I'm upgrading from a fun sporty car to a more all around capable/dog friendly suv. I've been doing my research on a 2020 4Runner because they've updated a lot from 2019 but the tried and true is still there. Those with 4Runners, how do you like them as an every day vehicle? Plus, I don't really care that much about gas mileage.

I drove one as a rental car for a few days (my normal vehicle is a 2018 Ford Expedition for comparison). Definitely not a 2020, probably a 2018. I found it harder to get into and out of, big step up, but then the seat is really close to the floor, so you have to bend a bit to get in and out and not that comfortable compared to the Ford Escapes I've had as rental cars and preferred the way the escapes drove.

i would love one but will never be able to spend that type of $ for a vehicle or do an extended payment thing. But for those with the means I think you would be getting a great rig for what you have need for. Enjoy if you get one. You live in a great place for that type of rig. Your pup will approve too!


Iille, I might get a 2020 version with a couple hundred thousand miles on it

If you need the 4WD or, like the off-road feature set, than the 4Runner works. Lots of aftermarket accessories, 4Runner and Tacoma are the AR15's of the auto market.

If you do most of your driving on pavement with occasional inclement/winter weather, prefer a few more amenities and creature comforts, then a Highlander would be better.

Guess it would be just the thing if I wanted to make payments (not happening) and couldn't find a supercharged Trailhawk.

I love it and I hate it. Are you looking at a specific trim / options?

For as big as it is, the interior is surprisingly cramped. The seats are uncomfortable after about an hour.

The engine is bulletproof but low on power. Towing capacity is low. The transmission is just a 5 speed and a frequent complaint is the hunting it goes through on hills.

Mine is a daily driver but also heavily modified for off-roading, traveling, and camping.

I am on my 5th 4Runner. The last three in the Limited trim level. I think they are the perfect size for my needs. The V6 is competent and they have great reliability. I think the 2020's should have Apple Carplay which would be nice. As discussed in another thread here, the Entune media system is terrible. I have no experience with the optional third row seating. I have run a mix of Yokohama, Michelin and Goodyear tires and easily get 45-50,000 miles on a set which is very good in my experience.

At one point the MPG got to me and I downsized to a diesel Jetta. When I got caught up in the buyback over emissions fraud I took the opportunity to get back in to a 4Runner which always made me feel like I had a fighting chance on my commute.

I rolled up 261,000 miles on a 1998. Other than timing belts and fluids I never had a major repair.

Resale will always treat you well.

Good luck!

quote:

Originally posted by Gear.Up:
I love it and I hate it. Are you looking at a specific trim / options?

For as big as it is, the interior is surprisingly cramped. The seats are uncomfortable after about an hour.

The engine is bulletproof but low on power. Towing capacity is low. The transmission is just a 5 speed and a frequent complaint is the hunting it goes through on hills.

Mine is a daily driver but also heavily modified for off-roading, traveling, and camping.

I'm looking specifically at the TRD Off Road Premium. The added features in the 2020 compared to the 2019 made me hold off buying a used 2019. We go camping and I go skiing every year. The BMW is/was fun but the maintenance costs just suck and not being able to drive in snow kinda sucks. I almost got stuck 2 winters ago. My wife will be happy that her car won't be the main dog car anymore.

I had a 1997 with a 196k on it. They are awesome vehicles. If you have the means, get one.

Mine is a Trail Premium (same as the now TRD Off Road) and the 4WD features are very, very good! When you combine ATRAC, crawl control, and multi-terrain select, you can get through almost anything.

I also have the KDSS which is amazing for on the road stability. I would not get it if I was starting over because it really limits what you can do with the suspension / lifting and some other aftermarket parts like skidplates and rock sliders.

We looked hard at the 4 Runners and ended up going with the Tundra.

The interior is relatively small on the runner, the 5 speed transmission equals comparable mileage to the tundra, and the price is just as high. The Tundra is just as reliable, has more power and towing capacity and usually has better financing.

That being said, I would go with a limited 4 Runner as they have the full time AWD with the Torsen differential if I were to get one. The Runners are old school and pretty awesome machines.

I was looking late last year and drove them, Honda Pilot, Acura, Infinity Q80 and the Armada.
Ended up in a 2018 Armada and I'm very happy with it. Great power and comfort. Frankly I liked the Pilot next best.
4 Runners felt under powered to me and their prices were high for no really good reason.

quote:

Originally posted by Powers77:
I was looking late last year and drove them, Honda Pilot, Acura, Infinity Q80 and the Armada.
Ended up in a 2018 Armada and I'm very happy with it. Great power and comfort. Frankly I liked the Pilot next best.
4 Runners felt under powered to me and their prices were high for no really good reason.

