Same plant manufacturing for over 14 + years ( this generation) by the same Japanese workers, same supply chain. All this equals no variation to the suv . Literally the most reliable vehicle on the road. Year after year.
Yeah, there’s no question this is probably the most reliable vehicle in the U.S. market for 2024! I hope the next generation doesn’t disappoint and has improved safety because then I’ll consider coming back to Toyota.
@@AutomotiveAnonymous208Personally I think Toyota made a mistake going with a 4 cylinder turbos in the 4 runner and Land Cruiser. No one asked for that. Going that route will cause many to change brands or hold on to the old school Toyotas. Longevity with the power plant remains to be seen . Never seen any turbo motor outlast conventional.
Oh man. One of the most reliable suvs on the road. We just got a 2024 4Runner. We love it. We currently also have a 2016 jku and I can’t wait to sell in and get a 3rd gen Tacoma because of the motor and reliability.
What a cool ride!! That MPG isn’t half bad. Our local interstates which are the smoothest and most direct way to travel are 80mph. I miss my old Fj but getting at best 15MPG during the summer got old fast haha.
Anyone else noticed that if you go 55-75 mpg you're only seeing a difference of 1mpg like 18-19 or 19-20 per gallon. Its as if you wanted to go on the fast lane then slow lane, I'm not noticing a difference anymore. Went 80 at night on a 70 to a different state and would change from the slow lane to fast and some times I realize I would use a bit more going faster and cut my travel time by around 15 percent. Also being somewhat close behind a semi does levitate quite a bit of the work the engine has to do so that just goes to show how boxy this thing is. Some times I tell myself because the limited sit slightly lower to the ground, it would help but not by much.
oh my god, maybe you should just ride a bike. i wouldn't want any other vehicle than a 4runnner. I've had my 2016 4runner trail with kdss since new and have had zero problems. she's my daily driver and my overland vehicle with only 54000km and still looks in showroom condition. you forgot to mention that 4runner's are built in Japan along side lexus, i really don't think one of the best, if not the best factory in the world is going to release a really bad and unsafe vehicle, and with there high resale value, you'll be pressed to find an equal.
I’m really glad you’re enjoying yours! And the Trail trim level was cool. These are definitely one of the longest lasting vehicles ever made. And I’m thrilled to hear the 6G will also be assembled in Japan, because I may be buying the new one soon if it’s higher than a 4 star crash test rating. I work physical therapy as my day job so I see patient who are crippled by car accidents. I know that puts me on the biased extreme of the spectrum for being hyper sensitive to a safe vehicle. But in a moderately bad accident or being hit by a distracted driver, even if you did nothing wrong it might be worth reconsidering bulletproof reliability for walking away or surviving an accident with your family. I appreciate your insight and thanks for watching!!
No, I won’t replace the OBW with this, but it’s tempting, lol. In theory I think a PRO 4R would be really neat, but I basically owned that set up before switching to Subaru and ultimately know that it’s not the right vehicle for me. With that said I am excited to see what the 7th Gen Outback looks like, as well as the Subaru Hybrid system. But if it doesn’t “speak to me” then I might consider going back to a body on frame Toyota, just for a change. If it checks all the boxes and isn’t astronomically expensive. 🤷♂️😅
$38K for the TRD Pro is a steal! If I didn't just buy a new 2024 TRD ORP I'd jump at this (assuming the dealer would ship it to me). Someone local should grab this!
Yeah, absolutely! I also made a more in depth walk around and driving review of this to show how well it’s held up after 5 years / 60k miles. It is extremely clean, and the dealer (who’s very reputable) actually said the priced it to be a few grand less than the next cheapest one in the area and while having over 10k less miles than the next one. They do ship all over the country, I’m not sure what that would cost, but whoever gets this is getting a nice example! That is if the mice don’t get to it first, lol. 😉🤪
Very true! The most important concern that I hope more people will be made aware of is just that these are not safe vehicles, despite still being the currently sold iteration of this Toyota SUV. If you care about your families safety you should probably pick something else. Which sucks, because these are so cool. 😥
@@AutomotiveAnonymous208When I told my insurance company which car I had bought, 4runner, the agent said, congratulations, you've bought one of the safest, strongest built cars?
I researched this vehicle for a year and I know thee well. Good and bad. I got mine this weekend and love it. Wouldn't exchange it for any of the new toyotas. Old tech/little tech is just fine with me. I got the same color on my TRD Pro. Fluid Film will prevent rust.
The 4Runner has always been an acquired taste--a cult classic--representing the ultimate synthesis of hyper reliability, off road chops and road manners (hey, it's better than a Wrangler). It would be a mistake to sanitize it for more mainstream appeal... I mean they sell like hotcakes as is. But more importantly, no one needs a 4Runner. If safety (4/5 overall is still good?), tech, mpgs and power are what you are after there's like 20 other unibody CUVs that fit the bill, some of which even have the off-roader aesthetics (Wilderness series, new Trailsport, etc). People who love and many who buy 4Runners just don't care about that stuff
Great video. Nice to hear the negatives on this vehicle and not always the praises. No doubt these are great build vehicles but many owners are just shocked at what they actually bought hence why there are so many on the used market.
Thanks, I appreciate you sharing your thoughts on this topic! I film a lot of new Subaru for review videos and it’s pretty funny how many used 4Runners the specific dealership gets. I’d love to own another vehicle like the one I borrowed for this video, but those reasons (especially the lack of crash worthiness) are decent concerns, IMO. Thanks for watching!! 🙂
Great information ! I bought a 23 4Runner and so far I am pretty happy with the vehicle , I don't expect the 4Runner to have great gas mileage but what do you expect it's a heavy suv and as far as safety goes if it's your time to leave this earth so be it . The 4Runner has so far been really reliable and comfortable .
Thanks! You have the right mind ownership mind set. These are amazing at what they’re designed to do, which isn’t everything. I’m glad you’re enjoying your 23. I seriously miss my old supercharged 4.0 FJ haha.
I sold mine just over 7 years ago. It was the 5 speed auto unfortunately but with locker, body armor, winch, lift/level, 33’s on methods and the blower I sold it for $16.5 with 93k miles. Haha. 😢 I needed better MPG so I ordered a new 17 Tacoma AC 2.7 5 speed. I’m pretty sure to buy back the same FJ would now cost twice what I sold it for. 😅🤷♂️
Our second car is a 2014 Camry Hybrid and I can attest to the rodents chewing up the wires. Dip qtips in peppermint oil and put in the open areas in the hood frame. That will keep them away. We also put one in the cabin and had screen installed to prevent them from entering into the cabin area. I'm not positive, but I think they may have resolved that issue.
@@AutomotiveAnonymous208 We did, but fortunately we only had to replace coil wires. Still cost us a few hundred. My brother they got into the wiring harness on his Highlander. The one thing they pointed out at the dealer is that his comprehensive on his auto policy might cover it. Sure enough it did. Out of pocket was $500 for the deductible. The bill was over $2,300 for the repair. Information that is good to know.
Your gripes with this vehicle are really a stretch. Mice / chipmunks will chew through most engine bay wiring should they get the chance ($2200 for my neighbour’s Honda Odyssey). Not sure why this particular vehicle is getting such poor MPG, but my ‘22 modified (roof top tent, full RCI steel skid plates, 285/70s C load AT tires, 2.5” lift kit, C4 bumper and Warn 10s winch, interior molle panels, fridge and 65 lbs power station) gets 12 L / 100 kms hwy (19.6 mpg) and 15 L / 100kms (15.7 mpg) city … and the added weight is about 350 lbs. My modified suspension actually makes it drive better on the road, more confident then stock and doesn’t beat me up even with C load tires (actually very smooth and enjoyable). To get better usable power (vs more power) I have the OTT engine / transmission tune. Shifting is much better / smoother, less laggy off the line performance (I have the mild version of the tune), and it has improved my mpg especially when using cruise control (less downshifting on mild grades). Crash test ratings are par for the course for this type of vehicle, as I believe Jeeps are worse. Thankfully for the handful of people that have major accidents where the 4Runner has been totalled walked away with only minor injuries to none. Where I do think there are some shortcomings are with placement of the window controls, slightly exposing it to rain with windows open or door open. Theft prevention needs to be improved from Toyota (which is a testimony to the durability causing a desire for them overseas), mine is modified so thief’s only option is tow it. I wish the driver’s side had a pillar handle to help get in (especially after lifting it). I hate the tail lights, too clear … prefer a more smoked look.
Great insight, I really appreciate you sharing your build and your experiences/perspective of it! I’ve never heard of US 4Runners being stolen on the forums, I wonder if the security system is different on these ones. However Kia/Hyundai and the Hellcat powered cars are stolen at an unbelievably high rate compared to the average car. 😬
@@Monkeyseemonkey79 there are still 4 cyl pick up trucks with less HP in case you forgot. Ranger? 😂 Just because this has lower HP doesn’t discount it not being a truck
@@Anomize23Again, I only discussed payload. If you want to talk HP... Ok, a Honda Ridgeline has the same HP as a 4Runner yet almost double the payload. So the "pickup truck that isn't a pickup truck" has more payload than the "truck" 4Runner.
