any issues w/ modern 4Runners?

[gorcorps]

Just looking. I got in an accident (their fault) in my 2014 Jeep GC, and with it being borderline totaled it got me thinking that I wouldn't really be prepared to make another car choice if it came down to it.

My biggest thing is how it can handle the snow. The GC with its quadratec system has been great in the snow. Somebody I know had a Toyota Highlander and said it was pretty poor. So I started looking at 4Runners and test drove one this past weekend. Obviously this time of year I couldn't tell how the snow would be, but the 4WD system on the 4Runner seems much better than the highlander.

It drives like a truck... kind of slow, turning radius isn't great, and the gas mileage is pretty poor. But all that said I did like it, and I trust the reliability of this over the problems I've had in the Jeep (before the accident). They only had an SR5 Premium on the lot, and I would have liked to look at a Limited. It has more of the creature comforts that I got in my GC (like remote start and smart key) that was missing in the SR5 Premium.

So does anybody have a 2015 (or '14) 4Runner? How is it in the snow, and do you have anything to compare it to?

 

[NutBucket]

All I know is you want a model with KDSS.

It should drive like a truck given it still has a full frame

 

[jaha2000]

Keep in mind the limited has a "full time" 4WD system. Its an automatic type system that does the whole sense and allocate routine. Has a limited slip center diff with locking. There is not lever to pick 2 Hi, 4 Hi, 4 lo like you saw in the SR5.
I have a buddy with a trail premium (This has a transfer case stick) with KDSS system. Have driven a few times in the snow. Personally, I am a fan of a I am in control of when I am in 4WD or not. Seemed to do just as well as my FJ did in the white stuff. And better than my Tundra.
If I were in the market, I would get a trail premium to get all of the neat tracking control aids, rather than the creature comforts of the limited, but to each his own.

 

[gorcorps]

I just thought it'd be a little smoother. Given the mileage, price and handling I'm starting to wonder if making the jump to a pick-up is that far fetched.

 

[XavierMace]

Unless you're stuck on new, since you want the creature comforts, check out a recent model Lexus GX. Same vehicle but with more cushy on the inside.

 

[jaha2000]

I just thought it'd be a little smoother. Given the mileage, price and handling I'm starting to wonder if making the jump to a pick-up is that far fetched.

Big wheel and short sidewall = rougher ride on the limited most likely.
That is a bit of a generalization, but I would guess its probably not quite as good.
The lexus is a good option if you want the nice stuff on the inside.

 

[jlee]

I love my GX470. 4Runners are solid as well.

 

[Pocatello]

My dad has a 2000 4Runner, it's bulletproof, in term of reliability. It's not as smooth as the newer car-based SUV like the Highlander, but it's a beast off-road.

 

[gorcorps]

Unless you're stuck on new, since you want the creature comforts, check out a recent model Lexus GX. Same vehicle but with more cushy on the inside.

Looking at the used market makes me sad. Late model used vehicles in this area are only a few grand less than new, and depending on the financing rates you get the used vehicles I've looked at are even more expensive than the new ones because new car loan rates are so much better.

I was looking at leasing anyway. I don't drive much so it works out for me. The GX series is over a $10k jump from the 4Runner at any level so it's not really an option anyway

 

[JMWarren]

The GX isn't really a just nicer 4Runner, there are substantial differences.

It's a Land Cruiser Prado in other markets.

It's got the bigger 4.6L V8, a full air ride suspension

 

[gorcorps]

So I've been looking and test driving more. I'm actually surprised to find out that remote start doesn't seem to be an option at any level, even though it's included on my Jeep limited (and very useful in the winters here).

I'm still so torn. I want the reliability of a Toyota but they're still playing catch up in the features department.

 

[jlee]

The GX isn't really a just nicer 4Runner, there are substantial differences.

It's a Land Cruiser Prado in other markets.

It's got the bigger 4.6L V8, a full air ride suspension

Yep, there are quite a few differences. It's on the same chassis, but it's a different vehicle. Full time AWD, 4.7l 2uzfe V8 (which is an option in the 4Runner), adjustable suspension with auto leveling (air) rear. The interior is pretty damn good, too.

 

[imported_Irse]

So I've been looking and test driving more. I'm actually surprised to find out that remote start doesn't seem to be an option at any level, even though it's included on my Jeep limited (and very useful in the winters here).

I'm still so torn. I want the reliability of a Toyota but they're still playing catch up in the features department.

Not sure Toyotas will have a remote start but the 2016 Tacomas will have push start on higher models. 4 runners may have push start in the 16s

 

[nerp]

The 4Runner is pretty aging as far as platforms go. I don't think even the new ones are all that more refined than they were a few years ago.

 

[PricklyPete]

So I've been looking and test driving more. I'm actually surprised to find out that remote start doesn't seem to be an option at any level, even though it's included on my Jeep limited (and very useful in the winters here).



I'm still so torn. I want the reliability of a Toyota but they're still playing catch up in the features department.

I have a 2013 limited.

Has Full-Time 4WD and does great in the snow with snow tires.

