FJ vs. LC vs. 4 Runner vs. Ridgeline vs. Xterra

[klaw2000]

I'm looking to replace my '97 CR-V with something a bit nicer/more capable in the next couple months. I've done a ton of research but I wanted to know what you Toyota owners and fans had to say about the vehicles I'm looking at. I'm mostly looking at Toyotas, but also a few others. I'd love to have great offroad capability, but I also need something decent on the inside for the family. What are your thoughts and comparisons between these cars:
Toyota FJ Cruiser
Toyota 4Runner
Toyota Land Cruiser
Honda Ridgeline
Nissan Xterra

Let the battles begin!

 

[Ocelot]

I'm looking to replace my '97 CR-V with something a bit nicer/more capable in the next couple months. I've done a ton of research but I wanted to know what you Toyota owners and fans had to say about the vehicles I'm looking at. I'm mostly looking at Toyotas, but also a few others. I'd love to have great offroad capability, but I also need something decent on the inside for the family. What are your thoughts and comparisons between these cars:
Toyota FJ Cruiser
Toyota 4Runner
Toyota Land Cruiser
Honda Ridgeline
Nissan Xterra

Let the battles begin!

FJ Cruiser is not ideal for a family if that is high on your list of desires... rear seats are tricky to get into/out of. I would go with the 4Runner of the Land Cruiser. Both have full-time 4WD which is a nice option, as well as TRAC.

Nissan Xterra is alright, but I dont know much about them... they seem to be basically a 4-Door FJ Cruiser, they have the rear locker and traction controll as well.

Out of the vehicles you listed the only one you really could go wrong with is the Honda Ridgeline. Its a POS.

 

[klaus9000]

Tough one...... Toyota Land Cruiser

 

[MoJ]

I think you've listed 4 capable vehicles and one car.


The one lacking a low range doesn't belong.

 

[klaw2000]

The main reason I'm looking at the Ridgeline is cause it's the most family-friendly. I do a lot of snowboarding, mountain biking, backpacking, camping...etc. I really need something that is rugged and can take my abuse - more in the sense of throwing gear into it than hardcore offroading. On the contrary, the major reason that I've never done any significant offroading is that I drive a CR-V. If I had a proper SUV I'd really like to do some more serious offroading. Chances are I'd only use my SUV for serious offroading on rare occasion - but I'd also probably kick myself quite a few times if I got something that flinches every time it sees a dirt road (aka Ford Explorer...or Ford anything really). See the dillema yet? I need a durable, rugged, offroad capable, quality interior, semi-affordable SUV (Dont we all?) - and I can't afford a top of the line $85,000 Land Rover. Any suggestions on the best combo of what I'm looking for?

 

[MoJ]

The main reason I'm looking at the Ridgeline is cause it's the most family-friendly. I do a lot of snowboarding, mountain biking, backpacking, camping...etc. I really need something that is rugged and can take my abuse - more in the sense of throwing gear into it than hardcore offroading. On the contrary, the major reason that I've never done any significant offroading is that I drive a CR-V. If I had a proper SUV I'd really like to do some more serious offroading. Chances are I'd only use my SUV for serious offroading on rare occasion - but I'd also probably kick myself quite a few times if I got something that flinches every time it sees a dirt road (aka Ford Explorer...or Ford anything really). See the dillema yet? I need a durable, rugged, offroad capable, quality interior, semi-affordable SUV (Dont we all?) - and I can't afford a top of the line $85,000 Land Rover. Any suggestions on the best combo of what I'm looking for?

Again, you mention the requirement of "offroad capable." You'll want to at least have the option of a low range to meet that requirement.

So, a new LC is $55-60k.

If that's too much your next options are Xterra, FJ, 4-Runner.

Somebody posted above that they didn't believe the FJ was family friendly. You said you need family friendly. So that leaves the 4-Runner and the X-terra.

This is a Toyota forum so you know the answer of the Xterra vs 4-runner debate.


Personally, if I was buying new, I would check out the FJ and 4-Runner (not the LC because it's out of my price range). See which better meets your family needs. Both will be leaps ahead in terms of off-roadability when compared to a Ridgeline or Pilot and will very likely provide you with the quality/reliability you are used to with your Honda.

EDIT: If you desire a pick-up bed add the 4-Door Tacoma to that list.

 

[FJCruiserOwnersGroup]

I'm looking to replace my '97 CR-V with something a bit nicer/more capable in the next couple months. I've done a ton of research but I wanted to know what you Toyota owners and fans had to say about the vehicles I'm looking at. I'm mostly looking at Toyotas, but also a few others. I'd love to have great offroad capability, but I also need something decent on the inside for the family. What are your thoughts and comparisons between these cars:
Toyota FJ Cruiser
Toyota 4Runner
Toyota Land Cruiser
Honda Ridgeline
Nissan Xterra

Let the battles begin!

