WHY do you love your 4Runner?

1

 

I LOVE the agressive stance, they can look super beasty and as far as SUVs go, there aren’t many that can look so agressive stock. I LOVE the rear window rolling down and can’t remember how I drove around without it before haha. I love the reliability and the v6, while
Not fast or racy, has plenty of power for my day to day needs. Love that they hold their value so strongly as well.

 

Reliability over luxury and fuel economy.
Others prefer shiny and all the bells and whistles, but then spend more time in the shop than on the road. Everyone has different wants and needs.

 

I like to think of it as perfected instead of dinosaurs. Just because it’s old doesn’t mean it’s bad. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.

I’m only a few weeks into owning a 4Runner though. I’ve had a Tacoma for years but we just traded my wife’s car in for the 4R.

I like the reliability from a proven design. It looks great, it’s body on frame, it’s capable off roader, a lot of aftermarket support, very smooth ride for a 4x4 and resale value are the first things that come to mind.



You buy a Toyota 4x4 for reliability, longevity and durability. You buy a BMW, Benz, or range Rover for the name, bells, whistles, and new tech

 

Fully boxed body on frame, built in Japan. I don't rock crawl but camp remote af in the middle of nowhere so I need a vehicle that can reliably get me there and back and the 4runner fits the bill

 

Seven months and 12,000 miles! Reliability, looks good, drives well, very functional, and more comfortable than I expected. I find the power to be plenty adequate despite other's complaints. I wish the MPG's were better, but we all knew in advance what the MPG's expectations were. I am consistently averaging around 18 MPG's. Great platform to modify if desired. Happy with the Pro choice to primarily keep it stock in the short term. I am really pleased with this vehicle and hope to drive it for 12 years or more! No regrets!

 

Trucks were the origins of the SUV and few/none carry that styling today. For me, I like the truck styling and body-on-frame construction, both of which are now uncommon in the SUV market. Additionally I had a '15 Tacoma, purchased intentionally before it was re-platformed. Mirrors my approach with the 5th gen 4Runner - I'd rather purchase an antiquated (mature, tested) platform than a new platform where the buyer could end up being the beta tester while the manufacturer is working out the kinks.

 

Lots of good answers already!

I think it's a really good compromise of things I wanted...

-It's one of the most capable 4×4's on the market.
-It's reasonably quiet and comfortable.
-It has a reputation for reliability
-plenty of cargo room for me
-that back window!
-I'm definitely forgetting some stuff.

 

I went to buy the original 4runner a long time ago and couldn't afford it. I settled for a 4wd pickup. I then settled for a few 4wd pathfinders that were ok for light 4wheeling in the nj pine barrens or upstate NY. In 2013 I went to look for a new truck and picked a new pathfinder over a fj cruiser to save money instead of a 4runner. What a mistake. The pathfinder had a more car like ride and better gas mileage but that's where it's ok points stop. It can barely handle a beach drive with its crappy 4wd(awd). The quality is also crap. I got stuck at the beach last summer because the sand got a little deeper than usual so I started thinking about a new truck. I started looking just last month and jumped on an sr5 I saw incoming to a local dealer. I've already had it on the beach 2 or 3 times and used it to tow the jetski to the ramp by there. It kicks ass on the nissan which is now my wife's car.

 

• styling
• simplicity
• capability
• just enough tech while not being a computer on wheels
• at the end of its generation, so most if not all kinks have been ironed out
• reliable/durable
• decent aftermarket support
• decent passenger/cargo space
• roll down back window
• fits in my garage perfectly
• built in japan
• unbeatable resale value
• the freaking color

i'm okay with sacrificing mpgs. still getting 18mpg in mixed driving, so no complaints. most in the segment feel like minivans, though it's not a bad thing if you're looking for a comfortable people carrier. only jeep i was interested in was the 4xe, but that was out of my price bracket and the 4r is a better daily overall. bronco is too expensive and its reliability is unproven yet. pickups would not fit in my garage.

on a side note, what constitutes a "dated" interior?

 

I echo ThatBassGuys reasons.

 

Having a vehicle that will get you out of harms way. Live close to a Nuclear Power plant and prevailing winds? You might need a 4Runner. Hurricanes and evac routes? You might need a 4Runner, bolt cutters, saw. Stuck in traffic and someone decides to rage out by shooting? You might need a 4Runner with a steel bumper. Live in Tornado Ally? I think everyone gets it now.
Sure there are other vehicles out there, but none I would want as a daily driver and none I feel confident enough in to get me and mine the h3ll out of Dodge.
So if I have to use the word 'Love' then that's why.