I had a 23 Pro. Mostly valid points. The gas mileage truly sucks. It's possible to get decent (18-20) if you're cruising at 55 mpg on flat ground, but stop-and-go or 80mph and you're commonly getting 12-15. The 5 speed is fine below 60mph, but forget about driving higher speeds on the interstate. Any hill you'll need to downshift to 4th and be at like 4K rpm. Not very pleasant or economical over a long drive. Also, one thing you didn't mention is the AC isn't that great. It's the first I noticed in a hot climate. The condenser gets heat soaked like a MF and takes a lot to get cold again after being parked for a while. Love the design, love the 4.0, built like a tank, very comfortable, but not the best DD.
That sounded past tense, if you sold it do you mind sharing why? Oh man 12-15 sounds awful lol. Most of my driving is 80mph interstate, which that paired with the safety concern is why I don’t own one of these, despite really wanting one. I will say I miss my Supercharged FJ, it didn’t have to downshift quite as often, and when it did it sounded good. But at interstate speeds I remember being able to hear the supercharger whining just while at RPM in cruise control, it was sad haha. The first time I took it on a long interstate road trip the gas gauge dropped so fast I remember looking around the vehicle for a literally fuel line or tank leak haha.
@@AutomotiveAnonymous208 The superchargers are nice. Love the whine! I had a TRD supercharger on my first gen Tacoma and enjoyed it. I did sell the 4R after about 6 months. I liked it a lot; just not enough to justify the cost. Yeah, it sucks getting TRX mpgs with none of the power to show for it. The dealer I bought it from was willing to buy it back for what I paid for it. Paid 20k less for a new TRDOR Tacoma.
Greatest truck on the planet! If you drive less than 4K a year. Those who say fuel economy isn't a issue are lying to themselves. I was paying like $80 a week just running errands.
SR5 Premium is a sweet trim level. You get all the basics and heated front seats. A TRD OR would be cool for the locker. But if we’re being honest I doubt 98% of 4Runners are taken off road to the extreme of needing a locker until they’re 20 years old and driven hard off road by their 3rd-4th owner. Congrats and thanks for watching!!
Gas mileage isn't that bad. My 5th gen regularly gets over 20mpg at fill ups and I often see over 23mpg on the highway if I don't get too roudy. Also... the power delivery is just fine. Mine is very spunky and I have absolutely no complaints about its performance off the line, or the transmission either. A lot of these complaints are just silly and exaggerated. I love my 4runner and think it's one of the best cars/trucks ever built. I have ZERO regrets.
Ironic you made this video after my comment the other day. Really love this vehicle and trying to decide if I get the last of this gen after selling my 21 at peak. But, many of your points are valid and it seems reliability is my number 1 factor for getting another. But, there are many compromises that come along with that. The drivetrain at my altitude of 7k and driving up in the Rockies and high speed on the highway it really gets tiring to drive. I still have a 13 Tundra which covers most of what I need for off road and work. I am really curious to see the next gen Outback as a daily from the few things I've heard. Might be the better daily/soft roader while the Tundra takes care of the rest. Thanks for the great vid!
Yeah, lol!! I think I responded to your comment and mentioned I had this video and also a 60k mile review of this used TRD PRO. I understand where you’re coming from. Reliability and capabilities really puts this vehicle as one of the best that you can buy. I just wish it didn’t have such extreme trade offs. At least the safety and MPG that just make this tough to justify. I’m really starting to consider the 6th gen if those concerns are taken care of, which I think they will be. But then will the 2.4T/8speed be just as reliable? Idk. But at least it’s probably easier to work on since that engine is physically so much smaller in the engine bay. 🤷♂️🤪
Thanks! They’re definitely one of the best vehicles currently made for a lot of reasons, but not without their old school body on frame issues and compromises. Regardless I want one but shouldn’t own one haha. 🤪
One of my only complaints is the lack of actual recovery hooks on the front-end. Love my 5th gen in every way, but no front recovery hooks is almost unforgivable.
I had my 4Runner 3years now no issues Overlanding is the best vehicle for it and your concern about rodents getting in your engine bay not an issue I’ve been to some remote areas in the middle of the woods not a problem just in a cold winter if you arrive at camp always pop your hood open to allow heat to escape this will allow them from getting in your engine
I think people need to math better. The difference between a 25mpg and a 18mpg vehicle driving 10,000 miles is like $500. The bigger expensive is depreciation. Which the 4runner just doesn't. They're worth almost as much used as they are new. So people buying higher depreciation fuel efficient vehicles rather than lower depreciation more thirsty vehicles is just a failure to math.
You forgot the steering wheel shake at 60 MPH. Lol! We bought a lease turn in 2019 TRD ORP with 23K and put on new BFG's and a battery and moved cross country the next day. That was almost 3 years ago and now have 104K on it and no issues.
Haha funny you mention that. I also made a 5 year old / 60k mile video review of how well this 4Runner has held up. And while filming that and driving out into the country for the driving portion and 0-60 on GPS I did experience some steering wheel shake. But I had just assumed it was due to the road quality. But maybe it wasn’t lol. 😂 Still I love these 5th gen’s and I’m glad you’re enjoying yours!! Thanks for watching.
I totally get it!! This one was super fun to drive, and really felt a lot like my old FJ. But for the reasons I mentioned I don’t think I can get one either. Hopefully the next gen fixes these issues and is within our budgets!! 😉
OBW is the better vehicle. I've driven the 2024 OBW several times and owned a 2018 4Runner until recently. OBW is light years ahead for road manners and mpg.
May I suggest doing a video comparing driving impressions of a KDSS and non KDSS 4R back to back? Its a hot topic on the forums and there's already plenty of videos of them on ramps with measurements and details etc. I think a video that compares just the actual driving experience on road and light off road for a typical driver would be popular. Even though the 5th gen is no longer made people will be buying/selling them for decades to come so it would help many.
That’s a great idea, and I’d love to do that. My main limitation is I don’t have a good Toyota dealership connection yet at least one that I care to promote due to the business practices they have. But I’ll keep that video in mind if the opportunity shows itself!
Another comment... in terms of the frontal crash rating, it says to only compare to cars of similar size and weight. I could be wrong, but I'm assuming they mean that a bigger car has a natural advantage. And I mean the 4Runner is pretty big. If a 4Runner and a sedan get into a head-on collision, I'd rather be in a 4Runner and it kinda seems like that's the official sentiment too lol
My only complaint with my new 24 SR5 4Runner is the slight steering wheel vibration at 50-60 mph. I test drove 3 others and they all had something similar in vibration. But other than that it is a great vehicle.
That’s awesome, I’m sure you’re going to enjoy that thing for a long time! Any idea why so many people are reporting that vibration? Before making this video I had been going back and forth on really wanting a 24 4R, but with my hyper sensitivity to it needing to perform well in crash tests I’ll likely just wait for the new gen or the Land Cruiser depending on how well they fare. 🤦♂️😅
Could be the kind of brand tires you have. I have a BF good rich all-terrain that’sasted well over a few years and I am pretty rough driving 80+ if you have regular street tires on this truck, that could be the issue.
Make sure that if you bought it new, you check the PSI on the tires. Mine shipped with nearly 40 PSI in the tires, and they say you should have it set to 32 PSI (cold). They have to put more air in them initially when they transport the vehicle.
2015 LTD Here- average 18mpg. 204k miles. Drives the same as it did when I drove it off the lot new. I'd be willing to bet the MPG for the 6th gen will not be much better, if at all. These turbos are all being used to hit emission standards, and not for MPG improvement per se. It's comical you are complaining about the hoses on the engine, given that the 6th gen engine looks like one of Clark Griswolds balls of imported Italian twinkle lights.
That’s awesome, thanks for adding your experiences! While I haven’t seen the 2.4t under the hood in person yet, from what I can tell in videos it looks to have a much smaller foot print within the engine bay. More room to work is always better. But in the case of the 4.0, what is there to ever need working on? Lol. So at least if it’s going to be a more dynamic/complex engine at least there’s also more room under the hood. 😅
Though I loved my ‘22 Limited model the gas guzzling & sluggish performance had me trading for a Hybrid vehicle. Sometimes you just gotta know when to let go but I still like the Toyota brand.Past 30 yrs I’ve owned nothing but Hondas ,Toyotas & 2 Subarus.
I totally get that! I’m glad you were able to own one before moving on to something more reasonable. I also sold my FJ because of the gas mileage, at the time with work I had started to drive 700-1,000 miles a week so after 6 weeks of that it was gone lol. Still miss it sometimes, but as you said you need to know when to let go lol. 😢🤪
Considering 4 runners for years but mpg and frame rust is my concern. I didn't know about the safety issue that you appointed out. Which one would you recommend as alternative. Thanks.
Yeah, the bad safety rating is my number one reason for why I don’t think it’s worth owning one. Because I really would love another Toyota truck. Not necessarily because they’re good to drive but because they’re cool, fairly durable, and keep their value lol. You basically know what you’re getting with few surprises. Honestly, I don’t know what to tell you. To my understanding having watched a lot of crash test videos most body on frame vehicles are not actually as safe or hold up as well in accidents as one might ignorantly assume. The safest vehicles seem to be unibody construction but in general those don’t hold their value as well and are less of road capable compared to a rugged body on frame design. It’s not necessarily the cool brand but I now drive a lot of Subarus because they’re way safer, AWD and low center of gravity is noticeable better than Toyota 4x4 in snow, they’re also much cheaper, and get 30mpg. But a few other vehicles I think are neat are the Honda Passport and Tesla Model Y. But again those aren’t rugged off roaders. 🤷♂️😅
I'm sorry but Rodents? Theyre an issue for every vehicle. Just had some squirrels eat my coworkers Hyundai and went on overlanding trip where they decided the only Jeep in the group was the tastiest of the bunch.
