Good, Bad & Ugly Truths About the Oldest SUV Around - 2023 Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary Review
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- Опубліковано 18 вер 2024
- We take a closer look at the 2023 Toyota 4Runner 40th anniversary edition. Is the 4Runner still good after all these years?
Let us know your thoughts on this 4Runner and what you'd like to see from future models.
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#toyota #4Runner #SUV
I just returned from a camping trip with three big guys and all our gear. 11 hours of driving in my 22 4Runner to get to the general destination, then 2+ hours of driving on messed up forest roads every other day to start a new hike out. It's such a damn comfortable vehicle. And even with 550lbs of passengers and maybe 200 lbs of gear and a cargo box on top, we averaged 20.5 mpg with stock size all terrain tires and no lift. This thing is old school but I absolutely love it.
137 pounds per guy is not that much bud. You prop slept in the middle
Beef
@@cch4722 check your math, bud. 550/3 = 183 🤦♂️
The 4Runner outsold the new Bronco by almost 3500 units in Q2, 2023. Around 12,000 above Bronco in 2022. (Ford Authority). Pretty good for an old platform, QDR. I think the 40th Anniversary should have been based on a loaded TRD Off Road Premium to be more of a "collectable". Great video as always!
Throw in some of those 5.7 v8s left over from the end of "real Tundra" production.
The bigger question is how is the 4runner going to compete with the recently announced "Baby Land Cruiser" in 2025, especially when they announced it is going to be body on frame and gas (not EV)... I just bought a 23 4runner back in April. Drove a lot of other options from other manufactures before I purchased. I decided I wanted one BEFORE they changed it. I can't explain why specifically, but I love the whole experience of it. It just feels good to drive for some reason; it has a mixture/formula that just does that. Yeah it is dated. So am I. Maybe that's the thing.
At its announced size, the Baby Land Cruiser ought to have a market segment all to itself.
I don’t think Toyota has actually confirmed themselves that it will be body on frame, but I could be wrong.
@@seanh2390 Toyota has not officially confirmed anything about the Mini Cruiser but they have 'leaked' details to their favourite Japanese car magazine. 😉
The 4Runner is for people with $20k less available for a car
@@GoDaveGo ?
Not sure what you’re saying with regards to harsh shifting, I don’t experience that at all even after all the weight I’ve added to it. When I first got my 2022. TRD Off Road, the first thing I’m enjoyed, and the comments I had from friends and family was how smooth the ride was between suspension and shifting.
Do you have kdss optioned on your ORP?
Just got my 23 trdPro 4R back from the body shop and I’m so happy with the ‘old-ness’ of it vs the gmc terrain rental they gave me. Outside of the better backup camera, I can’t think of anything newness brings to the table. The gmc had less than 3000 miles and felt like it was ready to break.
“Felt like it was ready to break”, how?
@@garysarratt1 clunky transmission shifting up quickly and dropping down hard and often to go get up to speed. The keyboard trans controls felt like cheap like it would break off also. It’s basically an Econo hatch that they added size and weight to make it look like a modern suv without an adequate power train and cheaped out on materials that are used the most. I really wasn’t trying to bash that car and a rental is never a perfect judge of quality but since you asked…
@@boughtandpaidforautoreview1150 Well, I did ask, and in good faith. Thanks for answering!
I'll go with the tried and true, no turbos, no hybrids, and it will be last vehicle I ever buy new
Reliability and simplicity is important for us poor folks…I can care less about a larger screen that will break
Poor folks? Speak for yourself, I don't own one of these because I'm poor
@@terrynichol577 haha damn you poor poor
@@drayray4009 lol. I try to look poor on purpose apparently. Wouldn't want to be driving anything else no matter how much money I have. So then I'm super fucking super super poor
As a '17 owner, KDSS to me is what makes this older platform exceed expectations. You need to pick the TRD Off Road package in Canada, but darn it, if you drive back to back with a model without KDSS, you might not believe it. Get a '24 TRD Off Road.
This. KDSS is the least talked-about option, but totally transforms the vehicle.
If you've ever driven a TRD Pro, how does it compare to your favored KDSS OffRoad system?
From what I’ve read and seen, the part time sway bar systems improves on road manners.
KDSS is really nice to have but it’s also extremely rare and hard to find. I’ve only seen it in 1 older model out of about 25 I’ve looked at when shopping around. Re: the Pro model… a lot softer feel around corners due to the softer suspension and standard swaybars vs KDSS with stock springs/shocks
I bought one as soon as I heard talks of going turbo 4cyl. Last chance to get a bulletproof 4runner
Buy that thing today sr5 premium 4x4 one of the only good deals left 45k leather nav sun roof
I think the stripe takes away from the looks. Outside of that I love it.
