Used 2015 Toyota 4Runner Consumer Reviews

Sometimes you get what you need.

If you dont live or drive in a rural or wild area, the alot of the virtues of this vehicle may be meaningless to you. I think thats why alot of the magazine reviews call it "old school" body on frame, needs more power, more gears, etc. IMHO, the 4Runner is the real deal if you need to transport moderate quantities of horse (2) dog(2) and human supplies, have to go "off road" regularly ...to pass oncoming vehicles on our country roads and pull a 3000 gvw utility trailer when needed. Cheap to own and operate. Great VALUE for the dollar. Clean it up and it looks and drives good enough to go anywhere including 1200 mile trips from PA to FL twice a year with 2 Labs in the back. Understand, I am in a bit of a downsize mode. The suburbans, 4-door duallys and gooseneck trailers are gone, but we are just a 2 horse operation now and the kids are gone. Had an interlude of X-5 BMWs' and M and GL Mercedes too. Great in many ways but overpriced and over-complicated for what I really need a vehicle to do. If you like good value and understand and appreciate good engineering and design, 4runner will work for you. If you need to keep up with the Jones's there are a ton of other choices out there.

Toyota Quality - Not Just A Catchphrase

First the obvious - it's a Toyota. If you take care of Toyota's they will run forever. My beloved 2002 4Runner Sport had 115K miles on it when I traded it in. The factory battery lasted 11 years. Original exhaust. Burned less than a cup of oil in 3k miles. No rust. You can't ask for much more than that. I decided it was time for that new car smell and traded it in on a 2015 4Runner Trail in Attitude Black Metallic. I got the KDSS suspension and the Entune Upgrade sound/media system. I have not had a chance to test out the KDSS offroad in the mountains yet, but the truck has done very well in snow (as expected) thus far.

2015 Trail, Purchased new in March 2015

ABOUT 4WD: I spend 99.99% of my time on paved roads, so I seldom have need to access this vehicle's 4WD features. That said, I have used it for off-road/dirt-road driving while hunting, and for driving on snow/ice. I haven't really had to fiddle with any of the various traction controlling features while in 4WD. The Edmunds review above is dead wrong in one respect: it says that both the Trail and Trail Premium models have full-time 4WD. That just not true. My trail spends most of its time in normal 2WD at the rear wheels. It has a 4WD shifter with high and low ranges, located next to the automatic transmission shift lever. It has to be manually switched into 4WD mode by use of the 4WD shifter. You can shift on the fly into the 4WD High range so long as your rolling at a reduced speed. Switching into the Low range requires coming to a full stop before pushing the lever into position. The differential and hubs lock automatically. ABOUT FUEL ECONOMY: Actual mileage for me has varied from as high as 24 mpg (rarely) while on extended road trips on the interstate, to 10 mpg while pulling a travel trailer with a GVRW of 3,850 lbs. I average between 15 and 17 mpg of mostly suburban street driving around town. ABOUT TOWING CAPACITY: The 4Runner may have a towing rating of 4,700 lbs, but I can tell you that towing 3,850 lbs at high speeds makes the engine feel a bit anemic, the transmission spends a lot of time shifting around, and highway speeds are seldom ever spent above 4th gear, let alone overdrive. This was on a trip from the DFW area to Los Angeles and back, so it covered everything from hills and mountains to long straight desert stretches. ABOUT HANDLING: My previous vehicle was a 2002 Nissan Pathfinder SE 4WD. The 4Runner Trail is a slightly bigger vehicle, and it drives like one. It's a little more ponderous in slower corners, and not quite as confidence inspiring in faster corners. In highway driving, I am not aware of the "business" that Edmunds noted in their review. At straight line highway speeds, the 4Runner seems stable and planted. If you mash the gas pedal, the 4Runner is capable of brisk acceleration, which will reward you with poor mileage if practiced too often. I use and monitor the in-dash fuel economy features to help me improve my mileage figures. A HANDLING CAUTION: Braking is good for an SUV of this size and weight, but I'll throw in a cautionary note..... several times I have been surprised by the anti-lock system engaging while braking, for no apparent reason, over clean pavement, without intending to execute a panic stop. I am not a habitual "late-braker", but this bug has led me to modify my driving accordingly by getting out of the gas sooner than I otherwise would, letting the vehicle coast down, and applying my brakes sooner and more gently than I am used to having to do. This is the only vehicle I've ever had that problem with. My wife currently drives a 2015 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk Edition, also purchased new in 2015, and her vehicle does not exhibit this trait, despite having many of the same features as my 4Runner. When my anti-lock system has kicked in like that, the 4Runner has hauled itself down PDQ, while tracking straight, but it worries me that if someone is tailgating me when this happens, that I might get rear-ended. ABOUT COMFORT AND INTERIOR: The front seats are comfortable and have enough adjustment range to fit all sizes. The driver's seat has adjustable lower lumbar support. The dash layout is easy to understand and is traditionally laid out. Everything is a little more spartan than in my wife's Cherokee - more "truck-like" compared to the Cherokee's "car-like". I test drove the Grand Cherokee before buying the 4Runner and Edmunds is correct that the Grand Cherokee, for all of its creature comforts, has nowhere near the interior room of the 4Runner. I prefer the Jeep's "UConnect" compared to which the Toyota's "Entune" interface seems a bit clunky. The Jeep's screen is larger and has better color management than the Toyota's. That said, Entune is a fully functioning suite of apps, and they all seem to work as advertised. My one complaint is that the navigation app's latency between screens is too long, so that entering an address into the app can take longer than it should. But once the information is entered, the app works just fine. OTHER: Almost 2-1/2 years later, the AC still blows nice and cold (a BIG deal here in Texas). The paint is holding up just fine. The tires are still in good shape (but in all fairness, I am retired now and I don't drive nearly as much as I used to). Nothing has broken. Maintenance has been at regular intervals, and thanks to warrantee, I haven't had to pay for an oil change yet. The SUV still looks sharp, and I get a lot of compliments from others about it. Overall, this 4Runner is a keeper, and as little as I drive now and at my current age (65), it is likely the last vehicle I'll ever buy. I love it.