Oh gosh haha. I mentioned that because the 4Runner group is literally the only group I follow that I hear about rodent issues being a mildly common issue to develop compared to the extremely one off case on other platforms. For example, I think those posts I shared were all within the last few weeks from what I recall when I put this video together haha. 😅
Toyota could have improved this platform more than they had over the generational run and it’s really a shame they didn’t. From the factory coat the frame better, use a different wire supplier or develop another product of manufactured in house, retune the PCM for slightly more power and MPG, figure out the steering wheel wobble these can get at 60mph, etc. I know the crash test worthiness will likely be much better on the 6th gen, but if they knew it was a “marginal” crash test rating in 2010 why didn’t they add more safety features as standard earlier to help decrease risk for accidents. 🤦♂️ Toyota, I hope you’re listening.
Haha, I really want one. But it would have to be a 6th gen if those appear to be more reliable than the Tacoma transmissions and Tundra engines have shown to be…😅
It’s not for everybody, but those who like them, don’t care about what others think or say. Modify what you need to, and adapt to the rest. I’ve had five, and I don’t regret any of them. 👍🤪🏳️🌈
Well said! The only thing I can’t get past are the crash test results. If it wasn’t for that I’d probably hurry and find a new ORP before it’s too late, lol. 😅
Driving characteristic nature of this 4Runner is top notch, given it has KDSS, it's way superior over the TRD Pro, KDSS is used in LC Prado/ GX460 old Truck platforms as this it's superb technology. The handling is really good it's leagues better than BMW X4, KIA Telluride SX X line, Mazda CX50, RAV4 (drove all of them) because it has Hydraulic steering the precision is really superb it's literally a non NPC car. As for Soy cables, it's industry standard literally every single car made in 2024 has the same thing. That's due to EPA, same reason why modern paint is garbage due to VOC BS. Frame rust is legit but that's how body on frame SUVs are. MPG is already known to every owner when buying a big engine, if this is an issue why do people get Lexus V8 engines ? Same reason the 1GR-FE is solid along with A750E Aisin. People bitch and moan about AA80E in the RC F and that's a tank like transmission which shifts super fast when using S+ Manual mode. These old school Aisin Trans are built solid, the engine is under stressed way more headroom which is why this thing lasts for decades.
Those are not flaws, those are just facts that people pretty much know when they buy it. Flaws would be engine failure, transmission slips, wiring gone bad, anything that leads to functional problems. Poor milage - you know what you buying, it’s not a flaw, it’s how it is built. If you don’t have money for gas, then you probably should not buy a 50K car. Other “flaws” are of the same nature, not flaws, just facts. Rust?- not worse than any other, rodent/wiring - common issue for all, 5speed tranny - but it’s the most reliable, need a faster shift get a Camaro, at least that’s what I did. It’s a heavy TRUCK. But… the title of your video, although incorrect, made me click it and watch it. But sorry, no “like “. Owner of 3 4Runners - 10, 16, 24 and wish they never changed anything internally… may be just a modernize a bit it’s looks
Finally. Someone speaks the truth on these. I feel bad for anybody overpaying on these. These are the worst driving vehicles on road. Especially highest. They are amazing off road though. If one doesn’t plan on going off road weekly, then this isn’t for you. If you drive a lot on the highway, this isn’t for you.
Haha someone had to say it. But as mentioned in the video, part of the reason I finally made this video is because I want one, but these issues are too legit for me. And finding a PRO trim level with an HT tire pushed me over the edge haha. 🤪 Thanks for watching!
Worst driving vehicles on the road? You mean the ones that have auto Lane assist when people are zigzagging all over in their lane? Like the ones on the phone and constantly having to use their auto braking when there’s no cars in front of them? MAN GET OUT THE WAY FOR OF US THAT CAN DRIVE. 😂 8 years trouble free on mine on the highway daily. Don’t make excuses because you can’t drive.
Appreciate your review but on my 2nd one it’s the best vehicle on the road. Not built for mpg built to last….refreshing drivetrains is what is ruining vehicles……
Thanks, I appreciate you giving it a watch! I’m seriously so torn, I’m pretty sure these are the most reliable body on frame vehicle that can be bought in 2024, and if it wasn’t for the “marginal” crash test ratings I would go out and buy one tomorrow. Enjoy yours for me!! 😅
I own a 2023 40th year and love the old school qualitiy, materials and simple reliabity. all of the new toyota models are using cheaper componants and materials and the turbo 4 banger will no way be as reliable as these rigs. from new i had the undercarige waxyol treatment by the dealership.love it!!-watch the care care nut on youtube about these new 4 cylinder turbo motors-not good
That sounds like such a sweet ride! They only made 4,040 of those right? I’ve seen 1-2 in person, very cool. It’s a shame these didn’t come sprayed from the factory, especially since Toyota had to replace all those frames back in the day lol. I’ll have to check out his video on the 2.4! I seriously loved these 5th gens, but I needed to make this video to talk me out of one and hold me accountable haha.
I don’t understand? Are you reviewing a 2024 or a 2019? You show a 2019 and this is just click bait. I have a 2024 4Runner Limited and think it’s a great vehicle and could not care less about the list.
This is affecting all the 5th gen’s, 2024 included. The purpose of this video is to be educational to the common concerns and reasons why people sell their 4Runner. Title currently includes 2024 so that fewer current 5th gen shoppers and investigators are less likely to miss these substantial issues.
Everything has flaws. But the 4Runner has very little to those who appreciate and have an eye for its simplicity and reliability. The 4Runner is an absolute stud and legend in styling, functionality, long term reliability and performance. I find it funny how people complain about MPG when you can easily get 22-23 MPG on the highway in a 4Runner. Furthermore, the manufacturers switching to 4 and 6 cylinder turbos are not doing that much better in MPG. Look at the new Chevy Colorado with its 4 banger turbo. F@cker only gets 16 MPG and it’s a much lighter vehicle than the 4Runner. The new Tundra with its V6 turbo averages about 19 MPG. WTH are we talking about here people?!
You’re right! I hope it was evident in my video I love this platform, but for the reasons mentioned I remind myself why I can’t own one with my priorities to safety and on road manners where most of my traveling is 80mph interstate speed. To everyone that has one, I’m trying to live vicariously lol.
@@AutomotiveAnonymous208 Yeah, I get what you're saying. It's all good. These videos make me laugh though. The 5th Gen 4Runner is using a 14 year old drivetrain. And given all of today's modernizations, it still holds its own. It was never designed for speed or to be high techy. However, it will do everything a person needs and then some. If someone needs the latest and greatest in new car tech, then no, the 4Runner isn't for them. I liken those people to the one's who camp in line outside the Apple Store when the newest iPhone is released. If you want to go zero to sixty in under 6 seconds, then no, the 4Runner is not for them. And to reiterate what I said previously, despite the fact that the 5th Gen drivetrain is 14 years old and can still get 20 to 22 MPG on the Interstate proves that Toyota was ahead of its time when they designed and engineered the 5th Gen 4Runner. Especially when you realize that the new turbo powered trucks and SUV's are not getting that much better in MPG. So the new reality is that auto manufacturers have dumped the naturally aspirated V6 and V8 engines for smaller turbo powered V4's and V6's. Everyone knows that turbos are more expensive to maintain and repair and don't last as long. The other thing people don't realize about turbo engines is they require higher octane gasoline which is more expensive than regular unleaded. Maybe in five to ten years that will all be proven wrong. We'll see. For now, I'm staying with old school reliability and functionality.
I appreciate you guys watching and sharing your thoughts! I honestly am having to talk myself out of buying this one or a 24 ORP, lol. I love this platform despite its issues. And I use to own a FJ and a second and third gen Tacoma. But I can’t get around safety, it’s inexcusable that the front passenger is a 3 star crash rating at only what like a 35-40mph test. I don’t want to put myself and passengers lives at risk in even only a moderately severe crash just because Toyotas most reliable SUV isn’t also designed with much safety in mind. The 4Runner is great at what it was designed for, but I practice physical therapy as my day job and I’ve seen too many people messed up from accidents in unsafe vehicles…🤷♂️😢
So what do you prefer in an SUV over the 4Runner. I recently looked at all of them. I would simply not own any of them past the full factory bumper to bumper warranty. Every one of those turkeys with the 4cyl turbo and 8/9/10 speed transmissions or the rubber band CVT are designed, built and modified for the EPA not consumers. Well some input is from Soccer moms who live on a cellphone further decreasing reliability with a pile of crappy electronics. We have unprecedented Toyota engine recalls over 100K models all downsized turbos. We have class action lawsuits of Honda 9 speed transmissions with both 9/10 still having problems. Most have eliminated first gear for starting from stops making stop/go traffic a nightmare and other such "fixes". Piles of electronic junk increasing prices, complexity and making the vehicles impossible to DIY or have anything but a dealer work on it. Most new models dealer mechanics are learning on your vehicle. The largest safety factor by far is the drivers awareness and ability to correctly adapt to situations. All the "safety" crap is assuming most people fail at the driver awareness which is true. Most people are playing with their cellphone, eating, putting makeup on, messing with children, drunk/drugs etc etc. Few were taught how to drive defensively. Even fewer trained how to properly drive in rain or snow/ice or what to do if the vehicle starts to lose control. They simply slam on the brakes or crash into things.
