One of the greatest “Mommy mobile options” in comparison to a minivan is frequently thought to be an SUV like the Toyota 4runner. They are dependable, have lots of cargo room, and sit up nicely high. Given their size, you’d assume they’d also be among the safest vehicles available, but is that really the case?
In general, Toyota 4runners are regarded as safe automobiles. However, that only tells half of the picture. Contemporary generations have excellent crash test ratings. In terms of overall safety, collision avoidance is another important factor, and the 4Runner isn’t always the best at it.
In This Article...
Do 4runners readily flip over?
The NHTSA has given the Toyota 4Runner a 3-star roll-over rating, which is an average grade for a vehicle like the 4Runner. Nevertheless, the 4Runner does flip rather frequently. The 4Runner’s ladder frame construction causes it to sit higher and have a higher center of gravity than many SUVs with unibody construction.
The 4Runner’s greater center of gravity is fantastic for off-road driving, but on city streets, it can make it a little less stable in turns than a vehicle. Since 4Runners are more susceptible to tip than some of the other lower vehicles out there, it is generally a good idea to avoid making abrupt curves with one at a high speed.
The 4Runner is a fantastic midsize SUV that is made to be rugged and capable of driving everywhere. Its truck-like construction does make it more top-heavy, which eventually results in its 3-star rollover rating.
Highlander or 4Runner: which is safer?
The newest Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+ package of active safety features is installed in the Highlander. Road sign recognition, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and full-speed adaptive cruise control are all included as standard features. The 4Runner comes with a more minimal package that includes lane departure warning, emergency braking with pedestrian recognition, and limited speed range adaptive cruise control, but no junction support.
Additionally, Highlanders fare better in IIHS safety tests. With flawless crashworthiness and front crash prevention scores as well as Good or Acceptable headlights, the Highlander is a 2021 IIHS Top Safety Pick+. In the driver-side small overlap front test, the 4Runner receives a Marginal grade. Similar to the 4Runner, which receives a four-star overall rating and a three-star rollover rating with a 24.6 percent rollover risk, the Highlander receives a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA with a four-star rollover rating.
Why is the Toyota 4Runner flawed?
The front brake calipers, front brakes, warping concerns, and early wear of the front brake rotor and brake master cylinder have all been reported by numerous owners. Brake issues are common in 4Runners of the fourth generation, particularly in the 20032005 model years.
Which automobile has the best safety rating?
- Lexus GR86.
- Lexus Camry.
- Toyota Corolla Hatchback and Sedan.
- Lexus GR86.
- Skoda S60.
- Skoda S90.
- V60 Cross Country from Volvo.
- V90 Cross Country from Volvo.
Which five cars are the most lethal?
What’s Written Here
- The ten automobiles that have been deemed the riskiest on American roads are listed below:
- Mustang GT Coupe by Ford (2015-18)
- Rio Kia (2015-18)
- Versa Nissan (2015-19)
- Ford Kia (2015-18)
- Infiniti Elantra (2011-16)
- Fiat 500 (2012-19) (2012-19)
- Versa Note by Nissan (2016-2019)
Do 4Runners cost a lot to maintain?
The annual auto maintenance costs for the Toyota 4runner come to $514. The table that follows provides a detailed ranking of each car in this overall scheme for comparison’s sake. Given that the Toyota 4runner costs $514 on average per year in maintenance and that the average vehicle costs $651, the 4runner is significantly less expensive to maintain.
How far is a Toyota 4Runner capable of traveling?
You might get 300,000 miles out of a Toyota 4Runner. In reality, the majority of the evidence points to 0.2% of 4Runner vehicles lasting longer than 300,000 kilometers.
Is the 4Runner safe in 2021?
Results of Crash Tests The Toyota 4Runner received a four-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for 2021. The 4Runner scored four out of five stars in the frontal crash test, three out of five stars in the rollover test, and five out of five stars in the side impact test.
