Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Need 4Runner Advice

Gee who knew this post was coming….even though he asked not to get other suggestions. Lmao

Im a 4runner addict, and i agree.......4runners are for folks who want off-roading, one without 4wd makes me scratch my head.

Are you one of those folks?

Highlanders are great otherwise......with better gas mileage.

My sweet wife will fight ya if you try and take her 4Runner away. She’s on her third one. She’s petite and loves that she’s sitting a little higher in traffic and can see what’s going on. Pavement only and she has no issues with the supposedly stiffer ride. She tried a Highlander (rental car on vacation) once and said “never again”.

All three have been excellent rides and very low maintenance. She’s already told me next time, it’ll be another 4Runner.

My boss has a decked out 4-Runner, 2018 or 2019 vintage. His wife has a decked out Highlander of about same age. He said he likes hers better than his for everything, other than when he needs the extra oomph for towing.

I love the looks of 4-Runners, but the rentals I’ve had over the years sure lacked any pep. Spoiled by driving V-8s.

Thanks all.

I had a 2003 Runner I bought new, put about 200k on it and was best rig I’ve owned, still have a 2004 Sequoia w 170k, runs great, BOTH had the small V8 which is a beast, no idea why they stopped making it. Have a 2021 Taco and find the marriage of the v6 and trans is awful. Drove a v6 Runner in the WV mountains, with 2 adults aboard, moderate cargo load and AC on it could barely make 55mph going uphill w the pedal on the floor.

I find that the newer Highlanders have a transmission that gives much better towing ability. I just may lean towards one of those instead of a 4Runner. I don't need off-road and I really like my current Highlander. But my current 2008 didn't have the factory tow package, so it is limited.

I like the security of an SUV for stuff in the back versus a pickup, and value the comfort level highly.

We have an '18 Highlander with the 6. For towing, it has a power mode that changes how the transmission shifts. It drops to lower gears faster and give it more zip. It doesn't help the mileage any, though. The biggest issue with towing is the size of the gas tank. Towing a 3000lb trailer drops the mileage to about 14. With the 19 gal tank, that's about 250 miles. When the gauge says half full, it's considerably less than half. Seems like half the time on a trip is spend calculating where you need to find gas.

That's about what I see in my 2008 with the V-6 and 5-speed tranny. With the boat, it drops gears on even the slightest uphill, and then you can watch the gas needle move.

If I decide to upgrade, it'd be to a 4th gen model 2019-2022 3.5L V-6, AWD, and tow package, but not the 2023 which now comes only with a 4-banger turbo. (Damn EPA!)

I've looked at 4runners but they kind of seem to be the worst of both worlds, top end cost with low end performance. I have a Ridgeline which is low end performance but I didn't pay very much for it. I know older dudes hate the 4 cyl turbos but I think the 4 runner will benefit from having one.

He's in West Texas, Odessa I believe.

Unless you do a significant amount of off reading or have other vehicles to drive, I would m not advise the 4-Runner as your only vehicle.

I have a TRD-Pro (& a Wrangler) & the 4Runner is a great vehicle, rides decently on the highway if you like firm to stiff & is unsurpassed for some things off road.

The 4L engine is adequate for all my needs, mileage not so great.

I have 2 other vehicles to drive so I'm not locked into the 4-Runner for everything, so it works for me.

The Jeep equally so.

JMHO, YMMV

MM

I hear that. Based on that and other replies, I'm cooling to off on a 4Runner. I drive only about 5,000 miles a year, all highway, mixed city and freeway. Looks like the better gas mileage and much better comfort/trim of the Highlander would suit me best. (That's what I initially thought when I bought this Highlander back in 2012. Seems I was correct all along.)

One bit of concern is that the 2023 model now comes only with a new 4-cyl turbo. Tow rating is still 5,000 lbs with better fuel mileage, but I'm dubious about that. I may wait six months or so to see how new owners react. The tried and true 3.5 V-6 is no longer offered.

Drove a 4Runner for a week last summer and if I'm lucky, never again.

I recently bought a new SR5. Timing isn’t great with pricing and rates but I am very anti 4cyl turbo. These things are time proven bulletproof. I would get one now before they let the EPA screw it up.

I think they’re a classic vehicle that you can buy new. That’s just me.

No Sir he lives in Nevada. Shoot him a pm if you’re interested.

Any current 2023 versions should have non-turbo 6 cylinder, as mine is a 2023.

Not sure when the change changeover date will be but likely January. That Japanese operate on a different model introductory schedule than Detroit does.

MM