What can you tell me about the 5th Gen 4Runner

"DipodomysDeserti" (dipodomysdeserti)
06/15/2014 at 20:31 • Filed to: 4runner, toyota

My wife is wanting a third row vehicle and there is no way in hell I'm buying a minivan. The Pilots are too boring and I'm currently dealing with Euro drama on my 335d so I'm leaning away from Volvo. How are the new 4Runners reliability and toughness wise compared to the old ones? Anything to watch out for on a used 2011-2013? I wish someone still made a wagon with three rows.

DISCUSSION (33)

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > DipodomysDeserti
06/15/2014 at 20:34

Don't know anything about them, typical Toyota-ness aside. Also check out the Lexus GX and LX. Nicer interiors, but just as off-roadable. Used ones can be had for good prices.

Textured Soy Protein > DipodomysDeserti
06/15/2014 at 20:36

As just a family hauler I'm not a huge fan. They're not nearly as roomy inside as you would expect from the overall size. Third row is a joke.

I personally would embrace the minivan. And I mean, since it's her car, if she's open to minivan, I'd just do minivan. How often would you have to drive the thing?

If however she also shares your minivan hate, then I would do a Ford Flex Ecoboost.

M54B30 > DipodomysDeserti
06/15/2014 at 20:37

we have one as a patrol vehicle at work. We beat the crap out of it (160k miles in 18 months - rarely above 40 mph, mostly 0-20mph) and it still runs fine. Blower motor sounds like something from Star Wars (it's on it's last legs). The only issue I have is that the windshield feels half as big from inside - it's surprisingly small.

E92M3 > DipodomysDeserti
06/15/2014 at 20:44

They are typical Toyota reliable. Honestly though the Pilot is a better family hauler. What about a slightly used MDX over the pilot?

Nibby > DipodomysDeserti
06/15/2014 at 20:51

3rd row on these are for amputees. The trunk space with 3rd row up is minimal.

inb4 Sequoia... cause that's exactly what we did xD

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > DipodomysDeserti
06/15/2014 at 20:59

Buy a Durango.

Arben72 > E92M3
06/15/2014 at 21:01

+1. My 07 pilot was actually pretty fun to hoon, and vtec sounds great. A mdx is great if you want something more relaxed. Still I recommend something likes this. http://www.luxuryautosny.com/mobile/2007-Me…

DipodomysDeserti > E92M3
06/15/2014 at 21:03

Does the MDX have a third row? I'd rather do that.

E92M3 > Arben72
06/15/2014 at 21:04

idk, the MDX has more power and feels sportier to me. Do the older ML's have 3rd row seating?

DipodomysDeserti > Textured Soy Protein
06/15/2014 at 21:08

She doesn't want a minivan either. The third row is only for play dates when she might need to stick a friends kid back there. I would do a flex, but she hates how they look.

DipodomysDeserti > Nibby
06/15/2014 at 21:10

The third row would be just for play dates when she needs to put a friends kid back there. I'd like to keep it as small as possible.

DipodomysDeserti > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
06/15/2014 at 21:11

Do they make an SRT version?

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > DipodomysDeserti
06/15/2014 at 21:13

Lol sadly not, but the R/T is pretty wicked. I drove one a few times, I loved it.

DipodomysDeserti > M54B30
06/15/2014 at 21:13

DHS?

M54B30 > DipodomysDeserti
06/15/2014 at 21:19

Hospital security. We use it to get to the other buildings (28 of them) that we provide security for an most of its day is spent slamming the gas and brakes around a parking lot checking exterior doors. We also use it to transport mental health patients to a psych facility and combative patients to the jail. It takes a lot of abuse. Front in jiggles over bumps, that's the only mechanical issue.

samssun > DipodomysDeserti
06/15/2014 at 21:48

The Flex is huge, but it has a very nice interior AND you can get the Ecoboost 3.5TT

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > DipodomysDeserti
06/15/2014 at 22:05

If it's for a family hauler, the Highlander, while boring and "momsy" would be a MUCH better choice. Also the Honda Pilot, the Nissan Pathfinder, Ford Explorer/Flex, and Chevy Traverse. The 4Runner is more of an off road toy than a practical family hauler.