My limited has remote start. I never actually use it, but it has it. Might have been dealer installed.

My wife named the vehicle "Frank the Tank" as soon as we bought it. Handles everything we've thrown at it with ease. That being said, it drives like a truck (which it pretty much is), is relatively slow, and isn't that great looking IMHO. So far reliability has been great, but that is not saying much since it is a 2013. It will definitely be a step down in refinement from a GC in my opinion.

If you are leasing it, why are you worried about long term reliability. Nearly all modern cars should be "reliable" for a typical lease period.

Small note, the limited has a "crashier" ride than other models from my experience. Partly because of wheels and partly because of the suspension. I will be replacing the wheels once the OEM tires wear out and get 17-18" wheels (no good tire options for OEM wheels...long story). I will also likely replace the funky OEM shocks with Bilsteins at some point which should also help.

 

[gorcorps]

I have a 2013 limited.

Has Full-Time 4WD and does great in the snow with snow tires.

My limited has remote start. I never actually use it, but it has it. Might have been dealer installed.

My wife named the vehicle "Frank the Tank" as soon as we bought it. Handles everything we've thrown at it with ease. That being said, it drives like a truck (which it pretty much is), is relatively slow, and isn't that great looking IMHO. So far reliability has been great, but that is not saying much since it is a 2013. It will definitely be a step down in refinement from a GC in my opinion.

If you are leasing it, why are you worried about long term reliability. Nearly all modern cars should be "reliable" for a typical lease period.

Small note, the limited has a "crashier" ride than other models from my experience. Partly because of wheels and partly because of the suspension. I will be replacing the wheels once the OEM tires wear out and get 17-18" wheels (no good tire options for OEM wheels...long story). I will also likely replace the funky OEM shocks with Bilsteins at some point which should also help.

I don't plan on leasing forever, I've basically been leasing after buying a car I ended up not liking. So I'd rather lease for now and have the option of buying used when I'm done if I like it, or if I don't like it I can move on without issue.

 

[gorcorps]

The 4Runner is pretty aging as far as platforms go. I don't think even the new ones are all that more refined than they were a few years ago.

But that's kind of the point. Lots of SUVs are going small unibody with a lot of electrical components (including computer controlled AWD that doesn't always handle snow well). The 4Runner is still a frame based vehicle without as many bells and whistles that can cause problems. I really enjoyed my Jeep when it worked, but it's had quite a few electrical problems.

Part of me wants to go back to something more "tried and true" even it's dated.

 

[PricklyPete]

But that's kind of the point. Lots of SUVs are going small unibody with a lot of electrical components (including computer controlled AWD that doesn't always handle snow well). The 4Runner is still a frame based vehicle without as many bells and whistles that can cause problems. I really enjoyed my Jeep when it worked, but it's had quite a few electrical problems.



Part of me wants to go back to something more "tried and true" even it's dated.

The 4Runner definitely fits that description and is also why I was attracted to it. It is certainly one of Toyota's most reliable vehicles. Baring unforeseen circumstances, I plan on running this thing into the ground and I expect that to take a long time.

 

[nerp]

But that's kind of the point. Lots of SUVs are going small unibody with a lot of electrical components (including computer controlled AWD that doesn't always handle snow well). The 4Runner is still a frame based vehicle without as many bells and whistles that can cause problems. I really enjoyed my Jeep when it worked, but it's had quite a few electrical problems.

Part of me wants to go back to something more "tried and true" even it's dated.

I totally understand. I'm surprised that you had so many electrical problems with the Jeep. Chrysler reliability is much improved over a few years ago and if it wasn't totaled, I suspect that you'd eventually have it all ironed out under warranty. But hey, that's in the past.

I'd say that the 4Runner is a great vehicle and I agree that there is something desirable about simplicity and body on frame. It comes down to whether or not you're OK with a little less comfort, ride quality and refinement, which can be hard to give up. But cars are like shoes, you break them in and get used to them and after a while it feels weird in something else.

 

[gorcorps]

I totally understand. I'm surprised that you had so many electrical problems with the Jeep. Chrysler reliability is much improved over a few years ago and if it wasn't totaled, I suspect that you'd eventually have it all ironed out under warranty. But hey, that's in the past.

I'd say that the 4Runner is a great vehicle and I agree that there is something desirable about simplicity and body on frame. It comes down to whether or not you're OK with a little less comfort, ride quality and refinement, which can be hard to give up. But cars are like shoes, you break them in and get used to them and after a while it feels weird in something else.

Yeah I'm still torn between the two. Maybe I'm just unlucky w/ my current Jeep. I got one of the early model 2014s w/ the highest recall rates around (they fixed a lot of issues during the 2014 production, so late model 2014s and all 2015s aren't seeing nearly the rate of recalls mine has had).

I'm still a little frosty about how long it took them to figure out my electrical issue, and then when they did I didn't get much of a follow up or apology out of it after taking over a month. The thing has ran just fine ever since they fixed that, but I'm leery of it now... and what happens if another module dies outside of warranty?

I love the features of the Jeep, but I don't know if I love the constant worry of potential electrical issues that will creep up over the years.