Thinking of trading our 75th Wrangler Unlimited for a New or CPO 4Runner.

We've had the Wrangler for 8 years and time to move on as the highway ride is horrible. Also, Wave-runner beach launch days are over. Of the 4Runners, which has the best highway ride? 99% of use will be between FL and the GA mountains. Looking at Sport, Limited, Off Road Premium, or SR5 Premium. Are they basically all the same highway ride or is one slightly better than the other? Most of the online comparison reviews are all related to off-road capabilities of the two which really is now basically meaningless to us. Off road use will now be some very light off road trails in the GA mountains. Nothing at all extreme so no longer need Wrangler capabilities. Thanks

 

If you’re looking for a ride softer and smoother than a Crown Vic then get the SR5, or Off-Road trim. Mine blew me away at how soft and comfortable it was off the showroom floor, since I was not expecting that from an old school SUV.

However, if you get the KDSS option on the SR5 or Off Road, I suspect it might ride different (choppier over broken roads) because it uses very fat roll bar. Not sure on this because I haven’t driven a KDSS, but it stands to reason with the fat roll bar. The benefit of KDSS is the 4runner will corner more like a car (maybe even like a sporty car) at road speeds, but the roll bar essentially disconnects at slow speeds. Without KDSS, the 4runner will corner like the 80s SUV it actually is.

The Limiteds have the benefit of a Full-time 4wd transfer case, but they ride on low profile tires that will probably be annoying if you want a soft ride.

There’s also a 2wd version if you think that’s all you’ll need. That might even ride smoother.

 

I haven't driven all the different models of the 4Runner but I suspect there's not a dime's worth of difference in the way the different models ride on the highway (as far as smoothness). I can tell you this...been a Wrangler owner for 30 years now and still have a 2006 Rubicon; there is a WORLD of difference in driving the Jeep and the 4Runner. Hardly ever use the Jeep since I got my 4Runner.

 

^^^This.

Same here - over 30 years of Jeeps owned...however, I sold my 2004 Rubicon when I got the 4R in 2019 and can't say I've missed it at all.

Edit: 2004 Rubicon...

 

I seriously thought about selling mine once I realized how nice the 4Runner was. Been offered good money for it...18 years old but only 52,000 miles on the odometer. But I'm part of a Sheriff's Search and Rescue unit here and this lifted, built Rubicon will go places I would never attempt with my stock 4Runner. So as long as I'm doing the SAR stuff I guess I'll keep the Jeep.

 

None of the trims are what you're looking for. The 4runner has awful highway manners. Of you're not buying it for offroading buy something better suited for highway touring.

 

Then I sugguest the trd offroad models. Only because then come with a rear locker.

 

Buy the 4Runner and keep the Jeep. As for ride quality the SR5 and OR model feels the same. You can also look at the Lexus GX460 more creature comfort and a V8 engine.

 

If you 4runner wanders on the highway. Find and offroad shop and tell them that. They'll dial it in for you. The dealers fall short with alignment and tire balancing.

 

I had the pleasure of driving a 19 GX460 in Washington state and didn't experience any gear hunting. The only vehicle that gear hunted was my 16 Tacoma on the highway. If you want a fast SUV you shouldn't be looking at a 4Runner or GX460/470.

 

I have an orp with kdss and thought it was pretty ok on the interstate up to about 80. Upgraded to bilstein 6112/5160 and b12 springs in back. Now it’s quite impressive. No off-road capable vehicle should drive this well on the highway. It’s excellent at fast interstate speeds and actually fun, instead of scary, in the curves.

 

VERY happy with our '19 SR5 Premium. Don't do too much off-road driving anymore - getting old!!. Fair amount of snow in winter here in the Cascades. But we do drive a trip to SoCal at least once a year, including a side trip to Flag and maybe Gallup. Maybe up into northern Colorado to see visitors. Great ride and handles ANYTHING Mother Nature throws at us!

 

I agree with Wren. I just had 5160s and B12 springs put on the rear with 6112 and B8s in the front and my ORP handles extremely well on the highway. Mine does have KDSS so already cornered better than most, but this suspension lift really has made an improvement overall.

 

Other than the horrible highway ride of our Wrangler, its the unreliability of it since new over the years that while having been warranty covered have sometimes left us stranded. We like the simplicity & reliability of our 2015 Tundra LTD which has made the FL - GA trip over 30 times and have decided to replace the Wrangler with the 4Runner. Want the 5th generation and not the 6th. Did look at the GX but leaning towards the 4Runner.

 

Yeah you can do 6112/5160, or 5100s, with zero lift. I tried it that way first and then lifted 1” rear and 1.75” front. It rides and handles better. Maybe because it’s sitting more in the middle of the shock stroke?

 

As Wren stated you can replace the shocks, and springs as well if you want to gain weight capacity, and retain stock height. The 6112s are great front shocks which eliminate the nose dive and also have preset notches where you can optionally raise the height. But overall great suspension.

 

Yeah with 0 lift it’s still considerably better than stock. But adding a touch of lift made it better yet. My goal ultimately was to keep it under 2”.

 

Welcome.

The best highway ride will come from a Highlander or any other unibody suv.

For the 4Runner, it’s BOF and will show it. The Sport or Limited trims with XREAS suspension will have the best highway manners. Just remember, it’s still a solid rear axle truck at the end of the day.

 

That's true. We have a highlander and it's night and day difference. Highlander is great on the road and ok on dirt. 4Runner is great on dirt and ok on the road.

 

Seems we should define ride, or at least the OP should, because it sounds like everyone is defining it different. Or maybe I’m defining it different.

I have an 18 Highlander, and I think the ride is busy, crashy, and borderline jarring on typical midwest roads. It’s always been like that, and not surprising considering the amount of sidewall on the “lower profile” tires. Not my idea of a good ride. My stock 4runner felt like a freakin Rolls with rich corinthian leather by comparison. Only by lifting it with Doninson IMS springs/shocks did the ride change…now it rides like a Bentley lol.

When comparing rides, I don’t take into consideration how it feels on a nice paved interstate. That is a static situation for the suspension and doesn’t tell you much.

A vehicles “handling” on the other hand, is different than “ride” in my eyes. My 18 Highlander handles much much much better than my 4runner (even with my Dobinsons). Lord help me or anyone else that takes evasive action a little too hard and a little too fast. I think the 4runner in non-KDSS and non-xreas forms is much more likely to end up on its lid than any car or car based SUV.

 

We have a 2021, so it’s one gen newer than yours. Perhaps that’s the difference.

Running 235/65r18 tires, not the 20” wheels, so that helps too.