Kinda '70s. I like it.
The stripe is a callback to 80’s styling.
4Runner is the perfect vehicle for my family. The only thing I wish to have is a secondary fuel tank since Prado's in other parts of the world have secondary fuel tank. I do have 300miles in city. Also 400miles on our trips (based on range to empty + trip meter distance). So with secondary tank I would get 600+ miles? That rear glass is extremely important to my dog not to get car sick. That solid powertrain and 4WD is a big thing for me. Love the fact that 1GR-FE is very reliable to the point used in Land cruisers, GX and many other vehicles. Timing chain, dual injection is one of the highlights too (for me). With 4WD especially driving in winter conditions. Unlike AWD, I love the fact having 4wd regardless my throttle position including while applying brakes. Many more good things I can say why its the perfect for my family. If they change to 2.4turbo or 3.4 twin turbo I don't know what I will do if I have to change my 4Runner like I had to when my 2018 was in an accident by dealership drive driving it home after service.
It's definitely not a good idea to buy a 2025 4Runner. First model years are problematic and down the road you will see many more quality issues on a first model year versus later ones. Irrespective of early or late model year you can kiss that roll down window goodbye.
I wish I could trade in my Wrangler for a 4runner.....
I had to own a few jeeps to feel that way as well.
The big question...will a turbo 4 be as reliable as this v6?
Short answer…no
@@MSparks9509 I agree 👍
Negative. No chance.
Never...
No! This is going to bite Toyota in the ass. Watch and see….
As the original owner of a 2008 SR5 RWD 4Runner I can say that it has been the best vehicle I have ever owned. After over 15 years it has been flawless, with no problems at all (oil changes and tires the only things I changed). I hope the next version of the 4Runner continues this level of reliability and simple design.
They should have made this in the off-road or TRD Pro trim. It’s an off-road vehicle after all.
I love the bronze wheels but not worth $60k.
Nothing is.
Stephen, 90% of the people who have been clamoring for a change to the 5 speed 4.0 V6 drivetrain will whine when the 2.4 turbo 8 speed arrives. 😉😂🤣 I look forward to the return of the manual 4Runner. The arrival of the Mini Land Cruiser which has recently 'leaked' will bring a genuine 4X4 sized like the Suzuki Vitara/Chevy Tracker of the 1990s. 🤩🤩
Make my 4Runner a 2 door manual like the original.
That will even less be a Land Cruiser than the 2024 Land Cruiser.
The 4Runner is the main non-pickup competitor to the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler. Yes, technically 4Runner is a truck; but, it is far more comfortable and easer to live with on-road than Bronco, Jeep, or Pickup - and - more reliable!!! Making a PHEV or EV 4Runner pretty much kills it for Off-roading and Overlanding…🤔…since the Land Cruiser is now affordable with similar/better off roading capabilities than 4Runner, maybe Land Cruiser rules the roost!!
Your Landcruiser width dimensions were at the mirrors, and your 4runner width dimensions were without mirrors. Per my dealer they just released the dimensions and the difference is less than an inch including mirrors.
I’m not a fan of black, because it’s just too hot for a dark color in Texas. It’s not a bad SUV, just not my cup of tea.
I want to see it on the Hydro Trail like you did with the TRD Pro and the Ice ! Then lets see if it holds up ! I don’t want a Hybrid as I would just prefer the engine only ! I also would not buy a 4Runner until it has been out at least 2 years ! Yes I would wait till year 3 for reliability. I am rocking a 2022 4Runner TRD Pro and have put Rocksliders on and when tires go I may go 275 70 17R but this is a Hunting truck for Me and tow a Walleye boat and so far it has been awesome right out of the box. I place reliability above MPG.
Long time Land Cruiser guy, was pretty pumped seeing the new Prado coming to the US and even the 60 series styling touches. Pulled on my heart strings…. I always thought it was a mistake driving the Land Cruisers so upmarket in the states. After ruminating on it a bunch though since the premiere, I came to the conclusion that since the 4Runner too is basically a first cousin of the Prado and that you can get it right now, for less than the 55k base price of the new Cruiser, AND it has a proven NA engine that is about as low upkeep and reliable as anything they have ever made…. And not a turbo 4 hybrid…. And for us with three kids, having a 3rd row which you can get in the 4Runner but not the new Land Cruiser, we have a ‘24 SR5 premium inbound in two weeks. Saved money over the Land Cruiser and have the lower upkeep rig over the long run, not to mention cheaper buy in. For a vehicle I want to use for 20-25 years, there is no other option.
