What did they get wrong?

So, I don't think anyone here would deny that the 4Runner in general is a little bit quirky when it comes to amenities or interior design features. Part of its simplicity is what has actually made the vehicle so appealing to so many. Yet, there are plenty of things in there that simply don't make sense, especially at the MSRP some of these are starting to come in it at.
I actually spent 2 years researching and trying to decide which trim level I wanted before I purchased my 4Runner (Got a 2020 Venture). Until the Venture came out, I was very torn on what features I wanted or was willing to deal with. It had pretty much everything I was looking for(interior wise). With that being said and after having it for a couple of months, I still don't understand how Toyota hasn't fine tuned some design features after all of the years they have been making the 4Runner.

Some of the things I don't get...

1. SO many surface finishes on the interior. faux carbon fiber on JUST the console. a sparkly black trim for the doors and center dash console, and then a dark brushed aluminum piece over the glove box. They all look great, but I feel its odd they would design it without those all matching.

2. Steering Wheel...maybe nitpicky but the area between 11 and 1 o'clock just seems like it should be thicker. The rest of the wheel is nice and beefy but no there.

3. Location of the inverter switch...So if the outlet is in the back, why is the switch in the front, but more importantly, why is located where you can't really see it without trying to look for it? You can't really see it from behind the wheel without tilting your head to specifically look for it.

4. At least on the Venture, they took specific care to black out every single detail on the outside, EXCEPT, those 2 little chrome pieces in the front upper grill?

5. No separate climate controls for back seat. I mean I don't care I'm always in the front, but its 2020. every car at this price point has this option today.

6. Window and door lock location. You can't open the window in snow or rain without all of those controls getting soaked.

7. The convenient little phone slot next to shifter... Its great, but it should be on the driver side of the shifter and its too small to fit a phone and a drink at the same time, especially if you are charging the phone.

8. My truck is LOADED with USB ports. 4 in dash( I added 2 with a voltage readout), 1 in the console, 2 in the back seat and another in the very back. Why do they still put in 12v lighter adapters in there? Do they still sell stuff that use that adapter and what are you plugging in there that wouldn't fit in a USB adapter?

There is some petty stuff there, but I'm sure there are other things, what bothers you?

 

Pretty bad list and choice of vehicle for 2 years of looking around. You don't buy the luxury only, you buy reliability, insane off roading capabilities and resale value. Any other similar sized SUV on the market with these options and safety tech will cost the same. Honestly, this list sounds like a 1st world problems and a bit of a whine. I took the time to reply as I think you bought it for the wrong reasons. There are many other vehicles on the market that for sure can give you more for your cold hard cash.
Your list is simply just preferences. Beauty is in the eye of the beerholder. You should know by now that the perfect vehicle does not exist.
1. I couldn't care less for that. I don't like shiny surfaces in side, they always stain and carry fingerprints. The design is ok, see the beerholder comment above.
2. The steering wheel feel super nice. Nice quality materials good grip all around. IMHO, not a valid point.
3. Are you supposed to press that switch while doing 75mph on the highway? Don't you set up your stuff before you get going? And even so, you should familiarize yourself with the vehicle and know where all the controls are.
4. Again, maybe a cutting cost measure, maybe an oversight. it is a very easy fix, you'll find many solutions on this forum.
5. This vehicle does not cater to that range of buyers. If you were looking for that option, this is not the vehicle for you. Not many 2020 vehicles have that option anyway. So you are bothered by the missing controls in the back, but you are fine with the 5 speed tranny and an old engine design with lousy fuel economy ?
6. Older design and yes, it is a lousy location. Is that the deal breaker?
7. There is absolutely no issue with that spot. We are talking 1 inch away.
8. Cameras, dual chargers, GPS units, converters and the list goes on. At this point I feel you are simply trolling.

Out of them all, after 2 years of searching and judging by your list, you shoudv'e gotten for the Limited.

 

Well, if you read the last line I wrote, I stated that the list was in some cases petty and the first line also stated I was speaking specifically to amenities and interior. Clearly none of the issues I mentioned bothered me that much because I bought the vehicle. I also wasn't asking for you or anyone else to approve my opinions. I could not be happier with my 2nd 4Runner and in fact the reason I bought the one I did is because a lot of the things I didn't like about previous years had been changed in the vehicle I bought. Since you brought it up as I hadn't mentioned engine or tranny... Sounds like you have a bigger issue with the 4runner, perhaps it is you who are the troll.

