I believe the 4R is the only "truck" on your list, that is, body on frame construction. The others are unibody car-type builds, though not certain about the Ford Explorer I'll confess.

As you note, the 4R will not achieve 25 mpg anywhere other than a downhill. I have a '23 4R SR5 (2wd/4wd, not AWD) and recently towed my boat, an 18' Outrage at just under 3000#, from Milwaukee to the Apostle Islands (Lake Superior) and back. My first long tow with this new truck. 11.9 mpg was the number at the top, forgot to check when I got back.

The truck is refined, if dated. The drive is stellar, even relaxing, so low wear on the driver makes a long trip easier. Its tight, and very quiet, feels heavy with gas milage to match.

Quick hits: Bought it this past winter, at MSRP, which was sub $45K by a couple hundred, all in, out the door. Not sure how much space there is to negotiate on a new 4R. I have an '04 4R SR5 as well, now my teenage son's driver. With the 4.7L V8, that truck has noticeably more grunt than the new 4.0L V6. If that matters, I understand the Lexus model equivalent can still be had with a V8, but your $45K goes out the window.

I love the dated simplicity of the new 4R, the kind of thing that gets it dinged in any reviews. I sat down in the new one, 19 years newer than my current at the time, and EVERYTHING was familiar. Half the stems on the steering column were identical. That sort of thing has me recognize that Toyota keeps the good and the stable, and corrects the details as required. Thus, a very refined and well put together package without chasing change, for change's sake.

I put 80k miles on a company 2011 4Runner over a 2.5 year period recently. 21mpg was the best I ever attained, on a mostly downhill interstate trip. It was underpowered, but never had many complaints about that.

Recently, my company upgraded me to a 2023 VW Tiguan SE-R line model that is FWD. Most Tiguans are AWD. Greatly prefer the Tiguan, especially its MPG of right around 33-34mpg on the interstate. I just went over to Virginia yesterday and got right at 34mpg the entire 365-mile trip.

Interior space is about the same between the 4Runner and Tiguan. I know this because I carry a certain amount of gear and the leftover space is almost identical in both vehicles.

If highway driving is the majority of your driving, I cannot recommend the VW Tiguan highly enough. Great space to spend hours at 70+MPH. My SE-R Line model cost $36k.

Thanks guys. I had not considered a VW.
Not sure I would I would consider a Kia or Hyundai unless it was 10k cheaper than other options.
The 4runner in the conundrum in the equation.

The mini van reference to the pilot is the prveious version. The new model is more suv like again.

If you’re looking for a modernized 4Runnner,you may want to wait until next year

https://www.lexus.com/newGX

We’re replacing our 4R with a new GX. I do think that formula is the best on the market.

We test drove both the Tiguan and the Atlas and both had the nice VW / German ‘feel’ to them, and they have towing capabilities of 1,500 and 5,000 lbs. respectively (Atlas with the V6).

The Atlas in the mid to higher trims, as with every other manufacturer, is sticker-ed in the mid-$40K’s and on up from there into the high $40’s to low $50’s.

The VW’s are probably not as reliable as other options.

I've got a Mazda 2016 CX-9 and I love it. They have introduced a new, larger model for 2024, the CX-90 with an inline 6 cyl that might be a good fit.

I've had a 2011 Honda Pilot and Acura MDX and liked them but I like the Mazda better.

Lexus GX460. Body on frame, tows 6500 pounds (up to 8000 for 2024). Full time 4wd, but it has a locking center differential and low range- so it has true 4wd capabilities. Mild V8 (although I think they are dropping that in favor of a turbo 6 for 2024) that should easily run 300k+ with no issues. Seats 7.

It's not as comfy and doesn't have quite as much cargo capacity as some of it's competitors, but that's because it's still a "real" truck wrapped in more luxurious accoutrements.

The only miss is the fuel mileage. It's not going to get 25, but if you can overlook it in the 4 runner you might be able to overlook it here too.

edit- I missed your price requirement. You could get a very lightly used one for under 45k, but not a new one.

quote:

Originally posted by prj:
I believe the 4R is the only "truck" on your list, that is, body on frame construction. The others are unibody car-type builds, though not certain about the Ford Explorer I'll confess.

The Explorers are unibody. We have a fleet of over 60 of them at my work. They're junk and one minor crash totals them. I would avoid them at all costs.

The answer...4Runner.

I don't currently own one, but have had both a '91 and a '98 in the past (my brother in law has my '98 now which is approaching 300k trouble free miles).

I decided to buy a new F150 in 2017. There are many times I wish I had bought a new 4Runner instead.

I know that some on here have a visceral hatred of GM, but the Yukon/Tahoe is also body-on-frame. I’ve owned them since they first came out a couple decades ago, and have never had a single problem. I currently have a Yukon Denali with the 6.2 and it pulls trailers effortlessly.