Do you think the new 4Runner will continue to be made in Japan?
Since the Land Cruiser will be built in Japan i think the next 4 runner will be built in Mexico with the Tacoma.
bummer@@Math-zl8kq
@@Math-zl8kqI agree. The Tahara plant is going to be slammed building the new Cruiser and GX. This is where the 4Runner is/has been built, I would be shocked if the next gen 4Runner doesn’t switch to Mexico
@@Math-zl8kq well you're wrong, it's been confirmed it's made in Japan. Why would they do that to the 4runner?
Dude: You are comparing the width of a new Land Cruiser with mirrors to a 4Runner without mirrors = no comparison!!
Good rundown .. seems like it will be quite accurate to me as the platform is out. Nice ! Keeping my 22 a long time I hope.
I'll take a last year model always before a first year model. Love my new old taco.
Good morning TK!!
I have the 2022 Toyota Tacoma TRD 4X4 off-road and I had to take it in because the four-wheel drive system didn't lock in and when it did it wouldn't go back out, (front diff actuator) rarely go out but mine happened to be bad and I also live in Phoenix and I went to turn on the AC and that didn't work either. Not good Toyota! But I did get to drive a 23 4 runner SR5 4x4 and it was pretty damn nice
Looks like you had bad luck and got a bad one.
@@imnotusingmyrealname4566 something ain't going right in the beginning lol. Seems ok now tho. AC works perfect & I've tried it because we have Summers that got up to 122° this year that's what the truck said anyways. + now it goes right in & out of 4X4 very fast
@@honda116969 Woah that's hot. I'm happy for you that the AC works perfectly again.😂
@@imnotusingmyrealname4566 yeah bro it fucking sucks when it doesn't work working outside when it's that hot and then having to get in your truck and drive 30 miles back 🏡 & on top of that they couldn't get me in for a week lol... I've done nothing but go above & beyond to take care of it already changed all the fluids to amsoil oil, front diff, rear diff, transfer case & manual transmission & I've already done like 3 🛢️ changes & the 🛻💨 only has a little over 7,000 MILES. it made a big difference quieting all the clunking down & the fluid look like shit, I did the transmission at 2,500 & the diff at 5,000 everything needed changed I can't believe they tell people to wait 30K it's just a drain & fill that amsoil is a WAY better oil than Toyota's 🗑️ 🛢️ that's why it was clunking like a mofo but after that 💯% synthetic amsoil it sounded like a different 🛻💨
48k US is so overpriced for that. They are good vehicles, just not a great value at what they're selling for today. A few years ago I bought a 2013 which is mechanically identical to this one, for nearly 50% off of what original sticker would have been. Now that's a good value. 160k on it now and it's been very reliable.
I will stay with old school. Waiting on my SO 4runner Pro. Wait till the dealers start marking up all the new redesigns when they come out.
only good off roader , solid rear axle ,109" wb best trail rig , true 4x4 low range, the trd off road /pro models still has a handle to put in 4x4 , grand cherokee 4xe trail hawk is over priced so it has left the conversation
I like the stripes but would prefer it on white.
Are the Canadian HVAC controls different from American models? Or is the difference because it's the 40th anniversary addition?
Steven, I like your thoughts on the plug in hybrid or a 4 runner Prime!! A lot of people use these SUV's for suburban and inner city travel so what better way to have them run on electric power for short trips to help emissions and pollution. Toyota I hope you're listening!!!
Not to mention a hybrid powertrain would be amazing for camping/overlanding with your family particularly if you have small children
Less cargo space, less payload, not great.
@@brendanleach8971why in particular with small children?
Hybrid and electric ages poorly.
@@imnotusingmyrealname4566 keep their tablets charged. And having lighting and stuff like that.
Best suv ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!🎉
There is no way the land cruiser is 8 inches wider
💯👍 - without mirrors Land Cruiser Heritage Edition is 78inches and 4Runner is 75.8inches!! So…🤔…if only counting mirrors on the Land Crusier🤷♂️!!
@@mikeyc7072 ahh that makes sense the big retro mirrors add most of it then
Excellent review as always!!! 😁
And it's had the same drivetrain the whole time, just costs $60k now... bUt ItS rEliaBLe
BAD RUST PROBLEMS ! Get it undercoated ASAP !
Looking at the past 4 decades... Typically any "special edition" of *any* vehicle, with bronze OEM wheels, becomes a favored classic.
