5th gen vs 6th gen and why

I seriously wonder if people are not factoring the actual car payment into the equation and are solely looking at the fuel savings, since that's so psychologically important.

I did the math when gas was 5/gal, trading my paid off 4Runner for a basic RAV4 hybrid would have taken about 9 years to break even on from fuel savings at 5/gal.

 

I absolutely don't, as my privacy is valuable to me. I grew up in a communist country and still remember the schedule for when jammers for Radio Liberty were off. So yes, living without carplay or android auto is a minor inconvenience by comparison.

 

so you want a non sub version of gps but dont like the privacy issues of carplay or android auto but are willing to put up with the privacy concerns of toyota tracking you ???

you do realize even if you dont have a sub, the new toyota will still track and transmit data anyway.

and that goes for almost all new vehicles now a days regardless of oem

 

I opted out of Toyota tracking AND pulled DCM fuse, so no Toyota is not tracking me. In 4Runner, GPS still works fine after that.

GPS is very basic feature that does not require always-connected services. My 2001 740i had one and it worked fine. If 2024 Toyota Crown requires internet connection for GPS, it is crippled by design. They made it on purpose this way. This is not any different from BMW trying to charge you a fee for heated seats.

 

The member is talking about cloud-based navigation, which is more than basic GPS functionality. It takes into account real-time information like current road closures that require data the vehicle itself doesn't have.

ETA: Often, when it downloads a route from the cloud, there will be a message similar to "This route avoids a closure on X Road."

 

https://www.cnbc.com/2024/06/04/toy...us-vehicles-over-potential-engine-stall-.html

 

This definitely doesn't look good for the 3.4. But, at least it doesn't affect the 4Runner, LC250, or Taco.

 

I love the 5th Gen styling and owned one before my current Taco, and I think the 3rd Gen and 5th Gen are the best looking 4Runners made. That being said, I like the styling of the 6th Gen as well and it certainly helps that the rear end looks very very similar to the 5th Gen. I was totally bought into the idea of getting a new 6th Gen Pro or TH and put a deposit down and was anxiously awaiting... I recently had the opportunity to the drive the base model LC 250 and we know that all trims and versions of the Landcruiser share the driveline with the top-end trims of the 6th Gen 4Runner. I was not impressed at all. My experience totally paralleled that of the most recent Edmunds review and comparison of the Landcruiser 250 vs. the GX 550 in terms of the Landcruiser feeling sort of laggy and lethargic off the line. I find it super strange given the hybrid and turbo setup because I was expecting prodigious torque off idle and electric propulsion to eliminate any holes in the power band until the turbos spool. Even when it is delivering full power, it is astounding to me that it's rated at 465 lbs ft of torque.... the shove is nothing like a cummins turbo diesel that is similarly rated. Also, the Edmunds review is the first major car publication that put out an instrumented 0-60 mph time for the LC 250 and it was clocked at 8.2 seconds, which is even slower than a 5th Gen 4Runner. I don't care if my BOF SUV isn't a race car, but I don't think if you're paying $70K+ it's a lot to ask for it to be able to do 0-60 mph quicker than its 15 year old predecessor that is rated much much lower in HP and torque. The final kicker for me pulling my deposit on the 6th Gen 4Runner or buying a Landcruiser 250, is that the actual real-world fuel economy figures being experienced by owners of them is lagging far behind the EPA estimates while taking premium gas. I was not in the market for a new 4Runner with similar feeling power, only marginally better fuel economy, that requires premium fuel. While I wholeheartedly believe that Toyota is the best company to bet on for a hybrid powertrain, we all know that at best it will match the heartiness and reliability of the 4.0 V6, and will not exceed it and that's in the absolute best case. So what is the positive tradeoff in return for accepting that uncertainty? A 14" screen and a built in air compressor for the TH? Nicer materials in the cabin and cooled seats (in addition to heated)? I hardly use the seat coolers in my wife's Volvo as it is. So to me, the 6th Gen 4Runner isn't really delivering on the things I was hoping and excited about initially. That is my response to the title of this long thread 5th Gen vs 6th Gen for me after all this.

