What do you like about your 4Runner?

What do you like about your 4Runner and/or 4Runners in general? Why'd you pick the 4Runner? I've got a 2nd gen and I like it because its super fun, as capable as a Jeep, and the 2nd gen just looks awesome!

 

Versatility and value.

 

I love the gas mileage it gets and how often I get to discuss what tire size can fit without it rubbing.

 

Another thing I like about 4Runners in general is that they can be modified like Jeeps can, can go places Jeeps can, but, have a reliable, Toyota engine under the hood! And you can't help but smile when you see another 4Runner on the road, whether its the 1st gen, the 6th gen, or anything in between, they are just plain cool! They beat a Jeep wrangler any day!

 

1) The places it will take me and the memories it gives me.
2) It was $15,000 less than a Suburban. When I balked at the 'burban prices, The Mrs. asked "What are you going to buy now?" I said "A mini suburban. I'll get a 4Runner."

I had no idea what I was really buying. ALF has changed my life. Been to places the jeepers ask how I got a 4R there. My avatar is a prime example.

 

I've never been in this situation, but if anyone was, feel free to say so. Bet you can't help feeling awesome, and appreciate Toyota at the same time if you come across someone trying to fix their broken Jeep as you just keep goin' in your 4R!

 

It's a Toyota SUV still wish FJ cruiser was in production, but this 2nd best for me!

 

Much of the 4Runner (and its cousins like the Prado/GX, FJ, Fortuner, etc.) is an amalgamation of Toyota's old but proven tech. The five link live rear axle suspension, for example, is a significantly beefed up version of the Corolla GT-S suspension from the 1980s.

 

I bought mine because my Son told me it was extremely reliable (He's a Jeep guy) but what really sold me was all the Overlanding videos and amazing reviews. Bought it in 2019 and traveled the US in it during COVID.

What i like about it now is everything i did to it, lights, stereo, pinstriping, everything i can fit in it plus its off road capabilities and reliability. I always make my vehicles unequally mine.

 

Wanted a 4WD for many years. Saw the 5th gen size and realized it was just enough bigger for my wishes. Got to age where annual miles driven slowed and wanted to get perhaps my last vehicle. Having worn out out dozens of vehicles driving for work, I finally could get a fun vehicle.
Plus I love outdoors and like its ability to go just about anywhere any season.

 

Durability, sits for months, I get in turn the key and it runs like brand new. After 30 years!

 

I liked how 5th gen sounds when you start it and how satisfying closing doors felt, so I dropped $59k

 

Takes me where I need to go..super reliable, saves me a bundle on motel rooms!

 

I like EVERYTHING about my ROADRUNNER! I like the tires it came with and all the other stock/factory stuff. The best part-I paid it off in May 2023!

Tough to beat TOYOTA quality and dependability.

 

Is sure is!! My 30 year old 4Runner starts better than a 2017 GMC Sierra

 

I like how reliable it is and the gas mileage.

 

I like the camaraderie the 4Runner brings to the table. Other owners wave at me, I wave back or flash my lights at them. The best part, of course, is a forum like this one!

 

When I first started to look at the 4Runner and was researching on the forums one of the members had the signature line “This is my 4Runner. There are many like it but this one is mine.” (A line borrowed from the film Full Metal Jacket.) I had owned some relatively esoteric and rare 4WD vehicles before, and was unenthusiastic about how commonplace the 4Runner is.

Later, once I had one, I was delighted that any accessory or enhancement that I could conceive of was already available and that usually I could choose among many options. This is something that Jeep and 4Runner owners take for granted I think.

I also appreciate how the 4Runner really is a jack-of-all-trades. While it’s not the best at anything, it does everything. Better than any other vehicle it strikes a perfect balance between on- and off-road performance. And it’s reliable.

I also appreciate the community here, whose members I find to be (mostly) knowledgeable and generous.

 

She always picks up when I call after midnight

 

We like the fact that everything we put in the 4Runner is under a climate controlled roof, out of the elements. We had many pickups with all kinds of tonneau covers, toppers etc., they all had a little leak somewhere. It's a comfortable vehicle to drive, it's ultra reliable and it's a TOYOTA.

 

That's really it. The 4Runner is the Swiss Army Knife of vehicles. Could I get by without 4WD? Of course, I did for my first 30 years of driving. But I've had a 4WD vehicle for the last 15 years - and I don't foresee ever not having one for the rest of my life. You have a vehicle that can drive just about anywhere you would ever need to go, in just about any weather/road conditions - and in total comfort (in my opinion). It doesn't have tremendous acceleration and it doesn't get great gas mileage - but to me, that is worth all the things that it does pretty good and all the things it is really good at. There are other 4WD options out there that just do not have the clearance and frame/suspension toughness of the 4Runner. There are others that do, and they are great for off-roading - except when you have to drive that vehicle for 3+ hours on the highway to get to where you are off-roading - or drive it as your daily driver - no thanks. And maybe it is just me - but on top of all that - 4Runners just look cool.

 

Another great point. Prior to my 4Runner, I drove a Tacoma for ~13 years. It had a hard tonneau cover on the back. Loved that truck - about cried when my son hit a large deer with it at ~60mph and totaled it - but was thankful that my son, daughter-in-law, and unborn grandson were not harmed at all. Like you, I have found that the 4Runner, with its enclosed cargo space, is much more useable to me than the Tacoma was.

 

the starting sound it makes. Love it.

Makes me smile every time I look back after I park. What a handsome vehicle.

Reliable. Probably more than any other vehicle on the planet.

5th gen has just enough tech, but not too much to be annoying.

timeless look.

 

I like how it's not as cramped as my taco.

 

Reputation for reliability was a key point in my decision-making process. My "other brother" has had seven 4Runners over time, all of them long-lasting, high-mileage beasts.

If this 2024 will perform as well as my '02 Nissan has in terms of quality and reliability, I'll be a very happy man.

 

I had a 2nd gen Tacoma for 12 years as my daily and off-road vehicle. I never thought I'd sell that truck. Dead nuts reliable. I'm older now and my off-roading days are behind me. We have a 2nd home in Florida, about 500 miles away. We figured a 4Runner would be better suited to making the drive south. I honestly never considered anything other than the 4Runner. Perfect choice for us. Much more comfortable than the Tacoma and can't beat the reliability.

 

what more is to say, theyre friggin awesome! i have a 2007, 2011 and a 2022

 

double like

 

thank you sir! The 2011 get mostly driven by son, he does a good job of sharing in the cleaning and maintenance duties.

 

Pfft! Triple!!