It really kind of depends on what you're planning on doing with the truck, how old your kids are and what your price range is.

Price-wise, you're mostly in staying within the same price range, with the exception of the Land Cruiser.
The Honda Ridgeline ($27K-$30K)
Toyota FJ Cruiser ($23K-$32K)
Toyota 4Runner ($27K-$38K)
Toyota Land Cruiser ($55K)
Nissan Xterra ($19K-$27K)

All of the rigs you're looking at are SUVs, with the exception of the Ridgeline, which also is the only one that doesn't come with 4WD; it's - techincally - AWD. But it does have that pretty trick truck bed.

If you've got kids that are getting older, you may want to not consider the FJ Cruiser, as others have said that it doesn't have much room in the back for passengers (I tend to disagree). All of the other trucks have four doors.

If you don't move much stuff, you probably won't miss the truck bed in the Ridgeline. Also, the Honda is more of a soft-roader, rather than a serious 4WD vehicle that lends itself to mods like lift kits, winches, etc. That's not to say it can't be done, it's just less off-the-shelf than your other choices.

The Land Cruiser is a terrific rig, and it will last you ... well, pretty much forever as long as you do the minimum maintenance. It is, however, the most expensive of all the trucks you're looking at.

The 4Runner and the Xterra are both about the same (although most here won't like that being said), with the Xterra currently being the darling of the magazines.

 

[FJCruiserOwnersGroup]

The main reason I'm looking at the Ridgeline is cause it's the most family-friendly. I do a lot of snowboarding, mountain biking, backpacking, camping...etc. I really need something that is rugged and can take my abuse - more in the sense of throwing gear into it than hardcore offroading. On the contrary, the major reason that I've never done any significant offroading is that I drive a CR-V. If I had a proper SUV I'd really like to do some more serious offroading. Chances are I'd only use my SUV for serious offroading on rare occasion - but I'd also probably kick myself quite a few times if I got something that flinches every time it sees a dirt road (aka Ford Explorer...or Ford anything really). See the dillema yet? I need a durable, rugged, offroad capable, quality interior, semi-affordable SUV (Dont we all?) - and I can't afford a top of the line $85,000 Land Rover. Any suggestions on the best combo of what I'm looking for?

If those are your criteria, then you need to take the Ridgeline off your list; it's nice, but it's not yet to the "serious" stage of it's development.
While a new Land Rover seems to be what you're looking for (without the price point), you might also want to think about a year or two old Land Rover LR3 - it's at the top edge of your envelope, but it is very capable, very nice, and has probably the neatest nav system I've ever seen.

Another option, as silly as it sounds, is the Mercedes ML series. It's nice, it's got a good low range (38ish:1 crawl ratio), it can be lifted fairly inexpensively, and it's pretty durable...surprisingly so. You can even get tires under the rig that you wouldn't normally consider (like, for instance, 33s and 35s - although I've never done 35s on my rig, I've seen it done). Also, MLs coming off leases (read: "low miles, scheduled maintenance") can be had for $25K for a two or three year old model.

 

[bulldog-yota]

If you can afford the LC100 get it and get it with AHC. Coming from a CRV it will definitely feel like a big heavy vehicle, but the ride and comfort will blow you away. Again it is big heavy and expensive, but a great vehicle.

The FJC and Xterra is aimed at the offroad/adventure market and as such will miss a number of convenience/luxury items you might find on other vehicles. Test drive them adn you will see. The ride is also not optimized for onroad use, but more offroad. Currently the FJC prices are crazy with the high demand so you will highly likely pay almost the same for it as a nicely equipped 4Runner.

The 4Runner is a good bet and will probably feel the most sporty on road. It has a very good ride and comfort to boot adn is availible in many trim levels. It also offers the family features required by most. Currently you can get a great deal on these too, well below MSRP, which will easily put a well equipped 4R in the same out the door price range as the FJC.

The above vehicles all offer a good level of offroad capability. Teh LC and FJC probablly comign ahead of the 4R and Xterra out fo the box in terms of offroad capability.

Don't know or care about the Honda Ridgeline as it is not a offroad vehicle.

Go drive them and see which one suites your need the best. However beware of the Ridgeline as it will not be able to take you places. So once the offroad bug bites you will be stuck with a vehicle that is not capable of anything more than very mild offroading.

 

[saskdiesel]

Wasn't this just covered a week ago........
https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=86214

Except for the additional car included now.

 

[FirstToy]

The LC is like twice the price of anything else on your list (at least!). If that's a serious contender, get it. It will fullfill every requirement you have.