 

I am guessing people will not "take the hit" just to save on gas mileage. They will spend their money because the 6th Gen has an updated, fresh look, some more updated features, and they will have a brand-new vehicle. Those are just facts that cannot be disputed. Everyone that buys the next gen may not love every last detail about it, but obviously enough to make the purchase. There is no doubt that Toyota is going to sell a lot of these new 6th gen 4Runners, no doubt.

When I read these comments, it seems to me that people who somewhat recently purchased a 5th gen are trying to convince themselves they HATE the 6th gen, as some of the comments are a bit comical, IMO. It really is OK to like both, the new gen and any and all prior generations and just be content with what you have. Two things can be true at the same time.

The people that want to spend their money (take the hit), will do so just because they want to. That is the bottom line. If you don't want to spend the money, then don't, but finding some of these silly little things being called out, it just seems like a desperate attempt to convince oneself that they don't wish they had waited. I love my 5th gen and almost bought a new one a few months ago, because I still like my 2016 but just wanted a newer one, but now that I saw and read about the 6th gen, I am very happy that I did not make that purchase.

 

I’m going 6th gen. I had a 5th gen and it’s just so dated. I like updated technology. Also the new seats with ventilation are a lot better.

Also I wasn’t a fan of the outgoing powertrain. Sure it was great at one time, but a weak V6 paired with a 5 speed in 2024 is wild. Just a dog of an engine. I never keep cars to 500K miles so “reliability” is not that big of a concern as long as I can get about 10 years/150k miles out of it with minimal issues.

 

I’m surprised people even bother using built in navigation with the implementation of CarPlay. I exclusively use Waze anytime I travel and it’s always been superior to built in nav.

 

See that little magnifying glass? Click that and it should allow you to search for/input a destination without using voice.

 

BIG THIS! I did an 800mi round-trip sales call a few weeks ago, and decided to test the factory "optimized" Nav vs my android google maps - the 4Runner Nav route was 1hr longer than the Google Maps route no matter what settings I used (more highways, shortest mileage etc.). I only use Android Auto/Waze for Nav. I'll use the factory map to check street names if I am somewhat familiar with where I am going and don't want to use Nav at all, but that's it.

 

2025 Toyota 4Runner vs. 2024 Toyota 4Runner: How They Compare (caranddriver.com)

https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a60444485/2025-toyota-4runner-2024-toyota-4runner-compared/

2025 Toyota 4Runner vs. 2024 Toyota 4Runner: How They Compare
The old 4Runner is like a fossil compared with the new one's modern powertrains and myriad other improvements.

I think the folks at Car and Driver know a little bit.

Here are some reasons to stick with the fossil like 5th gen, per some of the hand-picked comments in this thread.

I think we may detect a bit of confirmation bias in some of these reasons that the 5th Gen is soooooo much better than the new 6th gen.

• Simple 6 Cyl engine (simple means “old technology”)
• Popular among virtually the entire 4Runner community (and this one won’t be?)
• Broad acceptance/respect among overland types (and this one won’t have the same?)
• Infinite aftermarket options (yup, the aftermarket is going to dry up for the new gen, huh, SMH)
• Ugly....Virtually all fan rendered projection look far, far better (all the reviews only say the opposite)
• Complex 4 cyl turbo hybrid system. Complexity adds additional failure points. (afraid of new tech?)
• After seeing the 6th Gen I realize I chose exactly the right time (Trying to convince oneself? The winky smiley emoticon is a dead giveaway)
• I certainly do not like the size increase (size matters, lol)
• Other than that, the huge nonintegrated interior screen is a big turn off to me. I don't see what the point is (it’s a new thing: t-e-c-h-n-o-l-o-g-y (Google that) and convenience)
• This engine bay is so jam packed (yeah, and....how often do you even have to see that or do anything in there with the awesome Toyota reliability?)
• That's engine is encroaching on being called a bag of snakes (oh my, scary)
• the front grille of the 2025 4R seems weird (hmmmm, no comment)
• I'm thinking real world driving, the 6th gen is going to be barely better than the 5th gen (but it will be better, right?)
• Having your car stall at random times only to jarringly start at other times is beyond annoying (random?)
• It does not even look like an engine. (hmmm, no comment)
• Even if it turned out to be the best thing since sliced bread most are priced out of these markets now short of selling their first-born child. (most people prefer to keep their second born anyways)
• I'm wondering if the Toyota engineers have put pen to paper about the hood scoop (nah, them engineers are just winging it there at Toyota)
• I like the new power hatch but a prop rod for the hood. Come on Toyota, really? (wahhh wahhh SMH)
• "My 4Runner value went up $4000 yesterday after the release of the new model. Not mad about it ". If true, I'm not surprised. (not true)
• The 5th gen will go down as the last reliable 4runner. (Why, because Toyota no longer knows how to make a good vehicle or instead, because you own one?)
• Bronco looks better and is more capable. (Ummmmh, no)
• I have yet to go see a 6th gen in person but the whole thing just doesn't do it for me….And the whole car just looks very gaudy from the outside (no comment)
• I seriously wonder if people are not factoring the actual car payment into the equation and are solely looking at the fuel savings, since that's so psychologically important. (Wait, the 6th gens are not free?)
• I think people just use that reasoning as justification when they really just want another car. (Finally, someone gets it. Well said my friend)

