Tacoma Owner's experience in a 2019 4Runner | Millimeter Recall

So recently I had to drop off my 2018 TRD OR at the dealership for the millimeter recall and for a rear axle/brake issue that kept re-occurring.

They loaned me a 2019 4Runner SR5 and I just wanted to quickly state my impressions of this SUV:

5th day of driving Edit:

Transmission: Though it's an older 5spd, it stays in gear much better than my truck. When on cruise control, the transmission almost never shifts. Even when going up a hill, it'll stay in 5th. Cannot say the same for my Tacoma... 4Runner feels torqueyer.

Engine: Completely different animal. Though it gets worse gas mileage, it actually feels like a truck engine: Lower-end power with readily available torque. Averaging 18mpg's where my truck usually gets 20mpg.

Interior: In my opinion, it's from 2008... nothing to say here. Although it is nice to have power seats! The speedometer cluster/display is a joke. Reminds me of the NES graphics. Or the old Nokia phones? The 2020 model will be a much needed refresh!

Ride quality: Very plush. Idk if the TRD models of the 4Runners are different, but it's pretty soft and smooth. Although the shorter wheelbase is immediately recognized by the way the nose likes to dive while braking. - Nose diving not that big of a deal, unless you keep thinking about it. Overall, feels very isolated from the road, in terms of noise and minor bumps.

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This was the first time I've ever spent a long time in a 4Runner, and I just wanted to share my thoughts. I bought the Tacoma because I needed a truck that could haul my camper and was capable of being abused. And it does that and more...

Stay tuned to find out what they do about my rear axle and about potentially updating my Transmission or whatever, to make the truck shift less sporadically. Dealership replaced my drum brake shoes and the drum housing. Said that there was some sort of oil spills inside or corrosion. I'm not sure 100%. Will clarify with mechanic. Will also see if it helps with the hopping/rumble strip effect while braking.

Dealership replaced both rear brakes completely. The hopping/rumble strip shake is gone. Went on a 300 mile trip this weekend with no issues at all. So far so good.

Also, regarding the Millimeter sensor recall, I have an OR with the Pro Style grill installed. Dealership did the recall and put some kind of sticker or something on the sensor. (Ive yet to look at it myself, but that's kind of what they told me)



Toyota will fix the recall if you have a Pro grill installed. But you will need to sign a waiver.

 

Ive got a tacoma and a tundra and have been debating trading the tundra in for a 4runner. Good info, much appreciated. Ill have to see what the 2020 changes do for the interior. I've heard good things about the ride qiality so thanks for confirming. Hope your tacoma service goes over well.

 

My wife has a ‘19 4R. It’s a great automobile but needs the tech updated. She’s only leasing it because she’s hoping that when her lease is up that the new generation will be out.

 

I felt the same. It felt reliable, but very old and outdated. I never got better than about 16mpg out of it and felt that the motor was overrated. There was a noticeable bump in torque down low, but fell flat soon as you got past 40mph compared to our motor. Interior space was nice but felt like a 2008 camry. The screen was a joke too, with the feature to show you which way your tires were pointed lol.

A lot of body roll and nose dive too. To me, definitely not worth the 45k new for one.

 

I think i'll be driving this 4Runner for the rest of this week, so I'll post more updates once I find them. I will also post my gas mileage, as compared to my truck. (I drive the exact same road everyday)

 

I'm glad I'm not the only one to notice the nose diving. Ultimately, I believe the 4Runner will be awesome in 2020. Toyota can keep making that body style as long as they want, it wouldn't bother me. Jeep has been doing it for decades lol.
Like you said, they do cost too much! This one happened to be made 100% in Japan. I wonder if they all are? Either way, something is driving up their costs, even though they're probably using 8 year old tooling and dyes.

 

They're all made in Japan, which is probably another reason why they cost so much. I considered one before I bought my truck, but I needed a bed to haul things around and it's been invaluable the last 2.5 years I've had the truck. Plus, I've always wanted a tacoma ever since they came out in the mid 90's back when I was in middle school.

 

4Runner is awesome loaner car, we love ours. Not sure why it gets compared to 3rd gen so often.
The T4R has been a J VIN since 1984, I hope it remains that way. The build quality is top notch.

 

I was at Toyota service last week. I was tired of watching Netflix so I wandered out into sales. Asked for a test drive in the '19 4runner just because of all these downers on the forums beating on the 3rd Gen. My first impression was it's great. Way dated but great. I would get one but really it's not some rainbow pooping unicorns that everyone made it out to be.

 

Interior: In my opinion, it's from 2008... nothing to say here. Although it is nice to have power seats! The speedometer cluster/display is a joke. Reminds me of the NES graphics. Or the old Nokia phones? The 2020 model will be a much needed refresh!

The controls, tiny display, and window switch location bothered me so much that the test drive was over very quickly. Went to the dealership fully expecting to purchase a 4Runner. There are many things I loved about it but was shocked at how outdated things were, also shocked that this bothered me that much but have learned thru mistakes to just go with my intuition. Ended up with a 2019 Tacoma TRD OR Access Cab, saved $5-$8K in the process - mod money! It was the right decision.

 

Old design, solid build quality and reliable is not necessarily a bad thing...the 2020 will address some of these issues with a new infotainment and couple of other updates which don’t get wrong they are much needed, but we love our TR4. The nose dive can be addressed with stiffer front suspension but not everyone wants to do that on a brand new vehicle.

 

Bought one for the wife. (OR)
I don’t mind the dated interior. She doesn’t either (coming from an FJ)
She loves it and I don’t mind driving it when she lets me..

 

I have both.

Ride quailty is very similar to that of my Tacoma. You can definitely tell this is a truck and not some modern crossover.

Gas mileage is atrocious. This is our “family vehicle” and even long trips strictly highway im lucky to get 17mpg.

Interior is way outdated. Not sure why they couldnt just kee it up to the same standard as the Tacoma (which too is feeling outdated).

The 4runner is a lease and we wont be getting another one unless by 2021 they upgrade the interior and do something about the gas mileage (give me 20+ highway). Maybe they could offer some type of “eco mode”. Now if you are looking for a “Tacoma-esque” SUV for taking off-road its a great vehicle. But for us being the “family” vehicle, the off-roadedness isn’t practical.

I do enjoy driving it though. My one pet peeve though is for me there is no comfortable arm rest for my left arm while driving. The seat is fully adjustable up and down, but either rest my arm on the window is too high or resting my arm on the door arm rest is too low while steering the wheel.

 

I recall reading something that said the 4R had far more Recalls than the Tacoma, don't know if it was true or what years they covered.

 

I'm lucky to get 17 in my tacoma lol. I get like 15-16 highway.

I'd be curious to see the 4runner refresh whenever they decided to it. The interior is pretty dated.

 

I took my Tundra in and they gave me a Corolla.
Man what a difference. Tried to put 30 bags of mulch in there... no dice. Next I hooked up my 8K trailer to it and it wouldn't even get out of the yard. The interior was nice but small...


Apples and oranges man.

 

I just thought it would be interesting to share my thoughts over the two. People always tend to compare the 4Runners and Tacomas, so why not?

 

I would be willing to bet my milk money they put the 3.5 in the next gen 4 runner

 

I like the comparison. I drove a 2018 rental 4runner SR5 and it felt identical to my 2013 Taco. Different engine, but similar feel. The 5 speed transmission felt similar too, very long spaces between gears, didn't really like to go fast without heavy and big downshifts.

Overall, it was a bit disappointing that a 2018 4r would feel as bad as a 2013 taco. Really shows the age of that platform.

 

I kinda want to get rid of my honda pilot for a 4runner its probably too small though.