Test drove a 4Runner

At the dealer getting my oil changed and figured why sit here. Test drove a new TR4 OR on the fwy and through a hilly area. Meh. Seemed no better than my Tacoma. Things that were better: slightly more roomy in front, better visibility out the front and sides, tranny shifted like a normal tranny from 10 years ago and rear seats recline. That's about it. Negative: rear seat room was about the same, road noise seemed slightly higher, ride seemed a tad stiffer, handling seemed more pokey, acceleration actually seemed slower (assuming you rev out your Tacoma), silver interior plastic looks a bit dated and less safety features. I'd still buy one if I wanted an suv but it wasn't some magical unicorn everyone makes it out to be.

 

Your right on, 4runner 0-60 is kind of slow compared to Taco even though it has the 4.0 everyone thinks is a gift to mankind.
3.5 puts out 18% more hp which is quite noticeable.

https://www.zeroto60times.com/vehicle-make/toyota-0-60-mph-times/

 

I think it had record sales last year so they are probably doing something right

 

I also felt the taco would take it fairly easily in a 1/4 mile. The 4runner motor felt a lot like my work truck a newer Frontier.

 

Yeah. I said I'd still buy one if I wanted an suv. I actually would like the taco for me and 4runner for the lady.

 

Given that much hasn’t changed since Toyota released the current gen 4Runner for MY 2010 besides mostly aesthetics and a face lift, I’m not sure what you expected.

That being said I’ve never been impressed with the 4.0 in the 5th gen 4Runner. The 4.0 in the 4th gen and the V8 4th gen have much better drive feel.

 

Horsepower and 0-60 times mean next to nothing for a truck and driveability. The 3.5 isn’t a good engine in a truck and is hamstrung even more by a poor transmission.

 

I’ll take the build quality of my wife’s 17 t4r any day over my 17 Tacoma. It may not be as up to date, but just a look under the hood and it’s absolutely a better built vehicle. Hers has the same mileage as my truck and zero rattles. My truck had a few.

I’d rather the t4r for road trips.

 

I like the front end aggressiveness of the 4R. I will never trade my taco for it.

 

To be fair, that isn't saying much with the 4Runner. It doesn't sell that many units. And until a few years ago, its sales figures were abysmal for a long time - like so bad, I'm surprised they didn't discontinue it. lol

 

Are the different Toyota and Lexus segments competing to create the stupidest front ends?

 

Lol. Pretty much. I can’t believe how ugly all of the passenger cars have gotten on the front. And it’s gonna get worse...

 

Pass me the eye bleach

 

That’s my plan! I wanna keep my Tacoma and assist the wife’s choice of new vehicle to a 4Runner or a FJ cruiser(which will be borrowed a lot) but I love having a truck and the Tacoma is the truck that hits the craving perfectly! As far as SUVs go Toyota makes some true machines!

 

Also I might be the odd duck but I think that looks pretty slick!

 

I grabbed the picture because of all the mods. White is my least favorite color.

 

We have a 2018 4Runner and a 2017 Tacoma DC. I have to disagree on the rear leg and seat room. The 4Runner is huge compared to the Tacoma. Just plain huge. We also had an 09 Tacoma DC and 14 4Runner so we have lots of seat time putting our kids in the back.

 

http://carsalesbase.com/us-car-sales-data/toyota/toyota-4runner/