 

Wow, that must have taken some time to put together. Are you that butt hurt so many people don't agree with you?

I'm not saying the 6th gen will be better or worse than the 5th, only time will tell. But it definitely doesn't excite me in any way. However, I deliberately bought my 5th gen in 2019 BECAUSE people like car and driver were already calling it a dinosaur back then, and that's what I wanted. Technology in vehicles is often overrated.

 

Why would I be butt hurt? I find it comical that people say such silly things to confirm that they feel so strongly against progress and change, that's all.

It took about 15 minutes to gather up those quotes. I had fun. You just made me laugh, "Technology in vehicles is overrated" I am going to add that to the list.

 

"often overrated" - if you are going to quote it then at least get it right. Nice job leaving out a key word though to try to make it fit your narrative.

And laugh all you want - the Tesla drivers who have died because of their self driving technology aren't laughing anymore

 

I mean I for one don’t hate tech… progress is great, but that assumes an improvement in figures/statistics that translate into real world benefits. I love how at the margins, the 2024 4Runner Pro has much better LED headlights and fog lights, heated steering wheel, auto dual zone climate, Apple Car play, and radar adaptive cruise control, blind spot, as they’re all features I utilize and were previously lacking in my 2015 TRD Pro 4Runner. In fact, my big gripe is that the 2024 lacks wireless CarPlay which the 6th Gen will have. Drive the new turbo hybrid drivetrain… it has far more HP and torque than the 4.0 ancient V6, but I don’t really care if it doesn’t actually motivate the car much more quickly. You can put 10 gears in the transmission and have it generate one grillion lbs/ft of torque, but if you’re still accelerating to 60 slower than the fossil 4.0 liter V6 you feel is grossly underpowered, who really cares about the new tech employed? I mean even if they were similarly powerful if it meant significantly better fuel economy, that would have meant a real benefit but it seems in the case of the Landcruiser, gas mileage increase is negligible enough to have the ~21% cost difference between reg vs premium unleaded neutralize fuel savings purely from a financial perspective. Power steering is great, fuel injection is great, hybrid power can be great…. But I’m just not seeing it really translate in this 6th Gen based on the LC250 with which it shares the platform and drivetrain. I love the looks of the new Landcruiser and think the 6th Gen is attractive… but like flat folding seats and better approach, break over and departure angles too. Some of us have the option both financially and from a timing perspective to get first dibs on a 6th Gen and aren’t trying to convince ourselves we made a mistake in buying a new version of the last 5th Gens. We just authentically prefer them. I won’t begrudge anyone who loves the 6th Gen.

 

I am sure some people authentically prefer the 5th gen over the new 6th, but some are crunching the numbers because, deep down, they love the new 6th gen but financially, it does not make sense to trade up at this point. I get that. What I don't get is that a lot of people just can't come out and say that, well, if you read this thread, a few have said it, but comments like the engine bay looks like a bag of snakes, or the insinuation that the aftermarket for the 6th gen will somehow not become a real thing, those are just silly statements from people trying convince themselves of something, again, just my opinion, not trying to hurt anyone's feelings, just making an observation. BTW, this is typical across all types of vehicles. I am a Ford Mustang enthusiast and when the new 2024 came out, people who just bought 2023 models were poo-pooing the new 2024 Mustang. I get it.

Confirmation bias is twisting the facts to fit your beliefs. Critical thinking is bending your beliefs to fit the facts. (Found this on the interweb, so it must be true.)

