Wife needs car: Highlander vs. 4Runner vs Sequoia vs Landcruiser, rough differences info?

[Dave in AZ]

As per title, my wife wants to replace her Honda CRV with a new car. She said she wants a bit larger now, for space for 3 teens and us. I want Toyota. I am smelling some opportunity here!! I have a Tacoma OffRoad 6ft accesscab with Tune popup topper, as my overland camping vehicle... but might as well get something capable for wife? Everyday driver 98% mostly 3 occupants but sometimes family 4, and rarely 7 to 8 kids to an event (but do have old Odyssey van for that if needed)
So this leads me to these options, I think:
Highlander
4Runner
Sequoia
Landcruiser, US new prado thing.
Lexus, whatever the LC equivalent is I guess...

Can someone tell me the basic differences between these things, to help me start narrowing down? Especially Highlander vs 4Runner? I'm kinda leaning 4runner, but not if it sux as daily driver vs Highlander. Thx!

 

[AbleGuy]

I’d suggest encouraging her to use her test drive of the bigger rigs specifically to see how she likes trying to park them or maneuver them at the crowded grocery store/Costco parking lots before making a final decision. It might be a big jump in daily use drive-ability, going up to something like a big Sequoia from a more compact CRV.

 

[driveby]

Highlander is a car that's pulled up it's pant legs to look like a SUV. Plus the 3rd row completely sucks for humans except small short ones. If $$ don't matter the new LC sure looks nice.

 

[Dave in AZ]

I’d suggest encouraging her to use her test drive of the bigger rigs specifically to see how she likes trying to park them or maneuver them at the crowded grocery store/Costco parking lots before making a final decision. It might be a big jump in daily use drive-ability, going up to something like a big Sequoia from a more compact CRV.

Great advice thx!

 

[Dave in AZ]

Highlander is a car that's pulled up it's pant legs to look like a SUV. Plus the 3rd row completely sucks for humans except small short ones. If $$ don't matter the new LC sure looks nice.

Good info, she specifically wants more room for bigger kids now. I like any excuse that leans me towards the LC hehe

 

[Gravelette]

I think it will be awhile before you can just go to a dealer and pick out a new 4Runner or LC.

 

[rruff]

The Highlander is a car based SUV and the 4Runner and LC are body on frame and Tacoma based.

I was going to suggest a Sienna, but you already have an Odyssey.

It sounds like you want to get an offroad vehicle... just because. But if this is your wife's daily, then there are different priorities, and they may be very specific to her. And like AbleGuy said, if you drive/park in the city then large vehicles can be annoying.

Before you buy a LC look at the Lexus GX550.

 

[p nut]

Are you looking at new or used?

For me, with 3 kids, it’s Sequoia all the way. Lots of room for stuff in the back. Plenty wide for 3 teens. And it does not feel that big to drive, either.
I’d recommend a 2nd Gen Sequoia. Very robust, spacious, and reliable.

 

[jaxyaks]

Good info, she specifically wants more room for bigger kids now. I like any excuse that leans me towards the LC hehe

The Land Cruiser doesn't have a 3rd row. Some of the 4 runner models have a 3rd row available

 

[4runnerteq]

Sequoia for what you want seems like to me. Grand Highlander maybe? Yes they make a Grand Highlander now. Considerably bigger than Highlander. 4Runner aint very roomy inside. The new LC aint much bigger than a 4Runner. Now, if you're talking 200 series LC, and it fits the budget, then the LC all the way. Big truck. Big V8. Damn near indestructible. Course if your looking at new Sequoias then the 200 series is probably in the budget.

 

[TLar25]

Yeah my vote is 200 series Landcruiser/Lexus lx570, or 2nd Gen Sequoia. If a 4runner would work then a gx460 would also work. Basically the Lexus version of the 4runner, and those all have a 3rd row, albeit a very cramped 3rd row. A 200 series Toyota or Lexus sounds like it would fit the bill nicely though.

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[dstefan]

I have a 2018 plane Jane SR5 4Runner that we originally bought to build out and replace our ’09 Tacoma, but went a different route with the ’21 Tundra and camper. Since we can’t garage the Tundra/Camper, it stays covered and the 4Runner is the DD, but being retired, it’s just short local trips 3-4x week. So it’s pretty much what you’re describing.

FWIW, I would not buy it again knowing what we ended up doing with it. The 5th Gen 4Runners are great platforms and the last of the good 4L V6s and are well regarded as pretty indestructible. It has no mods to speak of, except for one size larger Cooper AT3 tires for the rare, limited offroad, which so far has only been twice and pretty tame. 18-19 city and 20-22 mph highway.

I’d much rather have a Rav4 hybrid or plug-in hybrid at this point. We looked at Outbacks before we went with the 4Runner and liked them a lot. After riding in my nephew’s newer Crosstrek recently, I’d pick either of those over the 4Runner for a DD.

OTOH if you DO plan to build the vehicle later, the 5th Gens are a great platform, just not as grocery getters IMO, and pretty cramped if you want to have more than 4 folks in it.

 

[TLar25]

The Highlander is a car based SUV and the 4Runner and LC are body on frame and Tacoma based.

I was going to suggest a Sienna, but you already have an Odyssey.

It sounds like you want to get an offroad vehicle... just because. But if this is your wife's daily, then there are different priorities, and they may be very specific to her. And like AbleGuy said, if you drive/park in the city then large vehicles can be annoying.

Before you buy a LC look at the Lexus GX550.

Tacoma based Landcruiser? Wut?

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[p nut]

The Land Cruiser doesn't have a 3rd row. Some of the 4 runner models have a 3rd row available

I don’t consider the 4Runner a 3-row SUV. It’s a 2.5-row SUV. Trying to fit someone back there over 3’ tall should be considered cruel and unusual.

 

[p nut]

@Dave in AZ - one thing you can try is rent these vehicles for a few days. Apps like Turo is great for that.