Why Does the 200 Get Hated On?

[KLF]

Cruisers are very rare around here. I had to special order an air cleaner element from the local dealer. A co-worker asked me the other day "did you get a new car? Is that a Pathfinder?"

But you can't swing a dead cat and not hit a Highlander or a RAV4. They're everywhere.

 

[mcgaskins]

You can get a well maintained used 200 and add a locker and suspension for the price of a new TRD Pro 4runner. There isn't anyone out there that can make me believe the 4Runner is a better deal. Its too bad I made the mistake of buying the 4runner the first go around. I had to learn the hard way.

My little sister is about to buy a new TRD Off Road Premium 4runner (formerly called Trail Premium until this year), and I've been trying very hard to convince her to get a nice used LC or LX. She flat refuses and said it looks like a "grandpa" car She said she likes the way mine looks, but they wouldn't be able to afford the build on top of the truck purchase. I went with her to test drive the 4runner and really wanted to like it, but the NVH and quality difference between the two is massive! I probably would like the 4runner if it was about $10k less, but that still doesn't make up for the lack of power and general lack of refinement compared with the LC.

 

[Anymac]

No doubt to all your posts! When we went to drive one I was super impressed by the simplest of subjective things... closing the door! Our GX is no POS by any stretch. Taken by itself the GX is a super nice piece of kit. But after closing the LC's doors even wife looked at me and wondered about our GX build quality haha.

I also like not seeing myself coming and going. The fact LX seems like 100:1 with LC makes LC seem intrinsically cool to me as well. Finally, as we listened to our butts on the LC ride I was at first taken aback at how the heavier truck rode more roughly than our GX. Then I quickly dismissed it because we just want the last of the simple/analog legendary trucks on the market (the other being the G Wagon). We are moving to SoCal this summer so looking forward to taking the fam out in it!

 

[TonyP]

Despite the somewhat high cost, 4Runners and Tacomas sell like crazy. I don't really get the Tacoma craze, especially the double cab which is absurdly long.

 

[Markuson]

Despite the somewhat high cost, 4Runners and Tacomas sell like crazy. I don't really get the Tacoma craze, especially the double cab which is absurdly long.

4Runner is the last surviving TRUE truck-based (body on frame) SUV in that range.

Body on frame is all but extinct, and I'm glad Toyota refuses to give in.

Definitely makes the 4Runner unique.

 

[TonyP]

The thing is: 98% of 4Runners are mall crawlers. The BoF is great for the other 2% but, much like the Pathfinder, it'll probably eventually succumb to the bean counters.

 

[KLF]

I can't fit a D-Cab Tacoma in my garage, at least not without crowding my working bench. And, I discovered by accident that the 200-series is actually 2" SHORTER (in length) than the ES350 that it replaced.

 

[ga12r1]

The thing is: 98% of 4Runners are mall crawlers. The BoF is great for the other 2% but, much like the Pathfinder, it'll probably eventually succumb to the bean counters.

Yeah, and I hate that. Most people don't know or care anymore, and it tells in these "reviews". Most of the 4runners in my neck of the woods are driven by young girls in high school or college. Tons of Limiteds. I don't know why they like them so much, but its definitely not because they are BOF

 

[Rigger]

I'm pretty sure that more new 4Runners are purchased by women than men.

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

Had a kid tell my wife ( who's taken over the LC recently while I'm travelling) that she had the badest Highlander he'd ever seen......this from the kid shuffling cars at the TOYOTA dealer while she was getting the oil changed......

 

[jblatl]

My wife lives her Limited 4Runner...
The cruiser is not comparable, different market.

 

[Cruisin911]

Anyone with concern over depreciation really should look at used....because you almost instantly beat the depreciation beast.

Personally, I can't even imagine buying new as it's just too much for my pocketbook.
-But even if you CAN afford new? -When you can get a MINT used 200 for LESS than a new 4-Runner? ...In my book its a no-brainer that the 200 wins hands-down value-wise.

This is exactly what I did. Booked out a 2017 T4R TRD Off Road with all the options. Then I drove it. Coming from a 5.7 tundra, I couldn't make the move to the V6. It just wasn't there. Both the 4Runner and the Tacoma left me disappointed. I did the value equation, along with what I really wanted and how long I figured I'd keep it and the 2011 LC with 36k miles was literally within $100 of the 4Runner.