Those are all good points and I don’t have an answer for you. I don’t know that any modern SUV is as likely to be as reliable in the long run as the average 4Runner. I would own one in a heartbeat if they had better passenger protection on the crash testing. I still periodically go back and forth on this haha.
Absolutely! I hope the 6th gen turns out to be almost as reliable as these 5th gen’s have proven to be. I’d love to buy one if they have at least half decent crash test results. 🤩
Btw, dealers are adding 10k adjustments to TRD PRO 4runners in SoCal. Screw toyota for trying to jam people who really would like to own a 5th gen TRD PRO 4runner
Yeah, that’s absurd. At that price point it was almost be stupid to not just buy a clean example for under 40k like the one I demo’d in this video. Otherwise just buy the new Land Cruiser 1958 if you’re going to spend 65k. 🤦♂️😅
Once again, your first comment is, poor gas mileage.I suggest, you are a poor driver. I've written, a number of times, that Americans are born with an overactive speed gene. I bought a new off road, premium, 4 runner, last January. I drive mostly freeway, and some country roads, twice a week.These journeys average 80 miles, round trip. Yes, if most of your driving is around town, expect poorer gas mileage but, that is not the reason people buy the 4runner, they buy it for its reliability. I'm usually the last driver on any stretch of road and, I usually drive 5 mph over the posted speed limit. I always average, 22.3 or 22.6 mpg. If you would just raise your right foot, and drive sensibly, you would get better gas mileage. However, typically, it's usually pickup drivers on UA-cam, debating gas mileage. Most pickup drivers I see, are all driving at 80 mph? If American drivers want to drive fast, buy a sports car, if you want good, reliable transportation with known reliability, buy a 4runner.
I can just about look past it’s bad MPG knowing you’ll make up the cost in lack of repairs and resale someday. But I can’t get past the bad crash test results. Big and bold looking unfortunately doesn’t translate to good passenger safety and competent designed crumple zones.
Nope. Legitimate concerns. Especially the bad crashworthiness and MPG. If Toyota builds the new generation to better protect its occupants like it has the 3rd gen Tundra and 4th gen Taco I’ll probably buy one. I do physical therapy as my day job and I’ve worked with way too many car accident patients to be willfully arrogant enough to drive something I know won’t protect the people I care about if the unthinkable happens.
As a 4R owner all the observations made in this video are very on point and I agree. I still love my 4R. There's nothing wrong with being real about the 4R flaws.
Haha thanks for the support and being realistic. No vehicle is perfect, but these are very good at what they’re good at. I’m considering a 6th gen since I’m assuming they’ll be a top safety pick like the 4th gen Tacoma. I still wish I never sold my supercharged, lifted, body armor and winched FJ cruiser about 7 years ago. I’m pretty sure to buy it back today at the 93k miles it had would now cost over twice as much or even as much as a new 4Runner, lol.
It also has the skid plate, but what else is it missing? In this video I didn’t do a good job of showing the suspension. That might be more noticeable in another video of this 4Runner that I’ll post soon. I didn’t question it being a PRO. 🤷♂️🤪
The air filter is different for the PRO ,radiator cap is different and the muffler sticks out on the right side behind the mudflap that's what its visible from the video so far ..it's probably the ORP trim with few mods to look like a PRO..definitely not a PRO ..
That’s a good one!! Others have also mentioned peppermint oils to deter them. I drive past a lot of farm land so the rodents could be a legit concern and why that made it onto my list lol.
@@AutomotiveAnonymous208 I used them over 20 years ago in a Volkswagen with similar vegetable products in the manufacturing. Though I have heard they recently change the formula to make them less toxic. I think peppermint oil would smell better.
Can’t compare to a jeep or ford bronco raptor. Jeep quality is complete garbage. Ford bronco raptor at 90k and still has issues with quality. I’ll take a 4Runner any day of the week
I bet, that’s a sweet ride! I loved having the supercharger. But compared to other systems for the price per horsepower gain it’s hard to justify on this platform. 😢
@AutomotiveAnonymous208 it is very expensive, but the trade off is that it's best in class reliability and resell value. Those are big reasons that offset any negatives.
I’m sorry, if I sounded a certain way when filming this I do apologize for that, that wasn’t my intent. But based off of my own experiences with this type of platform and what many owners talk about on the forums I think these are very relevant concerns that do deter some people away from the platform. I really miss the 3 Tacomas/FJ I had, but to be honest none of them were fantastic daily drivers. That all paired with now understanding how poorly they hold up in crashes is why idk when I would next own another. Especially where it seems that Toyota isn’t doing a fantastic job of engineering modern competent engines to also be reliable as can be found on the Tacoma/Tundra forums. 😬 I legitimately did in part make this video to hold me accountable to not buy this specific 4Runner or any other 5th gen. 😅
I really enjoyed my 2nd and 3rd Gen Taco and that FJ, but with all the driving I do and my obsession with driving a safe vehicle the Subaru definitely makes more sense. It also does drastically better in the snow and ice than any of those 4x4 Toyota’s. But these 4Rs are definitely tempting, lol.
Haha no, not at all. If I made a video like this about the Wrangler it would be much worse. But I’ve never owned a Jeep, only driven them so I don’t have as much hands on experience with that platform to be a first person experienced reliable source of information beyond what I read on the forums.
I had a 2018 TRD Off Road for 6.5 years. Averaged 17-18mpg. Terrible fuel economy for the vehicle size. Too-soft suspension made it wallow all over the place going down the road. Nose dived to China when braking. Very prone to front-end tire wobble on the highway. Fantastic off road vehicle but poor choice for daily driving.
That’s all great insight!! I’m really hoping the 6th gen is a top safety pick and also improves most of those other issues you mentioned. I have to ask, in those 6.5 years did you ever use your locker for anything? I think I only engaged my FJs once or twice just for fun but it wasn’t actually needed. But that’s only because I can’t afford to put an expensive vehicle in an extreme position. 😅
Same plant manufacturing for over 14
+ years ( this generation) by the same Japanese workers, same supply chain. All this equals no variation to the suv . Literally the most reliable vehicle on the road. Year after year.
Yeah, there’s no question this is probably the most reliable vehicle in the U.S. market for 2024! I hope the next generation doesn’t disappoint and has improved safety because then I’ll consider coming back to Toyota.
@@AutomotiveAnonymous208Personally I think Toyota made a mistake going with a 4 cylinder turbos in the 4 runner and Land Cruiser. No one asked for that. Going that route will cause many to change brands or hold on to the old school Toyotas. Longevity with the power plant remains to be seen . Never seen any turbo motor outlast conventional.
Same weaknesses for 14 years too.
Oh man. One of the most reliable suvs on the road. We just got a 2024 4Runner. We love it. We currently also have a 2016 jku and I can’t wait to sell in and get a 3rd gen Tacoma because of the motor and reliability.
I have a 23 pro. I strictly drive the speed limit. 60-65mph I see 21-23 mpg.
What a cool ride!! That MPG isn’t half bad. Our local interstates which are the smoothest and most direct way to travel are 80mph. I miss my old Fj but getting at best 15MPG during the summer got old fast haha.
@@AutomotiveAnonymous208Jesus, what state has 80mph freeway that’s crazy
I agree. My 23 5th gen regularly exceeds 23mpg if I'm gentle with it. Power delivery is more than adequate. Some of these complaints are silly.
Anyone else noticed that if you go 55-75 mpg you're only seeing a difference of 1mpg like 18-19 or 19-20 per gallon. Its as if you wanted to go on the fast lane then slow lane, I'm not noticing a difference anymore. Went 80 at night on a 70 to a different state and would change from the slow lane to fast and some times I realize I would use a bit more going faster and cut my travel time by around 15 percent. Also being somewhat close behind a semi does levitate quite a bit of the work the engine has to do so that just goes to show how boxy this thing is. Some times I tell myself because the limited sit slightly lower to the ground, it would help but not by much.
oh my god, maybe you should just ride a bike. i wouldn't want any other vehicle than a 4runnner. I've had my 2016 4runner trail with kdss since new and have had zero problems. she's my daily driver and my overland vehicle with only 54000km and still looks in showroom condition. you forgot to mention that 4runner's are built in Japan along side lexus, i really don't think one of the best, if not the best factory in the world is going to release a really bad and unsafe vehicle, and with there high resale value, you'll be pressed to find an equal.
I’m really glad you’re enjoying yours! And the Trail trim level was cool. These are definitely one of the longest lasting vehicles ever made. And I’m thrilled to hear the 6G will also be assembled in Japan, because I may be buying the new one soon if it’s higher than a 4 star crash test rating. I work physical therapy as my day job so I see patient who are crippled by car accidents. I know that puts me on the biased extreme of the spectrum for being hyper sensitive to a safe vehicle. But in a moderately bad accident or being hit by a distracted driver, even if you did nothing wrong it might be worth reconsidering bulletproof reliability for walking away or surviving an accident with your family. I appreciate your insight and thanks for watching!!
@@AutomotiveAnonymous208looking to possibly replacing your 2022 OBW???
No, I won’t replace the OBW with this, but it’s tempting, lol. In theory I think a PRO 4R would be really neat, but I basically owned that set up before switching to Subaru and ultimately know that it’s not the right vehicle for me. With that said I am excited to see what the 7th Gen Outback looks like, as well as the Subaru Hybrid system. But if it doesn’t “speak to me” then I might consider going back to a body on frame Toyota, just for a change. If it checks all the boxes and isn’t astronomically expensive. 🤷♂️😅
I think the UA-cam algorithm broke. Why am I getting recommended a video by someone who prefers a Subaru over a 4Runner? 😂
@@sevendewey It's because of people like me who cross shopped and researched these vehicles.
