I really want a new 4runner but the MPG

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

 

I would have crushed that 3500 and I am heavily modified.

https://youtu.be/u4zfk6eNfig?feature=shared

 

You gotta put your foot down further, clearly.

Toyota gave us 278 horses to work with, you bet I'm going to use all of them when needed.

 

Yeah, that works, but I'm running stock size tires. So now my RPMs are going up and I'm getting worse uel economy and more engine noise. The vehicle should be better from the factory.

It's fine everywhere else, I just dislike it on the highway at times. And I realize if you floor it, it gets up and goes pretty well, but that's just not my driving style. I don't think most people drive that way.

 

With 4.88 you don't have to floor it. It would take a jump from 2400 rpm to 2800 rpm for my rig to pass that 3500.

 

Well, it was incapable of picking up speed quickly enough to move from the slow moving right lane into the through traffic on the left. I put it to the floor three different times and still couldn't get up fast enough to cut in.

If I had matted it maybe I could have kept up with that.3500 uphill, but having to drive the thing like you stole it is annoying. I've never owned a vehicle that's required such a heavy foot.

 

I've actually thought about re-gearing, but maybe if it was newer. I'm just about to hit 175k miles, I don't want to put that kind of money in it at this point.

 

I drive fast. When I had stock gear, 4000+ rpm was a daily thing for me. It sucked, but music helped lol. The stupid thing can't stay in gear, has no energy. Viper cut and 4.88 are my two best mods lol

 

Why not slow down and create a little space between you and the vehicle in front of you to accelerate? That's what I do when I need to change lanes and one lane is going a lot faster than the other.

It seems pretty well known that these require a lot of pedal input, based on the 900 pedal commander threads.

 

If it all works out, I am buying a new 2024 4Runner tomorrow. With the V6 it will get the same as my 06 Tacoma V6. Maybe 1mpg better?

 

Since I am on a road trip, I did a little experiment. I drove at exactly 50mph for a little over 60 miles. It was a flat road with hardly any traffic .This is what I got.
Not practicle on a regular basis but how often do you see you mileage competing with your top speed.

 

I cross the Sierras usually in January or February every year over Donner Summit on the way to Boise and back. The truck is usually loaded too. I have no issues. It's not a Ferrari, but I am happy with the power. And I don't want the maintenance and unreliability of the Ferrari - or for that matter most other makes.

 

It's a benefit offroad, where you can make very fine throttle adjustments, but I agree it's a little odd on road. Brakes are the same way.

Whenever I switch from the 4R to our other car, I tend to drive it like a race car for a little bit, since that's normal in the 4R.