Buying a new 4Runner Soon

Hello,

New to the forums, to the 4Runner, and to Toyota. I'm coming of of a 2023 Honda Passport, a fantastic vehicle, it drives like a rally car - I can do thing with it you couldn't imagine it could do.

But, I have always admired the 4Runner and I'm ready for something new. Soon, I'll be buying a 2023 4Runner ORP Premium in Barcelona Red, and I'm curious:

- anything I need to look out for in this particular model?
- anything I need to look at for when buying from Toyota? I'm not new to buying new cars, I've done it a lot, but first time with Toyota.
- any notorious issues with this model?

I have a deposit on the model I want, and we are sorting out the numbers still, so hoping I can figure it out - car is in transit.

Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

 

Be prepared for a rude awakening in gas mileage and even ride quality. These are basically trucks with the body on frame construction unlike the Passport which is a tall Accord.

 

Heh, thanks for the heads up. The Passport is definitely not a tall Accord - completely different platforms, components and drivetrain. You may be thinking of the CR-V.

The Passport has one of the best torque vectoring AWD systems, a gem of a 9-speed, and Honda’s bulletproof J35 N/A V6. My MPG is 16-19 depending on how I drive.

How far off is this MPG from the 4Runner?

Regarding the body on frame architecture of the 4Runner - fully aware and looking forward to it.

 

You can expect a hell of a good time!

MPG wont be too far off. 16-19 here if I baby it maybe 20 but thats about it.

 

Welcome to the board and congratulations in advance.

Some thoughts:

• Even the newest electronic features of the 2020+ 4Runners may seem primitive compared to the Passport.
• No aspect of the 4Runner will be as comfortable as the Passport.
• The ORP (and other trims) have both old school 4WD technology and new school ABS-based AWD technologies —and their functions overlap in a way that can be very confusing if you started out with the newer technology.
• The Passport”s AWD system is idiot proof. The 4Runner’s old school technology is not. So educate yourself on part time 4WD and the rear differential lock beforehand. If you master these technologies you will enjoy capabilities that the Passport can’t approach.

Cheers.

 

A universe full of wallet-sucking aftermarket parts that will leave you reeling. The Barcelona red mesmerizes you, you won't even realize you're buying stuff.

 

It's a fun vehicle to own. Shows it age but has all the basics for a 2023 truck. Tell yourself it's a 13 year old truck and you ll enjoy it.
The mileage is not good, handles like a boat at highway speed and soaks up road imperfections perfectly.
Has an extensive after market parts support and you can pretty much make it into anything you like. Should be as reliable as your Honda . Commands an insane resale value . And you might be getting what could be the last of the 5th gens.

 

Make sure you have considered KDSS. On road body roll is totally different than non KDSS. Don’t know what region you live in but some regions this suspension is common and others not so much.

 

You had a 23’ Passport? That was a short lived relationship.

 

welcome to the forum. I think you will like the 4 Runner.

 

Family SUVs are designed to be comfortable and safe to cruise on road. 4Runner emphasizes simplicity and brute force.
The Passport's AWD is designed to provide traction and vehicle stability while cruising on sketchy conditions such as rain or snow. 4Runners 4WD is designed for off road use only, you'll destroy it if it is engaged on tarmac. It is all manual and while not fool proof, it provides the best control over how you want the wheels to spin.
The Passport is primarily front wheel drive which is good for fuel economy and vehicle stability on road, and it has independent rear suspension for comfort. 4Runner is primarily rear wheel drive so that the drive train can handle a lot of torque for off roading. The engine is mounted perpendicular to rear axle. The propeller shaft runs from transmission to beefy solid rear axle which is made by Hino motors, Toyota's trucking division.
4Runner last for a long time as long as there's no rust, so get it rust proofed, such as undercoating.

 

At the risk of opening a can of worms, under coating is generally considered a rust accelerator. Look into actual rust prohibitors like fluid film or wool wax.

 

Welcome from Arizona!
Happy Trails.

 

We just bought my wife a '23 runner. Its a barc red sr5 premium with 4wd, had 14k miles on it. Dealer had an identical new '23 2wd on the lot, too, but were asking 5k less for the 4wd. So it was a no-brainer!

I've got an '18 tacoma trd sport, and tbh the runner seems pretty similar. Its more of a plush, smooth ride bc of the rear coils vs my leaf springs, which is to be expected.

She's a toyota convert since marrying me, and she's always loved the runners. I'm just glad we nabbed a 5th gen before they kill off the 4.0 entirely.

You'll love it, congrats!

 

Be aware! Be very aware! You may develop an obsession with all things 4Runner and begin to take an unusual interest in all things Toyota, most especially the introduction of future models and the curious place of the new Land Cruiser in the Toyota line up. You may discover the add to cart feature on new websites on which you dreamily shop for vehicular accessories you may (or may not) need. You may develop a new and empowering feeling of superiority while driving your new 4Runner, especially when passing a Jeep. Drivers of Barcelona Red 4Runners are prone to receiving compliments and second (and third) looks from other drivers and pedestrians and should be extra cautious of automotive paparazzi trolling trails, roads, and mall parking lots. You have been warned! Welcome to the 4Runner family!

 

Weird, many of us use 4wd on road (in snow) every winter with no ill effects. Guess I better trade my 4Runner for something suitable for driving in snow.

 

This^^

 

I think one exception to this would be the Limited, should you decide you want AWD in addition to 4WD. Someone correct me if I'm missing something there. But if you stick with the ORP you're considering, then never mind. Also, I drive lightly and average 21.5MPG.