I’ve got a ‘24 4 runner …at 60 mph and under you will achieve 20 plus mpg …it’s not an issue
That’s awesome!! I have heard of a few one off cases of people even getting 21-22mpg at highway speeds.
Its an issue. Who actually goes 60mph. Most people these days doing 70-80.
At least in my area all the interstates are 80MPH, and with tons of semis you really don’t want to be going slower and being passed by them. 😬
My 23 4Runner with 2.5" lift and Falken Wildpeak AT tires, I get 15.5 mpg city and 19.9 mpg highway.
I average around 22mpg per fill up. Mostly highway.
$38K for the TRD Pro is a steal! If I didn't just buy a new 2024 TRD ORP I'd jump at this (assuming the dealer would ship it to me). Someone local should grab this!
Yeah, absolutely! I also made a more in depth walk around and driving review of this to show how well it’s held up after 5 years / 60k miles. It is extremely clean, and the dealer (who’s very reputable) actually said the priced it to be a few grand less than the next cheapest one in the area and while having over 10k less miles than the next one. They do ship all over the country, I’m not sure what that would cost, but whoever gets this is getting a nice example! That is if the mice don’t get to it first, lol. 😉🤪
This is older than a 2020.....no front cam or tss
@@jimchauvin7958 Dealer link says it’s a 2019
You know what youre buying so be happy with it. Stop fretting and just enjoy what you have. Complaining will not change anything.
Very true! The most important concern that I hope more people will be made aware of is just that these are not safe vehicles, despite still being the currently sold iteration of this Toyota SUV. If you care about your families safety you should probably pick something else. Which sucks, because these are so cool. 😥
@@AutomotiveAnonymous208 give me a couple ideas of what you’re thinking for picks other than this vehicle
@@AutomotiveAnonymous208When I told my insurance company which car I had bought, 4runner, the agent said, congratulations, you've bought one of the safest, strongest built cars?
I researched this vehicle for a year and I know thee well. Good and bad. I got mine this weekend and love it. Wouldn't exchange it for any of the new toyotas. Old tech/little tech is just fine with me. I got the same color on my TRD Pro. Fluid Film will prevent rust.
The complaints are so unnecessary . This is a reliable vehicle .I own a 2023 and have no problems.
The 4Runner has always been an acquired taste--a cult classic--representing the ultimate synthesis of hyper reliability, off road chops and road manners (hey, it's better than a Wrangler). It would be a mistake to sanitize it for more mainstream appeal... I mean they sell like hotcakes as is. But more importantly, no one needs a 4Runner. If safety (4/5 overall is still good?), tech, mpgs and power are what you are after there's like 20 other unibody CUVs that fit the bill, some of which even have the off-roader aesthetics (Wilderness series, new Trailsport, etc). People who love and many who buy 4Runners just don't care about that stuff
Great video. Nice to hear the negatives on this vehicle and not always the praises. No doubt these are great build vehicles but many owners are just shocked at what they actually bought hence why there are so many on the used market.
Thanks, I appreciate you sharing your thoughts on this topic! I film a lot of new Subaru for review videos and it’s pretty funny how many used 4Runners the specific dealership gets. I’d love to own another vehicle like the one I borrowed for this video, but those reasons (especially the lack of crash worthiness) are decent concerns, IMO. Thanks for watching!! 🙂
I liked your honest and detailed review. Thanks
Thanks, I’m glad you liked it! It’s of course only my opinion.
Great information ! I bought a 23 4Runner and so far I am pretty happy with the vehicle , I don't expect the 4Runner to have great gas mileage but what do you expect it's a heavy suv and as far as safety goes if it's your time to leave this earth so be it . The 4Runner has so far been really reliable and comfortable .
Thanks! You have the right mind ownership mind set. These are amazing at what they’re designed to do, which isn’t everything. I’m glad you’re enjoying your 23. I seriously miss my old supercharged 4.0 FJ haha.
@@AutomotiveAnonymous208 I bet you are, the FJ Cruisers are demanding ridiculous prices even in crappie shape.
I sold mine just over 7 years ago. It was the 5 speed auto unfortunately but with locker, body armor, winch, lift/level, 33’s on methods and the blower I sold it for $16.5 with 93k miles. Haha. 😢 I needed better MPG so I ordered a new 17 Tacoma AC 2.7 5 speed. I’m pretty sure to buy back the same FJ would now cost twice what I sold it for. 😅🤷♂️
Our second car is a 2014 Camry Hybrid and I can attest to the rodents chewing up the wires. Dip qtips in peppermint oil and put in the open areas in the hood frame. That will keep them away. We also put one in the cabin and had screen installed to prevent them from entering into the cabin area. I'm not positive, but I think they may have resolved that issue.
Oh man, I hope you don’t have first had experience with rodents! But thanks for sharing that tip!!
@@AutomotiveAnonymous208 We did, but fortunately we only had to replace coil wires. Still cost us a few hundred. My brother they got into the wiring harness on his Highlander. The one thing they pointed out at the dealer is that his comprehensive on his auto policy might cover it. Sure enough it did. Out of pocket was $500 for the deductible. The bill was over $2,300 for the repair. Information that is good to know.
Your gripes with this vehicle are really a stretch. Mice / chipmunks will chew through most engine bay wiring should they get the chance ($2200 for my neighbour’s Honda Odyssey). Not sure why this particular vehicle is getting such poor MPG, but my ‘22 modified (roof top tent, full RCI steel skid plates, 285/70s C load AT tires, 2.5” lift kit, C4 bumper and Warn 10s winch, interior molle panels, fridge and 65 lbs power station) gets 12 L / 100 kms hwy (19.6 mpg) and 15 L / 100kms (15.7 mpg) city … and the added weight is about 350 lbs. My modified suspension actually makes it drive better on the road, more confident then stock and doesn’t beat me up even with C load tires (actually very smooth and enjoyable). To get better usable power (vs more power) I have the OTT engine / transmission tune. Shifting is much better / smoother, less laggy off the line performance (I have the mild version of the tune), and it has improved my mpg especially when using cruise control (less downshifting on mild grades). Crash test ratings are par for the course for this type of vehicle, as I believe Jeeps are worse. Thankfully for the handful of people that have major accidents where the 4Runner has been totalled walked away with only minor injuries to none.
Where I do think there are some shortcomings are with placement of the window controls, slightly exposing it to rain with windows open or door open. Theft prevention needs to be improved from Toyota (which is a testimony to the durability causing a desire for them overseas), mine is modified so thief’s only option is tow it. I wish the driver’s side had a pillar handle to help get in (especially after lifting it). I hate the tail lights, too clear … prefer a more smoked look.
Great insight, I really appreciate you sharing your build and your experiences/perspective of it! I’ve never heard of US 4Runners being stolen on the forums, I wonder if the security system is different on these ones. However Kia/Hyundai and the Hellcat powered cars are stolen at an unbelievably high rate compared to the average car. 😬
This really isn't an SUV it's technically a truck with a cap. It's a heavy vehicle. People don't buy these for the fuel economy!
I don't think you can really call it a "truck" when the payload is only 835 lbs. It's built on a truck frame, but that's about it.
@@Monkeyseemonkey79 there are still 4 cyl pick up trucks with less HP in case you forgot. Ranger? 😂 Just because this has lower HP doesn’t discount it not being a truck
@@Anomize23 I never mentioned HP... So I have no idea what your point is 🤷♀️
@@Monkeyseemonkey79 you got dementia? You talked about pay load too😂
@@Anomize23Again, I only discussed payload. If you want to talk HP... Ok, a Honda Ridgeline has the same HP as a 4Runner yet almost double the payload. So the "pickup truck that isn't a pickup truck" has more payload than the "truck" 4Runner.
I had a 23 Pro. Mostly valid points. The gas mileage truly sucks. It's possible to get decent (18-20) if you're cruising at 55 mpg on flat ground, but stop-and-go or 80mph and you're commonly getting 12-15. The 5 speed is fine below 60mph, but forget about driving higher speeds on the interstate. Any hill you'll need to downshift to 4th and be at like 4K rpm. Not very pleasant or economical over a long drive. Also, one thing you didn't mention is the AC isn't that great. It's the first I noticed in a hot climate. The condenser gets heat soaked like a MF and takes a lot to get cold again after being parked for a while. Love the design, love the 4.0, built like a tank, very comfortable, but not the best DD.
That sounded past tense, if you sold it do you mind sharing why? Oh man 12-15 sounds awful lol. Most of my driving is 80mph interstate, which that paired with the safety concern is why I don’t own one of these, despite really wanting one. I will say I miss my Supercharged FJ, it didn’t have to downshift quite as often, and when it did it sounded good. But at interstate speeds I remember being able to hear the supercharger whining just while at RPM in cruise control, it was sad haha. The first time I took it on a long interstate road trip the gas gauge dropped so fast I remember looking around the vehicle for a literally fuel line or tank leak haha.
@@AutomotiveAnonymous208 The superchargers are nice. Love the whine! I had a TRD supercharger on my first gen Tacoma and enjoyed it. I did sell the 4R after about 6 months. I liked it a lot; just not enough to justify the cost. Yeah, it sucks getting TRX mpgs with none of the power to show for it. The dealer I bought it from was willing to buy it back for what I paid for it. Paid 20k less for a new TRDOR Tacoma.
