I can’t decide, I-Force Max Limited or Platinum

[Dr_Al]

I'm in the same boat as you. I've narrowed it down to either one of the two but will not be buying until spring of next year so it sees one lest salt filled winter. I like the idea of the full time 4wd trans but it wouldn't be a show stopper to not have it. The pro is out simply because I don't like the color options. What bothers me the most with the limited is the chrome roof rack.

That being said I do like the extended wheel flares on the pro and I really want a limited slip. For $1500 I can install an Eaton though. I would like to see the Platinum come with black wheel flares and 18" wheels as an option. Maybe in 26 Toyota will mix things up a bit.

Sponsored

 

[jiggie]

I would be surprised if the Platinum comes with more off-road focused changes. With the suspension and body style touches, they made it pretty much the 4Runner for Suburbia.

 

[mamarunner]

T

you can option a limited pretty close to a platinum (major feature wise) and save about $2000.

you only lose out on some minor QoL creature comforts that you have to pay as either PIO/DIO were as the platinum it is standard.

some examples where its standard on a platinum and optional ($$$)

1. the digital key, standard on the platinum but $375 option on the limited,
2. digital rearview mirror
3. no 3rd row in plat, non HV limited gets 3rd row
4. rain sensing wipers, n/a on limited
5. tow tech pkg


also on the platinum, you get black gloss mirror caps and door handles and wheels (exclusive to platinum)

on the limited the mirror backs and door handles are paint matched and you get different wheels.

platinum get slightly blue colored seats (regardless of exterior color) where as the limited you can get black seats.

platinum only comes in HV version, limited you can get either (you can save about $3000 getting the non HV limited)

This is what I did.

 

[Nodak]

I would be surprised if the Platinum comes with more off-road focused changes. With the suspension and body style touches, they made it pretty much the 4Runner for Suburbia.

the avs system pretty much negates any off roading on a platinum that you should be doing. its not like the x-reas system where it was a closed system mechanically (just hydraulic lines to shocks, and no sensors) and very easy to rip out and replace with off-road gear/suspension.

avs system is way to complicated to easily rip out and replace. besides the electric motors, sensors and tie in into different bcm and ecu and etc that will throw codes or lights. on the 5th gen x-reas, the easiest way was to replace the $800 per axles oem shocks with bilstein 5100 (i think) and drain and abandon the hydraulic lines in place for the cross linked shocks.

its a step forward in complexity but a step back in being able to easily modify a top line vehicle to being more off roady like the old 5th gen limited.

 

[Nodak]

I'm in the same boat as you. I've narrowed it down to either one of the two but will not be buying until spring of next year so it sees one lest salt filled winter. I like the idea of the full time 4wd trans but it wouldn't be a show stopper to not have it. The pro is out simply because I don't like the color options. What bothers me the most with the limited is the chrome roof rack.

That being said I do like the extended wheel flares on the pro and I really want a limited slip. For $1500 I can install an Eaton though. I would like to see the Platinum come with black wheel flares and 18" wheels as an option. Maybe in 26 Toyota will mix things up a bit.

they will never put 18s on a limited (they never did on the 5th gen limited) or platinum. you will have to go aftermarket.

a lot of the things you want from the off road models will never make it to the halo "luxury trims" of the 4runner. just look at the 5th gen limited, in the whole run of the 5th gen limited they never added any of the fun cool bits from the off road trims.

 

[QuickM]

Hey OP - Running an underground Limited trim here and still very much actively been doing some research because I do find myself looking for certain features that the Platinum model offers. That said, here are some of my feedback points:

1. Limited is best for people looking for an optional third row OR if you're looking for something a bit more upscale and don't find yourself wanting stuff like:
   • the digital key
   • digital rearview mirror
   • rain sensing wipers
   • tow tech pkg
   • heads up display (HUD)
     
     That said, all of the above with the exception of rain sensing wipers can be added in after the fact (maybe not tow tech package) if you feel like you really need them. The only thing I actually wanted was the HUD and you'd kinda figure they'd include that on a $62K MSRP vehicle
2. Platinum looks a touch better - I'm a huge fan of blacked out cars and the chrome on Limited trims absolutely drive me nuts. I plan on blacking it out and changing out the grille as well, but if I got a platinum it would've saved me most of the trouble
   
   
3. Limited interior looks better; the Platinum trim's blue interior is kind of weird to me, but that's certainly subjective

How are you liking your Limited? Anything issues so far?

 

[OnePunchPan]

How are you liking your Limited? Anything issues so far?

No issues so far. I drive in the tri-state region mostly so the potholes can be pretty aggravating here. I kind of assumed the suspension on an upper trim would negate the amount of feedback I feel from the road - and my expectations were low given that I'm coming from a low hot-hatch - but boy was I wrong.

Comfort drive mode definitely works and makes a huge difference for the upper trims that have AVS, but based on my research it kind of sounds like the Bilstein or Old Man Emu shocks might be better for that particular use-case.

I do plan on swapping to smaller wheels and meatier tires so I would expect that to help.

The transmission shifting all goofy and clunky is something I've observed at low speeds and seems to be a consistent issue through all the trim levels of the 4Runner so can't say that's a Limited problem.

My only REAL gripe with the Limited trim is the damn chrome coloring.

Now I've never off-roaded and I'm not even sure when I'd get to, but I do get jealous of all the nice lil bells and whistles for off-roading that the other trims offer. I understand the Limited is a pavement princess, but I'm one of those people who enjoy having optionality (hence why I got the mostly-useless 3rd row).