The 2015 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro is the best 4x4 of the year

I was first attracted to the 2015 Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro because I loved it's appearance; especially in the Inferno Orange color. After driving it, I fell in love with it. Ignore the other reviews that claim it is less than enjoyable to drive on the road; that just isn't true. This truck is just awesome. It's comfortable, handles well on road AND off, and the stereo system is the best sounding stereo I have ever heard in any vehicle. The TRD suspension, shocks, wheels, tires and 1/4 inch thick skid plates underneath it make it a street legal urban tank. You will see heads turning and get lots of thumbs up from total strangers. I wanted a FUN vehicle for once in my life, and I got it!

Love my 4Runner

Living in Colorado, I needed a vehicle that would get me to work in extreme snow storms, take me to the mountains for recreation, and still be refined enough to use as a daily driver. The Toyota 4runner does this better than any other SUV out there. Ride quality with the KDSS system is outstanding, off road and on road. Dash is layed out well and very intuitive. Cabin is extremely quiet. Upgrade to NAV was comparatively cheap, and the stereo rocks! Very comfortable cloth seats, this is the first car seat I've had that has more lumbar support than I need. Price is very reasonable.

Tough Decision - So Glad I Bought It!

I agonized over buying a mid-sized SUV. I looked at all the usual suspects, including the Explorer, Tuareg and Grand Cherokee. In the end, I chose the 4-Runner because of its off-road capability. I also find that it handles very well, and is very smooth, on the freeway. Don't listen to many reviews of this vehicle, as it's great. I opted for the Limited for the interior upgrades. I love the stereo system - great sounding radio and CD. The one compromise, in my opinion, was the 20-inch wheels. They are more highway-ready than off-road capable, given that they are more narrow than their 17-inch counterparts on the SR5 and Trail. So far, it's performed great, even off-road. Second review. Now with over 10,000 miles on the vehicle and considering it's now 'broken in', I had hoped to realize more MPG. I still get 18.9 to 19.00 for all-around driving. Even interstate driving doesn't positively affect the MPG. So be it. I knew this when I purchased it. It handles well, and the engine is powerful and I like the growl. Third review. After owning this vehicle for two years now, it's proved to be a great investment. Only had one repair/maintenance issue, which was the window motor on the passenger-rear window malfunctioned. Toyota fixed it gratis - probably covered under warranty. I'd complained about gas mileage previously, and it's getting better MPG now that it's fully broken in. Done some non-challenging off-road excursions with the 4Runner, and it's been up to the task. On the highway, the ride continues to be solid and smooth. And, as mentioned before, I love the sound system. For people who do not like the Entune system, I find it intuitive and easy to operate. I look forward to many years of future reliable service from this vehicle. Fourth review. With over 22,000 miles now, the 4Runner operates smoothly and efficiently. Haven't hit 20mpg yet, though. Still the number one complaint - the gas mileage. Glad that gasoline is still cheap. I've experienced no problems, and Toyota maintenance is great, with oil changes, tire rotations, etc. Still glad I bought it. Fifth review. Now, with over 36,000 miles the 4Runner continues to be a great and reliable vehicle. No problems except for a rear window with a faulty motor, but Toyota replaced it free of charge. I have no regrets and highly recommend a 4Runner to people.