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:

Being able to do 75mpg on the freeway

I don't think you're going to get that kind of fuel efficiency with any of the vehicles that you mentioned.

timely thread, thanks OP,

I am also in the market for a new to me SUV,

I don't need the bigger models, and won't pull a trailer bigger than my Gheenoe (think 15 foot fiberglass canoe)
I have a Van and 2 trailers at the shop for that,



FWIW, I am leaning towards RAV 4 or Ford Escape, or Edge,

and possibly the Honda Passport,


good friend has a first gen Tiguan that runs like a top, but I have not looked into the newer models and reliability,


this will be my daily driver, and I buy estates, (firearms and related gear) so the need for a back end that you can lay a rifle or shotgun down and cover up (cased guns, as in fabric case, and may carry as many as a couple dozen)

that would be more economical that driving the diesel van, and more comfortable with better gas mileage for longer drives,

ORC, I cannot comment on a new Pilot, but in 2005 I chose the Honda over the Toyota because of space. I'm 6'-4" and the Toyota felt too tight compared to the Honda. Its / was my wife primary car and we traded it in for another in 2015.No regrets here with the Honda.

We are getting ready to shop for a new vehicle for my wife, due to her older Yukon getting rear ended, resulting in a bent frame and expecting it to be totaled.
She’s looking at Explorers. We have confidence in the dealership we patronize. Our kids drove used older generation Explorers, and my older son has been driving the newer iteration without issue. I particularly like that the Explorers are now rear wheel drive.

quote:

Originally posted by mcrimm: We have a '21 Highlander Hybrid Platinum that is the best car we have ever owned. While the hybrid gets about 35 MPG, it can only tow 3,500#...

Have you done any towing with your hybrid? The horsepower and torque specs for the hybrid look similar to my 4-banger Tacoma and it's gutless at best. Scary at times. I've been window shopping for a few months now looking for decent mileage when not towing while not stuck with the semis going uphill even though I'm only towing about 800 pounds.

quote:

Originally posted by MNSIG:
I know that some on here have a visceral hatred of GM, but the Yukon/Tahoe is also body-on-frame. I’ve owned them since they first came out a couple decades ago, and have never had a single problem. I currently have a Yukon Denali with the 6.2 and it pulls trailers effortlessly.

I don’t hate GM but I sure as hell hate this 2015 Suburban. Not even 100k miles yet and I have replaced so much stuff on it.
I can’t wait to get rid of it! Need to just keep it rolling another year or so.
We are looking at the new Grand Highlander and Lexus TX to replace it.

quote:

Originally posted by KBobAries:

quote:

Originally posted by mcrimm: We have a '21 Highlander Hybrid Platinum that is the best car we have ever owned. While the hybrid gets about 35 MPG, it can only tow 3,500#...

Have you done any towing with your hybrid? The horsepower and torque specs for the hybrid look similar to my 4-banger Tacoma and it's gutless at best. Scary at times. I've been window shopping for a few months now looking for decent mileage when not towing while not stuck with the semis going uphill even though I'm only towing about 800 pounds.

Yes, I towed a single axle uHaul from Kalispell MT to Tucson Az last spring. I probably had total weight of 2,500 pounds behind me. My fuel mileage dropped to about 20 MPG but the car pulled it well. No real problem with power, as I recall. Today I finished a 1,750 mile trip and averaged about 33 MPG at mostly 80 MPH. Tuff to complain.

In my first post, I called my Passport a second tier SUV. That was because the adaptive cruise and auto high beams never worked right. “That’s normal” the service mgr claimed. I hate to pay for features that don’t work. My Accord before that blew out the sunroof for no apparent reason. After a bunch of bitching and complaining, Honda fixed it. Both vehicles were top trim levels and very low mileage. No more Hondas for me - not when I am very happy with my Highlander. Incidentally, I bought 4 Hondas from that dealer.
Mike

I recently replaced my 2006 Corolla with a 2022 Highlander, I wanted to get the last of the 3.5 liter V6 as they switched to a turbo 4 cylinder in 2023.

I love the vehicle so far and average 25 mpg with plenty of power.

If I didnt already have a gas guzzling truck for a weekend vehicle, I would have went with the GX or the 4Runner for the reasons others have stated. I couldn't justify it for a daily driver.

If the mileage is important to you, I think you'd be happy with the Highlander. But for pure longevity, the 4 Runner cant be beat.


.

I know it’s not on your list, but we like our ‘21 Subaru Ascent Touring. The Touring package gives it a rated 5,000# towing capability. I like all the safety features. Very comfortable and reliable. Of course, it has Subaru’s Symmetrical All Wheel Drive. Just something else to look at.

quote:

Originally posted by old rugged cross:

Being able to do 75mpg on the freeway

I had to read that 3 or 4 times before I realized you meant mph.

whoops

I appreciate all the info. Lots to mash. A don't want a 4 banger. Not enough power.
sorry to hear the highlander is a 4 banger now. Maybe it is still available with a six cyl?