5th gen Toyota 4Runner

[Vinh]

Thinking about purchasing a 2019 Toyota 4Runner Limited. Does the reliability really live up to the hype? Or is it more like a Gen4 Glock?

The skid plate and special oil filter appear to be too difficult for dealership mechanics to handle, as well as the propeller shaft lubrication that they never do. I would most likely have to do all of the maintenance myself, which is fine, but it has to be worth it.

The X-REAS system seems like a major potential failure point, even more so than air suspension systems.

Any feedback?

[LittleLebowski]

When is the next 4Runner refresh? This one seems to be long in the tooth.

[Xhado]

When is the next 4Runner refresh? This one seems to be long in the tooth.
2021

[JRB]

It's a much more comfortable and nicer SUV than the 4th and 3rd gens, but that comfort comes at the expense of some outright end-of-the-world reliability found in the older ones. It won't ever leave you stranded, but it won't tow like a V8 4th gen and it won't get around on all the tiny jeep trails like a boss with zombie-invasion reliability like a locker-equipped 3rd gen, but if you want a nicer newer SUV it's a great choice.
If you're buying a 19 and you stay on top of the often neglected things (like the prop shaft greasing - btw, use Moly grease and don't be shy with it on the 3rd, 4th, or 5th gen 4Runners) you'll almost never have an issue.
The X-reas suspension is actually pretty well sorted out. It severely limits your aftermarket options for upgrades/lifts/etc but it is a very effective system and Toyota has been using that tech for ~20 years now, and it does make a difference in comfort.

Personally, if I were buying one that new, I'd consider a TRD Pro despite the price bump. That value will remain in the TRD Pro models going forward, and they'll command the highest prices on the used market.

[blues]

No regrets with my 2016 Trail Premium. So far, only the airbag recall has been cause for anything beyond routine maintenance.

The voice recognition in mine sucks...but I'm a Yankee from NY so I make allowances for it not understanding the dialect. ;)

[entropy]

I still want a Hilux.

With a snorkel.

[Matt O]

When is the next 4Runner refresh? This one seems to be long in the tooth.

Isn't that half the point of the 4Runner? Low tech, reliable (on and off-road) and just keeps on ticking? Seems like each Toyota refresh just adds more tech/gadgetry that will eventually break.

[donlapalma]

Love my '15 Trail Edition more than I thought I ever would. I've been taking it on trails here in Arizona and it has been great. Mine has KDSS which does make a difference on-road. Aside from the airbag recall, nothing but routine maintenance for me through 51K miles. I don't do my own maintenance. Just don't have time, but according to some guys on the local 4runner group a basic oil change can be a PITA the first time around. Once learned, it is no big deal.

Other complaints center around the V6 engine and the responsiveness (or lack thereof) of the throttle/gas pedal. I don't tow anything so I'm not feeling underpowered. I get about 17 mpg with mostly city driving. The throttle is something you do have to get used to especially if you are used to driving something with a sensitive gas pedal. In the 4runner you really have to punch it to get it to downshift in passing situations. However, I do appreciate the throttle when on the trails where I want that kind of control.

[JRB]

Isn't that half the point of the 4Runner? Low tech, reliable (on and off-road) and just keeps on ticking? Seems like each Toyota refresh just adds more tech/gadgetry that will eventually break.

Precisely. The best years of virtually all Toyota products are the last two or three years before the refresh.

[fatdog]

2011 SR5 Trail package and I am more than pleased, just passed 110K and the only thing major was the airbag recall. I figure it is just now getting broken in. I cannot say one bad thing about the gen 5 vehicles. Despite the high prices I still think of the G5 4runner as high value for the money. This vehicle is quite comfortable on the highway and on performs on the trail. 21 mpg average with the V6/automatic and most of my miles are 2 lane rural driving.

[Pistolero]

I plead ignorance and I have a 2018 4Runner.

Where does that generally put me in this conversation.

Thanks in advance for responses.

[Suvorov]

I'm a big 4Runner fan!