Know What You Are Buying.

I've spent the last 14 years trapped in company cars: a 2000 and 2003 Dodge Caravan, and a 2007, 2009, and 2012 Ford Explorers. The Caravans were transmission eating monsters. The 2007 Explorer was fairly problematic, the 2009 was surprisingly reliable, and the 2012 was plagued with engine, transmission and brake problems - and it was the worst vehicle I've ever driven in the snow. When my company told me in late 2014 that they were eliminating company vehicles and switching to an allowance, I jumped at the chance to buy a 4Runner. I just hit 12 months and 22,000 miles in my fairly basic SR5 4Runner. The only upgrades it has are the Entune system, running boards, and the 3rd row seat. Voice recognition with Entune is worthless... I say "take me to the nearest Dunkin Donuts, "and it tries to take me to the Holiday Inn in Deluth, MN. The running boards are a necessity with younger children. The 3rd row seat is cramped but works for extra kids in a pinch. The Edmund's editors like to slam this vehicle for it's unsettled ride, a result of old-school body-on-frame construction. Some people like that type of ride. The 2012 Explorer I used to drive couldn't handle any weight in the back, sagged miserably, and as a result I was constantly high-beamed by oncoming drivers at night. The 2015 4Runner is solid, with very little sagging under a heavy load. They complain about the hyperactive, old school, five speed transmission, and suggest that adding an extra gear or two would improve fuel economy. The engine is not the fastest out there, but you don't buy a 4750 lb vehicle and expect it to take off like a race car. The current 4Runner powertrain has been around for over 10 years and has proven that it is almost bulletproof. I have a couple of friends who have 4Runners with 200,000+ miles on them, and one friend at last check had 326,000 miles and has only changed oil, brakes, and tires. The 4Runner is a tank in the snow. Last winter I got caught in a Syracuse lake effect snow storm and barreled right through a foot of standing snow in the road, blowing past Subarus and Dodge pickups buried in ditches. If you want an overgrown station wagon, go buy an Explorer. If you want a tank that can drive through a house during a blizzard in the middle of the zombie apocalypse and not skip a beat, the 4Runner is the vehicle for you. By the way, the resale value on the 4Runner is one of the highest of any vehicle on the road.

Very impressive vehicle!

I have driven 4wd vehicles (SUV and trucks) for 47 years, and this is as capable as any of them. I got it because I had been driving a 4wd F-150 for ten years and it was time for something other than a pickup. I have driven the 4Runner in all types of conditions, from highway to snow and rugged off-road, and it has done an excellent job in all. When one drives an SUV, especially one designed for off-road use, one has to understand that it will not be a car. I rarely tow a trailer, but when I do, this one has more than enough capacity to do what I need.

Great Vehicle !!!!!

Ok I have read a ton of reviews on the new 2016 4Runner. I had a Jeep wrangler unlimited and was looking for something comparable for the on and off road capabilities. Test drive after test drive I came to the 2016 4Runner and loved it. The off road technology and system the ride the comfort and safety features. There is a ton of storage and all kinds of nooks to store stuff as we as the back. As far as the reviews that say it is the same 4runner in a different look this is because why fix something that is not broken? Some manufactures change things every other year and they have problems after problems. The ride quality is what it is its a truck it is not a luxury car but it is not horrible IMO it rides smooth and very nice but I am coming from a Jeep but I love the ride quality. The GPS is spot on and takes a little getting use to but if it is new to you of course it will take time. Fuel economy I have been getting roughly 20MPG combined city /hwy. The resale value of the vehicle is what had doubly sold as I have seen base models that were 2-3 years older selling for just as much as new ones with 40-50k mikes on them. I have friends that have this truck that is 20 years old has over 200k miles on it and it runs just as good as when they bought it. Reviews are only opinions if you are considering this vehicle Id recommend test driving then try to talk to some people who own them as ask for the good, bad or ugly and do your homework. I personally finally founded a keeper and when its time my wife will be buying one as well.

Reliability Dream Machine!