Greatest truck on the planet! If you drive less than 4K a year. Those who say fuel economy isn't a issue are lying to themselves. I was paying like $80 a week just running errands.
Yeah, for sure lol. When I sold my FJ I was starting to drive 30k a year. It didn’t take me long to figure out that it wasn’t going to work out haha.
No you weren't.
Its easy to plan paying 80 a week vs the surprise visit at the shop though 🤷♂️Had mine 8 years trouble free.
I bought a 2024 SR5 premium and I do not regret it one bit. Yes does not have all the Gizmos but I don’t care.
Old school is cool.
SR5 Premium is a sweet trim level. You get all the basics and heated front seats. A TRD OR would be cool for the locker. But if we’re being honest I doubt 98% of 4Runners are taken off road to the extreme of needing a locker until they’re 20 years old and driven hard off road by their 3rd-4th owner. Congrats and thanks for watching!!
I got the SR5 a couple days ago. Old school cool. No gimmicks. Couldn’t be happier.
The 4Runner cup is half full for me! It's Uber reliable and meets my needs. 20 mpg hwy is plenty good for an SUV.
I totally get that!! The reason I sold my moderately built FJ was with work I had been traveling up to 1,000 miles a week for a while and
@@AutomotiveAnonymous208 totally understandable. Appreciate your videos and perspectives.
Gas mileage isn't that bad. My 5th gen regularly gets over 20mpg at fill ups and I often see over 23mpg on the highway if I don't get too roudy. Also... the power delivery is just fine. Mine is very spunky and I have absolutely no complaints about its performance off the line, or the transmission either. A lot of these complaints are just silly and exaggerated. I love my 4runner and think it's one of the best cars/trucks ever built. I have ZERO regrets.
I’m glad to hear that! What kind of mpg do you get going 80mph interstate speed?
Ironic you made this video after my comment the other day. Really love this vehicle and trying to decide if I get the last of this gen after selling my 21 at peak. But, many of your points are valid and it seems reliability is my number 1 factor for getting another. But, there are many compromises that come along with that. The drivetrain at my altitude of 7k and driving up in the Rockies and high speed on the highway it really gets tiring to drive. I still have a 13 Tundra which covers most of what I need for off road and work. I am really curious to see the next gen Outback as a daily from the few things I've heard. Might be the better daily/soft roader while the Tundra takes care of the rest. Thanks for the great vid!
Yeah, lol!! I think I responded to your comment and mentioned I had this video and also a 60k mile review of this used TRD PRO. I understand where you’re coming from. Reliability and capabilities really puts this vehicle as one of the best that you can buy. I just wish it didn’t have such extreme trade offs. At least the safety and MPG that just make this tough to justify. I’m really starting to consider the 6th gen if those concerns are taken care of, which I think they will be. But then will the 2.4T/8speed be just as reliable? Idk. But at least it’s probably easier to work on since that engine is physically so much smaller in the engine bay. 🤷♂️🤪
Great video with detailed explanation of the 4runner main issues.
Thanks! They’re definitely one of the best vehicles currently made for a lot of reasons, but not without their old school body on frame issues and compromises. Regardless I want one but shouldn’t own one haha. 🤪
One of my only complaints is the lack of actual recovery hooks on the front-end. Love my 5th gen in every way, but no front recovery hooks is almost unforgivable.
That is strange that Toyota wouldn’t include those!
I had my 4Runner 3years now no issues Overlanding is the best vehicle for it and your concern about rodents getting in your engine bay not an issue I’ve been to some remote areas in the middle of the woods not a problem just in a cold winter if you arrive at camp always pop your hood open to allow heat to escape this will allow them from getting in your engine
That’s awesome, thanks for sharing your experiences and what you recommend doing!
I think people need to math better.
The difference between a 25mpg and a 18mpg vehicle driving 10,000 miles is like $500. The bigger expensive is depreciation. Which the 4runner just doesn't. They're worth almost as much used as they are new. So people buying higher depreciation fuel efficient vehicles rather than lower depreciation more thirsty vehicles is just a failure to math.
You forgot the steering wheel shake at 60 MPH. Lol! We bought a lease turn in 2019 TRD ORP with 23K and put on new BFG's and a battery and moved cross country the next day. That was almost 3 years ago and now have 104K on it and no issues.
Haha funny you mention that. I also made a 5 year old / 60k mile video review of how well this 4Runner has held up. And while filming that and driving out into the country for the driving portion and 0-60 on GPS I did experience some steering wheel shake. But I had just assumed it was due to the road quality. But maybe it wasn’t lol. 😂 Still I love these 5th gen’s and I’m glad you’re enjoying yours!! Thanks for watching.
I own a '23 OBW, but the 4Runner has always been on my "really want" list... just always been out of the budget. :)
I totally get it!! This one was super fun to drive, and really felt a lot like my old FJ. But for the reasons I mentioned I don’t think I can get one either. Hopefully the next gen fixes these issues and is within our budgets!! 😉
OBW is the better vehicle. I've driven the 2024 OBW several times and owned a 2018 4Runner until recently. OBW is light years ahead for road manners and mpg.
May I suggest doing a video comparing driving impressions of a KDSS and non KDSS 4R back to back? Its a hot topic on the forums and there's already plenty of videos of them on ramps with measurements and details etc. I think a video that compares just the actual driving experience on road and light off road for a typical driver would be popular. Even though the 5th gen is no longer made people will be buying/selling them for decades to come so it would help many.
That’s a great idea, and I’d love to do that. My main limitation is I don’t have a good Toyota dealership connection yet at least one that I care to promote due to the business practices they have. But I’ll keep that video in mind if the opportunity shows itself!
Certainly KDSS is better to have. It's a $1,700 option which is far better than TRD wheels which cost the same or more.
Love mine! Trust it 💯. Don’t trust my Subaru Outback Wilderness
Another comment... in terms of the frontal crash rating, it says to only compare to cars of similar size and weight. I could be wrong, but I'm assuming they mean that a bigger car has a natural advantage. And I mean the 4Runner is pretty big. If a 4Runner and a sedan get into a head-on collision, I'd rather be in a 4Runner and it kinda seems like that's the official sentiment too lol
My only complaint with my new 24 SR5 4Runner is the slight steering wheel vibration at 50-60 mph. I test drove 3 others and they all had something similar in vibration. But other than that it is a great vehicle.
That’s awesome, I’m sure you’re going to enjoy that thing for a long time! Any idea why so many people are reporting that vibration? Before making this video I had been going back and forth on really wanting a 24 4R, but with my hyper sensitivity to it needing to perform well in crash tests I’ll likely just wait for the new gen or the Land Cruiser depending on how well they fare. 🤦♂️😅
Could be the kind of brand tires you have. I have a BF good rich all-terrain that’sasted well over a few years and I am pretty rough driving 80+ if you have regular street tires on this truck, that could be the issue.
Make sure that if you bought it new, you check the PSI on the tires. Mine shipped with nearly 40 PSI in the tires, and they say you should have it set to 32 PSI (cold). They have to put more air in them initially when they transport the vehicle.
2015 LTD Here- average 18mpg. 204k miles. Drives the same as it did when I drove it off the lot new. I'd be willing to bet the MPG for the 6th gen will not be much better, if at all. These turbos are all being used to hit emission standards, and not for MPG improvement per se. It's comical you are complaining about the hoses on the engine, given that the 6th gen engine looks like one of Clark Griswolds balls of imported Italian twinkle lights.
That’s awesome, thanks for adding your experiences! While I haven’t seen the 2.4t under the hood in person yet, from what I can tell in videos it looks to have a much smaller foot print within the engine bay. More room to work is always better. But in the case of the 4.0, what is there to ever need working on? Lol. So at least if it’s going to be a more dynamic/complex engine at least there’s also more room under the hood. 😅
Though I loved my ‘22 Limited model the gas guzzling & sluggish performance had me trading for a Hybrid vehicle.
Sometimes you just gotta know when to let go but I still like the Toyota brand.Past 30 yrs I’ve owned nothing but Hondas ,Toyotas & 2 Subarus.
I totally get that! I’m glad you were able to own one before moving on to something more reasonable. I also sold my FJ because of the gas mileage, at the time with work I had started to drive 700-1,000 miles a week so after 6 weeks of that it was gone lol. Still miss it sometimes, but as you said you need to know when to let go lol. 😢🤪
You talked about wiring…..Have you looked at the new Land Cruiser under the hood? Or the 2025 4Runner? I love my 2023 ORP.
No I haven’t, I’m sure they’re chock full of wires lol. 😅
@@AutomotiveAnonymous208 Yeah…and no engine cover at all….makes no sense having no protection.
Considering 4 runners for years but mpg and frame rust is my concern. I didn't know about the safety issue that you appointed out. Which one would you recommend as alternative. Thanks.
Yeah, the bad safety rating is my number one reason for why I don’t think it’s worth owning one. Because I really would love another Toyota truck. Not necessarily because they’re good to drive but because they’re cool, fairly durable, and keep their value lol. You basically know what you’re getting with few surprises.
Honestly, I don’t know what to tell you. To my understanding having watched a lot of crash test videos most body on frame vehicles are not actually as safe or hold up as well in accidents as one might ignorantly assume. The safest vehicles seem to be unibody construction but in general those don’t hold their value as well and are less of road capable compared to a rugged body on frame design.
