I really want a new 4runner but the MPG

Hell ya!! And this really is a last of the breed situation, the Hemi will soon just be a memory.

I bet this gets better mileage than the 4R, and they're supposed to be great cruisers.

 

24 mpg on the highway, not too bad, better than the slow 4Runner

 

Lexus LC500 is another V8 beauty that is still available. I like the Dodge more though, it is more fun and costs less. For the price of that Lexus, you can get the 1000 hp SRT Demon lol

 

OP, it all depends on what you want to do with your vehicle. I tow, offroad, camp, and travel long distances. I even have a mattress in the back lol. And the 4Runner can do all that, not the best at them but can do them. I daily drive it too, it does fine even on mudterrains. If you want a strict daily driver, then 4Runner is not the wise choice, much better vehicles out there for that. Spend your money wisely, but do what makes you happy.
I was going to trade in my 4Runner for the new GX. But Toyota is having problems with their new motor. I will give them a couple of more years. So the 4Runner will be my companion for a couple of more years.

 

If you do decide to go with the 4Runner, then make sure you get the KDSS trim. KDSS makes a good daily driver.

 

Get a newer Rav4 Hybryd,my wife drives one and it gets 40-42 mpg. It's actually a nice car with a lot of room.

 

That's crazy, in my area it's the reverse. It's been over a decade since diesel was cheaper.

Interesting how much fuel prices vary between regions.

 

It was 0.50 the other way a year ago and yet 2yrs ago it was cheaper than regular. Up & down.

 

Had a Camry v6 and a heavy foot until i traded that one in for a 4 runner last year. So basically i was averaging the same mpg on that Camry v6 with a heavy foot compared to my 4runner just driving patiently. Freeway same thing. I am older so speed doesn’t matter as much. I just like to go camping and fishing and hitting those backroads just for the peace and quiet.

 

I don’t commute alot of miles a year. But if I did, and I was dead set on something like a 4Runner, I’d just get a slightly used V8 Lexus GX (or, of course, 200 series LC if budget allows).

A ‘23 GX blackline edition in nori green was the only other truck I considered when cross shopping my 4Runner. The GX was smoother, more comfortable/luxurious, better engine/trans, and is now probably similar money slightly used as a new ‘24 4Runner.

Only real cons vs the 4Runner are some people complain about cargo capacity, the barn door, and looks. I also love the roll down rear window in the 4Runner and prefer the “cheaper” but easier to clean interior.

I liked the 4Runner better for my limited commuting needs but the GX makes more sense for most people.

 

Good information. I was semi considering a used GX but what ultimately stopped me from looking more seriously was the appearance (I can't get past the fact they look like one of those awful minivan conversions with the elevated roofline you see on old Dodge Caravans) and not knowing how robust the V8 was...or whether one could expect similar reliability and longevity to our 4.0L V6s.

For the $51K I paid for my new '24 4R Limited, I have to assume I could've gotten a pretty nice late model GX

Thanks,
TimG

 

Same here. I could have bought a used GX460 with 60,000 miles for low-to-mid 40's. But I can't get past the cow-catcher grill on the front of of it. And I wanted a brand new vehicle that nobody else had wrecked, neglected or otherwise screwed up.

 

It sounds like fuel economy is one of the things keeping the OP from buying a 4Runner. Why would a vehicle that requires premium and gets worse fuel economy be a better option?

 

I was impressed how the Rav4 Prime did offroad. Watch it on TFL, good tires is all it needs. Very capable crossover.

 

Another fun vehicle for OP. I like the Fiat Spider version of it more though.

 

Not saying he should get either but he knows about the gas mileage and still considered the 4Runner. As mentioned, for someone who drives alot but is dead set on something like a 4Runner, the GX is a much more comfortable commuter.

I don’t get freaking out over fuel cost when looking to spend $50K+ on an SUV lol. If mpg is that big of a concern, the person should be looking at a cheaper used vehicle to pack miles on imo.

If anything, if someone can’t afford the difference in cost between regular and premium fuel, they probably can’t afford the depreciation of a newer vehicle to begin with (which can be thousands per year). It’s like people who trade in their paid off corolla to buy a $70K Tesla to “save money on gas”.

 

No, seriously it did fine, even better than the trd offroad trim. The electric motor in back did the trick.

 

If you are into electric vehicles, the new Tesla Model 3 Performance edition is a good deal, 2.9 second 0-60

 

And 296 miles of range

 

One more fun one for OP

 

I find it hilarious that the OP is looking for a reliable, fuel efficient car for long commuting duty…

… and now folks are recommending Chrysler V8s and Volkswagen products.

 

Ha!

 

OP, get the Lexus-like full time 4WD 4Runner Limited. Keep it stock, drive conservatively, you will get 20-23 mpg on the highway. This is a 4Runner forum, we need to encourage folks to get 4Runners.
TFL achieved 26 mpg across two mountain passes in their new Landcruiser. 6th gen 4Runner shares the same powertrain, so you can wait for that too if you want. Case closed.

 

I get what you're saying, but it appears that fuel economy is the biggest thing keeping the OP from buying one.

Also, the cost of premium vs regular really comes down to your location. Here, it's $0.80- $0.90 different, and would cost me over a thousand dollars per year. I guess it's not a ton of money, but it's enough for it to be a consideration.

I didn't finish typing my reply when I sent it.

I meant to say that I hadn't seen it, but I'd bet it would get through a fair amount of mild trails.

 

Seriously. I'm not smiling while trying to keep up with traffic on a mild grade and forcing my 4runner to down shift knowing I'm getting like 15mpg.

 

Have you checked out the Rav4 woodland edition?

 

4.88

 

On the way home from work yesterday I had just gotten on a two-lane highway. I was stuck in a line of slow moving traffic in the right lane, I tried three times to merge into the left lane, but could not build up a significant head of steam to do it.

Last week I was in the exact scenario that you described going up a hill, and a 3500 dually pickup towing a gooseneck with two Sprinter vans on it passed me in the left lane like I was standing still.

 

So, now the 4Runner is incapable of maintaining highway speeds?

Weird.

I drive mine through the Appalachian mountains twice a year. I use S4 and sometimes S3, and manage to keep up just fine.

 

Ha! $2,200 is all it takes to ease the suffering. This truck is not slow, it is just undergeared. This comment made me go