I had a 1996 4runner that I sold when it reached 180k. A person I know bought it and it now has over 300k and going strong! That says enough!! I now have a 2015 4runner limited which I purchased after several years of trying other products. I'll never go back to anything else. I hated the other cars because of lack of reliability and dependability. The Edmunds review falls short because it doesn't give a section dedicated to reliability/dependability and resale value, which is what Toyota is all about. Instead it compares the performance and other features to other brands, of which have been known to be a nightmare on reliability at times and resale is nowhere near as good. And who cares if another brand can tow more if that brand is in the shop! (I know I had a vehicle with 10k towing capacity and it was terrible). So for me the 4runner is a great vehicle which is still on a good solid chassis/frame and everything seems built for the long haul. No it is not the most comfortable and easy riding vehicle, but I was looking something more rugged looking than a Highlander, even if it meant less gas mileage and feel. I prefer the “truck” like feel actually. I highly recommend this vehicle and resale value it great compared to other vehicles out there on the market. I love mine! Updated several years later: Still going strong and no issues. Great car and highly recommend. Update Dec 7, 2020: 4Runner was a great vehicle with zero issues and had really good towing capacity. I sold the vehicle for premium amount and only took one day to sell. I replaced it with a new Toyota Sequoia Platinum. I just wanted more room and towing capacity as the 4Runner was a bit small inside.

Almost perfect. Real world pros and cons

Because I am human and the negatives come to mind first, let me attack those right off the bat. First: I tow a 5x8 utility trailer often for around the house work. It gets the job done, but lacks power to tow. I had a 2011 FJ cruiser prior to and only sold it to an expanding family; I can tell you with certainty that the FJ towed better, had better off the line acceleration and shifted much smoother (FJ had the tundra transmission). Second: The radio is awful. There is no getting around it, it just stinks. Third: The gaskets around the doors tend to fall right off. This may be minor, but for a new vehicle you expect better (especially from Toyota). Fourth: Tires are awful in all types of driving other than highway. I feel insecure making an emergency evasive maneuver with an already top heavy vehicle and trip easy tire. With only two and half years into the KDSS suspension leaked and had to be replaced. Priority toyota in springfield VA had the car for weeks trying to replace it. The good: my family tends to do a lot of beach driving and I wouldn't trust the highlander on soft sands like I do the 4Runner. Second: The back window roles down and our lab just hangs her two front legs out and enjoys all the fumes from the exhaust that seem to recirculate. Third: Like my FJ, I never fear it won't start. In college I had Tacomas, that endured hell with miles closing in on 150k. I had worse luck with Nissan and Chevy, so will probably always be a Toyota guy. Fourth: I just love it. There is no other vehicle under 50K that meets all my needs. With two adults in the front, two kids in the back seats, and two dogs in the rear, we find the beach is more fun, the trips to snowy mountains are less fearful and we can pull right up to a soccer field incline and watch the crossovers circle for hours hunting for parking. It suites all my check marks for a vehicle without being a truck and yet is still fun toy. If you are in the hunt for a 4Runner, I personally would wait for the 6th generation to arrive. The power train is due for an overhaul and hopefully you won't get a grill that always looks like it is frowning. My two cents. I ended up having to tow more so I traded it in for a Tundra. I wish they made 4Runners with a V8, better brakes and wider for comfort.

Best mid size suv I have owned for the rught price

I have owned several SUV of this size in the past. Yes it is "truck like" for the most part as most off road capable vehicles behave. However, I around town, with daily pick up and drop off with 3 kids and 2 large dogs, this is the best choice for the price. The road handling and suspension is very impressive, firm, yet very tight but comfortable. I was very impressed scooting around the burbs with this truck. Very confident and solid feel to it. Feels a bit heavy and could maybe use another 50-75 hp in my opinion but overall much better than I expected. I use it as my second car, here in New England. The seats are also very comfortable and the best part is that the rear window is powered and slides up and down like a regular window so my dogs love it!! My only real complaint is the entertainment system such that the screen is a bit small and too many small lettering and icons all cramped together. It works well but there is a bit of a learning curve in comparison to most others I have seen. I have had for 2 months and love it! would get this over an Explorer or Pilot or GMC because it drives better and has a more solid reliable build. For low to mid 30k its well worth it.

Toyota Rocks !!

After owning several jeeps i made the switch. Yes a jeep is more offroad capable, but ride comfort an reliability issues turned me off. This 4runner is absolutely amazing. Handles great in snow, and is a great vehicle for camping. No more worries of oil leaks, overheating..Resale value is also great. After spending 40k plus on a new vehicle you shouldn't have to worry about these issues...sorry Jeep...