I am no Toyota basher, and I don't own a similar truck to a Tacoma/4 Runner from a different maker, but as an ordinary motorist I was kind of shocked at the automatic trans shifting in someone's stock 2018 Tacoma I was recently given a ride in. Now I know what a lot of people are talking about. The truck was being driven in a very normal way but the shifts were kind of hard and on inclines the gear hunting was just way too frequent and intrusive. Good to know the vehicles are very durable but man, I sure hope the transmission gets better.
That 2018 Tacoma has the 3.5 V6 which is a very generic, all-purpose engine and a 6 speed auto which has been problematic since Day 1. Even Toyota's reps have admitted to issues getting smooth shifts with that combination. On the other hand, the 4Runner has a 4.0 V6 engine only used in trucks and 5 speed automatic. BTW I am generally a Toyota fan but I won't hesitate to bash them when it is warranted. 😉
The shifting in my 2022 4Runner is very smooth for daily driving, and I have added some weight to it (steel front, bumper, winch, roof rack, skid plates, 285/70 all-terrain tires). Granted my fuel economy isn’t great, but the ride is.
@@zalllon I am sure the next 4Runner will offer a big boost in power and fuel efficiency. Its reliability will takes years or decades to assess. Having said that, the lousy reliability of the competition has already been proven over decades. 🤣
I have a 2013 4Runner (same generation as this on) Even with 160k miles on it, the transmission still shifts buttery smooth. Like we said above, the Tacoma has a different engine and transmission combo, which has basically been a mess and not very popular. The 4Runner does downshift on steep grades, but generally doesn't hunt. The Tacoma is programmed to keep the engine RPMs as low as possible, what causes the hunting is that the engine makes all of its power at high RPMs, so it's a very mismatched combo.
@@trailrunnah8886 All in all, the current generation of Tacoma has suffered a step down in quality compared to the ones that came before it.
Give me OLD and reliable anyday over New and broken,
Do you like the 4Runner better than the Ford Explorer
Lol explorer 😅😅😅😅😅
The Toyota truck hybrids are less efficient than the Ford non-hybrid trucks.
Love my 5th gen
I think the Seqouia will be phased out and rebadged as a 4Runner with a refresh and lift.
Probably for the next gen, since they just refreshed the Sequoia. I think they’ll make the next 4Runner a reskin of the new Land Cruiser, but with more off road features and on the Tacoma platform (or rather, the Tacoma version of the platform, since the new LC is technically on the same platform).
Hate that there are no AC vents in the ceiling. My ONLY gripe with the 4Runner. So many people with dogs buy these vehicles, and there are no AC vents in the ceiling or cargo area. My Suburban has three rows of ceiling AC vents. The GX also has AC vents in the ceiling. Why can't they do this in the 4Runner? The 2nd row vents are a joke.
You gotta live the potatoes for cameras these things have
Those are not the knobs and buttons that match my 40th ? Wrong video applied?
"next year in 2025" bro are we just skipping passed 2024?
Oldest suv on the market? The suburban is much older than the 4Runner.
Oldest current generation. The Suburban is extremely modern compared to the 4Runner.
I thought the badge on the dash was supposed to say 1 of 4040?
I got to the end of the video. I guess there's actually 4440 being made combined
“Reminds me that I have a special package” -says no one ever
No real reason for this video except that toyota must spend a lot of dollars on UA-cam content sponsorship😅
Badges, stickers and "race" insipred stripes, lol. No thanks. I've got 5,500 miles on my 2023 4R ORP with Eiback 2R lift, skids, front bumper with warn Evo 10 and a Magnuson supercharger :)
I dont need to be reminded that i have a special package. My girlfriend reminds me every evening. 😝
Leave the 4 runner alone just upgrade the motor leave everything else alone
Sadly not available in Europe as new. To be honest if I could choose between LC Prado 150 and 4Runner N280, then N280 wins. I don't need the luxury from LC. I own now Tacoma 2.7 from 2008 2WD Access Cab with manual gearbox but now power widows or even immobiliser. Basic as it could be and to be honest. That's all I need. Comfortable, fuel economy is good when I compare it with Hilux + diesel engine. So why there must be so many unnecessary features which I could use maybe 2 times? 1st to check if it works and 2nd to show others how it works... meh.
The only thing I need in this 4Runner N280 is manual transmission. Automatic is nice and smooth but my driving is more efficient with manual transmission than automatic.
Grandpa comment of the day
@@blakebullington1225 maybe granda comment but thx to this mentality I'm very close to build my own house without loans. I like this way of life you know.