The Toyota Tacoma is it secure?
The NHTSA is a further resource for Toyota Tacoma safety ratings (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration). This is a government agency that tests cars for crashes and assigns them a star rating out of five.
Both a 4-Star Overall Safety Rating and a 5-Star Side Crash Rating have been awarded to the 2020 Toyota Tacoma. This implies that while this car does well in most incidents, a T-bone collision is where it really shines.
How safe are older 4Runners?
For the 2003 model year, the fourth-generation 4Runner, which is hardly recognisable, debuted in dealerships. Compared to earlier generations, which had an overall more truck-like appearance, the exterior of this generation was more rounded and car-like.
The 4Runner also received a number of comfort features, including a motorized rear tailgate window, an automatic climate control system, a standard tilt and telescoping steering wheel, and remote keyless entry.
Don’t be fooled by these improvements; the 4Runner nevertheless maintained a reliable off-roading stance. The 4Runner stood out from its on-road-oriented competitors thanks to features like standard skid plates, body-on-frame construction, and solid rear axles.
The new base engine was a 4.0L V6 with 245 horsepower. This was the first and final time a V8 was offered on the 4Runner, and it had 265 horsepower. The 4Runner was once more advertised as an off-road capable mid-size SUV.
Fourth-gen.: Years to Avoid & Better Alternatives
- Years to Improve: 2006-2007
- Years to Avoid: 20082009
- 20032005 are the years to avoid.
The 4Runner’s safety was substantially enhanced with each iteration. The IIHS gave the 4Runner good ratings across the board, with the exception of the head restraints and seats. Due to the possibility of a concussion from the dummy hitting its head off the B-pillar, the head restraints and chairs received the lowest possible rating.
The 2008 addition of standard torso and side curtain airbags also increased the new 4Runner’s crashworthiness.
The 4Runner’s Star Safety System, which may aid the driver in avoiding a collision, was the ultimate safety rockstar. This group of safety features comprised VSC, electronic brakeforce distribution, traction control, braking assist, and ABS.
The Toyota 4Runner’s reliability had a difficult beginning but eventually improved. According to the NHTSA, each model year from the 2003 to 2007 model years saw an average of over 400 complaints.
The 4Runner received just 54 per model year from 2008 to 2009. Again, excessive corrosion is the most typical complaint.
The 20082009 model years, however, do not appear to be impacted by this problem. That so, it’s crucial to check for rust when buying any 4Runner.
The 20082009 model years of the Toyota 4Runner are the best since they come standard with curtain airbags, have a new head gasket, and are less prone to corrosion. It is best to steer clear of the 20032005 model years due to head gasket failure.
RAV4 or 4Runner, which one is superior?
Overall, the Toyota 4Runner provides more space and power, while the Toyota RAV4 gets better gas mileage while maintaining high performance levels. After reading the comparison between the Toyota 4Runner and RAV4 for 2021, get in touch with Jim Hudson Toyota to schedule a test drive of each vehicle.
Does the 4Runner resemble the Land Cruiser?
Although the 2021 4Runner and 2021 Land Cruiser appear to be extremely similar at first glance, closer inspection reveals that the Land Cruiser is taller, wider, and longer than the 4Runner. The Land Cruiser only provides two trims, compared to the 4Runner’s nine. If you choose one of the 4Runner’s TRD trims or the Trail Special Edition trim, you can have some excellent off-roading features. Both models of the Land Cruiser come standard with skid plates, front and rear mudguards, and tow hooks located on the chassis.
Cabin Space
Highlander: At 194.9 inches, the new 2020 Highlander is 4.7 inches longer than its more capable off-road sibling, the 4Runner. Even though their widths are nearly identical, the new Highlander sits three inches lower than the 4Runner. The Highlander is, it may be said, even more like a car than before. The Highlander makes better use of its interior space because it is built on the new TNGA unibody chassis.
