Why Consumer Reports Hates 5th Gen T4R?

Well, yeah.

CR is a terrible source for information if you actually want to use a truck as a truck. They are a great resource if you want to know which truck is the best car.

Side note: I care about gas mileage. I think most people do.

 

IMO Consumer Reports is a great tool to compare products. They actually do independent testing and develop their own standards, which is more than you can say for a lot of organizations. That being said, it's clear to whom they are catering their recommendations.

looking at the report now: 4runner got really good marks on reliability, scoring a 71 vs a 30 for Bronco and 25 for Wrangler. Owner satisfaction (based on owner surveys) got a 4/5 stars, with some dings in "value", where it scored a 46/100. it did much better in driving experience (67/100), comfort (63/100), and styling (87/100). When asked if you would buy the car again, the Bronco scored 82%, Wrangler a 73%, and 4runner a 71%. the road test scored a 55/100 - looks like poor marks for routine handling (2/5), emergency handling (2/5), ride comfort (2/5), fuel economy (2/5), and greenhouse gas (2/5).

It seems to me that CR and I (and most of us here probably) have different values and expectations, and that's OK. This truck isn't for everyone.

 

yeah - that's where I first figured out what CR was all about. When I began my shopping process, I was looking for a truck and CR had Ridgeline as the best out there. I said, "wait, that's not even a real truck!"

Their criteria is what is the best vehicle to own for the first 3-5 years in terms of creature comforts. My criteria is what is the best vehicle for the first 20 years in terms of capability.

 

Agree with their emergency handling assessment. Nothing will lock up your butt cheeks tighter than having to do a break and swerve in a 4Runner on the highway LOL

 

I've always thought that CR was a scam kinda like the Better Business Bureau. Basically you're gonna be paying for good reviews. I remember that article being posted to a 4x4 group I was in and it basically just confirmed it for me.

 

Folks pay for reviews? Lawd I wish I had that kind of money

 

I, long ago, stopped reading their recommendations. I used to subscribe and was seeing FAR to many recommendations that didn't make sense. In this case, I think we're dealing with (possibly?) that AND:

1. I think they ARE subsidized by some unions and, even if they try not to, that $$$ will influence things
2. They are "sampling the air" and look at what everyone wants, vs what is truly 'good'. Most people WANT high-tech gadgets. They WANT auto-everything, they WANT exceptional MPG, etc... they WANT stuff that the 4Runner just doesn't offer.

In my opinion, if they aren't recommending it, but they're still selling every single one that comes off the line, and in record time, then the audience for CR is simply NOT the same people who like old school off-road vehicles.

 

I'm pretty sure that's not the case. They buy and test everything themselves. They don't accept test models from manufacturers to avoid this exact type of illusion of conflict of interest.

I'm honestly kinda surprised how salty people get when their vehicle doesn't get reviewed well.

 

I didn't know this, I was basically getting at the Honda Ridgeline being the best "truck" that particular year was bullshit. If they're that into testing stuff I may actually pay closer attention.

 

*actual picture of @Gamma Ray 's next vehicle*

 

“However, significant factors like predicted reliability and owner satisfaction are very high. Moreover, in both categories, the 4Runner scored a 4/5, which is nearly perfect.”

I’ll be prepared to give the “Winners” stranded beside the road a ride home in my 32yr old 4Runner……

 

It's dicey at best and it gets the fear juices going, that's for sure!

 

they are. I am a design engineer and CR reviews my products. Their tests are more severe than federal regulations, and I can assure you that manufacturers have very little influence on their reports. Now, if something fails in their tests, they tell us before it goes public and we may or may not have an opportunity to fix it prior.

 

That’s hot! The wheels could use a bit more poke, but who’s gonna complain about 55s, and 23 inches of ground clearance right off the dealer lot?

I will say, I’d prefer a simple tiller for steering, but it’s a small point. Also, the lack of a backup horse bridle and hitch points might be a negative for some, but we gotta get with the times!!! These new fangled internal combustion gas-o-line engines are reliable and are here to stay!

 

I couldn’t find any either…



I still wish I could buy the old Isuzu Trooper…with the round headlights, not the “modern” rectangular ones.

 

But how many people buy a full size truck to commute to work with? Maybe haul some camping gear or other light duty stuff? For them, the Ridgeline is the better option.

If someone needs heavy duty payload or towing, they'll look at those limits and won't be looking at a Ridgeline anyway.

 

True.

 

Main issue for me with the Ridgeline is how low it is to the ground and the all-wheel drive system. All they really need to do is lift it up a little bit put a little bit bigger tires on it and give it a regular selectable for high for low transfer case with a lower overall gearing ratio in 4low. With my back I am all about a smooth ride.

