Comments on: Toyota 4Runner Review

By: blautens

blautens — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 17:13:34 +0000

I would disagree with the author’s assertion that “When we pulled onto a paved road, the 4Runner handled with the smoothness and quiet sophistication of a Lexus”…

When we traded our 4Runner in, we tried a new one, but found the Lexus RX and LX to ride quite a bit better, and ended up with an RX.

But otherwise, I’d agree that the 4Runner is a capable truck. But make no mistake about it, it’s a real SUV, with live axle wiggles and a stiffer than most commuters would want ride.

By: jurisb

jurisb — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 10:49:27 +0000

what is toyota 4 runner? It is like your father. with chiseled old face, with apprehensive wrinkles here and there. he stands for no beaty or seduction. he stands for a montain. for wide shoulders, that spread wider than praires in deep west. he stands for reliable daddy and workhorse, who would carry you up on the moonlit meadows on montaintops. you don`t kiss him, you don`t enjoy his color ,tan or manners. he stands for manhood, he stands for promises, and stands for keeping them. he is the one you can hide behind when firce december winds brush your cheeks. a bit simple, maybe rural, lacks style, and chrome, lacks harward, and new blood. let him stay like that – an asylum, a fort , a sense of home. you can`t belong to a truck, but somewhere deep inside you believe, that at least you belong to an invisible brotherhood, standing on the wide shoulders of giants. the giants of fatherhood. keep that sense!

By: jbyrne

jbyrne — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 18:29:41 +0000

Wimpy? Check out this mofo:

http://www.shrockworks.com/Toyota-4Runner-Rock-Sliders-Rock-Rails-Rocker-Protection-Nerf-Bars-4th-Gen-pr-16169.html

Some people are criticizing the 4runner for being too geared for off-road (eg. high load height) and some people are critical that it is not off road worthy enough (eg. approach angles). What gives?

It may never be the rock crawler that a wrangler is but then again who ever said it should be? Just as not all sports cars fit the same bill (some are more luxury, some are more performance, etc) not all SUVs have the same design goals. The 4runner fills a niche and is a great
product.

By: vento97

vento97 — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 14:01:43 +0000

As for the Highlander, despite the fuel economy advantage, it has all of the charisma of former President George H.W. Bush – wimpy.

Maybe so – but as a veteran, I’ll give H.W. some kudos – at least he actually faced combat (while getting his plane shot down in the process – that’s what I call “taking one for the team”), unlike his current namesake (who in the eyes of me and many of my fellow vets at home, abroad, and in VA hospitals – shall remain nameless….)

As for the subdivision off-road (in suburban mall parking lots, that is) vehicle that the 4-Runner has become – the name wimpy definitely applies…

By: James2

James2 — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 03:14:08 +0000

The 4Runner embodies all that is wrong with Toyota design. You want bad proportions, odd and conflicting angles, eye-searing “surface excited” sheetmetal to just plain bad taste, just look at one. The upcoming Highlander is just as bad.

I guess Toyota is so intent on shedding its vanilla reputation that it embraced World-Class Fugliness. Most Toyotas make even Bangle-mangled BMWs look good.

