Looking at 2020 4Runner as a daily driver

Hello, I'm new here. I have a 2014 FJ Cruiser TTUE and love it. I'm looking to get my wife a 2020 4Runner for all around use. What's the best one out there and what should I look out for.

Thanks in advance, Mike

 

Welcome to the forum! Best is subjective. Any other plans for it other than a DD? All round meaning on/off road etc.? Some types of usage info would be helpful for replies.

 

Well mostly for 4x4ing mountain dirt roads in Eastern Washington, beach driving on the coast (not dunes), snow driving across the mountain passes in the winter. No rock crawling or heavy Jeeping like I used to do (I'm pushing 70 now). I guess we are looking for one with all the bells and whistles inside but is still a capable 4x4. The FJ will get me to just about anywhere when we go to Arizona and Utah. Thanks again, Mike

 

The Limited has the most creature comforts. SR5 is the best value. If you don't have big plans for off-road use, I would get one of these.

TRD Off-road is great for off-road use, and the PRO adds upgraded shocks and tires.

For a daily driver I might look at a Highlander as well. If you don't require the off-road abilities of the 4runner, a Highlander will be more comfortable and fuel efficient.

Edit: after reading your second post, I really recommend the limited. It has the most bells and whistles, and is still plenty capable off-road.

 

My nephew just bought a 2019 4Runner TDR Pro. He literally just left here from showing us 15 minutes ago. It's gorgeous! I don't think that we need that much of a vehicle or the $60K price tag.

 

Since the truck will be for your wife, I would suggest the Limited.
Reason #1 is the Limited is equipped with full-time 4x4 (meaning it is on all the time). The other flavours (SR5, TRD OFFROAD, TRD PRO) of the 4runner are primarily rear wheel drive, and a driver would need to manually shift into 4x4 whenever the conditions allow for it.
Reason #2 is the Limited has more of the creature-comforts and niceties that I think your wife would appreciate.

 

Great point! This is actually ideal for snow driving.

 

IMO Limited is the best option for ladies. I tell that because I gave my wife a Limited. With its full time 4wd she doesn't have to think of anything when she drives in winter.

I did look at Lexus GX and Highlander Limited & Platinum (other trims does not have Torque Vectoring AWD).

I did not like the low stance and 20in mini-van wheels. So I got a 2.5front and 1.5inrear lift (I had to throw xreas suspension in trash as you can't sell them). I also got 17in TRD Off road wheels with non LT P285/70R17 tires. Limited is our city only vehicle so don't need LT tires and big suspension.

Here's how it looks. It's 2019 and has about 4000miles now. (It has low miles because we use TRD ORP for trips.)
https://youtu.be/BvV0GGCaVM4

 

We got a used limited last year, my wife is very happy with it.

 

Welcome!

 

As others have said, the Limited is perfect for the situation and uses you describe. It won't be worse than any other models on anything you plan to do, and will be better overall on snowy roads because you'll never end up in a situation where you needed 4WD but didn't have it. And that's a pretty common situation for part-time 4WD vehicles, since roads are seldom uniformly slippery. In the real world one is usually driving between mostly dry/recently plowed or salted stretches of road and snowy slippery stretches.

And then of course there's all the creature comforts -- which includes XREAS, making the Runner more pleasant to drive by greatly (greatly!) reducing body roll and brake dive.

All that said, I wouldn't completely dismiss a Highlander. You'd be gaining MPG and comfort, but losing ground clearance. And its AWD system won't likely be as effective on the beach. So personally I'd go Limited unless its MPG is going to bum you out.

 

I wish across the board Toyota uses Torque vectoring AWD on Highlanders. But sadly its only available in XSE, Limited & Platinum. I wonder why can't Toyota keep it simple. Same story with Rav4s.

 

Good point. In addition, most AWD systems these days are based on a front drive architecture and send most power to the front for MPG, only sending to rear when slippage is detected. Plus they seldom have locking differentials. Plus they're heavily reliant on electronic sensors and computer settings. Not that those things can't work well (eg ATRAC and other systems that pinch the brakes on spinning wheels to shift torque to the other side). But all in all you're not getting the same level of robustness and performance as you get from a real 4WD system like on the 4Runner.

 

I would listen to AMD on car care but channel on other thread about XREAS.

He was not a fan and I’ve read $3k to fix when bad. Or go to standard shocks.

 

anyone worried about XREAS should certainly do their own research. But based on the copious discussion on the forum, the system tends to last about as long as standard shocks. And can be replaced with standard or upgraded shocks for the same price as shock replacements on any other 4Runner.

The only real caution IMO is don’t think you can replace a worn out XREAS with a new XREAS for reasonable coin. A new identical system is stupid expensive.

 

This is all you need if xreas fail. Why I buy xreas but not kdss. If you don't want lift you can even use stock SR5 shocks.