The headroom is 39.9 inches without the panoramic moonroof and 39.4 inches with the optional glass roof. Without the sunroof, there is 37.1 inches of headroom in the second row and 38.4 inches with it. In any configuration, the third row offers 36.1 inches of headroom. In terms of legroom, the first two seats have enough of it. Even the tallest passengers can easily fit in the first two rows thanks to its 40.4 and 41.0 inch widths. However, the third row is a little congested at 27.7 inches.
4Runner: Despite standing a solid 71.5 inches tall and measuring 190 inches in length, the 4Runner lacks a tiny bit of headroom and shoulder room compared to its car-based predecessor. The truck-like structure, which utilizes robust but space-consuming suspension components, is partly to blame for this.
Comparing the 4Runner to its slightly bigger unibody sister, both vehicles offer comparable amounts of headroom. To be exact, 39.3 inches in the front and 38.6 inches in the back. Although it does manage to reclaim some space in the third row, which offers two inches more legroom than the Highlander, the legroom in the middle seat is noticeably shorter at 32.9 inches due to the body on frame structure.
Conclusion: The Toyota Highlander is larger than the 4Runner and has significantly more space inside for passengers. The way they are built is primarily to blame for this. The 4Runner is a body on frame, in contrast to the Highlander’s unibody design. As a result, the 4Runner sits on top of its frame as opposed to the Highlander, which means the cabin’s available area is immediately reduced.
The Toyota 4Runner: Is it pricey?
The 4Runner has a great track record for toughness, dependability, and lifespan. It’s a reliable vehicle with outstanding off-road capabilities. Because of this, even vehicles with high mileage are in high demand, which raises the price.
What was the 4Runner’s best year?
The fourth generation Toyota 4Runner is a wonderful option for someone seeking for a capable and dependable secondhand SUV. These 4Runner vehicles were available with a 4.7 liter V8 engine with a maximum output of 265 hp or a basic 245 hp 4.0 liter V6 engine. In general, the fourth 4Runner generation, which was produced from 2003 to 2009, is dependable. However, certain years are more trustworthy than others.
The fourth generation Toyota 4Runner’s most dependable model year is 2008. Vehicle History suggests the 2008 Toyota 4Runner. The 2008 4Runner also received J.D. Power’s Dependability Award.
It received a “Great dependability score” of 87/100 and was rated as the top SUV in its class by customers. In addition to winning a Quality Award, the 2007 model year stood out among its rivals as the best SUV.
The Toyota 4Runner model years from 2004 and 2005 each received a Quality Award from J.D. Power. Early model years are less dependable than those made after 2005, according to Vehicle History. The greatest versions for the fourth generation of the Toyota 4Runner may be found between 2005 and 2009, but it doesn’t necessarily imply used SUV shoppers should steer clear of these.
V6 or V8 4Runner: Which is better?
Politics, religion, and the question of whether the fourth-generation 4runner’s V6 or V8 engine is superior are the three topics that are frequently too divisive to discuss with others. If you have ever spent any time on the 4runner forums online, that is at least how it appears.
The truth is that both the 4.0 V6 and 4.7 V8 engines deliver excellent performance and dependability. While the V8 is smoother and gives more performance, the V6 is more fuel-efficient and needs a little less upkeep. Both are excellent choices; it just depends on how you intend to use your 4Runner.
There are many supporters of both the 1GR V6 and the 2UZ V8, and the majority of them aren’t persuaded that one is equally as good. The truth is that both engines are capable of handling every activity that an SUV might be used for, whether it be commuting, hauling, or off-roading. Both of them are poorer and better at different areas.
I’ll do my best to be as impartial and as informative as I can given that I myself possess a V8. It’s important to note that I’ve personally driven both the V6 and V8 4Runners.
Look at the chart below to see each motor’s advantages before we compare these two fantastic motors in more detail:
Let’s now examine each engine in more detail to see how it stacks up in various scenarios.