Which model + year of 5th gen to purchase?

Hi Guys.


I'm a new member here, so forgive me if this has been discussed to death. I'm not new to automotive stuff, but never dabbled in offroading or SUVs.

I'm looking to get the 5th gen as a 3rd car, so probably not a total daily driver. It would be a "fun" car for weekend trips, off-road play, and maybe family vacations. (Not some kind of extreme sheet-metal Baja race truck)

I'm interested in a 5th gen 4 Runner, so I have a ton of questions. However, the best ones to start with would be...


1) Are there any particular year models that are MOST (or least) desirable in the 5th Gen?
--- Good features that occurred only in a few years?
--- Bad years for reliability, or parts quality? etc

2) Which are the most desirable models of 4 Runners, and why?
--- SR5, vs TRD, vs Pro vs something, etc
--- Do any of these contain parts that are basically wastes of money if you plan to upgrade these items anyway for typical offroad use? (i.e, factory suspension parts that are mediocre)
--- Conversely.... do any of these models have VITAL features that are considered "must haves" or cost-saving measures even if you do plan to keep upgrading the SUV?





Thanks for any guidance!

 

Yo, welcome here! I know a lot more now than I did when I bought in 2016.

Buy from the facelift of 2014, to 2019, there's too much tech after that imo.

Buy an SR5 if you don't want to risk rare KDSS or XREAS failure and minor lifting restrictions.

 

I am a noob, so I don't know what KDSS or XREAS entail for these vehicles.

Are you advising NOT to get one 2020 to 2023?

 

No problem, they're both additional performance suspension upgrades that the SR5 doesn't have.
KDSS comes on trail edition and off road pro
XREAS comes in limited edition and trd sport
I believe. Google the rest or search 4Runners.com
People usually don't decline the upgrade when the buy those models, but I think you can technically decline the option in some sales

 

Buy 2020+ if you want many more cameras and sensors, or more warrantee head room. Also some say dealership potentially can have control over your vehicle remotely.
Others here I'm sure will chime in with recommendations.
Cheers

 

Just avoid those with frame rust.

 

They're all pretty much the same since 10 with added features in the later years.

 

The only things that can’t be reasonably added after purchase are the Limited’s full time 4WD and the TRD OR’s KDSS. Locking rear diff can be added. Crawl Control and MTS can be added to the part time 4WD trims (expensive, but can be done. Not sure if it can be added to full time 4WD). Suspension that is better than the Pro’s can be added. If you’re going to be upgrading suspension anyway, skip the Pro unless you really want the special color, ignore the Xreas on the TRD Sport and Limited, and the other trims all have basically the same shocks and springs.

 

Is KDSS good to have, or more of a problem to have?

I'd probably be looking at one of the SR5 trims, or the TRD offroad trims. Just tyring to understand what makes sense in the long-run.

 

I’ve never had the chance to ride in or drive a 4Runner with KDSS as they were not available in the regions I bought in. That said, lots of people like KDSS and say it makes body roll less on road. I believe there are limits to how high you can lift with KDSS as well

 

So offroad trims can have wider 7.5" wheels than SR5, and KDSS which is something you should test drive and judge the difference for yourself. I lifted 3" no prob as well. Any more you want to add sway bar relocation brackets. Lots of Runner owners don't even realize they have extra kdss parts and features, and never have problems it's rare but happens. KDSS has been around since early 2000's which is good

 

You can get a TRD Off Road and TRD Off Road Premium without KDSS as well; you're not limited to an SR5 in order to avoid KDSS if that's what you want to do.

 

A reasonably priced SR5 from 2014 - 2019 will do everything you describe wanting this 4R for. Everything else is fluff unless you want something very specific for offroading.

 

I have a 2018 SR5. It has gotten me everywhere I want to go, including some red (i.e. difficult) trails in Moab. I have seriously considered installing an e-locker, but cannot justify the cost as the A-Trac has gotten me out of most situations. The big advantage a locker has is in the mud. Both rear wheels working in tandem will give you more traction than the A-Trac deciding which wheel is spinning. The winch worked that one time, though.

Having said that, the TRD Off Road Premium with sunroof delete, if you can find one, would be my choice. Gives you a lot more headroom. The 7 spoke TRD wheels protect the valve stem. And TRD's have the cool 4WD lever vs the 4WD dial in the SR5. I can't speak for the KDSS, so I would spend that money elsewhere. Also, the Premium package gives you Syntex (fake leather) seats. These are heated (well, mine are) and much easier to clean than the cloth seats you get in a non-premium 4R.

