The TRD RAV4 hybrid is the better buy over the 4runner
Talk me out of a 4Runner TRD Pro (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter goodnightnyc
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Would that be like saying the Highlander hybrid is a better buy than the Land Cruiser?
For what? To go to the mall? Sure. For mileage, sure.
Off-roading or any type of rough road? No way. RAV4 TRD rear diff overheats going over a puddle! Zero articulation. No 4-Lo. I think that 2021 finally got a front skidplate…but nothing else is protected. Unibody. Tow capacity of a bicycle.
I don’t care what anyone says…4runners are great vehicles. Durable. Reliable. Good strong frame. KDSS. MTS. CRAWL. Rear locker. Good articulation. Great resale value (even before COVID). It is a pretty good value!! Thus, its sales have been excellent…very much unlike our LC!
Does it matter that its interior is on the cheap side? Our LC200 ain’t that fancy either…not by a long shot. At least in both, we don’t get horrible rattles like you see in 4Runner’s competitors. Heck, it even has a REAR LOCKER that we don’t even get!
Of course, our LC is fancier and better built…look at the price difference! But that does not mean 4runner is any less of a vehicle or value.
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I say that because he already a has a LC, so no need for a low powered, bad mpg 4Runner
- Thread starter
- #105
Can’t argue with that. There is absolutely no need for me to buy a 4R. It’s purely a want.
Why get a gutless $50k+ 4Runner, when the new Bronco outmatches it in every single way. Come on, let’s be real. The 4Runner is nothing great anymore. I test drove the first edition Bronco yesterday with my buddy who just ordered the Wildtrack model. The Bronco is tough to beat for the money. Come on guys, test drive one and you’ll see how good it really is.
TheRealDeal124
GOLD Star
Sure…you don’t need to wait for Bronco to say that. For years now, you can say exactly what you’re saying about the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon…it outclasses the 4runner (and LC) in pretty much everything off-road. Rubicon is probably more off-road capable going in REVERSE than a 4runner going forward.
But that has not affected 4runner sales much. Different crowd. Different world. I am sure Bronco will steal some owners from 4runner…but mainly it will hit the Wrangler crowd much more.
4runner buyers probably care more about reliability and practicality vs. someone who buys a Bronco / Rubicon.
It just like LC200 vs. Range Rover or G-wagen or Cadillac Escalade. Different priorities. Different wants/needs.
For example, i could NEVER own a Rubicon, even tho i respect it a lot…i have done tons of off-roading with them…BUT, it does not have full-time 4wd and no side airbags in the rear bench. Why do these things matter? Because i have a family with 3 young kids and we drive on vacations a lot. I need a decent size bench WITH side airbags to protect my kiddos. I like FULL-TIME 4wd for on-road safety in bad weather Vs. part-time.
The lack of FULL-time 4wd also prevents me from ever getting 4runner TRD Pro or their off-road model. I would then have to get Limited model with the s***ty XREAS and low-hanging bumpers that would make LX570 jealous.
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Yeah, I would never buy a first MY of any vehicle. He has to wait 1yr. to get his, huge order backlog. He can’t keep a car past the two year mark
The reason my wife’s grandparents own a 4Runner who live in Colorado Springs. It’s reliable, not fancy and just simply works for everyday needs to the grocery store or up to Rampart lake, etc. where they fish and hike. If I wanted another SUV paired with my current LC, it would be a bigger Luxo family hauler(Nav,Escalade). For smaller suv, it would be a X5 or GLE.
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For us, my wife has Acura MDX with SH-AWD. Neat SUV. I also drive an old minivan to work.
TheRealDeal124
GOLD Star
If I wasn't an enthusiast, but I wanted something safe for the snow and had 4x4, that was reliable and could carry stuff, I'd choose a 4Runner. I was in the market for another "toy" after selling my Jeep LJ Rubicon. I thought either Land Cruiser (80, 100, 200) or a 2020 Army Green 4Runner. Was willing to either pay for a very nice example of an older vehicle, or for a brand new one. I love the 4Runner, but they are EVERYWHERE compared to any Land Cruiser. I love driving something uncommon especially when I won't depend on it for DD. I've never owned anything newer than an 06, so I felt most comfortable with the 80 series. Hundys seem like they like rust more than the 80. I could be wrong. I love my 80 series and it's in very good shape, some think its brand new. I still catch myself going on CarGurus and looking if there's any AG 4Runners near me, but then I remember why I didn't want one. Great vehicles, but soulless compared to any Land Cruiser. I've driven a 100, and a few 200s, great vehicles that do have character. I've also driven a new 4Runner TRD Pro, and it was like driving my girlfriends Nissan Rogue. But with more nose dive.