Some may say that I am doing the same thing, (confirmation bias) about the new 6th gen, and I would agree. I love the look of it and the technological advances and the things like a little less cargo area or the way the seats folds, I do not care at all about that. I certainly do not care what the engine bay looks like. If I had to guess, I would say that I opened the hood and looked at the engine bay of my 5th generation maybe five times in the past eight years. Anyways, it's all good, to each his own. I do enjoy a good debate, though.

 

Believe it or not some of us actually like the old one.
Really.


I work in software.
In fact I work in software that’s used to design the electronics and tech on cars (including Toyota)

So being “afraid of tech” would be bad for my career… but I think tech has its place. The best screen and newest “apps” are cool on my phone and my PC, but I like my cars simpler. I like things that just work. I like knobs that are easier to handle without looking and while wearing gloves in winter. I buy a car to get me places, not to surf social media.

 

lol love it! Tranny failures. Our 5G is going up in value!

https://youtu.be/FrJuqMpA_HY?si=UyPrCKA6zlWizmiZ

 

I just noticed the OP hasn't been seen since creating the thread and it was their only message.

Wonder if they're laughing at us squabbling with each other over which one will be best?

 

Bottom line for us is you actually know what you are getting with the 5th gen. Price was not an issue with my wife and myself. We considered the GX but we couldn’t get past the front end styling and hated the swing out rear hatch door. The 6th gen is going to be a crap shoot for the first couple years.
Maybe in 4-5 years I’ll consider a 6th gen when it’s resume has been somewhat filled in.

 

I had owned my 4Runner 3 years before I even tried to use the factory nav. I think I was somewhere and lost cell signal, and I was actually surprised that the factory 2013 nav was functioning and getting me to where I needed lol.

 

Right? He basically tossed a hand grenade and walked away, LOL.

 

I love that the 6th gen exists, and I’m glad we still get to have some sort of “real” truck. I’m also willing to look past the 4 cylinder because they offer a non hybrid, which I significantly prefer. But… what I can’t get past, and this is just a slap in all 4Runner owners face by Toyota is…

The absolutely stupid rear seat configuration on then 6th gen. Thank you Toyota for soccermomming that.

 

Yes, but these "superior" options also have zero privacy. Traditional GPS does not transmit out any data and does not know who you are.

While today this loss of privacy rarely blows up in your face, because it is still too difficult to bulk analyze and aggregate this data, in a few years with AI automation this would be a solved problem. So fully expect your health insurance premium go up because you visited McD drive-through 2 times this week and 3 times last week.

Do you know what marketing is trying to get going today based on all the data? Personalized prices. Yes, they want everyone to pay absolute max without pricing anyone out or losing clients to competition. This is type of hell "nothing to hide" people are inviting in by disregarding privacy. Thing is, you can't get your privacy back retroactively, but you can stop digging the hole deeper anytime.

 

Not difficult at all. They do it wonderfully.

 

This. I bought my 2024 back in March because I value reliability over all else, and I knew the Gen5 4Runner provides that. I like the looks of it, and got the Limited so it has some of the goodies (like ventilated seats and auto-climate control) that are standard on the 6th gen. I'm not a big tech guy, so the upgrades in technology offered by the Gen6 don't mean much to me. And I'm a big believer that you should never buy version 1.0 of anything. I'm old and, at this point, I intend for this 2024 to be my last vehicle. That doesn't mean that I can't change my mind in a few years if the Gen6 turns out to be as reliable as the Gen5.

I will say that I wasn't all that impressed with the looks of the Gen6 when I first saw it, but it's growing on me a little. Who knows, I might even wind up liking it. But I don't like the apparent loss of of rear seat legroom, or the way the rear seats fold, or the loss of cargo capacity on the hybrid versions. Some people may not care about those things (just like I don't care much about the tech stuff), but that doesn't mean they are not legitimate concerns for others such as myself.

If the Gen6 winds up being stone cold reliable like the Gen5, it's not like I can't decide to buy one a few years down the road. But, I might buy the LC instead. If I had to buy a Gen6 4Runner or a new LC today, I'd pick the mid-level trim LC.

 

It's hilarious how people get so butthurt about somebody else criticizing their vehicle choice. I mean, who tf cares? 6th gen, 5th gen, it's a truck. It's your money.