By: stuki

stuki — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 02:39:39 +0000

I really don’t think Toyota can meet their volume goals for any model by targeting hard core anything at all, except perhaps family guy/gal’s. I still feel the 4runner is one of the few SUV’s serving any kind of purpose at all, though.
Toyota has managed to refine it to the point where it really doesn’t give anything away to the unit body stilt wagons out there on road, while still retaining the ‘ruggedness’ of full frame construction. Unless my engineering knowhow is obsolete, the frame’s thicker steel and slight flexibility still help suspension and other attached parts handle more cycles of vibration over washboard and pothole ridden tertiary roads than a comparable unit body. It also makes for a nice, strong attachment point for a trailer mount, sitting high enough above ground for launching a midsize lake boat. That big V6 is also about as good as SUV engines get in a generally diesel averse country. It’s strong down low, smooth up high, quiet and seemingly everlasting. At the same time its light enough so you don’t worry about the front wheels sinking all the way to China if you should happen to hit some loose terrain, and frugal enough so you can get out of sight of the gas station before turning back.
If I lived in a backcountry/ranch/small-town-at-the-edge-of-civilization setting, with plenty of dirt roads, one of those would be something I would seriously consider. It‘s even priced to fit the kinds of salaries commonly on offer such places, and, being a relatively uncomplicated Toyota, it shouldn’t require too many (possibly long) treks to a repair facility. The notion that it is somehow inferior due to lower approach and departure angles and such just strikes me as silly. For those once in a lifetime Rubicon Trail trips, I’d be in a rental anyway, one not softened up and compromised to comply with on-highway requirements.
As a SHTF garage queen for city bound but dedicated/paranoid survivalists it’s hard to fault as well (for more on that, google FerFAL Argentina. Its great reading). As a vehicle for the vast majority who, for better or worse, are stuck in cities and suburbs, it’s pretty hopeless, though. The load floor is ridiculously high, breaking your back loading and your dog’s shoulders/hips jumping out. Besides, wherever you go, you’re blocking others’ sight lines, needlessly slowing down traffic, taking up way too much space, and in general wallowing around like an overweight, dimwitted insult to competent humanity.

By: Dave M.

Dave M. — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 00:38:51 +0000

Don’t know the Highlander – my soccer mom wife (and swimming, and basketball, and Brownies) loves her 4 cyl Highander. Shhh! Don’t tell her it’s just a tall Camry wagon….

PS – the ‘08 restyle is purely disgusting. The Santa Fe or Ford Edge look like a better replacement.

By: Geotpf

Geotpf — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 23:17:06 +0000

Here’s my understanding of Toyota’s SUV lineup in the US:

Real off road SUVs:

Small: FJ Cruiser
Medium: 4Runner
Large: Land Cruiser

Mommy-mobile CUV crossover wannabe thingys:

Small: RAV4
Medium: Highlander
Large: Sequoia

So, the FJ Cruiser is probably a better offroader now because it’s smaller. I just can’t get over the huge blind spot on each side in the rear.

By: theflyersfan

theflyersfan — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 19:40:26 +0000

…the overseas Ivory Coast 4Runner memories…
I have a lot of wild memories during my overseas days with my 4Runner (and I have a feeling I know some people who read this site and will know who this is in a heartbeat…some took part in those memories!) during my life in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire. During my training in the DC-area, I had actually gotten a local BMW to work with me in terms of a diplomatic/overseas delivery for a 320ci coupe (with the tropical weather package – tinted glass w/ heavy-duty A/C…needed…much needed!) Before the order went through, my future boss told me to cancel the order as BMWs were being stolen at an alarming rate and as I would find out first hand, the freeways (yes – several freeways in a third-world country) were gravel holding hands with holes the size of land mine blasts to make things interesting. So with tears in my eyes, I stopped the order.
When I got to post, a departing staffer sold me his early 90’s 4Runner – decent looking – it had done time in other African desert and tropical locales and it had a few dings and dents to show for it. What I quickly discovered is that having a real truck-based SUV in a place where unpaved roads outnumber paved roads by over 10 to 1 is vital. The $5.50+/gal for (leaded super) gas was crushing though. Once the catalytic convertor came off, power went up a little bit and I was lucky to get 10-12mpg with that very poor quality fuel. (I did hit 20 just once on a long trip.)
This 4Runner could have been in a Land Rover ad. I had that thing in the rain forests of West Africa, the savannah of northern Cote d’Ivoire, the 4,000,000+ chaos of Abidjan (with air pollution that would turn your snot grey…trust me), to the pitted roads of the upcountry and into the Sahara in Mali and Burkina Faso. It had the cans of spare gas strapped to the top, next to an extra spare tire, water and supplies in the large cargo area, and maps all over the place. It served as our “transport” vehicle for us and the Marines on many a weekend-night adventure, including the recreation of a great scene from “Titanic” through the massive sunroof with visiting students and staffers. It was typical Toyota – sit on the floor seats, road noise to deafen, rock solid reliability, parts were available everywhere and the such. It went through “puddles” on a beach “road” that actually covered the hood (I have that on tape.) It was shot at once and it survived a pedestrian impact in a country where people treat freeways like alleyways and cross them at great risk. (While I got over the emotional impact of that over time, the truck had a head-sized impact on the drivers door and a shredded running board.)
The 4Runner always held my luggage, Peace Corp volunteers, computer and Embassy supplies, international school activities, and at last count, maybe 10 people on friendly terms.
There is so much more that I remember about this beast that took a beating and kept on chugging along. Much like a trusted Land Rover in Kenya, my 4Runner was the symbol of seeing a part of the world that not many on our side of the pond has seen, and I look at the new Toyotas and am saddened they have gone away from that image.
I loved the end of each trip – it was time to tally up the dirt, sand, dings, dents, scars, and other trash and wonder how we got through another adventure.
(The FJ Cruiser might be able to survive, but at what cost??? Sorry for the length but if anyone else has these kind of “beat up the 4Runner” tales, write them down please!)