 

Venture owner here. Didn’t find any issues with any of the items you pointed out. I love my 4runner but for it to become the best car in the world it should have Blind spot monitor, auto turn on headlights, cooled seats

 

Not sure what you are looking for in this thread you started. You asked a question, I gave you an honest answer. Do you need approvals to feel good or what ?
Even though the engine and tranny are “old” by modern standards, they make one of the most reliable powertrain in the industry.
This is a lesson to not answer threads like this one. Not sure what the purpose of your posting was, anger management much ?

 

Not having an option for the 1UR-FE.

 

The only issue I have with the interior is that the passenger seat does not have adjustable lumbar support like the drivers side. Everything else is absolutely fine with me.

 

Considering how many overland/off-road/camping products still utilize 12v sockets I'm not surprised that they haven't been phased out.

 

Non-height adjustable passenger seat. Lack of interior storage.

 

1 - I agree with this while hardly. I didn’t know wtf they were thinking. It’s like each section was individually designs and nobody consulted with the anyone else or tried to see the big picture. That’s a massive failure of automotive design, especially 11 model years in! It boggles my mind it made it to production like that.

5 - I don’t think it’s need second row HVAC controls per say, but some more usable vents would be awesome. Roof mounted like their own Highlander, or even B-Pillar mounted like the Germans. Something that isn’t so low and totally useless to a kid and car seat.

 

Don't have one but for the price they ask for the Pro, it should have front and center locking diff included.

 

The 5th Gen 4 Runner is arguably one of the best vehicles in the world. Sure, you can nitpick stuff, but as whole it’s pretty impressive. It will become a classic. It has had such a long run, and there are so many of them around that they will be in inventory for a long, long time. I focus in the big stuff, personally. I couldn’t care less about cup holders or cell phone cubbies being on the wrong side of the shifter, haha. What I care about are 8 airbags. 8! What other SUV has 8 airbags? KDSS, wow! Great 4 wheel drive system and traction control system, state of the art! Bullet proof 4 litre engine, totally bullet proof. With regular service that sucker will run forever - forever! When these vehicles get old there will be a ton of used parts for them, and they’re old fashioned enough to be easily fixed in your driveway. Pretty cool, try that with a new Defender! Overall, we’re lucky Toyota still makes an old timey vehicle like the 4 Runner. Who cares about the plastic in the interior, haha.

 

The only thing that really bothers me is the quality of the interior plastics. It will last forever, but afraid the inside is going to look like shit before I even need new tires

 

Have faith, SCMountaineer! It’ll last forever too. It’s just plastic. 20 years from now if your cup holder is cracked, pick up a replacement panel at the junk yard for $20.

 

Barf

 

The plastic is so much better quality than the plastic in the 3rd gen tacoma. First thing I noticed in my 4runner was how much nicer the plastic is compared to the Tacoma. And also the attention to detail. When you look closely at stitching, attachment points of interior parts, visible and hidden, the quality of the 4runner becomes apparent in comparison. Blew me away when looking closely at the details (details that are insignificant and not noticeable if you’re not looking for them). The difference is a big one.

5th gen 4runners are gonna be a truck to hold on to. When they move to the 6th gen, the quality will not be the same. That’s just the economics of our times.

 

The “carbon fiber” on the OR consoles has always stumped me. It’s so random and seems out of place. To my eye, it’s like sticking a “Pioneer” head unit in a 1976 Jeep Wagoneer when I’d much rather have the original AM/FM radio with the 6 push-buttons and 2 dials.

But I love the 4runner regardless. It’s a value vehicle, and a stellar one at that. Of all the vehicles on the road today... think ahead 20 years. I bet there’s a lot of 4runners still on the road compared to other makes/models. Tacoma and 4runner might be in the top five. Or three? (Normalized to sales numbers)

 

I specifically picked a used Trail over a new TRD-OR for that reason. I can't stand random tacky carbon fiber overlays.

Personally, I find the interior to be dated as well, but it's serviceable enough and all of the controls are familiar without having to look away from the road.

