Has Toyota gone cheap on the 4Runner like their other models?

I’m the original owner of a 1998 Tacoma that I’ll never part with. I love that little truck. I recently bought a new RAV4 hybrid for a daily driver, and I have to say, it’s been a bit of a disappointment. The powertrain is nice, it gets phenomenal gas mileage, but more and more, the cost cutting is disappointingly obvious. Very little to no sound insulation, hard interior plastics that rattle and scratch easily, the radio sounds like a Fisher-Price “My First Stereo” that came from a toy box, and a lot of cosmetic defects that, frankly, I’m surprised made it past Toyota’s quality control.

The resale value on this car is great, and I’ve been kicking around the idea of upgrading into a 4Runner. I’m wondering if any owners can shed some light on whether or not the new 4Runners still have that old school Toyota quality that spoiled me. I like the fact that it an older design, and is still made in Japan.

If you own a newer 4Runner, has it lived up to your expectations? Does it seem to be better built than Toyota’s mass-produced models like the RAV4, or Corolla, or Camry? What don’t you like about it?

Thanks for any insight..

 

I dont own one but was really close, and work on them daily.

They are still a staple of reliability. Japanese made. No changes since 2010 to anything serious.

Some report good fuel economy on highway, but city its worse than tacoma.

The infotainment is pretty sparse, nothing special, very limited data to the driver. Carplay was 2020 addition I believe.

The interior has very few changes since 2010, just radios and trim levels.

Higher trim levels have LED lights, xreas, kdss, etc. There's lots of variables.

My BIGGEST complaint is the sluggish 4.0 and 5 speed auto. It truly feels dated when you drive them. But to some, especially a 3rd gen owner, that's great.

Biggest perk? Resale, as strong as the Tacoma. If you hate it, it's worth what you paid.

 

I've owned a 3rd gen 2018 tacoma trd and currently own a 5th gen 2022 44 runner trd off road premium. The good, a fully boxed (unlike the c channel tacoma) frame, made in Japan. 1gr 4.0 is reliable as ever. Starting from 2021 they finally added led lights which are amazing compared to the crap halogen. Starting 2020 they added radar cruise, in 20022 they added the front camera and 360 view and blind spot

Interior does feel way better than tacoma but the plastic does still Marr easily and the paint is still thin and crap. Overall still robust and will last forever with maintenance. Definitely no regrets and would buy again

 

IRS and shorter wheelbase plus bigger rear seat are the things I like more about T4R.

I am a bit surprised at how small a 5’ truck bed feels and how long DCSB is to drive and park. I’m a RC sorta guy.

If it weren’t for MT, I’d go T4R over Tacoma.

ETA: correction, I’m a bonehead and 4Runner has a solid axle. My goof. I was thinking Sequoia.

 

IRS you say

 

Oh my goof? I assumed because of sequoia? My bad. F the 4 runner then

 

Oh and 2023 sequoia no longer IRS? Wow. Interesting.

 

Yep, they are both truckish in that regard and that should be in the plus column

 

The Sequoia IRS is flawed at best. Allowed more passenger space, but ate tires and added immense cost to the already expensive platform.

3rd row is for tiny children and midgets, stop trying to be a 1970s suburban.

4runners 3rd row is awful and only 5 seaters should be purchased.

 

So, those of you lucky enough to own one, ride quality is superior to Tacoma? That's what my neighbor always told me. Hence why I just assumed it was all badass in the rear. Still love the shorter wheelbase and bigger back seat. But I guess maybe I don't hate my Tacoma suspension so much now that I'm on Foxy.

 

I had a 2013 TE KDSS that I just gave to my dad. I upgraded the suspension to Icon and ran it on trails and fire roads in CO and WY.

It’s made in Japan. If they wanted to go cheap they’d make them in Mexico.

 

Having owned a 2014 Tacoma Access Cab TRD Sport for 115,000 miles and now owning a 2021 4Runner SR5 Premium, I can answer that. I believe the T4R rides just a bit better. It's much happier with the boat behind it than the Tacoma was, and the shorter wheelbase really helps. The main reason we moved to the T4R was for our 75-pound rescue pit bull Herbie though. He likes the back seat much better!

As to the OP's question about Toyota going cheap, I would say that is not true on the T4R. We've put 38,000 miles on it in a year and a half and it's been absolutely flawless. Sure, its technological dinosaur, but that's probably why everything actually works.