I have owed a 05 4Runner since new. It's been the best built vehicle I have ever owned - and unless Ford does something AMAZING with the Bronco, it will be replaced with another 4Runner. Mine is still very low millage for its age (just turned 80K) but the folks on my 4Runner forums continually post about turning 200K, 300K, and even 400K. My only issue has been a TPS sensor and the water pump (which is an issue with the 4Gen V6). The 5th Gen is better in just about every way compared to the 4th Gen I own but it is very much just an evolutionary improvement on the 4th Gen instead of a completely new vehicle. To me the 4Runner strikes the best balance between a family kid-grocery-getter and a classic truck based SUV. Off road capability is very good but not as good as the Jeep Rubicon and Renegade largely due to clearance and approach/departure angles. The 5th Gen is a little heavier than the 4th but no longer offers the V8 option - as a result I have heard some grumbles about power and gas milage - especially if needing to tow.

The new TRD Pro's are the trucks of my dreams!!!

All that said - the 4Runner is a TRUCK. It will never handle as well as a car based SUV (like a Subaru), it will be heavier than it needs to be, it will ride rougher, it will be harder to get into and out of, will guzzle gas (16mpg is pretty much the real world mpg you can expect) and it really will not offer a good size to interior capacity ratio compared to something like the Forrester. My opinion is to only get a 4Runner if you intend to take it into rough areas, need the extra towing capability, or just like the idea of having a truck based SUV and are willing to live with its warts. Since you are looking at the Limited - I'm thinking you are not looking to run much off road? If you are, you would be better off with a TRD or SR5 (which you can then add an after market suspension and tires to if you want more off road capability) - if you are wanting comfort and something more refined then a cross over will in all honesty bet a better fit.

The 4Runner has a great reputation for reliability - but so does Lexus and Subaru for that matter.

JMHO

[Borderland]

I had a 97 that I sold with about 95K on it. I still see it around as the person that bought it lives near me. She still uses it as a daily driver and has since she bought it. Probably has 3X that many miles on it now. One of these days I'm going to ask her how many miles is on it if I can.

I'm looking at buying another Tacoma. I had several of those. I've owned 78, 85, 92 and 2003 small Toyota trucks. The best one was the 92 4 cyl, 4WD. I put 200K on it before I sold it. Bullet proof.

[GJM]

We have 2017 TRD Pro and a 2019 Limited Nightshade. Boringly reliable, MFD that looks ten years old, great off-road ability, and with the AWD Limited, a great winter highway ride. They hold their value like crazy. Looking forward to the next generation, as Toyota is certainly capable of more innovation while preserving the core of the 4 Runner.

[donlapalma]

I plead ignorance and I have a 2018 4Runner.

Where does that generally put me in this conversation.

Thanks in advance for responses.That would make you a 5th gen guy!

[Crawls]

My wife drives a 2016 Trail Premium with the KDSS. I think she is nearing the 60K mile mark. It's been the most reliable vehicle we've owned. I'm anxiously waiting the day when she grows tired of it and hands it down to me for a new trail truck. I don't expect it to ever be a capable as my 97 80 Series Cruiser was, but I think it will be easier and cheaper to maintain.

[LOKNLOD]

When is the next 4Runner refresh? This one seems to be long in the tooth.

This a good time to buy, then. Robust, mature design.

[Pistolero]

This a good time to buy, then. Robust, mature design.

Bought last year and have much lik3d the Gen5 4Runner

[Pistolero]

That would make you a 5th gen guy!

Thank you Don for that response.

[SafetyFirst]

Go check out t4r.org and ask in their 5th gen forum. Just make sure you type in t4r.org and not .com.
PS my 3rd gen is 150 miles away from 200K.

[Darth_Uno]

We have 2017 TRD Pro and a 2019 Limited Nightshade.
Very nice. We have a 2017 Limited. I don’t know that I’d take it out to Moab in stock form, but it handles Midwest weather just fine. Honestly I couldn’t tell you the technical details, we just like 4runners. After someone hit and totaled our 2011 we went right out and bought this one.

I wanted to trade it in on the new Voodoo Blue model but wife says no (pic from random google search).


