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Compared To Its Competitors, The Toyota 4Runner Is Either Archaic Or Civilized
- Thread starter ROBERT18452
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- Doug
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Yep. Common sense article - only had to be written because common sense these days is so rare it's almost a super power. Buyers should have done the research in advance and know what they're getting into.
If you're coming from a luxury brand the 4Runner is a beast. If you're coming from a manual shift lifted Wrangler Sport with crank windows (guilty as charged here) it's a step into the 21st century.
I loved my Jeeps, but after driving my Runner since Jan 2026 I keep asking myself "Why did I bounce around in those things for so long?" Must be the ability to remove the top and doors.
If you're coming from a luxury brand the 4Runner is a beast. If you're coming from a manual shift lifted Wrangler Sport with crank windows (guilty as charged here) it's a step into the 21st century.
I loved my Jeeps, but after driving my Runner since Jan 2026 I keep asking myself "Why did I bounce around in those things for so long?" Must be the ability to remove the top and doors.
I love Jeeps (I have a YJ Wrangler), and I really like the new Bronco. I wanted one. Drove a few. They're too rough around the edges to be a daily for me. If I were more off-road focused, I'd be in one of those. But I still take the kids to school and drive to work.
On the other end of the spectrum, there's the crossover/unibody/whatever. They're all a bit generic and milquetoast. Some nice outliers and softroaders for sure, but nothing like the 4Runner. I DO off-road (not as much as I'd like). They're a bit lacking there.
I searched that article for phrasing like "sweet spot" or "Goldilocks" and came up empty. Because that's what the 4Runner is to me. Right where I need it. Also, it's got character. Pathfinder with orange accents isn't getting my motor running.
On the other end of the spectrum, there's the crossover/unibody/whatever. They're all a bit generic and milquetoast. Some nice outliers and softroaders for sure, but nothing like the 4Runner. I DO off-road (not as much as I'd like). They're a bit lacking there.
I searched that article for phrasing like "sweet spot" or "Goldilocks" and came up empty. Because that's what the 4Runner is to me. Right where I need it. Also, it's got character. Pathfinder with orange accents isn't getting my motor running.
I read the article this morning and my reaction was that toyota makes a very nice unibody AWD vehicle to compare to grand Cherokee, the highlander/grand highlander. This comparison could even talk about selected Cherokee trims being more off-road capable.
Bu Without more context the Cherokee vs 4runner comparison seems off base
My 2 cents: for any large purchase like a vehicle, you'd be crazy to just go blindly or make that purchase based on what your friends/family think you should spend YOUR money on. If you've done your research and test driving and decided that you want a [insert your vehicle here], all the reviews in the world by outsiders shouldn't be what justifies your purchase or makes you regret it. YOUR priorities justify your purchase. If you didn't like some small aspects of the vehicle but you purchased anyway, then that's fine - you made it ok in your mind that it was a compromise you could live with.
For me, I made the purchase on what I wanted and what I would do with the TRD ORP where I live, not what others think I should buy. Co-workers and I go off-roading all the time in Colorado around the Denver area - there are thousands of miles of trails all over. Some have previous gen 4Runners, some have Chevy, some have Tacomas or Tundras, some have Frontiers, and of course there are Jeeps galore. Me - I didnt want/need a truck nor a dedicated off-roader. The 6G 4R is the perfect vehicle for ME and how I use it.
Yes its rougher than I'd like on the neighborhood concrete-cast roads, but that's nothing that a better set of tires didnt solve/make better.
For me, I made the purchase on what I wanted and what I would do with the TRD ORP where I live, not what others think I should buy. Co-workers and I go off-roading all the time in Colorado around the Denver area - there are thousands of miles of trails all over. Some have previous gen 4Runners, some have Chevy, some have Tacomas or Tundras, some have Frontiers, and of course there are Jeeps galore. Me - I didnt want/need a truck nor a dedicated off-roader. The 6G 4R is the perfect vehicle for ME and how I use it.
Yes its rougher than I'd like on the neighborhood concrete-cast roads, but that's nothing that a better set of tires didnt solve/make better.
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I think the opinion in this article is much like many others these days, not for me. I spent weeks researching the 4Runner and knew exactly what I was getting into. There were no surprises for me and I love this truck more than any other vehicle I've ever owned.
Sadly the world/time we live in giving every single person a platform to share their opinion does nothing but dilute and diminish the overall quality, giving way to a wide breadth of absolute garbage articles that add no value.
Yes, I see the irony here as I post on one of those platforms my opinion, but you did ask.
Sadly the world/time we live in giving every single person a platform to share their opinion does nothing but dilute and diminish the overall quality, giving way to a wide breadth of absolute garbage articles that add no value.
Yes, I see the irony here as I post on one of those platforms my opinion, but you did ask.
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