It’s not necessarily the cool brand but I now drive a lot of Subarus because they’re way safer, AWD and low center of gravity is noticeable better than Toyota 4x4 in snow, they’re also much cheaper, and get 30mpg. But a few other vehicles I think are neat are the Honda Passport and Tesla Model Y. But again those aren’t rugged off roaders. 🤷♂️😅
@@AutomotiveAnonymous208 Thank you.
I'm sorry but Rodents? Theyre an issue for every vehicle. Just had some squirrels eat my coworkers Hyundai and went on overlanding trip where they decided the only Jeep in the group was the tastiest of the bunch.
Oh gosh haha. I mentioned that because the 4Runner group is literally the only group I follow that I hear about rodent issues being a mildly common issue to develop compared to the extremely one off case on other platforms. For example, I think those posts I shared were all within the last few weeks from what I recall when I put this video together haha. 😅
They love these old toyota wiring systems. Shocked they never changed the material after all these years.
Toyota could have improved this platform more than they had over the generational run and it’s really a shame they didn’t. From the factory coat the frame better, use a different wire supplier or develop another product of manufactured in house, retune the PCM for slightly more power and MPG, figure out the steering wheel wobble these can get at 60mph, etc. I know the crash test worthiness will likely be much better on the 6th gen, but if they knew it was a “marginal” crash test rating in 2010 why didn’t they add more safety features as standard earlier to help decrease risk for accidents. 🤦♂️ Toyota, I hope you’re listening.
Get you one!
Haha, I really want one. But it would have to be a 6th gen if those appear to be more reliable than the Tacoma transmissions and Tundra engines have shown to be…😅
It’s not for everybody, but those who like them, don’t care about what others think or say. Modify what you need to, and adapt to the rest. I’ve had five, and I don’t regret any of them. 👍🤪🏳️🌈
Well said! The only thing I can’t get past are the crash test results. If it wasn’t for that I’d probably hurry and find a new ORP before it’s too late, lol. 😅
@@AutomotiveAnonymous208 good point, but I’m too old to care. 🤣
Driving characteristic nature of this 4Runner is top notch, given it has KDSS, it's way superior over the TRD Pro, KDSS is used in LC Prado/ GX460 old Truck platforms as this it's superb technology. The handling is really good it's leagues better than BMW X4, KIA Telluride SX X line, Mazda CX50, RAV4 (drove all of them) because it has Hydraulic steering the precision is really superb it's literally a non NPC car. As for Soy cables, it's industry standard literally every single car made in 2024 has the same thing. That's due to EPA, same reason why modern paint is garbage due to VOC BS. Frame rust is legit but that's how body on frame SUVs are. MPG is already known to every owner when buying a big engine, if this is an issue why do people get Lexus V8 engines ? Same reason the 1GR-FE is solid along with A750E Aisin. People bitch and moan about AA80E in the RC F and that's a tank like transmission which shifts super fast when using S+ Manual mode. These old school Aisin Trans are built solid, the engine is under stressed way more headroom which is why this thing lasts for decades.
my 2019 trd offroad gets 22-23 mpg driving 62mph.......27mpg driving 55mph.....flat freeway driving
That’s amazing!! What does it get going 80mph??
Sound like a Ford ranger driver, 4runners are not for everyone lol
Those are not flaws, those are just facts that people pretty much know when they buy it. Flaws would be engine failure, transmission slips, wiring gone bad, anything that leads to functional problems. Poor milage - you know what you buying, it’s not a flaw, it’s how it is built. If you don’t have money for gas, then you probably should not buy a 50K car. Other “flaws” are of the same nature, not flaws, just facts. Rust?- not worse than any other, rodent/wiring - common issue for all, 5speed tranny - but it’s the most reliable, need a faster shift get a Camaro, at least that’s what I did. It’s a heavy TRUCK.
But… the title of your video, although incorrect, made me click it and watch it. But sorry, no “like “.
Owner of 3 4Runners - 10, 16, 24 and wish they never changed anything internally… may be just a modernize a bit it’s looks
Finally. Someone speaks the truth on these. I feel bad for anybody overpaying on these.
These are the worst driving vehicles on road. Especially highest. They are amazing off road though.
If one doesn’t plan on going off road weekly, then this isn’t for you. If you drive a lot on the highway, this isn’t for you.
Haha someone had to say it. But as mentioned in the video, part of the reason I finally made this video is because I want one, but these issues are too legit for me. And finding a PRO trim level with an HT tire pushed me over the edge haha. 🤪 Thanks for watching!
Worst driving vehicles on the road? You mean the ones that have auto Lane assist when people are zigzagging all over in their lane? Like the ones on the phone and constantly having to use their auto braking when there’s no cars in front of them? MAN GET OUT THE WAY FOR OF US THAT CAN DRIVE. 😂 8 years trouble free on mine on the highway daily. Don’t make excuses because you can’t drive.
love mine
There’s A LOT of reasons to love these, I’m glad you’re enjoying yours!
Appreciate your review but on my 2nd one it’s the best vehicle on the road. Not built for mpg built to last….refreshing drivetrains is what is ruining vehicles……
Thanks, I appreciate you giving it a watch! I’m seriously so torn, I’m pretty sure these are the most reliable body on frame vehicle that can be bought in 2024, and if it wasn’t for the “marginal” crash test ratings I would go out and buy one tomorrow. Enjoy yours for me!! 😅
I own a 2023 40th year and love the old school qualitiy, materials and simple reliabity. all of the new toyota models are using cheaper componants and materials and the turbo 4 banger will no way be as reliable as these rigs. from new i had the undercarige waxyol treatment by the dealership.love it!!-watch the care care nut on youtube about these new 4 cylinder turbo motors-not good
That sounds like such a sweet ride! They only made 4,040 of those right? I’ve seen 1-2 in person, very cool. It’s a shame these didn’t come sprayed from the factory, especially since Toyota had to replace all those frames back in the day lol. I’ll have to check out his video on the 2.4! I seriously loved these 5th gens, but I needed to make this video to talk me out of one and hold me accountable haha.
@@AutomotiveAnonymous208 LOL good deal! thanks
I don’t understand? Are you reviewing a 2024 or a 2019? You show a 2019 and this is just click bait. I have a 2024 4Runner Limited and think it’s a great vehicle and could not care less about the list.
This is affecting all the 5th gen’s, 2024 included. The purpose of this video is to be educational to the common concerns and reasons why people sell their 4Runner. Title currently includes 2024 so that fewer current 5th gen shoppers and investigators are less likely to miss these substantial issues.
I can feel he hate the 4runner
Haha no, literally talking myself out of buying another one of these type of vehicles.
Must have bump-stops.
Everything has flaws. But the 4Runner has very little to those who appreciate and have an eye for its simplicity and reliability. The 4Runner is an absolute stud and legend in styling, functionality, long term reliability and performance. I find it funny how people complain about MPG when you can easily get 22-23 MPG on the highway in a 4Runner. Furthermore, the manufacturers switching to 4 and 6 cylinder turbos are not doing that much better in MPG. Look at the new Chevy Colorado with its 4 banger turbo. F@cker only gets 16 MPG and it’s a much lighter vehicle than the 4Runner. The new Tundra with its V6 turbo averages about 19 MPG. WTH are we talking about here people?!
You’re right! I hope it was evident in my video I love this platform, but for the reasons mentioned I remind myself why I can’t own one with my priorities to safety and on road manners where most of my traveling is 80mph interstate speed. To everyone that has one, I’m trying to live vicariously lol.
@@AutomotiveAnonymous208 Yeah, I get what you're saying. It's all good. These videos make me laugh though. The 5th Gen 4Runner is using a 14 year old drivetrain. And given all of today's modernizations, it still holds its own. It was never designed for speed or to be high techy. However, it will do everything a person needs and then some. If someone needs the latest and greatest in new car tech, then no, the 4Runner isn't for them. I liken those people to the one's who camp in line outside the Apple Store when the newest iPhone is released. If you want to go zero to sixty in under 6 seconds, then no, the 4Runner is not for them. And to reiterate what I said previously, despite the fact that the 5th Gen drivetrain is 14 years old and can still get 20 to 22 MPG on the Interstate proves that Toyota was ahead of its time when they designed and engineered the 5th Gen 4Runner. Especially when you realize that the new turbo powered trucks and SUV's are not getting that much better in MPG. So the new reality is that auto manufacturers have dumped the naturally aspirated V6 and V8 engines for smaller turbo powered V4's and V6's. Everyone knows that turbos are more expensive to maintain and repair and don't last as long. The other thing people don't realize about turbo engines is they require higher octane gasoline which is more expensive than regular unleaded. Maybe in five to ten years that will all be proven wrong. We'll see. For now, I'm staying with old school reliability and functionality.
He is a hater for 4Runner. I love this car so much
Maybe by hating the car makes him money for there is a lot who like and will react to all he said lol
I appreciate you guys watching and sharing your thoughts! I honestly am having to talk myself out of buying this one or a 24 ORP, lol. I love this platform despite its issues. And I use to own a FJ and a second and third gen Tacoma. But I can’t get around safety, it’s inexcusable that the front passenger is a 3 star crash rating at only what like a 35-40mph test. I don’t want to put myself and passengers lives at risk in even only a moderately severe crash just because Toyotas most reliable SUV isn’t also designed with much safety in mind. The 4Runner is great at what it was designed for, but I practice physical therapy as my day job and I’ve seen too many people messed up from accidents in unsafe vehicles…🤷♂️😢
So what do you prefer in an SUV over the 4Runner. I recently looked at all of them. I would simply not own any of them past the full factory bumper to bumper warranty. Every one of those turkeys with the 4cyl turbo and 8/9/10 speed transmissions or the rubber band CVT are designed, built and modified for the EPA not consumers. Well some input is from Soccer moms who live on a cellphone further decreasing reliability with a pile of crappy electronics. We have unprecedented Toyota engine recalls over 100K models all downsized turbos. We have class action lawsuits of Honda 9 speed transmissions with both 9/10 still having problems. Most have eliminated first gear for starting from stops making stop/go traffic a nightmare and other such "fixes". Piles of electronic junk increasing prices, complexity and making the vehicles impossible to DIY or have anything but a dealer work on it. Most new models dealer mechanics are learning on your vehicle.
