Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Toyota 4Runner Limited or Ford Explorer Sport

Kicking around the idea of replacing my Durango with one of these..

Would like to hear from owners of these SUV's the good and the bad.. Looking at the 6 cylinder models with the towing package..

4runner , I am on my 2nd 4runner and planning to buy a new one once I hit 250K.

buy it and forget it. despite high clearance than other SUV in same class has the lowest roll-over incidents.

on a dirt road in Nevada both tires blowout , the car spun around 360 and came to a dead stop , it was amazing.

P.

I have three 3rd gen 4-runners in the family. 298,000, 234,000 and 230,00 miles. Everyday drivers and none burn oil.

We were shopping in '14 and considered the 4runner, the explorer and the highlander. This was for my wife.

The Explorer, we couldn't see out of. The 4runner was too much like a truck for her. She is very happy with the highlander. If it was for me, I would hav bought the 4runner.

My 2015 pulls a 4000 lb boat with no problems. My only complaint is it nosedives during hard stops (not towing). It's a bit unsettling the first time or two but inconsequential as it still stops quickly and under control.

Wow! that's what I'd call reliable! Thanks for the information!

It is between a Highlander and 4 runner for the next one for me. A Ford would not be on the list period.

I'm @ 322k on my 4runner. Uber reliable.

There's a reason used Toyotas are expensive and used explorers are not.

Toyota is a huge step up in quality from Durango.

Yota

Bad thing about a 4 Runner..........thieve's like 'em.
Stepson's got swiped (found when ran out of gas- he parked it with it on fumes LOL).

Coworker had a super clean 4 Runner. It got a major engine repair at just over 100k. Shocker, but it happened. Was fine after the $$$.

IMHO they need to bring back the little pickups again. quad cab version like seen on safari type shows.

We looked at 4Runner, Highlander, and Explorer for the wife. The Highlander easily won out. She didn't like the Explorer and the 4Runner didn't ride as well. I believe the salesman said the 4Runner was based of the Tacoma chasis and the Highlander off the Camry. If true, it would give you idea of what to expect ride wise.

My 4th 4Runner is a 2015 Trail Ltd 4wd. They have all been the perfect fit for us and just keep getting better. On the road they ride well are very quiet and have more than adequate power. The 4wd system is exceptional and offers a high and low range w/ locking differential. They have excellent poise and balance in the snow and are incredibly reliable. Neither the explorer or highlander are in the same class.


mike r

I'd absolutely get the 4Runner. As already mentioned resale value between a 4Runner and an Explorer isn't even close.
I drive a Tacoma (pickup version of the 4Runner) 230,000 miles and drives great Its needed zero repairs in the three years that I've owned it.

My employment pretty much mandates another brand.
I get about 275K out of my rigs, bought used.
Maybe not as good as a 4 Runner, but acceptable IMHO.

I went from Durango to Highlander. If I towed anything, it would have been the 4Runner.

One thing to check before you decide: some insurance companies charge a hefty premium for 4Runners because they are classed as "off road vehicles." If your company does, it might make the difference.

4Runner is built body on frame like a true truck.

Explorers are unibody, no full frame. Ford builds them for the 95% or so of drivers that want a tall station wagon and rarely leave the pavement.

That was the impression that I got from them when I looked at a few on the local dealers lot.. That's why I checked here on the fire for some real world information.

I'm driving a 1998 4Runner as my only car. 159,000 miles and going strong. Has been very reliable with few repairs. I've never owned another vehicle that lasted this long. If you're planning on taking your vehicle off road forget about the Explorer. It's not built for such activities as previously mentioned. Not much ground clearance with an Explorer as well.

We got Exploders at work, and they suck as far as 4x4s go. I was driving through a grass field with 3-4 inches of snow on it and got stuck. Tried every mode and none would let me get unstuck. Couldn't rev it up and go as the traction control killed all power almost immediately.