Why are you buying the 6th gen 4Runner / replacing your current vehicle?

[SouthCoast]

Gave the wife's jeep cherokee to the eldest daughter for college. The wife needed a replacement and likes being elevated above the road for visibility so I thought "ok, she needs an SUV". We tried the '25 explorer st, which was ok, but very chincy on the interior quality. We tried the Chevy traverse and equinox, but she didn't quite gravitate to those either. Our fourth option was a mustang gt in the magenta pearl, which she loved, but couldn't justify for her needs. Then, I thought "well, she also probably needs 4wd if it's gonna be an SUV because, you never know". After that, we tried the 4runner and she instantly fell for it. To be fair, so did I. Having been a longtime wrangler owner, I really like the interior space in comparison, especially the rear window rolling down. She tried the both gas and hybrid and loved the extra push from the battery system. So, now we have a trd orp in supersonic red!

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[Tarekith]

Currently driving a ‘22 Tacoma ORP, and while I love what I can do off road in it, I never expected it was going to be my daily driver. Sadly for that I really dislike it, slow and a PITA to drive at elevation where I live. Also not using the bed in back as much as I thought, but still having to deal with how light the back of the truck is (even with sandbags) while doing many, many trips up to the mountains for snowboarding. I was waiting patiently for the Taco refresh to see what they did, but decided the 4Runner is a better fit for me. Same (or more) off road capabilities, but way better to live with day to day. Picking up my 4Runner ORP in Everest on Wednesday, can‘t wait!

 

[Evergreen104]

Loved my ‘16 5th gen 4Runner. Drove 53k miles in 4.5 years and sold for $2600 under what I paid new. Only negative was the gas mileage and old 5 spd auto. Bought a new ‘21 BMW X5 M sport. Loved the luxury and driving but at 48.5k miles and 7 mos past warranty I kept thinking of all the various $$ tech repair replacements that were down the road. The B58 engines are incredible but it’s the other stuff. So back to a 4Runner TRD Off-road force. Big improvement in driving over the 5th gen though maybe not as tightly screwed down.

 

[ToYoDaMan]

I was not in the market for a new car.

I have been driving my modified 2013 Toyota Prius Persona for over 12 years and I still am.

my wife suggested that our teenagers needed a car to drive so I started looking around and I couldn't find a used car that was worth paying for.

It was this or a Land Cruiser. My son convinced me that the 6Gen 4Runner was a better look. So here I am with the all black ORP.

 

[Joe Dirt]

For me I am still trying to make the decision and find out what other people driving the 6th gen like about it. I had a fifth gen, driving a Toyota RAV4 hybrid now.
Missing the 5th gen but understand this new 6th gen is a completely new design.

 

[E.T.]

For me I am still trying to make the decision and find out what other people driving the 6th gen like about it. I had a fifth gen, driving a Toyota RAV4 hybrid now.
Missing the 5th gen but understand this new 6th gen is a completely new design.

Welcome @mikeduff. There's lots of ex 5th gen owners here and many of them have written up direct comparisons of the 5th vs 6th gen 4runner.

Here's a few that show up in the forum search -

https://www.4runner6g.com/forum/threads/6th-gen-vs-5th-gen-my-perspective.3554/
https://www.4runner6g.com/forum/threads/my-5th-gen-vs-my-new-6th-gen-4runner-comparison-imho.5693/
https://www.4runner6g.com/forum/threads/6th-gen-observations-vs-my-5th-gen.2565/
https://www.4runner6g.com/forum/threads/car-care-nut-mechanic-reviews-2025-4runner-6th-gen.3633/
https://www.4runner6g.com/forum/thr...urs-into-ownership-need-input.4192/post-53663

 

[Joe Dirt]

Thanks for these links they are very helpful, lots of good information.
The ORP non hybrid pretty much checks all the boxes for me.

But, the real reason for going back to the 6th gen 4Runner is that it has been completely redone. And after driving a few different models I personally can feel the difference. Also the ORP has Bilstein struts and shocks. My 99 and 2016 had Bilstein shock, struts and leveling kit.
I'm not sure why Toyota didn't stick with Nitto tires?