The largest safety factor by far is the drivers awareness and ability to correctly adapt to situations. All the "safety" crap is assuming most people fail at the driver awareness which is true. Most people are playing with their cellphone, eating, putting makeup on, messing with children, drunk/drugs etc etc. Few were taught how to drive defensively. Even fewer trained how to properly drive in rain or snow/ice or what to do if the vehicle starts to lose control. They simply slam on the brakes or crash into things.
Those are all good points and I don’t have an answer for you. I don’t know that any modern SUV is as likely to be as reliable in the long run as the average 4Runner. I would own one in a heartbeat if they had better passenger protection on the crash testing. I still periodically go back and forth on this haha.
Hi. Where did you film this? What a beautiful location!
This video was in the Southern part of Idaho, there’s a lot of terrain like this!
I cannot wrap my head around 16 MPG for a daily. I have a very old f150 v6 that gets 18 MPG. I only use it when I need to.
Yeah, I can’t either lol. At least these depreciate so slowly you’ll eventually even out in your cost of ownership (if you sell it).
18mpg driving like grandma. 15mpg in stop-and-go traffic. 13mpg with a heavy foot. It inhales fuel like a heavy-duty pickup truck.
@@littlestinker9716i got all all terrain being rough on the throttle. I still get 17. The key is having air in your tires.
A truck for real men for sure. Wimps just wimp out.
Haha, something like that. 🤪
I see many females driving these.
girl car
All you gotta do is listen to buddys voice 😂 💀
Not buying this car for it's speed! Dependability only. Get the ceramic coating and under coating. Keep everything stock
Absolutely! I hope the 6th gen turns out to be almost as reliable as these 5th gen’s have proven to be. I’d love to buy one if they have at least half decent crash test results. 🤩
Btw, dealers are adding 10k adjustments to TRD PRO 4runners in SoCal. Screw toyota for trying to jam people who really would like to own a 5th gen TRD PRO 4runner
Yeah, that’s absurd. At that price point it was almost be stupid to not just buy a clean example for under 40k like the one I demo’d in this video. Otherwise just buy the new Land Cruiser 1958 if you’re going to spend 65k. 🤦♂️😅
@@AutomotiveAnonymous208 i just bought a LC 1958 LOL. It was a demo so only paid 54K. Nicer than 4runner.
Once again, your first comment is, poor gas mileage.I suggest, you are a poor driver. I've written, a number of times, that Americans are born with an overactive speed gene. I bought a new off road, premium, 4 runner, last January. I drive mostly freeway, and some country roads, twice a week.These journeys average 80 miles, round trip. Yes, if most of your driving is around town, expect poorer gas mileage but, that is not the reason people buy the 4runner, they buy it for its reliability. I'm usually the last driver on any stretch of road and, I usually drive 5 mph over the posted speed limit. I always average, 22.3 or 22.6 mpg. If you would just raise your right foot, and drive sensibly, you would get better gas mileage. However, typically, it's usually pickup drivers on UA-cam, debating gas mileage. Most pickup drivers I see, are all driving at 80 mph? If American drivers want to drive fast, buy a sports car, if you want good, reliable transportation with known reliability, buy a 4runner.
if it got better MPG it would be the All Time best vehicle.... horrible MPG though...
I can just about look past it’s bad MPG knowing you’ll make up the cost in lack of repairs and resale someday. But I can’t get past the bad crash test results. Big and bold looking unfortunately doesn’t translate to good passenger safety and competent designed crumple zones.
I’m considering getting a 2024 Toyota “Foreigner” LOL. Sorry that’s what it sounded like and what the CC spelled.
Haha I get it!
Is this a troll video trying to get hate clicks?
Nope. Legitimate concerns. Especially the bad crashworthiness and MPG. If Toyota builds the new generation to better protect its occupants like it has the 3rd gen Tundra and 4th gen Taco I’ll probably buy one. I do physical therapy as my day job and I’ve worked with way too many car accident patients to be willfully arrogant enough to drive something I know won’t protect the people I care about if the unthinkable happens.
@@AutomotiveAnonymous208 my 2019 offroad gets 22-23 mpg driving 62mph.......27mpg driving 55mph.....flat freeway driving
As a 4R owner all the observations made in this video are very on point and I agree. I still love my 4R. There's nothing wrong with being real about the 4R flaws.
Haha thanks for the support and being realistic. No vehicle is perfect, but these are very good at what they’re good at. I’m considering a 6th gen since I’m assuming they’ll be a top safety pick like the 4th gen Tacoma. I still wish I never sold my supercharged, lifted, body armor and winched FJ cruiser about 7 years ago. I’m pretty sure to buy it back today at the 93k miles it had would now cost over twice as much or even as much as a new 4Runner, lol.
That's not a TRD PRO ..it only has the badge and roof rack and the rims ..
It also has the skid plate, but what else is it missing? In this video I didn’t do a good job of showing the suspension. That might be more noticeable in another video of this 4Runner that I’ll post soon. I didn’t question it being a PRO. 🤷♂️🤪
The air filter is different for the PRO ,radiator cap is different and the muffler sticks out on the right side behind the mudflap that's what its visible from the video so far ..it's probably the ORP trim with few mods to look like a PRO..definitely not a PRO ..
Would that all still be true on the 2019 model year? Those are good points, thanks for sharing!!
MPG sucks. Other wise I would love it!
They’re such cool SUVs, I made this video to literally talk myself out of it and to keep me accountable to not buy it later haha.
Dryer sheets can kill rodents.
That’s a good one!! Others have also mentioned peppermint oils to deter them. I drive past a lot of farm land so the rodents could be a legit concern and why that made it onto my list lol.
@@AutomotiveAnonymous208 I used them over 20 years ago in a Volkswagen with similar vegetable products in the manufacturing. Though I have heard they recently change the formula to make them less toxic. I think peppermint oil would smell better.
Can’t compare to a jeep or ford bronco raptor. Jeep quality is complete garbage. Ford bronco raptor at 90k and still has issues with quality. I’ll take a 4Runner any day of the week
The mileage is biggest imo
Yeah, that’s definitely the biggest day to day inconvenience you’ll notice!
I really love my '22 TRD Pro, but it does struggle on the slightest of hills on the hwy. I dream of installing a supercharger.
I bet, that’s a sweet ride! I loved having the supercharger. But compared to other systems for the price per horsepower gain it’s hard to justify on this platform. 😢
@AutomotiveAnonymous208 it is very expensive, but the trade off is that it's best in class reliability and resell value. Those are big reasons that offset any negatives.
In Canada $78,000
Woah, that’s way too much haha.
Lmao
You were super negative in this review. Seems biased
I’m sorry, if I sounded a certain way when filming this I do apologize for that, that wasn’t my intent. But based off of my own experiences with this type of platform and what many owners talk about on the forums I think these are very relevant concerns that do deter some people away from the platform. I really miss the 3 Tacomas/FJ I had, but to be honest none of them were fantastic daily drivers. That all paired with now understanding how poorly they hold up in crashes is why idk when I would next own another. Especially where it seems that Toyota isn’t doing a fantastic job of engineering modern competent engines to also be reliable as can be found on the Tacoma/Tundra forums. 😬 I legitimately did in part make this video to hold me accountable to not buy this specific 4Runner or any other 5th gen. 😅
Oh he said Subaru, that explains
I really enjoyed my 2nd and 3rd Gen Taco and that FJ, but with all the driving I do and my obsession with driving a safe vehicle the Subaru definitely makes more sense. It also does drastically better in the snow and ice than any of those 4x4 Toyota’s. But these 4Rs are definitely tempting, lol.
Jeep guy
Haha no, not at all. If I made a video like this about the Wrangler it would be much worse. But I’ve never owned a Jeep, only driven them so I don’t have as much hands on experience with that platform to be a first person experienced reliable source of information beyond what I read on the forums.
Zero Flaws.
I had a 2018 TRD Off Road for 6.5 years. Averaged 17-18mpg. Terrible fuel economy for the vehicle size. Too-soft suspension made it wallow all over the place going down the road. Nose dived to China when braking. Very prone to front-end tire wobble on the highway. Fantastic off road vehicle but poor choice for daily driving.
That’s all great insight!! I’m really hoping the 6th gen is a top safety pick and also improves most of those other issues you mentioned. I have to ask, in those 6.5 years did you ever use your locker for anything? I think I only engaged my FJs once or twice just for fun but it wasn’t actually needed. But that’s only because I can’t afford to put an expensive vehicle in an extreme position. 😅
@@AutomotiveAnonymous208 I never needed the locker. The few times I went off road in rough farm fields, 4HI and ATRAC easily got the job done.
I figured, ATRAC works well. The videos I’ve seen of people engaging their locker usually has front wheels in the air lol.