I always forget about the MDX. They are really comfortable the last time I was in one a few years ago.
And only drop half their value after three years (the sales man tried to use that as a selling point when we looked at them). The 4R and Tacoma resale are insane (even outside of the current insane used market).
So buy a 3 year old MDX.
I don't get the 4Runner boners but Toyota sells a ton of them withot doing anything to them. I mean if you can get people to drop 50k+ on an underpowered ancient engine with an even more ancient 5spd trans with the gas mileage to match, then why not. Why ever update the thing when the consumers are paying MSRP or over?
Toyota knows what they are doing. As much as I don't like the4R I respect the hell out of it and Toyota.
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I have a lot of history with 4Runners, I’ve owned (3) 1st gens, (3) 3rd gens, and most recently a 2019 TRD Pro 4R. I had traded in my excellent 2011 FJC on the ‘19. I agree that the looks of the TRD Pro are a huge plus. The resale value makes it a very safe purchase.
I don’t really have a big complaint regarding the “gutless” engine, it was adequate IMO. The way back storage space is great. The interior is basically Corolla quality, whereas the LC is not compromised to save money. Nothing really bugged me about the 4R except that I just didn’t love it from behind the wheel. I had a lot more attachment to the 1st and 3rd Gen models I had. It’s hard to say exactly why, I guess I like stuff to be a little older and a little beat up.
So now I have a 2010 LX570, it cost 60% less than the new 4Runner and I don’t care if a new scratch appears. The 4Runner is a very simple machine compared to a LC200 IMO. Both are great in their own way.
I don’t really have a big complaint regarding the “gutless” engine, it was adequate IMO. The way back storage space is great. The interior is basically Corolla quality, whereas the LC is not compromised to save money. Nothing really bugged me about the 4R except that I just didn’t love it from behind the wheel. I had a lot more attachment to the 1st and 3rd Gen models I had. It’s hard to say exactly why, I guess I like stuff to be a little older and a little beat up.
So now I have a 2010 LX570, it cost 60% less than the new 4Runner and I don’t care if a new scratch appears. The 4Runner is a very simple machine compared to a LC200 IMO. Both are great in their own way.
If you want the 4Runner and it’s not a money issue buy the damn thing. Nothing wrong with owning 2 well built trucks. That‘s why I kept my 1993 80 series. Each brings unique attributes to the table.
nor_cal_cyclist
GOLD Star
Had a 2017 TRD Pro 4Runner before I got my 200. 2 completely different vehicles - build quality, interior space, engine/power, etc... I sold mine due to lack of power and rear AC (I haul my dogs in the back and with Redding heat, I NEEDED rear AC). 4Runners are nice, but no where near a LC in overall quality, comfort, and capability.
Comparing vehicles that retail or retailed for roughly twice as much is crack smokingly stupid.
Of course a 200 Series is faster, bigger, quieter, and so on.
To Mr. Siler’s points, while somewhat enjoying the Denton era Jalopnik zingers, the 4Runner is a killer platform for trails and offers an enviable combination of reliability and resale value. Also, many of the complaints levied sound quite familiar to anyone who has ever read an LC/LX review.
Especially in regards to infotainment.
Of course a 200 Series is faster, bigger, quieter, and so on.
To Mr. Siler’s points, while somewhat enjoying the Denton era Jalopnik zingers, the 4Runner is a killer platform for trails and offers an enviable combination of reliability and resale value. Also, many of the complaints levied sound quite familiar to anyone who has ever read an LC/LX review.
Especially in regards to infotainment.
I’ll take this over a 4Runner…under warranty and a 200 in the garage. Lol! Steve(VP at Denver Land Rover) is getting in the Defender 110 with a V8 518hp and putting 37” on when it eventually arrives a few months down the road. He has about 30k mi. on this one without any issues so far. He got the Unicorn 