My wife didn't understand the decision one bit in the beginning. After a week of her driving it, she has taken it over as her car. The thing is a beast (although the tundra still felt faster, I blame it on the gearing). Couldn't be happier and Colorado is the LC capital of the US it seems. Nearly EVERYONE has a 4Runner.

 

[DeckerT4R]

I started out going to look for a PRO or trail premium 4runner....I actually drove every "real" suv toyota makes...ended up buying a used LX because dollar for dollar it couldn't be beat in my book. Love my 200 and i'd do it over again in a heartbeat.

 

[TeCKis300]

It's funny cause you guys are levying the same criticism on the 4runner, as people are on the LC/LX. Which is generally the value proposition of the vehicle new. I personally think the value is there for both vehicles new, but man, is the LC/LX such an incredible steal in the used market.

Going back to value...for the price sensitive buyer, which is the majority of buyers, it's hard for many to justify and spend money on capability and durability that just won't be used by going to the mall. We are definitely the niche here, which appreciates and are willing to accommodate the trade-offs for being overbuilt in the name of off-road worthiness. Qualities which are diametrically opposed to the exact performance tests by which most reviewers use to judge "good" cars, if they don't get the charter of the LC/LX. Some of you to an even more degree by fitting intensely heavy armor and hugely squishy tires, trading off any semblance of handling competence and road-worthiness. But again, it has to be understood in the context of desired usage, for which it is worth every penny and compromise!

 

[mreedbmwm3]

Doug Demuro said in 2016 " It's my favorite car on sale today!" That's a bold statement coming from someone who's around all types of high end autos.

 

[Markuson]

It's funny cause you guys are levying the same criticism on the 4runner, as people are on the LC/LX. Which is generally the value proposition of the vehicle new. I personally think the value is there for both vehicles new, but man, is the LC/LX such an incredible steal in the used market.

Going back to value...for the price sensitive buyer, which is the majority of buyers, it's hard for many to justify and spend money on capability and durability that just won't be used by going to the mall. We are definitely the niche here, which appreciates and are willing to accommodate the trade-offs for being overbuilt in the name of off-road worthiness. Qualities which are diametrically opposed to the exact performance tests by which most reviewers use to judge "good" cars, if they don't get the charter of the LC/LX. Some of you to an even more degree by fitting intensely heavy armor and hugely squishy tires, trading off any semblance of handling competence and road-worthiness. But again, it has to be understood in the context of desired usage, for which it is worth every penny and compromise!

I haven't noted much criticism of the 4Runner. Mostly the comparison has been value for the money...comparing NEW 4Runners vs. USED LC/LX. If you change that to USED 4Runner vs. used LC/LX, it's a different value conversation.

 

[M1911]

I looked really hard at new 4Runners this Spring. I really hate the styling, and the only models I was interested in (TRD Pro, etc) came only in black interior, which I hate. Oh and they were close to $50K.

I looked really hard at the 2015/2016 4Runner. I was looking at the Limited because it has the Torsen center diff, which I prefer. While I didn't care for the styling, it was the sticking point for me.

The sticking point for me was the powertrain. The V6 doesn't have much torque off the line. It will accelerate fine if you get up to high revs, but the engine noise from the V6 isn't very pleasant at high revs. And the 5-speed transmission needs at least another gear.

The 4Runner would be a better size vehicle for me, but I find my Land Crusher to be a much nicer truck.

 

[M1911]

The 4runner is lost IMHO until it gets more power.... whey they never put the 460 motor into it escapes me... capable rig but not up to the task if armoured up and loaded.

Cost and fuel economy I suspect. For one brief period, they actually put a 4-cylinder in the 2010 4Runner. What a dog that must have been.

 

[ryanCA]

Cost and fuel economy I suspect. For one brief period, they actually put a 4-cylinder in the 2010 4Runner. What a dog that must have been.

In 2017 you can still buy double cab tacoma , 4300 lb powered by 2.7L 159 HP motor

True dog it is.

 

[M1911]

In 2017 you can still buy double cab tacoma , 4300 lb powered by 2.7L 159 HP motor

True dog it is.

I'm not sure that "powered" is quite the right word. Woof.