I think Toyota designs interiors with the third owner in mind. They seem dated compared to the competition, but everything will still be working in twenty years- and by then it will look classic.

 

The lack of a TPMS sensor that shows individual tire pressures really triggered me. The 2005 GMC Yukon I traded in had it. Never imagined that a new 2019 $40k SUV would have 1996 tire pressure technology.

Center console plastic scratches easily. Minor annoyance. Shifter knob gets knocked out of alignment easily. Minor.

The biggest thing that I don't like is how difficult it is to fit larger tires. Going up one size in tires from 265 to 285 should not require 2.5" of lift PLUS fender and liner trimming.

I've also found the flashing of dash lights and horrible noises whenever the vehicle coasts backwards a few inches on an incline to be utterly ridiculous as well.

As far as power ports, my front cigarette lighter port has an adapter installed with two USB ports. One for my vape charger and one for my phone charger. The USB plug-in to the left is used by my girlfriend for her phone when she's with me.

The two round 12v plug-ins behind the center console have a CB radio power plug-in in one, and my roof-top LED strobe light power cord in the other.

I don't mind the inverter switch being on the dash since my vehicle has always been parked when I've used it to run a compressor. But I could see that the switch being in the back near the plug-in would make more sense.

Overall, very little to be upset about. The absolute reliability and solidness of the vehicle are well worth a couple of minor annoyances.

 

Outdated stuff is one reason I bought it.
I've got me a 10 year old brand new vehicle. Surprised they didn't charge a vintage tax

 

A suspension lift on the independent front suspension on these doesn’t add any tire clearance.

 

My 2020 shows each individual tire.

I've heard that said before about the Tacoma's interior. Shame, because its a nice looking one.

 

4R has no change for the past 10 years, the engine for 20 years.
4R sells in Japan before but not anymore.
I think Toyota doesn't really put effort into changing the car that, manufactures in japan but only sells in North America.
Try the Lexus GX460, or wait for the new generation.

 

@lidz
There is a reason the 1GR-FE is still in service all over the world in several different models. Same reason the Ford and Chevy small blocks were used for decades with several documented at 1 million miles. The 2009 upgraded 1GR-FE Dual VVT-i allows it to run on 87 octane at 10.4:1 compression and still produce moderate power as well as run on 93 octane and produce a little more power. Is it an anemic tuned and outdated design? You bet. But it will be providing the Toyota reliability for years to come.
With 4Runner sales coming in at almost 700k for the last 6 years for an import, there is no reason to change for Corporate. The R&D to comply with EPA restrictions and guzzler taxes would be a profit killer for a new model to be introduced with sales doing so well. If those numbers continue to do well, Covid not withstanding, and gas prices continue to stabilize, why would they change it?
The general consensus is that a Hybrid or EV will be on the horizon. They might just retire it all together, but right now it just makes good business sense to keep it as is. Since the Covid shortage, people are still going out of their way to find the PRO too. Which makes Toyota look like geniuses.

 

My wife drives a BMW X3, when we got it we were given a tutorial of all the features it has and there were a lot of Wows, Ooo’s and Aaaahs. That being said we probably use about .50 to .25 % of those features since we got it. I would say the only thing I like in the Beamer that would be nice to have on the 4Runner is Driver seat memory only because my wife drives the 4runner a lot. That being said as others have stated I like the simpleness, reliability and functionality of the truck it’s the main reason I purchased it. All the other stuff are First World problems....

 

3 items for me. Other than that love my 4runner.

-The steering wheel radio/volume controls. The layout is just dumb. (I think this is across all Toyota’s now though).
-The OCD in me doesn’t like how the dash clock isn’t synced to the one in the head unit.
-The call sound quality I have isn’t as great compared to my previous Tacomas and Tundra. In the 4runner I have to have the volume almost on max to be able to hear what people are saying.

 

I wonder if the call volume can be changed with the Techstream software.

 

I must be the only person who likes where the window switches are located.
There are few things that are annoying but what I'm most annoyed about is not being able to lower the rear window from the remote like the previous gens, and not being able to raise up the rear window if any of the doors are open.

 

My only complaint.... no manual transmission.

 

^^^ not directed at you, it just made me think of this lol