As a sum of its parts, the decade-old Toyota 4Runner is pretty much terrible, but on the other hand, there's really nothing else like it on the market. Follow me on Instagram: / mountainwestcarspotter And on Twitter: / chrisoneill__
This guy clearly has no idea who buys 4Runners and what they’re interested in. All the stuff he trashes, like the power train, are exactly the reasons people buy these.
I have 2017 TRD in Cement color, it has 18K miles and could not be happier with its solid performance over the last 6 years! Not a single complaint. The simplicity and absence of latest technology is the key to its reliability
Pros and cons... Although, some of us would happily trade the most modern advancements for proven (almost 10 years FJ/4Rnr) long-term reliability. That being said; a good 8 or 10 speed transmission option would be welcomed if reliable.
And better camera made after 2000, lol. Which, you know, would cost them an extra 75 bucks, and not impact the reliability at all. Come to think of it, a ton of modern (I mean things made after 2009) conveniences would not impact the famous reliability. At all. But, people keep buying them, they keep raising prices and never adding basically anything. 🙄 Toyota would do better...if their customers demanded it...
Excellent review/perspective. Going to try one equipped with KDSS (if it's not sold beforehand). Any thoughts on the windshield design (relative step angle), prone to debris hits etc, and wind noise relative to the exhaust tone you noted?
Great review as always! I really like the simplicity of the 4Runner, but there are things that really need updated/fixed (especially the cameras!). The off-road tuning is excellent and one of the smoothest at traveling higher speeds off-pavement. Certainly a fun vehicle! The trailer wiring connectors are way too far in, many trailers will need extended wiring to reach that far (same thing on the Land Cruiser 200).
I'm glad you mentioned the GX460 as an alternative to the 5th gen 4runner. I cross shopped 460's & 5th gen's and found the used 460's to be a much better deal for the money and the amount of standard equipment on a used GX compared to the used 5th gen market. If you're looking at one of these 5th gen's used, consider looking into a GX!
The GX460 is an awesome vehicle but I still prefer the 4Runner.. for dumb reasons.. but still prefer it. 3 things. GX requires Premium Gas And the Rear door swings open instead of opening like a hatch.. I'm in nyc almost every day.. I need the hatch. Plus I love that rear 4runner window feature.
Good analysis. I passed up on the TRD Pro and went with a 2021 4Runner Venture, the 2 year wonder wedged between the Off Road and the Pro. KDSS and the silver TRD wheels make it a buy.
Love my 17 Cement 4R Pro. Has everything I need and doesn’t have the bullshit I don’t! IMO the 2015-2019’s are the yrs to own! Before they started putting nanny stuff on them! The 4.0 V6 and tranny are bullet proof! Good luck getting that reliability with the next gen!
Completely agree about the value of a TRD Pro. It’s mostly an appearance package compared to the TRD off road premium. Only the tires and suspension separates it really.
I take the slow 4.0 and speed transmission over oil leaks and recalls from bronco and fiat wrangler. Land Rover please let not star problems under 300 miles. 4.0 engine and 5 speed transmission can run for 300k miles with minor problems
Yeah I own a 2022 4Runner TRD Pro in this exact color. 18 months and 55,000 miles later, I can say that it's not fair to review/test drive this vehicle on-road/in the city because that's not what it's made for (the TRD Pro, specifically). I've done quite a bit of offroading and am on the second set of Fox shocks right now, and off the pavement it's a fantastic vehicle. The wobbling, the nose dive, soft suspensions, loose steering are all made for offroading purposes. But I get your points. The MPG, the TRD exhaust (which sounds really good if you're doing 35-40 mph high speed offroading) is really annoying going up hills. The transmission jerks a lot going up mountain passes at 70 mph. Most people who buy these TRD Pros only drive them in the city anyways. Most reviewers will review this truck from this perspective. I don't agree but I guess that's understandable. For a commuter, it's a terrible vehicle lol. If anyone is looking for a reliable, comfortable commuter then the LX460 is a much better choice. But if you're going to really use the TRD Pro's capability, there are not that many trails you cannot go. As for value wise, I think the TRD Pro is fantastic value for straight out of factory capability (KDSS cannot compare to the Fox shocks on the TRD Pro. Trust me, I've owned and off-road in both). It also hold its value so well. I bought mine at $55k (MSRP) and after 55,000 miles later in 18 months I can trade it in for $45K-$46K, pretty much breakeven. Besides the Ford Raptor I don't think there are many vehicles that can do that.
