For me, there is absolutely a visceral experience when driving a vehicle. Particularly one that you admire for its build, reliability, safety, engineering, and knowing that at the end of the day, it can take you to, through, and back from some of the harshest places on earth. My 4Runner drove me to and all over Alaska. My LX took me home from Alaska to Illinois in -36F weather during the dead of winter.
If I saw a car as an appliance, I’d be driving a Camry hybrid. I don’t, which is why I have 2 200s (20 Cruiser and 14 LX) and a V8 4Runner. The 4Runner has been to nearly every state over its 200,000 mile life. I drove it locally today and it still made me smile. I won’t ever sell it.
My folks have owned a 99, 04, and now a 20 LX. You get what you pay for and you build trust in something that has never let you down.
Speaking of seats. The Cruisers SUCK, period. Far too little thigh support for a $90,000 truck. LX’s are better but they still aren’t that great.