Toyota 4Runner
Reddit take
AI summary of the Reddit excerpts below — not a quote
The Toyota 4Runner is a polarizing SUV defined by a stark trade-off: legendary 'bulletproof' reliability and off-road prowess versus poor fuel economy and dated interior comfort. While it is highly recommended for its longevity and ability to handle harsh terrain, many users find it cramped, slow, and unrefined for daily on-road driving.
Pros
- Exceptional long-term reliability and durability, often described as 'bulletproof'
- Superior off-road capability and performance in snow
- High resale value and strong enthusiast following
- Practical for car camping due to seats that fold flat
Cons
- Very poor fuel economy, with some users reporting as low as 9-14 mpg
- Dated interior with 'rock hard' plastics and 'ancient' technology
- Cramped and claustrophobic cabin relative to the vehicle's exterior size
- Unrefined on-road manners, described as slow and uncomfortable for long trips
Caveats
- Some users express skepticism that newer models with the 2.4t engine will match the reliability of older generations
- Sensor issues (TSS) can lead to persistent, expensive errors that are difficult to clear
- Infotainment features like CarPlay may be missing on older or specific trim levels
Best for
- Off-road enthusiasts and overlanders
- Buyers looking for a 'Buy It For Life' vehicle
- Drivers in mountainous or snowy regions
Avoid if
- Fuel efficiency is a primary concern
- You primarily drive on paved highways and value ride comfort
- You want a modern, tech-forward interior with premium materials
This summary uses balanced time weighting with about a 6-month half-life. The evidence is older, with a median source age of approximately 407 days, suggesting high confidence in the vehicle's long-term reputation but lower confidence regarding the most recent model year updates.
Sentiment
57 positive (52%) · 18 mixed (16%) · 35 negative (32%)
Trust + time weighted score: +21% · raw score 20%
What redditors said (10 of 110)
When I worked sales at a Toyota dealership, they paid crazy money on trades and at auction for older, high-mileage 4Runners. And we rarely had trouble selling them.
4Runner is a really capable off-roader that has crappy mpg and ride because it’s good off-road.
Your money would probably go further with a 4runner, and you can get a v8. Not sure about the FJ but with the back seats down in the 4Runner it’s long enough to sleep in, assuming you aren’t like 6’6”. My 07 is about to hit 300k and runs great, but I’ve also spent a fair amount of time working on it the last few years.
Same situation in my 4 Runner. I’m over it. DEAL 👏🏻 BREAKER 👏🏻
Parent context: No, not a good deal, you can get a 4Runner for a bit less than that and under 200,000k miles and it’ll last 3x longer than that car Reply: I have. 4runner is massive and rides like shit. They rust out badly too. And buying one with 200k? What are you smoking dawg
I like them until I sat in it, for the price and size. Backseat room sucks
I spent 18k on one with 109k on the Odometer in 2018. It’s at 255k now without a single issue. And that’s the main thing these cars are known for. Which is about the main reason people pay these prices. I mean, I fully expect to get at least another 100k out of mine. It’s a solid investment.
For about 15 years, the 4Runner gets a 94/100 CR reliability score. It’s the most reliable car on the road.
Cheapest running 4 runner around me is $5,000 and it has 339,000 miles. 4Runners are stupidly priced.
I love the 4Runners so much, but the price tag that you have to pay is absurd. I get that they hold value and don't really breakdown, but still.
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