By: 26theone

26theone — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 18:58:04 +0000

As far as Toyota’s lineup goes, its the Sequoia that has me confused. The Land Cruiser is a mint machine (and doubles as the LX), then comes the 4Runner and Highlander. What differentiates/necessitates the Sequoia from the Land Cruiser? $8K?

The plan was for the LC to be axed after the Sequoia released. The Sequoia has a larger interior for less $$. I can only guess that since the Lexus LX in a dressed up LC that their cost to produce the LC is still low enough for the few sales they generate.

The 4Runner is headed in the same direction as the Land Cruiser. A neighbor of mine had one of the old off road capable classic Land Cruisers. Toyota bastardized that thing to at 70K suv that you would be crazy to take offroad. Kind of like a Land Rover.

I have owned a ‘97 4Runner and a ‘01 model. Both were solid, trouble free vehicles. Like someone else noted the 4Runners were overbuilt for my needs. That and the interior was a little cramped. If you need 2 carseats in the back it turned it into a 4 person only vehicle.

Basically Toyota still needs a midsized sporty SUV that can tow something. This is it.

By: MgoBLUE

MgoBLUE — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 18:35:39 +0000

By: NICKNICK

NICKNICK — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 18:32:33 +0000

I don’t think that the diminished off-road capabilities are a problem at all, especially in light of improved on-road manners.
The new 4Runner in stock trim will handle anything that any reasonable person would throw at a new $40K vehicle. If you believe that you *need* to take your new 4Runner on more challenging trails, then you are ovbiously rich enough to afford the extra $4,000 for your ARB and Old Man Emu goodies.

I do like to hear that the on-road manners and noise levels are improved. I drive a stock 1990 4Runner, and road roar on the freeway is unacceptable. If I could justify paying $40K for a new truck to take to trailheads and drive through salty winters, I’d get a new 4Runner. As it is, I just can’t see paying that much money just to trash it, so I’ll keep my beater. 17 years old and salt-induced corrosion is the only problem.

By: Michael Karesh

Michael Karesh — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 18:12:19 +0000

Toyota has been offering an especially large family of SUVs for some time now.

The 4Runner is most comparable to a Jeep Grand Cherokee: decent off-road capability, with a somewhat luxurious interior that seats four adults. The third row was added as an afterthought.

The Highlander feels much more like a car, and very little off-road ability.

The Sequoia is far larger, and not as capable off-road judging from the specs.

The FJ has a much less usable back seat and has a less upscale interior. It’s analogous to Jeep’s Wrangler. A Wrangler is better than a Grand Cherokee off-road, but isn’t as luxurious.

To compare specs and prices:

http://www.truedelta.com/models/4Runner.php

By: Landcrusher

Landcrusher — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 18:10:03 +0000

The fact that it is body on frame seperates the 4runner from the wannabe’s even if it has sacrificed trail and climbing ability. There is value in the body on frame from a towing and longevity standpoint.

You could take a stationwagon on rough roads all you want UNTIL IT BREAKS. That’s the difference.

By: kjc117

kjc117 — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 17:53:56 +0000

With Toyota’s purchasing shares of Izusu look for diesels in future 4Runner’s and FJ’s. Maybe even diesel hybrids.