I've seen some pretty extensive reviews with the Limited trim being taken off-road and compared to the 1st Edition Land Cruisers and have zero doubts that this current model will have zero issues on basic beginner level trails - even without all the offroad fixings.

If you slap some AT tires, skid plates, and rock sliders I'd bet this thing can probably tackle medium level trails. I wouldn't bet on it to have as much articulation as the ORP/trailhunter models, but then again that is not the primary use-case for this trim. It will mostly be a pavement princess and that's okay. Costco runs never hurt anybody.

Overall I'm very satisfied with the Limited. Haven't thought to myself "oooo I should've gotten the platinum" with the exception of wanting all blacked out fixings. However, I have thought to myself "hmm that TRD pro/ORP trim wouldn't have been that bad."

And that's only because I think the TRD pro/ORP trims "look cooler" - which again, is achievable on mine with some minor alterations.

 

[QuickM]

No issues so far. I drive in the tri-state region mostly so the potholes can be pretty aggravating here. I kind of assumed the suspension on an upper trim would negate the amount of feedback I feel from the road - and my expectations were low given that I'm coming from a low hot-hatch - but boy was I wrong.

Comfort drive mode definitely works and makes a huge difference for the upper trims that have AVS, but based on my research it kind of sounds like the Bilstein or Old Man Emu shocks might be better for that particular use-case.

I do plan on swapping to smaller wheels and meatier tires so I would expect that to help.

The transmission shifting all goofy and clunky is something I've observed at low speeds and seems to be a consistent issue through all the trim levels of the 4Runner so can't say that's a Limited problem.

My only REAL gripe with the Limited trim is the damn chrome coloring.

Now I've never off-roaded and I'm not even sure when I'd get to, but I do get jealous of all the nice lil bells and whistles for off-roading that the other trims offer. I understand the Limited is a pavement princess, but I'm one of those people who enjoy having optionality (hence why I got the mostly-useless 3rd row).

I've seen some pretty extensive reviews with the Limited trim being taken off-road and compared to the 1st Edition Land Cruisers and have zero doubts that this current model will have zero issues on basic beginner level trails - even without all the offroad fixings.

If you slap some AT tires, skid plates, and rock sliders I'd bet this thing can probably tackle medium level trails. I wouldn't bet on it to have as much articulation as the ORP/trailhunter models, but then again that is not the primary use-case for this trim. It will mostly be a pavement princess and that's okay. Costco runs never hurt anybody.

Overall I'm very satisfied with the Limited. Haven't thought to myself "oooo I should've gotten the platinum" with the exception of wanting all blacked out fixings. However, I have thought to myself "hmm that TRD pro/ORP trim wouldn't have been that bad."

And that's only because I think the TRD pro/ORP trims "look cooler" - which again, is achievable on mine with some minor alterations.

Thank you for the details!! I have the same mindset you have. The off-roading I would be doing would be overlanding-ish, a few days at a time.

 

[Dr_Al]

they will never put 18s on a limited (they never did on the 5th gen limited) or platinum. you will have to go aftermarket.

a lot of the things you want from the off road models will never make it to the halo "luxury trims" of the 4runner. just look at the 5th gen limited, in the whole run of the 5th gen limited they never added any of the fun cool bits from the off road trims.

The limited and platinum trims are the pavement queens for sure. Nothing wrong with that. I'll never take it off road but it will see plenty of deep snow and muddy roads. I don't expect a locker, smaller wheels, or anything else I would like next year. But all of that I can add. What I can't easily change is the color (unless I wrap it). My real hope is the they add more colors to the pro.

 

[OnePunchPan]

Thank you for the details!! I have the same mindset you have. The off-roading I would be doing would be overlanding-ish, a few days at a time.

NP! I would like to do the same, but let's see what the wife says LOL

I do intend on putting on a set of all terrains, adding skid plates + blacking out the car ASAP. Will lyk how that goes. Been seeing some folks put their Limited trims on lifts and everything still works properly

 

[SoCalChick]

I could not handle the blue interior. I got the hybrid limited with black leather interior and my dealership blacked everything on the outside as part of my purchase. They will be change the chrome limited word on the side to black the next time I come in.

 

[OnePunchPan]

Wait this is

I could not handle the blue interior. I got the hybrid limited with black leather interior and my dealership blacked everything on the outside as part of my purchase. They will be change the chrome limited word on the side to black the next time I come in.

Wait this is sick! I didn't think dealers would actually do that for you. How's the grille looking?

 

[SoCalChick]

Wait this is

Wait this is sick! I didn't think dealers would actually do that for you. How's the grille looking?

I am away on vacation and I only took pics of the front and side. The fleet manager was amazing helping me get exactly what I wanted. I was surprised as well that the dealership would order parts from different 4runners and build what I wanted.

 

[OnePunchPan]

I am away on vacation and I only took pics of the front and side. The fleet manager was amazing helping me get exactly what I wanted. I was surprised as well that the dealership would order parts from different 4runners and build what I wanted.

Could I ask for the pic of the front when you're back? Looking to do the same myself

 

[mjfloyd1]

I bought a Limited because there were no Platinums available and I wanted a light interior so the blue was iffy. The wheels are the same other than the Planinum’s being gloss black which can be “fixed” with hyperdip or powder coating. The grille and bumper areas can be hyperdipped as well. The chrome emblems can be covered, hyper dipped or replaced with black. Overall, I’m happy with the Limited and the portobello interior.

Sponsored