E92M3 > DipodomysDeserti
06/15/2014 at 22:10

Kinja'd!!!

It does but only seats 7 vs 8. However the 3rd row is slightly more comfortable compared to the Pilot.

Arben72 > E92M3
06/15/2014 at 22:16

No, but Gl350 bluetec would be a good option (but boring), and bmw x5's have 3rd row seats too (much funner). E class wagon has 3rd row seats (and can be had with 600hp). All these can be had for around 25k used. http://www.highspeedmotorsinc.com/mobile/2011-Me… I think you might like this one.

hike > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
06/15/2014 at 22:59

Recently drove a Durango and was surprised how much I liked it. Very comfortable, nice interior, and pretty attractive in my opinion. Should definitely at least consider it.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > hike
06/15/2014 at 23:13

you they are so nice. It's amazing what Fiat has done with Chrysler. You have to get the Hemi with the 8 speed trans tho.

hike > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
06/15/2014 at 23:15

I'm pretty sure that's what I drove. I couldn't believe how effortlessly I got up to speed on the highway. It has me really excited to get behind the wheel of the new 200. They did a great job with that car aesthetically.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > hike
06/15/2014 at 23:21

Did you use the paddle shifters(they my only be on the R/T) They are awesome, quick, and lots of fun. And IDK about you but I love the selector knob.

Kinja'd!!!

hike > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
06/15/2014 at 23:23

I didn't have enough time to play with the paddle shifts, maybe next time. The rotary shifter is neat, just takes some getting used to. Way better than that crappy electronic shifter they put in the 300.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > hike
06/15/2014 at 23:26

They also put that shifter in the Grand Cherokee. EF-ing stupidest shifter design I've ever seen.

Denver Is Stuck In The 90s > DipodomysDeserti
06/15/2014 at 23:27

It will eat you

Kinja'd!!!

DipodomysDeserti > samssun
06/16/2014 at 00:24

Looks be damned. I like the sound of a TT six. Now to convince the wife.

banjo cat ghost of oppo past > DipodomysDeserti
06/16/2014 at 00:40

go over to motoiq.com one of the editors has one n writes upadates about the mods/ living with it

DipodomysDeserti > banjo cat ghost of oppo past
06/16/2014 at 01:43

Thanks for the heads up

E92M3 > Arben72
06/16/2014 at 09:20

I forgot about the X5! That would be my choice if you can afford the maintenance.

multiple wheels for each day of the week > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
06/16/2014 at 10:29

I agree the Highlander we have is fantastic for the occasional 7 seater . It gets almost 10mpg more then the truck based 4runner . We have a 2013 Highlander and My sister has a 2013 4 runner and for $10k more the The 4 runner is way more then we needed. $29k vs $40k+

Highlander Gasoline engine — 3.5-Liter V6 Double Overhead Cam (DOHC) 24-Valve with Dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i); 270 hp @ 6200 rpm, 248 lb.-ft. @ 4700 rpm

4Runner's standard 4.0-liter V6 engine pumps out 270 horsepower and 278 lb.-ft. of torque. You won't fall short of power, be it challenging grades or passing an 18-wheeler.

Textured Soy Protein > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
06/16/2014 at 10:54

Except the Durango is a longer wheelbase version of the Grand Cherokee, which shares its platform with the Mercedes M-class. All three were developed before Fiat became Chrysler's new babydaddy.

hosewater2 > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
06/16/2014 at 12:06

We are looking to replace our Pilot that we're not thrilled with. Loved the GX...everything about it...until we got to the back door which is massive and opens to the side rather than up. Is that a Toyota DNA sort of thing? Hope they might change it in upcoming product because it was a dealbreaker for us.