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[Default.mp3]

This a good time to buy, then. Robust, mature design.So I was told by a car buddy. I'm looking very hard at getting a 2020 Off-Road Premium with KDSS, because I want the safety features, along with factory Android Auto and hopefully push-button start. The only other thing I'm considering is the Bronco, but who knows when hard info will come out for that, and that's the very opposite situation of the 4runner, where it's a brand(-ish) new platform. I've also considered the Ranger, but I think I would rather have the trunk rather than the bed, since I'm mainly wanting it for camping.

[Vinh]

Personally, if I were buying one that new, I'd consider a TRD Pro despite the price bump. That value will remain in the TRD Pro models going forward, and they'll command the highest prices on the used market.
Local dealers want $10K over MSRP for the TRD Pro. Though it looks amazing, it's not for me since I don't want to roll in 2WD daily, and having had auto climate for the last 13 years, I can't go back that far in time.


My opinion is to only get a 4Runner if you intend to take it into rough areas, need the extra towing capability, or just like the idea of having a truck based SUV and are willing to live with its warts. Since you are looking at the Limited - I'm thinking you are not looking to run much off road? If you are, you would be better off with a TRD or SR5 (which you can then add an after market suspension and tires to if you want more off road capability) - if you are wanting comfort and something more refined then a cross over will in all honesty bet a better fit.
Definitely already used to body-on-frame, current vehicle has super stiff suspension and live axles. I don't go off-road recreationally, but do like ground clearance for emergencies.


We have 2017 TRD Pro and a 2019 Limited Nightshade. Boringly reliable, MFD that looks ten years old, great off-road ability, and with the AWD Limited, a great winter highway ride. They hold their value like crazy. Looking forward to the next generation, as Toyota is certainly capable of more innovation while preserving the core of the 4 Runner.
The Nightshade is what piqued my interest, since I don't like wood trim.


Go check out t4r.org and ask in their 5th gen forum. Just make sure you type in t4r.org and not .com.
PS my 3rd gen is 150 miles away from 200K.
Already read the last 2-3 years worth of material, read the owner's manual, and looked at the servicing on Alldata. Cross-shopping with the Honda Passport and Range Rover Sport. The Passport bests the 4Runner in pretty much all aspects except for ground clearance and reliability. Having owned two Land Rovers, air suspensions no longer scare me (known vs unknown), and I can spec a full-size spare for roadtrips, unlike the Passport that only comes with a compact spare.


LittleLebowski, if you see this, check your PM.

[dontshakepandas]

I just hit 2,000 miles on my 2019 TRD Pro, so I can't really speak on the reliability yet, but I can share my thoughts so far.

While still in the research phase some of the things that concerned me were the "lack of power" that I had read about, the "smallish" screen, the lack of dual automatic climate control, and no keyless entry/push button start. The last two weren't a big deal to me, but I assumed it would be annoying giving up those conveniences since I was already used to them.

After owning and driving the truck for a few months, I can say that I've actually come to prefer the simple manual climate control over the automatic. I find that I can actually fine tune the temp to what I like better than any of the automatic systems that I've used. This doesn't really help with the dual climate situation for anybody else in the vehicle who may not like my settings, but my truck my rules so I'm not too worried about that.

I've also found that I don't mind not having the keyless entry and push button start as much as I thought I would. Using the key to unlock the doors instead of the touch sensors on the handle is actually a bit more convenient in the rain of if I have passengers who are riding with me. It is also a bit more reliable/rugged since I did have battery issues with the previous system and had a few instances where it just refused to work right. At this point I would be fine with either option, and since you are looking at the Limited this wouldn't be a concern for you. However, Toyota is adding the keyless entry to the 2020 TRD Pro so if that is important to you and you are thinking about a TRD Pro it might be worth waiting.

The screen also isn't an issue for me in real life usage. It is about the same size as the screen in the car it replaced so it hasn't been a big change for me, but I did test drive some other vehicles with MUCH bigger screens. While I wouldn't turn down a bigger screen, I don't use the screen for much more than using the reverse camera so it just doesn't impact me much. If you use the in vehicle navigation a lot a bigger screen may be nice, and again Toyota is releasing a bigger screen in the 2020 models with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (I think). I've also seen some nice aftermarket options available.

The 2020 model will also come with the Safety Sense stuff if that is important to you. I prefer to drive my vehicle myself so I'm just fine with not having this. If I was going to be sharing the vehicle with a teenage driver or something like that, I'd make sure to get something that had that technology.

The power and acceleration seems absolutely fine to me for something this size. It isn't a sports car and doesn't drive like one, but it has a great drive for every day use. I could see that it might be a little underpowered if you plan to tow a lot, but I haven't used it for towing so I won't comment on that.

The one thing that absolutely did bother me that I wasn't expecting was the headlights. Coming from a car with adaptive HID headlights, these things were just way too dim. After driving in the dark with a light rain and not being able to see anything I noticed just how bad they were compared to my previous vehicle, and I think it is a safety concern. Since then I've swapped in an HID kit for the low and high beams from XenonDepot and feel much better now. I'm a little annoyed that I had to spend $400 to upgrade that myself on a $50,000 vehicle, but the swap was easy enough and the results are great, if not a bit too bright.

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[fixer]

I’ve had 2017 sr5 premium , 2018 limited, and now as of last week 2019 TRD Pro.

The limited is a swanky ride. It is extremely close to a Lexus quality interior. I think my favorite part of it was the leather seats.

The limited’s xreas really limited body roll and felt very stable in corners.

The center diff was awesome and a huge convenience. I rarely even needed to engage 4hi or low. And it was stable in bad weather. The plus side was it only very very slightly increased steering effort compared to other models.

Although totally unconfirmed I highly suspect the seat in the limited is same as TRD Pro . The limited adds ventilated seats that did nothing for me. The comfort was the same between the pro and limited. Both were more comfortable on long trip than sr5 premium.

I did some decent trails in northern az and had no concerns other than tires... hardcore off roading will demand not just a tire change but also a wheel change. 20 inch wheels simply don’t have a lot of options.

Being in a TRD Pro now I do miss the keyless entry. However my pro has a remote start system.



When folks start out with a limited and decide to seriously attacking hard trails, they run the xreas system to failure then replace with Trd pro system.

I’ve had no issues in 45 k miles on two 4runners. None. Not a single glitch.

The maintenance is involved much more than other vehicles. The oil filter is best handled by a dedicated Toyota filter adapter.

The drive shaft greasing is not a huge deal . The zerks are fairly easy to access.

Diff fluid changes are a breeze.

Transmission flushes are not too bad but require some attention to a procedure in verifying fill level.

Spark plugs and air filters are easy.

The engine layout is well done and no apparent issue with getting to typical items like fan s, belts, water pumps etc.

Brakes are easy.

The cabin has a high amount of space efficiency. You can get a lot of gear in this.

You also have abundant aftermarket solutions for rooftop cargo. The 4Runner is one of the few vehicles that don’t look silly with rooftop systems.

The 4 runner is also old school tech: hydraulic steering as opposed to electric, mechanical fan, port fuel injection.

Downsides

Very heavy for its size. Translation is abysmal fuel economy for its size and horsepower. You just have to get over this if you like it.

Acceleration is similarly hampered. You have to plan your passing maneuvers and freeway merges.

The cruise control system is unconventional. It took me months to get used to it.

Fan noise can be really loud.

Skid plates are pretty heavy and stout. You have to take a large one off to access filter. Think of it as a work out and you won’t mind.

[Rex G]

My wife and I went to look at 4Runners and Sequoias, and left with a “max cab” Tundra TSS. The 4Runners reminded her of the times she rode in one, belonging to a friend, during K9 SAR training and call-outs. She remembered wishing for more room. Being able to lower the rear window was desirable, regardless of the vehicle, and the max cab Tundra has that feature. Ultimately, the tremendous rear seat room was probably the deciding factor.

We now have his-and-hers Tundras, 2014 and 2019. Cool. (My 2014 was one of the few, last batch of 2-door single-cabs.) Maybe, in a few years, we will revisit the 4Runner/Sequoia/Land Cruiser.

Trivia: My Aunt Sherry still drives a 1999 4Runner.

[Drang]

I still want a Hilux.

With a snorkel.

That makes two of us.

I blame Jezza, The Hamster, and Captain Slow.

[entropy]

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