You may wish to try the Lexus GX460. All of your problems solved plus more. V8, 6 speed, KDSS, ATRAC plus lux. The 4runner is for offroading, a 10 speed transmission offroading would be a nightmare 😆 You are correct in saying TRD Pro is a marketing gimmick
Agreed that the GX solves most of the 4Runner's problems. If only you could get a used GX without terrible infotainment. I've off-roaded vehicles with 4-, 5-, 6-, 8-, 9-, and 10-speed automatic transmissions. I can see why someone would assume fewer gears are better off-road, but in reality that just isn't the case. More gears allow for a lower first gear ratio both on and off-road. Proper programming easily gets around the 'gear hunting' that I assume people fear will come with these higher-gear transmissions during technical scenarios. I agree that 'new' doesn't always mean 'better', but this is a case where Toyota is just exploiting that idea to get away with selling decades-old technology on which it makes a massively high margin.
I would take an old school v6 over the new school v4 turbo charged that will be in the new generation 4runner that will be coming out.. I heard the new Tundra engine is having problems and having a lot o recalls.
Look around online, there are lots of dealerships that sell at MSRP with no mark ups. Shipping a vehicle is surprisingly cheap. A few hundred dollars and you can have it shipped right to your door.
I want the TRD Offroad Premium so I can upgrade & add the things I want and still gives me the off road controls I want. The lack of the latest tech is fine with me. Ill sacrifice tech for superior reliability. I want to own it for 15-20yrs. Lots of the silly tech it doesn’t have.. Ill end up adding anyway. I hate panoramic sunroofs.. I enjoy using the regular sunroof.. I want most of the roof to be rugged. Panoramic is not rugged & belongs on something like the Highlander.
Toyota is meant to keep things simple and reliable. They are under powered for the same reason … to keep them reliable! People slap superchargers on these and are still reliable if you want that extra power. Other than that reliability is what Toyota was striving for and that’s what they achieved with these 4runners
even a new bmw x7 seat belt is same. not sure what you meant by seat belt is from generation past, probably you wanted like just look at seat belt and it automatically lock in.
Approach Departure and Break-over watch Ben Hardy’s off road review where he takes the TRD Pro it’s more than capable for 99.9 percent of what people do. I bought one for a Hunting truck because it can carry 4 men and dogs in the back or into the Mountains Elk hunting ! I bought this to replace a 2008 GMC Sierra 1500 Z71 4x4 and I know this 4Runner is more capable offroad.
Relativity is key here, and the 4Runner has a significantly worse approach/breakover/departure angle than its competitors. But the fact that it still offers useful-enough off-road performance says that maybe we shouldn't be so worried about these figures in the real world.
You obviously don’t know crap about this vehicle. It’s built for its longevity & reliability & off road ability! It will be still running 30 years from now & you will probably be in a old age home by then 😂
Great vehicle, UGLY color! Lots of speakers, but no CD PLAYER! The roof rack does suck. Are they trying to lose the interest in buyers? NO CD PLAYER, damn!
"no CD PLAYER!" Really? I haven't played CDs in a vehicle, that actually has a player, in a long time. In my 4Runner TRD Off Road Premium, I either listen to Amazon Music Unlimited, Spotify, or sat radio. Depending on what place or situation I'm in. I don't enjoy carrying and shuffling CDs.