And obviously they need to delete the stupid dry box in the bed of the truck and the doofy tailgate

 

I considered that because commuting & camping gear/light duty describes me pretty well. but here's the thing (for me, anyway) - what if I want to buy a boat? or a camper trailer? I would need a real truck then.

And, in the likely scenario that I never do buy a boat >5k lbs or big camper, aren't I better off in a SUV? That's how I ended up here haha.

I guess my point is that if you want to do truckish stuff without going full truck, a SUV is probably a better choice. If you want to go full truck, you should be looking at an actual truck.

It's ludicrous to say a Ridgeline is a better truck than Tacoma, Ranger, etc because it doesn't do truck things nearly as well.

 

I am not a fan of the ugly looks of the ridgeline, but I need to ask, what are truck things?

 

Me neither but the pilot and ridge line are two of the most comfortable vehicles I've ridden in

 

I think they neglect to consider exactly what the 4Runner is, compared to the Unibody SUVs made for the masses.
1. Is the interior a little dated? Sure. But it's simple, intuitive, and does everything I need to do without scrolling through too many menus.
2. Is the interior "high end" and luxurious, with soft touch materials? No, that shit's harder to clean, so I like that in the 4Runner.
3. Does a stock SR5 bounce around and wallow? Well, they got a point there. BUT, get it with KDSS and they might have a little different story to write.
4. Does it need a couple more gears in the tranny? OK, another point well taken
5. Is it powerful? Never has been, but they liked it better back in the day.
6. Is it comfy on road? I think so. It's no Highlander, but it's not bad, and the Highlander sucks off road, so consider the 4Runner a lot more versatile for anyone who takes them off road.
7. And while CR did mention it, the roll down back window is a HUGE deal that none of the competitors offer, even the new Sequoia now.

 

I stopped reading after I read "...Consumer Reports"

 

Assuming motorbiscuit and CR have credibility, that's humorous.

 

CR reviews dishwashers and toasters. They really have no business doing autos. Leave that to C&D or R&T.

 

It's a station wagon, that's what today's SUVs are. At least the 4runner is a truck

 

They actually are showing the 2017-2019, and 2021 4Runners in the Recommended SUVs between $40-50K. What happened to the 2020 and 2022, I have no idea. Sometimes, it's not that the 4Runner got worse, but that the competition improved in areas CR finds important, and the 4Runner stayed the same.
https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/types/used/suvs/recommendations/

 

I've got one of those Honda Ridgelines that's "not a real truck" and have been extremely happy with it. I bought it new in 2007 to replace a 96 Tacoma extended cab that was too small for my growing family. I was concerned that it might not be "enough truck" for what I needed which included occasional towing of an 18' ski boat, carrying kayaks, canoes, camping equipment and baseball gear (I coached little league) and Boy Scout Gear (I'm a scoutmaster and my son is an Eagle) along with lots of trips to Home Depot for home projects. In defense of the Ridgeline, it isn't what most call a truck but it did the job quite well and rides much better than the Tacoma and 84 Toyota 3/4 ton before it. The seats are more comfortable than the Tacoma or my new 4Runner (that I truly love) and the trunk under the bed is wonderful for lockable storage. It also had 4 wheel independent suspension (bad for off road) that makes it ride like a crossover SUV (which it is). But here's the thing, it matches what I needed in a utility vehicle and it serves me well. I have 160k miles on it and plan to keep it for quite a while longer.

Now, to the 4Runner. I have wanted a capable off road vehicle for a long, long time and the 4Runner checks the boxes for what I want. I knew going in that it handled differently than a Ridgeline or a Telluride but it is designed for a different purpose. I'm fine with the gas mileage, acceleration and handling of the 4Runner and fine with the electronics too. Just wish the seats were as comfortable as those in the Ridgeline (my only real gripe)... I think it's the best looking SUV's out there and I'm mighty proud to drive it...

Like one post remarked, if you just want a daily driver/family hauler, lots of vehicles may serve you better than a 4Runner but if you want (or need) a capable, dependable, long lasting off road vehicle that still is reasonably comfortable on a vacation, the 4Runner quickly rises to the top of the list...

Cheers,
Bob

 

I would just like to see a few manly vehicles still made in addition to the pickups of the world.

We all cannot drive cute little Ford Mavericks or Baby Bronco Sports.

 

Dude, do you have eyes? Look at those rims! I'd have swarms of gold diggers running toward me. No way!

It would be just like this! But they'd only be after my money!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtvIFujrcjw