Year 4Runner to stay away from

Hello all. Is there a year of 4runners to not even buy? I’ll be on pavement mostly but will want to get off the beaten path sometimes. Also can you mod a sr5 to ride like a limited?

 

All years of the 5th gen a pretty good. The limited has XREAS suspension which links all the shocks together. It isn't something that can be easily added to the other models and I'm not really sure if there are softer riding replacement shocks. My 19 TRDP rides really well as is.

 

The limited ride isn’t any better than other trims. It has a hydraulic system as mentioned already, that when it craps out is stupid expensive to fix and for the money you can buy some a nice aftermarket suspension with a better ride quality.

 

Are you looking at 5th gen 4Runners, or any year/generation?

 

To me XREAS ride better than other trims. But when I lift mine I had to remove XREAS because the shocks are too short for a lift (as per my 4x4 shop).

 

welcome, never had a problem with any I've had. Have had a 1999,2004,2007. Now have a 2011 and a 2018

 

Not necessarily a rule for 4Runners, but the later year you buy in a generation, a lot of times, the better.

 

All years are good, the full time 4WD of the limited is awesome, unfortunately, its not available on other trims and you can not add it, XREAS you can, expensive but possible. Enhancing an SR5 ride is easy with a good aftermarket suspension and less expensive than XREAS.

 

Good points made above. I'm a big fan of the Limited for both the full-time 4WD and the XREAS, which in my experience does improve the ride as well as greatly reduces body roll and brake dive.

As for the best or worst years for the 5th gen, my observation would be that in some ways 2020 is the worst. That's what I have.

On the plus side, it comes with Apple CarPlay / Android Auto and a big screen for displaying them on, for navigation and for the backup camera. But it also comes with the safety nannies and internet connection (hacking risk) that began that year -- yet does not have the huge benefit that was added for 2021: LED headlights. So, with a 2020 you get the crappy halogens of prior years, plus the safety nannies that IMO are at best a mixed blessing, but you miss out on the good headlights.

So I'd tell anyone that the best years are either 21/22 -- or 19/earlier. With the choice depending on how much you value the infotainment screen and tech and LED headlights vs how much you value the simpler truck without the safety tech, internet/Big-Brother connection, and big computer screen.

 

Thank you everyone for your insights. I’m looking for a reliable 4Runner that I don’t have to worry about the terrain & still use it as a daily driving vehicle. Snow is unpredictable here, I have a dog & our city has hills that are so close to 90* it’s crazy. Also don’t want to break the bank.

I read 2007, 2008, 2009, 2017-2019 are ones with the least complaints. Any truth to that or not?

 

Jet4, what are/were your 4Runner trims? Which did you like the best & why?

 

I've got a 2018 SR5 and couldn't be happier.

Had the fuel pump recall done last spring with no issues.

Tech gadgets do not turn my crank, I'm old school, so I'm glad I bought mine when I did.

Everyone thought the OEM LED headlights would solve a lot of owner complaints, but I've seen many posts of owners whining about the LED headlights.

Since you're buying used, I would avoid 4Runners in the rust belt.

Happy hunting.

 

I live in the rust belt ☹️ Not sure or confident in buying from out of state w/o seeing, touching, driving or having it inspected. 2013s for over 30k is giving me heart palpitations.

 

If your choices are well used examples over 30k, I’d recommend biting the bullet and spending 40 on a new one. At some point, buying used is “penny wise and pound foolish.” And I think that’s the point almost all of us are at these days with the insane markups on used vehicles, Espec ones like the 4Runner.

Honestly, if it was me and I couldn’t afford around 40k for a new one, I’d just buy something else that’s new. Maybe an Outback or Forester. Or a Rav 4.

The worst thing is to spend a ton of money on something that could have rust or unknown mechanical issues or poor maintenance. Buying used is always a crapshoot unless you have first hand knowledge of the owner and vehicle.

Further, interest rates are usually higher on used vehicles. Sometimes by a ton. It pains me no end to see people of limited means acting against their own financial interests because they believe that they can only afford used, and have to accept the ridiculous interest rates being quoted.

If you look online or at manufacturer websites you can almost always find good new cars being offered at rates in the zero-1.9 % range.

 

Iliked them all. Gave the 1999 SR5 to my daughter. Gave the 2007 SR5 to my son. Traded the 2004 SR5 on my 2011 Trail. Bought the 2018 SR5 Premium for my wife. The 2011 is the one I like best. I also really liked the 1999 body style.

 

I just looked it up. A new Forester starts at 25k and Subaru is offering 1.9% financing. I’m not trying to dissuade you from buying a 4Runner; they’re awesome. But the Forester has some advantages, particularly for on-road use, inc waaay better MPG. Yet still has good AWD and lots of cargo and passenger room. Imagine paying less than 30k, paying almost no interest on the loan, and getting a brand new car with full manufacturer warranty —— versus a several year old 4Runner with who knows what issues, terrible MPG, and possibly a lot of $ thrown away to make a bank and/or dealership richer.

 

Morning all. Thank you @JET4, I had a feeling that the former models may have had a big part of your heart. I am the same way. The 10 & 11 model years drove better/smoother than the 12 & 14 I tested. & @Singleminded, you hit the nail on the head. This forum & site was found at the right time. I have been on a car search for months. I was not rushing again on a big purchase like this & I waited until I didn’t need a car to do so.

My mind in made up. I’m changing to Toyotas made in Japan or Canada only. I will buy newer in the T family & older model for the 4Runner & mod the heck out of her !!!

I am so happy I found you all!!! Thanks bunches I will post what I find in all this madness!!

 

Good points. A few years ago I was so ready to buy a used 4runner, but even the pre covid prices were too rich for my blood. I could not swallow the idea of an 11 limited with 150k miles going for high teens. Thats wheni decided i would keep saving to buy a new one. It took a few years, but i got one with 3 miles on it earlier this year.

 

@McSpazatron , I may even follow your idea & save up for what I want & keep moving in something that makes since now.

 

My 4runner was worth the wait! It really was!

 

2012 Trail without KDSS has the least amount of electronics in it and it doesn’t have the engine air pump.

 

Have a 2019 SR5 Premium and just did a 4K+ road trip down the Cascades & Sierras and back up and across the Rockies. No off-road but ALL kinds of weather! Couldn't be happier!!

 

In your case I would look for a Limited full time 4WD. I have a 2019 ORP which is great with the mods; nevertheless, if you have a lot of snow and use it as a daily driver, for me, a 4WD limited it would be. I had a Sequoia Limited full time 4WD and drove a lot in the snow with it in Cloudcroft (mountains on/off-road) 10.000 Ft high area. That full time 4WD system from Toyota is outstanding.

 

Indeed it is. A huge reason to get the Limited is if you need to drive in and out of snowy conditions. Combined with its locking center diff, low range gear and ATRAC, this is far superior to the AWD systems common to crossovers. In my experience the Subaru system is better than most. I especially like the ones that come with their manual transmission. Just a nice, simple, symmetrical and mechanical system — no electronic complications.

But most AWD systems are just FWD econo boxes with an extra driveshaft routed to the rear wheels, which often receive little or no torque until slippage is detected at the front. A useful system sure, but hardly on par with what’s on a 4Runner.

 

Thanks everybody for your insights. I still keep coming back to the 4Runner after researching the RAV4. Is $21,985 w/ a $700 delivery fee for a 2013 limited w/ 156,985 miles a good deal? 4Runner is in Downers Grove, IL
JTEBU5JR1D5149674

 

We have both a Rav4 AWD XLE and a 4Runner SR5 Premium. Just returned from 4K+ mile trip down the Cascades and Sierras, then across the desert to ABQ and up the Rockies, thru Eisenhower back to "dry-side" of Washington. Snow in the Cascades & Sierras, bad winds in southern Sierras, rain thru the Rockies (snow level was just above us) from Ogden to Pendleton (crossed the Divide AT LEAST 4 times). Debated the RAV4 vs the 'Runner and chose the 4Runner because of space. The RAV is our second one. The first had 2WD (with snow tires). We live in "snow country". If you don't NEED 4WD, then AWD is OK. The RAV is my wife's daily driver. The RAV will handle MUCH more than you think it will!

 

Looks pretty clean.....I don't see any rusty fasteners under the hood. I'd want undercarriage pictures before even stopping by. If they won't send them, find another one.
I asked for those on like 35 options and got about 3 responses. They earned my business.

 

We came from a very well set up Tacoma (we ran chase and remote pits for Baja races for a major race team ) and got a 2015 Limited when we retired.
GREAT truck, best vehicle we've owned. It has only +/- 68,000 miles, but no XREAS problems, great ride, corners and absorbs bumps great - Love it!

 

Thanks @BearBio, @TrailGuy2016 & @SkipperMike !!!! I may have to get both at some point. I have a business in landscaping & winter care plus do a little bit of home remodeling. So towing more than likely will happen. As previously mentioned, I want to get off the beaten path as well. I’m sure the older models would be great for getting dirty. The newer previous models I would tow with to keep the inside a bit cleaner longer. I will decide very very soon. Thanks again.

 

@BearBio , what year RAV4s & why not that in a limited?