What did they get wrong?

the 2020 fixes the front passenger seat issues thank god. One reason I went with 2020 over a vodoo blue 2019 is simply it should have two full power seats by now! Also the tire pressure issue is fixed.

 

This is my one big knock. Limiteds have it but why not my Pro? Or for that matter all trim levels.

 

I just wish someone would tell me what that little spot beside the front cup holder and shifter is really for. The sales guy said phone holder, the sales manager said business cards, one guy said to make you wonder what you could fit in it (most accurate answer).

 

Supposedly holding a dicfore was the actual purpose it was designed for.

 

Years old model yet to be updated. I don't think they missed anything.

So far the with the so called "missing" stuff guys should of just waited for the 6th gen.

Yes Toyota is taking forever to update the 4R. Hopefully its worth it.

 

A tin of Altoids mini's fits damn good in there. Thats what I use it for

 

My take on your items

1. I think matching interior finishes like this come in premium models, like you see all that "wood" look in Cadillac's. I've never liked the all matching themes personally. Probably a cost cutting measure as well. The brushed aluminum on the glove box is probably more durable because passengers are more likely to put their feet up. Door handle material is smooth to the touch, where the faux carbon fiber seems kinda sticky feeling but seems to scratch easily.

2. The wheel narrows here as creates a better grip for the old classic 10 and 2 position we were taught to drive with.

3. The switch works on the 400 watt only when the engine is on and in the park position. 100W while driving. I agree its a bit hidden from view, but all cars have buttons like this. Depending on your height, seat position etc.. you may be able to see it.

4. Not sure what these are

5. I've only seen the highest premium car models' have this, like Cadillac's will always have these, but the 4runner is not in this class type. Most cars that aren't in this class type will always have the vent but no climate controls. You do see this in larger vehicles like suburban and mini-vans because they need additional fans to get the air in the back. Not sure if the Limited has the fan controls, but they do have the Seat adjustment memory, where I would've wanted to see this in the Premium model 4Runner. The button slots are there!
6. I haven't seen any vehicle have a perfect design. My subaru was like this and I've seen other American cars have this problem. I've never seen them fail however so it can take the water.
7. I wondered about the drink cup holder size where its designed to hold a can, not a bottle or mug. Phones are huge for today's standards. I think it works fine standing on edge. Seems that it would be harder to take out if the phone was lying on its side.
8. Yes, still many accessories that use 12 VOLT (USB is 5V). Pumps, lights, CB radio. You can't run a pump from a 5 V USB, I am sure there are many other accessories that use 12V.

You have to also understand that small changes can be very costly. For example making a small plastic clip vs using a metal one can save millions of dollars over x time. Manufactures aren't building to make it last forever, they build it to last for the warranty period at most, then you replace things. "If we can make this clip out of plastic, and it lasts 5 years, hell we'll save a fortune and make our money back. If the clip breaks, they can replace it, then we'll produce the replacement clip!! arg gh HAHAHA ," As the board members clank their cups of bourbon, with cigars hanging out of the corner of their mouth in a smoke filled room.

 

Yeah, but the Limited has that ridiculous fake wood above the glove box.

In seriousness, I think the OP has some valid complaints. But as Canadian Bacon points out (even if he was being kinda mean -- tisk tisk) we buy these trucks in spite of of their quirks -- because their fundamentals are so epically good.

That doesn't mean I wouldn't prefer better plastics on the interior, no fake wood trim, headlights as good as on many modern economy cars, an infotainment system that isn't as crappy as the average infotainment system, etc etc.

But it's a damn good truck! You just can't find anything else that combines this level of reliability, durability, off road and bad weather ability, cargo hauling ability, etc. for anywhere near the price! You just can't!

 

what they get wrong.....











they keep forgetting to have the buy one get one free sale.......so i can have 2 4runners in my driveway!!!!!

 

I've got a 2020 SR5 with the most basic trunk, so my POV is going to reflect that.

No rear HVAC controls on a vehicle this price? Drop the price!

The window switches are going to get soaked no matter how high they are, but they are annoying to use with how high they are.

I'd rather have more cheap but rugged plastic and reduce the price! I don't need any soft leather (fake leather?) surfaces.

The arm rest on the driver's side door is a little low.

They got rid of the CD player in the 2020! Now, I'm going to make a price point argument on this one. Up trims of the Camry still get the CD player despite having the fully upgraded head unit. Why not the 4Runner at this price point?

The silvery crap inside. It didn't bother me at first, but once the sun hits it just right, watch out! It's going to be shining in your eyes. I'm waiting for 2020 interior trim overlays to come out. 2019 and earlier will mostly work, but the head unit and the steering wheel were changed. I'm thinking about buying the actual Toyota black steering wheel switch assembly set and swapping it in because at least that way everything will be properly black. The phone, cruise control, and lane departure alert buttons would still be silver if I just do overlays for the big surfaces.

The absolute dumbness that is the way you fold down the rear seats if you don't have the third row. You have to pull the bottoms up and lose leg room if you're going to be sleeping in the back of the truck. This one really rubs me the wrong way because I saw how a third row unit works in person but went with the basic trunk because I didn't need extras. Yes, I'd still need to rig up a platform to level out the dip in the basic trunk for sleeping, but it wasn't a big deal. Then I tried putting the backs of the rear seats down and simply couldn't get it all the way down. Then I looked up that I'd have to pull the bottoms up first, and that just sucked. Total major suckage. I hate it. I would have paid for the third row if I knew it would be like this.

The stock headlights. They're trash. I've now got the special Lasfit LEDs in there, and they seem to work well despite being not scientifically proper, but I dread dealing with it again once the Lasfits burn out. This is my first projector headlight vehicle, and it's not progress. I wonder if the first version of the 5th gen's headlights were better to handle.