 

A 23 Passport? Well that was quick lol.

But it’s a fine decision regardless to move onto the 4runner. Non-direct injection, non-turbo, non-hybrid, non overly complicated. Perfect vehicle for long-haul ownership. But oddly enough, perfect for short term ownership given the resale value. Depending on how much your state charges for tax/title/registration, a short term owner could potentially drive a 4runner a year or two for free.

Regarding problems…there aren’t a lot of problems that are big and common. Mostly little things, like easily solve able noises from the hood or splash shields. Some folks have problems with wheel shimmy, sometimes solved by a good tire balance. The most common “big” problem is the needle bearing makes in the front diff. Maybe 1/3 chance you’ll have it…and maybe 1/3 chance the dealer will “hear” it when you take it in lol. If they don’t hear it, they charge you 160 bucks for “listening”. Lol…sorry, I’m still a little sore from that. Hopefully, you won’t learn to hate the toyota warranty. You can fix the needle bearing on your own for not that much money in the big scheme of things.

Regarding ride quality or comfort…I’m not sure why people think this an “uncomfortable” truck. Personally, it’s one of the most comfortable vehicles I’ve ever driven. The OR trim (without KDSS) rides like it’s on a cloud in stock form. Everything inside is right where it should be, and falls readily to hand. The driver’s seat is comfortable regardless of where I position it. The noise/vibration/harshness levels are the best I’ve ever experienced out of the 6 new cars I’ve personally experienced. It blows away our snap/crackle/pop unibody 2018 Highlander.

Yes, handling is scary if you’re trying to drive it like a street car. And I swear, it does have a tendency for the rear end to feel like it’s going to rotate into oversteer, which is pretty fun at slow speeds. But you’ll crap yer pants if it happens at higher speeds.

This is my favorite vehicle to date, for a bunch of different reasons. It’s not a perfect vehicle, but it’s really the perfect example of a “sport utility” vehicle as they were originally intended.

 

Isn’t H4 and L4 locked central diff?

 

I sense some confusion.

The Limited has full-time 4WD, a term which many confuse with “AWD”.

• The Limited, and only the Limited, has a center differential, which when operated in its normal unlocked mode allows the Limited to be driven with 4WD on pavement without any “wind-up” stresses occurring.
• The Limited’s transfer case is controlled by a knob with three positions: H4F (high gear range with center differential open), H4L (high range with center differential locked), and and L4L (low range with center differential locked). All full-time 4WD vehicles have a center differential, but not all center differentials have the option to be locked. That is an extra feature, and very desirable.
• So the Limited may be driven on dry pavement in full time 4WD only in H4F, which is what most owners use 95% of the time. In H4L and L4L, with the center differential locked, the transfer case behaves like a part-time 4WD transfer case and is subject to the same caveats.

All other 4WD 4Runner trims have part-time 4WD:

• They have a transfer case, but they don’t have a center differential.
• On some versions the transfer case is controlled by a lever. On others it’s controlled by a knob. The knob looks similar to the knob in the Limited, but it has different markings.
• Whether knob or lever, on part-time 4WD models the transfer case has three modes: H2 (high range, 2WD), H4 (high range, 4WD), and L4 (Low range, 4WD). (On lever actuated models there’s also a neutral position).
• Part time 4WD models should only be driven on dry pavement in 2WD, otherwise undesirable and possibly damaging stresses may be created in the driveline.

 

Thanks. I’ve read that part time 4WD should be driven in 2WD on dry pavement, so I assumed H4 is a central diff lock, equivalent to H4L in limited trim.

 

This is why I wanted a 4Runner, the fun that comes along with NEEDING to understand how something works.

 

So, update:

I'm now an owner of a 2023 Ice Cap White Off Road Premium w/Sunroof, the off-road package (black wheels (pre-2021 which I prefer), emblems, rock sliders, roof rack, LEDs, all season mats, trunk tray, wheel locks, cargo organizer, etc). I wanted the MTM which my second color option had (the red one). But at the last minute, I realized that the Red one we ordered did not have a sunroof, and that was a must for me.

Having both a Sunroof and MTM, and white or red, without it pushing $60k of options was almost an impossible feat. I was able to snatch this one for a $5k off of MSRP, a hell of a deal, and my trade value was outstanding (only lost $3.5k).

I'm very happy with the car so far, and I'm really looking forward to driving it more and more, its an absolute classic.

 

Here’s your rule of thumb regarding part time 4wd: if you can see pavement, leave it in 2wd.

 

Garoto, we had 2 Honda CRV’s Omer the years. First one was 2002 that we put 296,000 miles on it and the 2nd one was a 2013 CRV that I still drive with 316,000 miles on it. Great cars with about 25 to 30 mpg. We bought my wife a 2022 4Runner and the ride is so much different. The main reason we bought the 4Runner is ground clearance. The Honda was always bottoming out on dirt roads. The 4Runner is nice and tall. We are not 4 wheelers, but, we are always on dirt road. My wife absolutely loves the 4Runner, but, gas is around 19mpg.

 

Congrats. My dad has a 22 Passport. Quite nice, but a whole different kind of animal. Good news is if you want a 24 of something else, you wont take much of a hit

 

You’ll love it. They’re one of the few truly special vehicles out there.

 

I al enjoying every minute of the 95 miles I’ve put in it so far. It’s truly great.

 

Do not wait to get a Pedal Commander. Otherwise, you’ll feel like your 4runner is a giant slug. If I had known this existed three years ago, I wouldn’t have gone a single week without it. It’s so great (so far!).