 

All these things, but mainly because its a simple vehicle. When I had a Subaru Outback it was like a spaceship. Very distracting vehicle to drive.

 

My daughter forced me to buy it...

 

Clearly it’s svelte design, fantastic efficiency and technological prowess. Oh. And it’s skid pad numbers. Boom.

 

I was able to turn around in my driveway. After that, reliability sealed the deal.

 

It's function over form for me. I think it is butt ugly and painfully slow. But it fits in my garage, great in snow, great for the dogs, cavernous cargo space, bulletproof reliability, great resale value, and wonderfully low-tech. My wife drives a Silverado so I was able to reluctantly give up my Tundra for the 4Runner. Not having to go outside and clear ice and snow off my daily driver after a storm is priceless.

 

Dittos to ALL this (except silver...). I had a new Bronco Black Diamond on order for months, but woke up one day and saw the reality of that wonky multi-panel top and emerging new model issues. This is the oldest new truck you can buy; that appeals to me greatly.

 

I was working on trying out all toyotas sold in usa !!

** (except silver...) Silver takes a good beating

Its proven out true and true old style reliable TOYOTA made now.

 

I had an old school 90s Explorer that I used for towing my 18ft aluminum fishing boat. I like the SUV full roof no need for a tonneau like a pickup, fits in garage very nicely.

It was only True body on frame suv left in this size, reliability, resale, made in Japan, it I felt like if I did not like I would not lose much monetarily. So far I like it a lot, looks sweet, and I like the the old school engine/tranny reliability.

You guys on this forum help convince me too it was the good decision. I only checked them out for two years lol before putting money down. Fortunately got it just before the chip shortage and price gouging started

 

Everything works, all the time. It has its limitations/foibles, but the pro's FAR outweigh the negatives.

 

I sorta agree with your sentiments. I'm old school (cause I'm an old guy..) meaning I liked the early style 4runners and especially the old 70s Landcruiser (had two of them - each Chevy powered). I gave up a really nice 5.0 F150 (4wd) for the 4runner but no regrets at all - my daughter is especially happy with my purchase as she is balls to the walls into the 4runner world.

 

The older I get, the more I appreciate reliability. I’ve had 3 second gen Tacomas all 4WD. When I was looking for a 4Runner, I wanted the basics. The RWD SR5 Premium was exactly what I wanted. Good to go for a ton of miles.

 

they really dropped the ball on that hard top. i'm seeing more and more broncos running around in my area, and they look amazing. but it makes me wonder what kind of kinks may come up with an all new platform. i hope it holds up well so it forces toyota to be more competitive in the segment.

as a lunar rock owner I personally like the classic silver. it was my #2 choice. they look amazing with a couple of mods since a lot of the mods available for our vehicles are black. but i do wish it was the silver offered on the tacoma/rav4 (sky silver metallic).

 

Because I’ve had it for over twenty years.

 

I considered a wrangler rubicon and a new bronco before deciding happily on my soon incoming ‘22 ORP. I love my Runner and have no real complaints.

 

I’m holding out till the next generation comes out. My son will be driving in 3 years. Currently own a 15 Tacoma…love that truck. He’ll get that truck.

 

I have to agree with the guys at TFL Off-Road. If you’re leasing, get the Bronco, have fun and turn it back in. But if you’re buying for the long term, hands-down get the 4Runner.

 

I bought a 4R because I wasn't gonna pay the big $$ for a Suburban. The 4R will suffice, and I truly do like it.

But I really wanted a 'burban.

 

1. It's a classic. You know exactly what you are getting, and it will deliver exactly what it promises.
2. The body on frame makes it one of the best options for off-roading.
3. Japanese precision and reliability, it can be your last car.
4. That front grill is aggressive and the rest of the industry is just now catching up.
5. I don't have the white, but the front grill of the white looks very much like a stormtrooper.
6. It's retro in nearly all of the right ways. I have an '18 and the head is grossly outdated, but you put up with that because everything else is unmatched.
7. Mods. Such an extensive ecosystem of mods.
8. It just looks like fun. You see one and you imagine all of the adventures that rig has seen.
9. Community. Maybe Jeep is close, but there are few communities like this one, and it proves the 4R has stood the test of time.
10. Resale value. 4Runner's always have strong demand. It has captured the imagination.