But they hold their value really well. The reasons for this are their reliability and durability. Unfortunately Armadas don’t hold their value well because they aren’t nearly as reliable.

Minimal experience with the 4Runner (a friend at work years ago had one and we did some running around in it). It was a good time.

Have had Toyota pickups with shells since pre-Tacoma days. Current family/dog truck is a four door ‘13 Tacoma with a SnugTop shell on a six foot bed. Also have a ‘02 Sequoia that used to be an airport car but has become our son’s way to get himself and his sister to school without Mom or Dad’s help (other than paying for gas). Have had dogs in the people carrying compartment a few times times, but hate the dog hair blowing around inside. Our default for the last thirty years has been to have a vehicle that keeps the dog hair carrying compartment separate from the people carrying compartment.

Depends how much you cart your dog(s) around, how often you have the windows open, and how much your dog(s) shed(s), but you may want to consider a Taco of some sort with a shell. Just a thought...

I had a 2003 until a deer jumped out in front of it and totaled it at 230,000 miles.

I added a little to the insurance money and bought a 2007 with 140,000 miles. It'll be rolling over to 200,000 any day now.

Both of them have been the base SR5 model with the V6. I have never felt under-powered, but I don't tow anything over 3,000 pounds.

The handling (cornering) is surprisingly agile for such a tall vehicle. We also have a RAV4. I joke that the RAV4 is a sports car that thinks it's an SUV and the 4Runner is an SUV that thinks it's a sports car.

The seat comfort is a personal thing, I guess. I've driven it to Florida in one day and found it reasonably comfortable. Some of my friends who are on the larger side do complain about the seats a bit.

With a set of GoodYear Wrangler DuraTracks on it I feel like I could drive through an ice age.

You can save a LOT of money if you are willing to buy used.

We’ve had three, 2008, 2014, and 2017. Possibly the best vehicle Toyota makes. Some parts are a little dated, but we’ve never thought them anything but great, capable vehicles.

I have a 2019 (5th gen) 4Runner Off-Road Premium, fantastic vehicle. The transmission is the only thing I don't like so I shift it manually. The computer programming of the transmission shift points seems to be geared towards enviro-dorks, not the real world or 4x4. There isn't anything else in it's class / capability that is more reliable. The JL Wrangler hasn't been in people's hands long enough to see how truly reliable they are.

Lifting and modifying a 5th gen correctly costs big money and takes a major commitment to changing the cosmetics that may reduce it's value unless you find the right buyer.

I previously owned a 2000 (3rd gen) 4Runner manual which was also terrific. The 3rd Gen 4Runner is probably the best one of all of the 4Runners, it is slow but stone reliable.

I bought an '03 SR5 coming up on five years ago that had just under 12K miles on it. Changed all the fluids, some belts, the gas and air filters and put a fresh set of Goodyear Duratrac's on it and it runs like a top and it is a beast in the snow and mud.

We had a dump of about 30" - 32" of snow soon after I got the Duratrac's, and it had no problems getting through roads that had hardly been plowed. I would not have believed it if I did not do it myself!

As other's have mentioned it is a little smaller on the inside, and gas mileage is not too great, but if you need to get somewhere under less than optimal conditions a 4Runner will not let you down.

Mine's a keeper until the wheels fall off. I like the nostalgia of cassette tape deck too! LOL!!

Can’t tell you much except my 2020 TRDORP will, hopefully, be here in the next few weeks.

I, too, held off on the 19s because I wanted the few updates they were doing. The infotainment and Safety Sense were some minor things we wanted and were willing to wait for.

We looked at the Tundra, but the number of times we’d actually use the bed was minimal and my neighbor has a utility trailer that I can use anytime.

My wife and I were in the market for a new car a few months ago and were seriously looking at a 4Runner. We were underwhelmed. I really wanted to love it because I think they're pretty awesome, but for what you get, it just ain't worth the price.

It should be noted that we have a small family now, and this new vehicle would have to also act as a family vehicle. Ultimately we ended up with a Tahoe. Perhaps if i were single, or if it were just the wife and me, things may have been different, but I doubt it. Why? Because if I'm buying a cool, fun off-roader, it's gotta be a manual...