`18 4Runner review

[02SE]

Originally Posted by edyvw
Originally Posted by K20FA5
True, but it is a truck and not a crossover. It drives like a truck and it did when we test drove it. No one should be surprised by that.

Of course. I find it ridiculous when people buy 4Runner for snow. In snow you really do not want that weight and lack of anything that resembles dynamic.


That's why they build so many different types of vehicles. Just about everyone can find something they like. We have a 21 year old 4Runner, it gets less than 2k miles put on it a year at this point. I bought it new, and have maintained it ever since. It still looks and drives pretty much as it did the day I drove it off the dealers lot. It does great in the snow, and off-road, a racetrack would be a different story.

Because it's just not worth enough to convince me to sell it, we keep it.

We got a new SUV earlier this year. It's fast for an SUV, and is a hoot to drive. It handles like no 5k lb vehicle has a right to. It wouldn't do well at all off-road...

 

[edyvw]

Originally Posted by 02SE
Originally Posted by edyvw
Originally Posted by K20FA5
True, but it is a truck and not a crossover. It drives like a truck and it did when we test drove it. No one should be surprised by that.

Of course. I find it ridiculous when people buy 4Runner for snow. In snow you really do not want that weight and lack of anything that resembles dynamic.


That's why they build so many different types of vehicles. Just about everyone can find something they like. We have a 21 year old 4Runner, it gets less than 2k miles put on it a year at this point. I bought it new, and have maintained it ever since. It still looks and drives pretty much as it did the day I drove it off the dealers lot. It does great in the snow, and off-road, a racetrack would be a different story.

Because it's just not worth enough to convince me to sell it, we keep it.

We got a new SUV earlier this year. It's fast for an SUV, and is a hoot to drive. It handles like no 5k lb vehicle has a right to. It wouldn't do well at all off-road...

Problem with current 4Runner is that it is not far departure from the one you have, and it is 2018. They do good in snow, but put snow tires on and just about any AWD car will obliterate them on the road. Problem with those vehicles is that going up even with FWD or RWD and good tires is not an issue in snow, but going down one might wish car based platform.

 

[02SE]

Originally Posted by edyvw
Originally Posted by 02SE
Originally Posted by edyvw
Originally Posted by K20FA5
True, but it is a truck and not a crossover. It drives like a truck and it did when we test drove it. No one should be surprised by that.

Of course. I find it ridiculous when people buy 4Runner for snow. In snow you really do not want that weight and lack of anything that resembles dynamic.


That's why they build so many different types of vehicles. Just about everyone can find something they like. We have a 21 year old 4Runner, it gets less than 2k miles put on it a year at this point. I bought it new, and have maintained it ever since. It still looks and drives pretty much as it did the day I drove it off the dealers lot. It does great in the snow, and off-road, a racetrack would be a different story.

Because it's just not worth enough to convince me to sell it, we keep it.

We got a new SUV earlier this year. It's fast for an SUV, and is a hoot to drive. It handles like no 5k lb vehicle has a right to. It wouldn't do well at all off-road...

Problem with current 4Runner is that it is not far departure from the one you have, and it is 2018. They do good in snow, but put snow tires on and just about any AWD car will obliterate them on the road. Problem with those vehicles is that going up even with FWD or RWD and good tires is not an issue in snow, but going down one might wish car based platform.


I'm well aware of what the new 4Runners are like. I have a sister with a 2018 Limited, a Niece with a 2018 Trail edition, and a Nephew with a 2019 Trail edition premium. Not everyone is looking for the same thing as you.

Our new SUV would leave any 4Runner in the dust on the road, or racetrack. It is more refined, and much faster, with the great handling dynamics you are talking about. With the snow tires I have coming, it will do great in snow on road. Off-road, any 4Runner would be better.

 

[CKN]

Originally Posted by K20FA5
I have to disagree with the "horrible" on road comments. We just took ours down to San Antonio for a trip to watch the high school band. 5.5 hours each way, and it was incredibly comfortable. No complaints from us at all. Cruise control set on 80mph most of the way. We LOVE ours!

Currently running Pennzoil Platinum 0w20 in ours. It's a little noisy at cold startup, but after that it's fine.

Your front seats must be different and not hard bricks that are in every 4Runner I have ever driven....

 

[edyvw]

Quote
I'm well aware of what the new 4Runners are like. I have a sister with a 2018 Limited, a Niece with a 2018 Trail edition, and a Nephew with a 2019 Trail edition premium. Not everyone is looking for the same thing as you.

Our new SUV would leave any 4Runner in the dust on the road, or racetrack. It is more refined, and much faster, with the great handling dynamics you are talking about. With the snow tires I have coming, it will do great in snow on road. Off-road, any 4Runner would be better.


That was the point of conversation above. If one does not need off road capabilities there is no argument for 4Runner, unless there is some emotional connection (though not sure about emotion and Toyota in same sentence, regardless of a model).

 

[dblshock]

Well road conditions here quickly go difficult with snow +6" add in drifting, plows and ill equipped traffic...then slip off the pavement and guess what? your crossover is off-road! no prob, right? call AAA and they're backed-up 9-12 hrs.

T4R quality built in Japan is in the top 5 of all vehicles, they have that quality feel because it's real...being half body plastic you don't see rust..does it go down the road like a new Civic? lol..but not real far from the Highlander as both suffer a bit from the profile...T4R resale pretty much seals the argument and they will accept snow/mud wheels...thanks, I'll keep a T4R.

 

[01rangerxl]

Originally Posted by edyvw
Problem with current 4Runner is that it is not far departure from the one you have, and it is 2018. They do good in snow, but put snow tires on and just about any AWD car will obliterate them on the road. Problem with those vehicles is that going up even with FWD or RWD and good tires is not an issue in snow, but going down one might wish car based platform.


Good thing Toyota sells plenty of CUVs too then I guess. AWD Highlanders have been around going on two decades. If you don't like or need a 4Runner, you have other options on the same lot.

I am glad Toyota is still selling an SUV based on a truck that can go off road. Options are a good thing. Not everyone wants a bloated CUV thing where "skid plate" means a silver painted plastic decoration on the bumper cover.

 

[edyvw]

Originally Posted by 01rangerxl
Originally Posted by edyvw
Problem with current 4Runner is that it is not far departure from the one you have, and it is 2018. They do good in snow, but put snow tires on and just about any AWD car will obliterate them on the road. Problem with those vehicles is that going up even with FWD or RWD and good tires is not an issue in snow, but going down one might wish car based platform.


Good thing Toyota sells plenty of CUVs too then I guess. AWD Highlanders have been around going on two decades. If you don't like or need a 4Runner, you have other options on the same lot.

I am glad Toyota is still selling an SUV based on a truck that can go off road. Options are a good thing. Not everyone wants a bloated CUV thing where "skid plate" means a silver painted plastic decoration on the bumper cover.

Yes, buying 4Runner when you need off road capability is really smart. I have in Europe Land Cruiser diesel, 2004. I bought it precisely bcs I need it to access some areas that do not have roads per se.
When it comes to Highlander, I bought SIenna bcs I needed space. Actually it drives better then Highlander. Same platform, same engine, transmission, just positioned lower, so it behaves better on road. It has AWD to push a bit in winter if needed, and that is it. End of story.
Now compare to BMW X5 I had before, all of these are just attempt to be vehicles. It had power, unlike 4Runner, my Sienna or Land Crusier it had brakes and could actually hit the curve fast and not roll over.