2019 and newer have too many nanny electronics for my taste. I like the 2018 and older models for that reason.

Good luck in your search.

 

I have to agree with the above. Ended up with a 2022 model myself because the deal was right.

But - I've been driving for a lot of years. I don't need "smart" cruise control, lane keeping assist, vehicle stability control, traction control nor any of the other electronic nannies that only cause problems in the future. Nor do I like the push-button start feature that makes it so easy to steal the vehicle, or the "Safety Connect" feature that is always tracking the vehicle via satellite.

 

I have a 2018 SR5. It has gotten me everywhere I want to go, including some red (i.e. difficult) trails in Moab. I have seriously considered installing an e-locker, but cannot justify the cost as the A-Trac has gotten me out of most situations. The big advantage a locker has is in the mud. Both rear wheels working in tandem will give you more traction than the A-Trac deciding which wheel is spinning. The winch worked that one time, though.

Having said that, the TRD Off Road Premium with sunroof delete, if you can find one, would be my choice. Gives you a lot more headroom. The 7 spoke TRD wheels protect the valve stem. And TRD's have the cool 4WD lever vs the 4WD dial in the SR5. I can't speak for the KDSS, so I would spend that money elsewhere. Also, the Premium package gives you Syntex (fake leather) seats. These are heated (well, mine are) and are much easier to clean than the cloth seats you get in a non-premium 4R.

2019 and newer have too many nanny electronics for my taste. I like the 2018 and older models for that reason.

Good luck in your search.
I agree with @glwood54

 

KDSS is debated here quite a lot. One rarely hears about problems with it, but when there are problems they are expensive to resolve.

 

I’ve got a basic SR5 with cloth seats and all. I off-road a couple times a month and it’s far more capable than I’ll ever need.

Buy what fits your budget, put some good tires on it and your good to go!

 

The way the models work out, you often times spend more than you want to get the features you like. For me the all-time-4wd is a must. Only available in the Limited, which I wouldn't normally want.

 

The nanny electronics began in 2020. 2019 are still nanny-free.

 

Buy the newest and lowest mileage that your budget will allow.

 

4x4 was a must and i went from there. off road premium interior also played a big part in my choice.

 

1a. Most desirable would probably be a Pro model that has a special color that wasn't released on other models in later years. You would have to research for the final answer of which years/colors because idk off the top of my head. Other than that they are all pretty closely related
1b. I'm not aware of any reliability issues but if you plan to modify the 2010-2014 (pre-facelift) models can have limited aftermarket parts availability and also the 2020+ (electronics interference) also have some limitations when it comes to front and rear bumpers. The XREAS on limiteds do seem to have a finite lifespan
2a. SR5, TRD, and Pro are very similar. TRD gives you some electronic off-road capabilities (MTS, Crawl Control, Rear Locking Diff) as well as the Pro which also has dual climate control, an "upgraded" suspension, and mostly cosmetic stuff. The real standout is the limited with full time 4wd.
2b. The TRD Offroad can be had with KDSS - the only trim available. I have it and like it, as others have stated if you don't do some Mx on it to keep it clean and you have to replace it then it can be expensive. Also limits bigger lifts if you want to go that route. Limiteds have XREAS which seems to crap out by 100k? I have no personal experience, just what I've read here.
2c. Depends on the "upgrades" you plan.

For what it's worth, I bought TRD ORP.

I got a Premium for the softex seats - works well with dogs because the nails don't tear them up (somehow, seems counter intuitive but I guess because they aren't leather?) and hair can't be woven into fibers. I love them.

Also got TRD OR because I wanted a "manual 4wd shifter" which isn't really an advantage over SR5 other than I can pretend I'm grabbing onto my own big dinger to shift into 4wd (it also has electronic actuators).

I personally didn't care about MTS or Crawl Control but wanted a factory installed rear locker for the warranty. I've only used it so I don't lose it - obviously haven't "needed" it so far. I've heard ATRAC on the SR5 will get most people where they not only need, but want, to go.

I did get KDSS - I've mentioned this in several threads. I test drove one with and one without on the interstate (~70mph) on a really windy day and could feel the difference. Also when taking the exit ramp. I preferred KDSS knowing the extra Mx needed to keep it healthy and the limitations of lifting in the long run. I'm happy with it