Alright, let's be honest; who here is considering a 6th gen?

True.

But, I think the extra torque is more beneficial in day to day driving. Also, Car and Driver has the 2.4T beating the 5th gen 0-60, so it's a draw there.

 

The looks on the 6th gen are definitely a little polarizing. It also seems hit and miss from trim to trim and color to color.

 

The price point on the 5th Gen was much more appealing too. Gosh what an increase but I guess people are paying it

 

Yea, don't think there's much information out there on transmission reliability for owner's that are married vs. single, and how heavy they + their spouse is if so.

 

I saw a gx550 on a Chevrolet lot advertised for 94k lol

These dealers be wilin'

 

Are you talking about this one?

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a64927647/2025-toyota-4runner-limited-test/

This is the limited gas only and their "estimate" is 7.5 which is at best on par if not slower than the 5th gen.

In this one

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a63560178/2025-toyota-4runner-drive/

it is also "EST" which I assume means "estimated" at 6.7-7.8 which is not tested and an alarmingly large range of potential times for "465 lb-ft of torque".

Car and driver is notoriously vague on vehicle stats when it doesn't paint the manufacturer in the best possible light.

but hey, let's say it's a draw. Was ditching the v6 and 5speed for the 2.4T+8speed worth the 15-25% increase in price in OR and up trims, along with an 18% reduction in fuel capacity? Who knows. I know someone is going to say "well the SR5 didn't increase much in price". Well in my area finding an SR5 under 45k is nearly impossible now and ORPs are routinely stickered for over 55k. That's TRD Pro money just a year ago.

 

The sequoia looks like the 5th gen should have. Unfortunately, it’s absolutely gargantuan. If they get down to reasonable used prices, still wouldn’t want due to the size. And the fact that it has independent suspension takes away any other real reason you’d pick it over any other suv.

 

The new Sequoia prices are out of control. The cheapest one in my area "on sale" is like 70k. I don't care for but do understand the IRS since it is now competing with Tahoes, Yukons, and Expeditions. The 100k and under full-size BOF SUV seems to be all IRS at this point with the exception of the Grenadier, if I recall correctly.

 

You pay cash yes or yes?

 

That’s insane and I also wonder why the owner traded it in so soon.

 

Tested:

https://www.caranddriver.com/toyota/4runner-2024

https://www.caranddriver.com/toyota/4runner


But, either way, it doesn't actually matter. You're not usually going full throttle in regular driving.

My point was that having more low end torque is nice for regular driving.

I'm not trying to rationalize the price increase.

I have no intention of ever buying a 6th gen. But, the drivetrain has nothing to do with that.

 

For what it's worth, I have a tune and pedal commander on my 5th gen and while it might not be faster than a 6th gen power across the band is improved and my 2015 4Runner is a lot more enjoyable to drive.

My feelings on the 2025 4Runner continue to be mixed, so as of now just can't bring myself to pull the trigger.

 

I've never actually had an issue with the acceleration of the 5th gen. I think it moves pretty damn well for a big brick with a v6.

I think the extra power of the 6th gen will be most beneficial to people who tow with them. Obviously, that's only a certain percentage of potential buyers. But, I would think the extra torque will also provide a more enjoyable day-to-day driving experience, as well. But, I have not yet driven one, so I can't really be sure.

 

I have driven a off road with the hybrid James. Common sense yes it’s definitely faster than our V6. But for me I did not buy my 4runner cause of the power. Just my opinion I am not rushing out to buy the 6th gen. For me I think it will be a good couple of years. Let everyone else pay the high prices and work on dealing with the bugs.

 

You’ll have the power to tow but your transmission will overheat while doing it.

 

One of several reasons I am not running out to buy one.

 

Lucky for you, with the "new" generation, the Sequoia went solid rear axle and perhaps less lucky for you, while the Sequoia is 13 inches longer, the new 4Runner is now just 1.8 inches narrower!

 

Still not considering it.

 

Meanwhile I just watched the latest Tinkerer’s video and his friend’s 3rd gen Tundra’s transmission overheated. No external trans cooler in that truck too. What is going on Toyota? These are trucks not Corollas.

 

I totally forgot, you’re right, the new Sequioa went back to solid axle. Still….

Interestingly, I went to the dealer recently for parts, and walked by a 4runner parked next to a Sequoia in the showroom. To your point, yes, they do look very near the same size from the front.

Once I turned the corner and saw the length of Sequoia, the preposterous footprint of these vehicles is pretty shocking. Just owning something that requires this much physical space when parked would be annoying. And for family travel they’re likely much less useful or convenient than a minivan. The interior packaging is generally bad on huge modern SUVs.

I suppose a sequoia might have an edge if you’re off-roading with your whole family. But only if you fit on established trails, which might be hard to guarantee, even out west.

I guess that’s what defines these as luxury vehicles…they don’t really make practical sense.

 

It's getting ridiculous. I never thought there would be a time when Toyota would not be at the top of my list if I were car shopping. I'd like to think they will get these issues worked out, but I'm not going to hold my breath.

I suppose I should have added to my earlier post that I do have concerns about the transmission issues on the Tacoma and potentially the 4Runner.

 

I didn't even know that they had switched to IRS. Was that on the 2nd gens?

 

Bingo!

 

Its the main reason i am constantly wrenching on my old fleet with nearly a million miles combined, i dont see myself in anything new for the foreseeable future. My wifes 2023 is the newest thing we have and it has about 26,000 miles on it now. With that said, combined across my other 4 vehicles we have 970,000 miles combined. If i wanted to be in a new truck i could be, but i'd rather be in my comfortable, easy, reliable older stuff.

 

So you are comparing test results of a 5thgen pro with extra knobby offroad tires and 2wd in testing, with a limited with fulltime AWD and street-oriented tires, and even then with known brake torquing, the 25 with FT4WD traction was only .2 seconds ahead, and was in fact slower in the more real world regular driving like 5-60 rolling start. Seems like the 5th gen did pretty dang well against the whizbang new 2.4T especially when held back by its 5 speed gearbox.

You actually indirectly demonstrated an important point: People make a habit of pussyfooting their 1GR then complain it's under-powered. These motors run perfectly happily when flogged hard. Yet people are too prim and proper to rev it and then whine "it's so slow". Please.

 

Actually, you have been missing my point entirely. I have never once complained about acceleration. I only brought it up in response to your constant reference to 0 to 60 times.

 

It's one of the few useful metrics that applies to our day to day driving at legal speeds, accelerating onto the freeway safely and merge into traffic at the same speed as the main flow is when the power counts the most. I certainly imagine you like most people are not the kind who drives around lugging the motor constantly just to feel the turbo kicking in without downshifting and feel the rush of earth twisting torque at 1500 rpm or something, lol.

Otherwise we are just going by feels and vibes with qualifiers like "it feels better in day to day" or "it feels more power when towing heavily". I test drove both the LC250 with hybrid and the 6th gen gas only model. They are fine but sound like crap, I can feel more vibration in the cabin than my '23, and I DEFINITELY can sense the 8 speed transmission being a lot busier than my 5 speed, but that's a double edged sword as we all know. ZF 8HP that 8speed is not. And to some people, the 5th gen's less aggressive torque curve at the low end allows it to be driven more civilized when one is not in a hurry. Not everything is about one specific kind of "the feels".

 

Nice image.

 

I can guarantee that in real world driving, our 5th Gen cannot out accelerate the 6th Gen, not at stop lights and not in in gear acceleration. On multiple occasions at highway speed doing about 60-70 , with foot to the floor, I have observed the new one will cover over 2 car lengths compared to our one.