof rack.