 

[FawRunner]

I have a 2022 F250, 2018 F150 Crew XLT, 2013 Toyota Sienna AWD. And also a 2025 4Runner TRD Pro! The Sienna is great but when I read how difficult it is to recover I had second thoughts about driving it in questionable conditions. We have an off-grid cabin in NW Montana and it gets cold (our local record was -50F), snowy, MUDDY, and dusty - like 12"-18" deep in the summer! People get stuck in the dust. No joke.

Anyway, I got my 4Runner SR5 because I commute a lot and drive about 50,000 miles per year. So the SR5 is to take pressure off my F250. So far loving the SR5. The lane control takes some getting used to and for a while I would weave all over the road as we fought each other. But we're mostly friends now.

 

[RunnerRocks]

Traded: 2020 Ford Ranger Lariat FX4 SuperCab.

Our Santa Fe is our daily driver and great for road trips, but we can't get far off the pavement. Our Ranger delivered us to all desired places off-road, but it wasn't convenient for road trip travel & packing. Digging around in the high bed under a tonneau cover gets old quick.

We went looking for something that can more conveniently do both . . .

Edit: I will add that we were looking for body-on-frame. Bronco and Jeep were not an option. Don't need all of the removable doors, panels, etc.

Santa traded our Ranger in for a new 2026 Toyota 4Runner Off-Road Premium (non-hybrid). In only one week, our dealer located our desired color and options. They trucked it in from an out-of-state dealer nearly 250 miles away, for free. Had 7 miles on the odometer. We took delivery two days before Christmas.

Best Christmas present EVER !!

 

[TrdProGirl84]

I was a fan of the 5 gen body style. But I like the 6th gen even more!

 

[FlyfishBC]

I am trading in a 2022 tundra TRD off road for the SR5 4Runner. After the engine issues in the Tundra figured I would get out of it before warranty is up. Looking forward to a change too. Rarely use the box of the truck and have never towed with it.

 

[oyabaskly]

traded in a Tesla Model 3 SR and got a '26 SR5.. have had a 5th gen in the past but wanted to try a new one that had 3 rows.. I miss that 5th gen

 

[Minnesota4Runner]

7K. Engine seems like a winner so far.

 

[JustSomeGuy]

Currently driving a 2024 Audi A6 Allroad. Warranty doesn't expire for another year, but I think it is losing about $800 per month in depreciation. Love the car, especially as the only wagon available in the US other than a Mercedes wagon which doesn't drive half near as well as the Audi. This has been a blast, but in the end, a very expensive excursion down Germany lane.

I will retire in a couple years. I can't have a car losing this much money and with expensive repairs coming, or an expensive warranty to boot, need to get back to Toyota reliability. I looked at a 4Runner back in like 2019 or 2020. Love the look (best looking SUV on the road, then and now). Looks matter to me, even though that might sound dumb. I didn't buy the 4Runner in 2020, just not practical with the MPG issues. Also driving dynamics a bit too loose. Now, with 6th Gen, those issues have been mostly resolved (would have loved for the MPG to be in the upper 20s, but... physics).

I have two Everest ORPs, no moonroof, no Hybrid coming in. One via Allocation, the other a dealer trade from 250 miles from here. Will see which one gives me the promised trade in value on my Audi. the trade is available now (been sitting on the lot of the other dealer since mid-June, sitting in the showroom, no demo driving). If I can get it this weekend, can break it in before a planned road trip to Colorado (live in MN).

I created the following using Claude based on some research on finances and resale values.

 

[Joe Dirt]

Well my story is 3rd gen; sold it and regretted it, 5th gen sold it and regretted it, retired; got a new 2024 Mercedes! biggest piece of crap besides an BMW M5 I had from 2000, another big piece of turd.

So back in my beloved 4Runner. And of course this is a new platform so we'll see.
Like I mentioned in another post really the only thing I like about the technology features is the ventilated seats the auto phone charge, and of course navigation. But all the other sensory stuff not needed for me. I can still drive!

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