By: Martin Albright

Martin Albright — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 17:48:14 +0000

It’s probably also worth mentioning that the burgeoning crop of crew cab/4-door trucks is taking the place of the more rugged SUVs, freeing the SUVs to become softer and more luxury oriented. A family of 5 that wants to go off road can still get something like a Double Cab Tacoma that will seat 5 comfortably and carry a lot of gear. Even better, the dirty/muddy gear is isolated from the passenger cabin.

By: foobar

foobar — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 17:46:10 +0000

I have almost no interest in this whole class of vehicles, but I still noticed that the last 4Runner redesign really sold out a lot of the model's previous off-road purist appeal in the interest of seeming more like a macho shopping-mall road hog. That new, garish front end design tells the whole story: it's announcing a 4Runner that's no longer a quietly super-competent truck, but rather an Xtreem Aggro Suburban Assault Vehicle. I thought this was the point of the Highlander, to allow the 4Runner to continue in its previous niche.

By: Prado

Prado — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 17:45:46 +0000

“In other words, the 4Runner is now a refined, rugged looking, long-legged station wagon that gets miserable gas mileage. It’s a terrific machine, but what’s the point?”

Funny (to me) statement because that’s basically what I said about the crossover SUV I had which I traded in for a 4Runner. It would take less the $2k to turn the current 4Runner into a more capable vehicle both on and off road than the stock 96′ which was praised for it’s offroad abilities, so I would not call it “severely compromised”. Our sue-happy society makes it almost impossible for car manufactures to build and sell highly capable off-road vehicles with a high center of gravity and narrow track. The best we can hope for are vehicles that can be easily modified with as little $$ as possible to meet our needs. The 4Runner is one of only a few vehicles with descent aftermarket support that can be easily transformed. Check out the 2004 ARB 4Runner for proof.

By: 86er

86er — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 17:43:59 +0000

Actually we can take it back to the 60s, when the segmetn was occupied by Jeep Grand Wagoneer and Cherokee, as well as the International Travelall.

We can take it back further, to the original 1935 Chevrolet Suburban Carryall.

By: ronin

ronin — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 17:00:02 +0000

>>I do wonder what people will use as tow vehicles when all the body on frame suvs go away.

>>Surburbans…just like they did in the 1980s when nobody occupied this market.

Actually we can take it back to the 60s, when the segmetn was occupied by Jeep Grand Wagoneer and Cherokee, as well as the International Travelall.

By: 86er

86er — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 16:59:16 +0000

Oh man, I think I smell another editorial. Thank you!

I look forward to it, although you will make me terribly miss the 85 my dad owned. God I miss that ol’ Sub.

Keep the flame alive, good sir.

By: jbyrne

jbyrne — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 16:41:53 +0000

By the way, I get the same mileage in this truck that I did
in my last vehicle, a much loathed subaru outback XT.
It’s nice having a vehicle now that the interior doesn’t
rattle and snap and gives 50% more cargo room for the
same mileage.

By: jbyrne

jbyrne — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 16:37:39 +0000

I bought a 2007 4runner in February and just love the vehicle. I have taken it out a few times on some pretty rough 4×4 roads out here in Colorado trying to scout out some good camping spots. For me it’s perfect. I don’t want to do serious off roading but I want to bring my family and dog to more out of the way places than I could go in a cute-ute.

I used to own a 2000 4runner and its handling was pretty, well, truck-like. The 4th gen are just amazing on road, it’s hard to believe it can feel as good as it does for such a big vehicle.

As far as mileage goes, I’m getting an average of 20.7 mpg. I don’t do any highway but not much stop and go either.
I think that is pretty good for a truck this size.

Anyhow, the important thing is I really like it. Getting the
vehicle you think you should drive is rarely satisfying. I’ll give up a couple mpg for a vehicle I really dig.

By: ash78

ash78 — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 16:30:00 +0000

Another fine example of a great platform for Toyota’s Diesels. As soon as midsize SUVs/trucks can show me V8 torque with four-pot economy, I’ll be there. My “breakover angle” is 30mpg. Despite the rest of the capabilities, I just don’t feel right straining to get 22mpg on the highway.

By: Sajeev Mehta

Sajeev Mehta — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 16:15:07 +0000

Now there’s a story that needs to be told, with a view to how it will last long after everyone trades in their cute-utes.

Oh man, I think I smell another editorial. Thank you!