FJC and Xterra are comparable but I think the FJC has much better build, materials. I like the Xterra alot except the interior (4dr, great ground clearance, 4 dr wagon) . I think it's pretty close between these two.

The most natural step-up would be the 4Runner as it is a huge upgrade in every parameter to the CRV (4dr SUV, V6/V8 options, luxury,sporty, room, real offroad capability) and for the $$, a SR5 V8 is a steal.

Ridgline is not a offroad vehicle. What it can do, most people here don't even consider offroading.

1. LC
2. 4R
3. FJC
4. Xterra
5. car (Subaru Outback over the Ridgeline)

 

[speyrod]

I don't want to sound like a dick, but drive them all and make the call as to which one suits you best.

 

[sbechtold]

Having owned Land Cruiser’s in the past I am partial to the Land Cruiser. If you can afford a Land Cruiser, then buy one, you will not be disappointed. The Land Cruiser amenities, capabilities, safety and reliability far surpass everything else on your list. We have two young active boys and the Land Cruiser provides us with a stylish, comfortable, high-quality vehicle that is also a very capable off-road vehicle. I have pulled a 5000 lbs boat with the LC100 with no problems. We go skiing in Tahoe and it handles the snow wonderfully. We have taken the LC on fishing and camping trips and even on some mild off-road adventures to find that amazing fishing hole.

I bought my first LC100 new in 2001 and sold it two weeks ago. I just (yesterday) took delivery of my new 2006 Land Cruiser. When we decided to replace the 01 LC100, my wife and I drove the Land Rover, 4Runner, Tahoe, Sequoia and a few other SUV's. Ultimately, it came down to the fact that we loved the first LC100 so much and had such good luck with it that we just could not buy anything else. I’m sure that I will always have a Land Cruiser in the garage.

I have also owned 4Runners in the past and they are great vehicles as well. If the Land Cruiser were out of my price range, then I would be driving a 4Runner. I am also an FJ Cruiser owner and it is very difficult to compare the FJC to the LC100 or the 4Runner. The FJ is really geared for the outdoor/offroad enthusiast. I cannot see the FJ being used as a family car unless your kids are old enough to get themselves in and out of the back seat without any assistance. Although, the FJ will meet (and exceed) your needs in the off-road arena. I love my FJ, but when we go anywhere as a family we take the LC100.

 

[DuManchu]

Here's why not to get a Ridgeline, unless of course you consider this "off-roading".

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3990

IMO the Ridgeline is an abomination and I don't care for the Xterra. It sounds like the 4Runner is your best bet since the FJ might not meet your space requirements.

 

[Beowulf]

... and I can't afford a top of the line $85,000 Land Rover.

That is an understatement. Even the people that can buy them cannot afford them.

-B-

 

[tucker74]

You didn't say if a used vehicle is an option - you can pick up a nice used 100 series for 25-30k, and it will be head and shoulders above the others on your list. The only drawback is gas mileage, don't buy a Cruiser if you can't stomach 15mpg - it doesn't get much better on the highway either. I'd seriously check out the 4Runner and Xterra, those sound like the next logical step up from a CRV if you want to go new.

My $.02

Tucker

 

[SINCITY100]

If off-road capability comfort and room for a FAMILY are your main requirements...

Then the 100 series L/C is your best choice, new or used

 

[sbechtold]

The only drawback is gas mileage, don't buy a Cruiser if you can't stomach 15mpg - it doesn't get much better on the highway either.

My 01 got 13mpg average per tank. The best I ever recorded in 5 years was 16mpg driving on the highway for an entire tank. The new 06 is supposed to get 14mpg city and 17mpg highway. I'm still on the first tank of gas from the dealer and have about 120 miles total on the Land Cruiser. The driver information center is showing 13.8 mpg. This tank is about a 90% city, 10% highway mix. I'm hopeful that it will get better, but then again I did not buy it for the gas mileage.

 

[tucker74]

My 01 got 13mpg average per tank. The best I ever recorded in 5 years was 16mpg driving on the highway for an entire tank. The new 06 is supposed to get 14mpg city and 17mpg highway. I'm still on the first tank of gas from the dealer and have about 120 miles total on the Land Cruiser. The driver information center is showing 13.8 mpg. This tank is about a 90% city, 10% highway mix. I'm hopeful that it will get better, but then again I did not buy it for the gas mileage.

My 80 gets 12mpg no matter what I do ... then again, it's not exactly "stock". I agree with your last sentence

Tucker

 

[DBS311]

Somebody PLEASE join that Ridgeline owner's club and post a pic of what a stock FJC can do.

Klaw, at least give some credit to the 66-77 Ford Bronco. I have taken mine to plenty of trails and it hasn't "flinched" once.