The Toyota 4Runner is the only SUV that combines cost, usefulness, and unadulterated off-road prowess better than it.
For a long time now, the Toyota 4Runner range has wowed both on- and off-road drivers. As it enters its sixth generation, it appears that improvements will continue to be made. You can rely on Toyota to provide us with a highly functional vehicle while taking care of the bank account. In terms of manufacturing incredibly useful cars for daily use, Toyota has risen to the top of the field thanks in part to their affordability and ease of maintenance. You can choose from a number of Toyota off-road vehicles every day of the week. The 4Runner is one of its most prized and admired off-road vehicles, with a tremendous ability to perform above expectations. We examine a few factors that make the 4Runner the best option for a serious off-roader that can also serve as an excellent family hauler in the list that follows.
In This Article...
Is the 4Runner a reliable everyday vehicle?
The Toyota 4Runner does quite poorly on regular commutes, much like the Jeep Wrangler. It maneuvers with roughly the same level of grace as a cumbersome pallet jack.
Why not purchase a 4Runner?
1. Low Fuel Efficiency
Any SUV rarely offers outstanding fuel economy, but the Toyota 4Runner does particularly poorly in this area. Its combined fuel efficiency is only 17 miles per gallon. On the interstate, you might get up to 19 miles per gallon at best. Even for cars of this class, this is below average.
2. Unacceptable Ride Quality
Based on a truck basis, the 2021 Toyota 4Runner drives and feels like a truck. The ride might be rough, uncomfortable, or downright unpleasant. In their SUVs, a lot of automakers have made significant improvements. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case with Toyota’s 4Runner.
3. Uncomfortable Entry and Exit
The Toyota 4Runner from 2021 is elevated. With larger SUVs designed with off-road capabilities in mind, this is to be anticipated. The 4Runner’s off-road skills are aided by its considerable ground clearance. Unfortunately, this can make getting in and out of the car a little difficult.
What issues are there with Toyota 4Runners?
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.
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.
Is a long road trip with a 4Runner comfortable?
Everyone in the Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro was completely at ease. We could all adjust the leather seats as needed and, if we like, add a little extra recline. For extended road trips, the lumbar support in the driver’s seat is useful.
The snack bag and my handbag would obstruct the vents that are located on the backside of the central console of the front seat, which made it difficult to maintain ventilation in the back. But when we eventually understood that ensuring the vents were clear was simple. The dual-zone climate control only applies to the front row; there is no separate climate control panel for the backseat.
The dynamic radar cruise control is one of my favorite features as a driver because it’s so comfortable. With these settings, you can automatically slow down and speed up your automobile to keep up with the flow of traffic in front of you. You can also set your cruise and the following distance. I adore this function!
It is a little tough in terms of the ride. Definitely prefer a truck ride to a vehicle ride. Even with careful use of the gas and brake, the start and stop are a little choppy. So, even while I was glad to know I could drive on bumpy roads and shoulders, a smoother ride could have been preferable for a long road trip.
What automobile can rival the Toyota 4Runner?
Top 10 Toyota 4Runner Rivals for 2018
- 2018 Tahoe by Chevrolet.
- Dodge Durango year 2018.
- Ford Explorer 2018,
- GMC Yukon year 2018.
- Jaguar F-PACE for 2018.
- Jeep Grand Cherokee year 2018.
- 2018 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited.
- Land Rover Discovery year 2018.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 the J.D. Power Dependability Award. Power.
The 2007 model year won a Quality award and was rated as the No. 1 SUV among its rivals, earning a “Great reliability score” of 87/100, according to consumers, making it the best SUV in its class.
Vehicle History reports that the early model years are less reliable than those produced after 2005, but that doesn’t necessarily mean used SUV buyers should avoid these; it just means that shopping between the years 2005 and 2009 are the best models for the fourth Toyota 4Runner generation. J.D. Power also awarded the 2004 and 2005 Toyota 4Runner model years each a Quality Award.
Is the 4Runner being discontinued by Toyota?
Learn about the two grades of the Toyota 4Runner that will be replaced in 2022. What happens next, too?
We get a lot of fresh facts about the cars we adore at this time of year.
For the 2022 4Runner model year, anticipate Toyota will discontinue the Nightshade Special Edition and Venture Special Edition.
Toyota intends to swap these out for something altogether different. Something that has not yet been named or identified.
In the upcoming weeks, a formal announcement is anticipated. But for the time being, all we can do is wait and watch.
The transition to a new 4Runner grade the following year excites me, but I also regret seeing Nightshade go. One of my favorite 4Runner trims was this one.
For the 2019 model year, the 4Runner Nightshade was released as a sportier alternative to the 4Runner Limited.
Enjoy this video in which Sierra and I contrast the 4Runner Limited and 4Runner Nightshade.
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.