Once the 4.0 5 speed is gone Toyotas reliability is gone
The new LC is NOT 9" wider than 4 Runner. dude. do a little more work. jesus. with mirror vs without mirrors. the actual interesting thing is the GX550 is exact same size as current LC 200 and everyone is talking about the new GX5550 powertrain comparing to old GX460 powertrain, but not mentioning the size upgrade. Should compare new GX550 to LC200
Mid 30s?? No way.
Make the 4Runner convertible with removable doors to differentiate. Same frame and powertrain as Land Cruiser is fine.
There will be no new 4 runner. Land cruiser will take it place on american market. Gx/prado/4 runner is the same thing
The only way a new 4runner can exist is if it becomes a tacoma/ prerunner wagon.
So like the fortuner sold in some markets is based on the hilux.
Toyota, if you move the 4Runner to Hybrid you will lose credibility and reputation. No one who buys the 4Runner care about efficiency, we care about reliability, durability and ease of maintenance. Hybrids, Plug-in and EV are not realistic solutions for 4Runner.
I don't believe it will be hybrid only.
Not really, I think a lot of people would be very happy that have a hybrid 4Runner. I have a friend who has one, she can't wait for a hybrid. Not everybody who buys one is thinking they're going to take it off-roading or buying it because it's old school, a lot of people just think they look cool and would 100% love to get better fuel economy via hybrid.
Reliability will be shot if they go hybrid.
@@trailrunnah8886😂 Hybrid is not durable
@@Thankyou_3 says who? Look at all the Priuses with over 300,000 mi on them running around as taxi cabs. if anybody can make a durable hybrid it's Toyota.
5k lbs is not much for such a big and heavy SUV. The GX 550 can tow 8k lbs.
My old 97 4.0 unibody Grand Cherokee could tow 5k lbs. The Highlander can even tow 5k lbs, lol.
@@trailrunnah8886 holy shit lmao the Highlander can really tow 5k lbs, same as this thing😂 the Grand Cherokee has always been the beefy unibody that can tow very well, impressive for a 97
Starsky and Hutch would PUKE, that stipe is stupid, and it should be a least a TRD Off Road or Pro to make it special not an SR5, that's stupid. I just picked up my new TRD Off road Premium Last month, Enjoying it very much!
Meh. No actual content on the Forerunner.
Worst version of 4runner made. Lame for a 40th year anniversary. Nothing special at all. People are only buying because it's the only 4runner left on the lot. No do not buy
The stripe is gay looking. Id take a heat gun to it real quick.
Ah the 4Runner, one of Toyotas oldest running scam. It’s not last decades technology! It’s reliability. And of course you get poor MPG on small street tires. And look at our famous totally original idea rear sliding glass.
4runner alllllll day mother fucker
Why people are still buying this gutless thing is beyond me
Because they run forever! 😂 My 2018 Limited hasn’t missed a beat !
Because it's awesome that's why. Not rocket science
Because there is nothing else left with the build quality, reliability, and long term durability in the market. It’s been tweaked, upgraded and refined to perfection. Like the 200 series Land Cruiser at the end of its run. What names it great isn’t a bunch of screens and shitty technology that fails in 10 years, in 25 years these will still be driving around functioning while most everything else will be in the junkyard, or nursing their 3rd set of turbos, and second battery pack replacements with no working HVAC because the screens don’t work….. but I won’t own it that long…. Yeah but resale, no one is going to want to own a 10 year old small displacement twin turbo hybrid that is about need to need a ton of $$. That’s why someone buys these. Last great Toyota 4wd, last great 4wd in the states.
@@Kristian_Saile exactly, some people just don't get it. Not smart with their money or investments or purchases
The strip is hideous reminds of the old amc gremlins!
Here’s what I wanna see outta every vehicle manufacturer in the future! A truly retro line up of vehicles! An where that translates in the truck and suv market is here, with 4wd trucks and SUV’s all having shifter levers again when these retarded ass electronic shifting 4wd drive actuators are concerned when the actuator fails you’re stuck in either rear wheel or four wheel drive modes with the old school shifter levers if the linkage breaks. You simply crawl under the vehicle and manually shift your vehicle into what you want to be in! As far as the electronic tech inside these vehicles are concerned I wanna see the only inside tech being Wi-Fi with a double din stereo system that sinks up totally with your phone so you can have live back country navigation like onyx off road mapping for those of who buy these off road vehicle to actually use them with out being stranded ip somewhere we’re not familiar with! And that’s freaking! Get rid of almost all the tech that makes the vehicles so costly from the factory!I want actual basic off readers to retire to the market again! For the average person these $40 to $85k offreader vehicles are unattainable at these prices! And even when we can afford them nobodies trying to fuk up their $45k plus vehicles off-roading them!