It's just bigger than I need it to be, but they don't make smaller vehicles like this anymore. I'm not going to settle for some front wheel drive based unibody car based crossover. Even Jeep's lower end vehicles are front wheel drive based mehmobiles while they used to make their lower end vehicles with more ruggedness and with part time 4WD based on rear wheel drive. Looking at the Jeep lineup these days, it's meh. I hope the new Bronco, especially the 2 door model, really takes off. We need options for SUVs that are affordable and aren't gargantuan but also have actual SUV acumen.

 

This must be an sr5 thing. Every bit of mine and my wife’s are all black.

 

No tpms reset button (my 2018 tacoma had it and so does the 2021 taco) on the screen the stupid steering wheel angle display (really wtf)

 

Exactly, this is why I purchased a 4Runner, I plan on this being the last vehicle I purchase,for myself, before I die.

 

Two years, I keep thinking you work for the FDA approving new drugs.

 

My guess is key fob.

 

I can't believe no one responded to this. Too funny.

 

Aren't you the same guy that wrote a long story about how your Jeep Liberty was a better, faster vehicle?

As much as you constantly complain and nitpick about the 4Runner(on two different forums, no less), I'm surprised you still have the damn thing.

 

Nope, not falling for this one!

 

Yeah I don't mind their positioning either. They do get wet easier than if they were lower but that's not a big deal to me. If it's raining or snowing I keep the window closed. Don't most people?

 

The other nite I wrote up a somewhat snarky response to this thread. I'm generally not a fan of b*tch threads. There are a few things I would change on my truck if I was king. But I realize that Toyota designs and markets for the masses, not for me. I'm about 98+% happy with the truck. The things that irk me can be fixed easily and inexpensively. The reliability, capability, and value retention vastly outweigh the little things I'd change. But I grew up on vehicles that had window cranks. It's just not a hill I want to die on.

 

We've all heard it.

 

That's me!

I've warmed up to my 4Runner. Even with my complaints in this topic, I'm still enjoying it more. I'm just chillin' now, and I took it offroad a couple times which I essentially never did with my old Jeep Liberty. The 4Runner's good for offroading. I liked the overall size of the Liberty much better, though, and the Liberty was at least a rather old style SUV. Mine was a second generation, and while it was based on unibody, they beefed up the areas where a frame would be so you had a kind of frame. My understanding is that it was better than the old Cherokees in that regard. I don't know about the first gen Liberty, though.

 

I think it's a french fry holder.

 

Coming back to 4Runners after a 28 year absence (10 years in Pathfinders/18 in Jeep Wranglers), I appreciate most everything about our 2020 OR. Coming from a modified 2014 2 door Wrangler, I'll tell you my biggest surprise is the off road capability of these things. 4lo + ATRAC is as capable as 4lo + Truetrac rear LSD in our Wrangler. 4Runner rear locker gives it the edge in the really sketchy terrain (unless comparing against a Rubicon).

Biggest "wrong" in our OR is Toyota's build design that hangs the critical delicate bits (oil pan/transmission pan/gas tank) too far down from the frame rails. Jeep gets the nod for tucking them up tidily in or closer to the frame. A call to your favorite skid plate supplier, a $1k (+/-) ding to the credit card and the armor that Toyota should offer for protection on the OR and Pro models is in place.

As to knobs and switches and ergonomics and..............well..........after nearly 20 years in Jeeps with removable tops that leak like Unnamed Congressional Sources, I'll take an ill placed toggle or awkwardly placed latch any day.

 

I have both and they seem about the same to me.

 

Very different type of plastic. The Tacoma plastic is much lighter (not as dense). Which would make sense as far as mpg goes. They’re squeezing out as many as they can.

 

Yeah, I had a 2001 4Runner. Loved it to death and someone totaled it on me while it was parked. That was 2009 and I had a massive brain fart and thought I might be done driving a truck so I got a Venza which had a lot of room in it so that need would be satisfied and was a little higher, bigger than most cars. It was awesome! Very fast for its size and I liked it. However I quickly realized it wasn't the right car for me. Anyway, I knew I wanted a 4Runner again but I wasn't ready to get into car payments again so I did a lot of shopping and planning on what exactly I wanted in a 4Runner and what I wanted to do to it once I got it. This past August I was ready and luckily for me, most of the interior things I didn't like got updated or changed with the add of the Venture edition. I couldn't be happier!!!!

 

I love my 4Runner also, fantastic vehicle. I have never heard of a vehicle that satisfies all the people all the time.

 

Sort of agree with 1) it is a little odd when you first see the mismatch but having owned it almost a year, I’ve almost forgotten about it.
6) I kind of like the switches there, has “different and cool” vibe

overall I really like it and really can’t complain about most of what you listed, heck I barely even registered that some of those things could be an issue.

What I really like is how utilitarian it is, everything just works as it should, the touch points are solid (if not spectacular), the controls are easy to use with gloves on (thankfully for those of us with snow and cold in our lives), it’s just a practical easy to use truck that, in 2020, now has just the right amount of tech blended with a tried and true bulletproof design.

Having said that- and this I’ve noticed on several Japanese cars and trucks I’ve owned, I do wish the doors had a little more heft to them, the body panels were a touch thicker, and the paint was a little better quality, definitely seems like the paint has a thinness to it, but that could be in my head.

 

I agree. The doors do have a "tinny" sound to them when closed. Some have put sound deadening in them to help with that but it shouldn't be needed. The paint is an issue for sure. More layers of clear coat and possibly harder clear coat too. It scratches and stains so easily. I do love this truck though. Overall it's a darn good vehicle.