Useless GPS System and cheap interior materials

After getting sent in circles half a dozen times in first few months of ownership I stopped using the Toyota GPS and reinstalled my 5 year old Garmin. Dealer says "that's the way it is and I have the latest GPS update". There are two 4Runners and a RAV4 sitting in my driveway, but there will NEVER be another Toyota vehicle in this family until they start installing useable GPS systems that can recalculate quickly & actually find common addresses at least as good as a 2010 Garmin that sold new for $99! Toyota should be ashamed of the POS GPS that they ship! Also, within 18 months and under 15,000 miles, the fake 'leather' finish on the steering wheel is wearing off in many areas. Again the dealer says "that's just the way it is", but did offer to replace the steering wheel for $1,200. (Further insuring that this will be the last Toyota product in my life.)

What a great SUV

I drove a 14 Lexus GX460 and the rear barn door drove me crazy but I loved the KDSS suspension on it so I moved to the 15 limited 4runner for three days and switched to the 15 4runner trail edition for the KDSS. I love this SUV the interior volume of storage is huge. I can put 4 bicycles vertically without the front wheels on fork mounts no problems. I love the flat folding second row seats which make the cargo floor flat. The truck corners pretty flat on road and rides exactly like my Lexus GX 460. It does have more nose dive than the limited and GX. Brakes are grabby. I put the TRD Pro front grill and wheels on it and it is one of the best looking suvs I have bought.

No idea how this ride gets poor reviews

After much deliberating between the 4Runner, Ford Explorer, V6 Subaru Outback, and the quickly dismissed Nissan XTerra, I finally decided to jump aboard the Toyota bandwagon. I absolutely love this thing. Everything about it. Well, except a few things: I'm not a fan of the eco-drive, which cannot be disabled (if my research has proven anything). I'd rather have all six cylinders pumping 100% of the time, even at the cost of losing a few mpg. The power just feels like it lags a little bit, but then again, I did just come off a V8 Mustang... I digress. Speaking of mpg, my average mpg is very solid! From (odometer) 5,000-10,000 miles in the vehicle with approximately 10% off-roading, 50% city, 40% highway miles, I averaged 19.5 mpg - not bad for a 4x4. Another little nitpick I have is the 4x4 electronic knob - I mean, come on. If you have read any review at all on this ride, then of course you know about squirrely handling - on pavement, that is. Sure it may not hug corners like a car; sure it may have more body rolling action than a Beyonce music video; and sure, I think it may be just ever-so-slightly underpowered. But let's be real, no car is perfect. This was just the ride that I felt would be most dependable, most comfortable, and have the best quality for MANY years to come. All in all, I couldn't be happier with my purchase. *UPDATE @ 16500 miles: I still love this ride, and I'm still highly satisfied with it. However, after having to (safely) dodge a few deer at night, I somewhat change my stance on the handling - and the performance as well. The handling suffers on the highway. Period. Is it enough for me to get angry with it? Nah. During a windy storm, you just have to slow down. Despite my previous review, I do think an option for a V8 under the hood should be available. If, and BIG "if", Toyota listened to me and bestowed upon us a V8 option, I'm not even sure I would trade mine in. **UPDATE @ 32000: A few things have become clearer to me: The Toyota dealerships do not know what they are doing; the car jack is a completely useless tool; the audio system, for everything it does right, continues to carry a few glitches in it; and I retract my statement about the leatherette being high quality. To begin with, I've been to three different Toyota dealerships, and all three dealerships could not balance my tires correctly. One even tried to convince me that the wheels needed realigned. Secondly, I punctured a tire and had to pull off to try and change it with the spare only to find that the factory car jack would not jack the vehicle up high enough to permit the changing of tires. My vehicle does not have any type of lift on it, and still was running on the lot tires. The jack does work when you're on perfectly level ground, but if you add any sort of superelevation into the picture, it becomes useless. Recommend getting a new jack. The audio system constantly restarts mid-trip, mid-song, mid-conversation, etc. It's one of the easiest ones to use in a vehicle and maintains a reliable connection to my phone/music. Lastly, I live in the South, and temperatures are known to get a little toasty outside. My center console leatherette has begun warping and coming loose. I blame the excessive UV exposure from keeping the sunroof back and windows down. Just be wary that the door material will probably begin to do the same in 2-3 years time. Perhaps the "Premium" moniker that it has doesn't carry so much meaning as I had originally thought...You get a sunroof, the only upgrade on the speakers is a simple crossover added to the front door and in-dash sets, and the leatherette is what it is. ***UPDATE @ 43000: Nothing much has changed other than an creaky-like squeak that seems to propagate throughout the entire frame (began around 36000 miles). Reading through some of the online forums, I've found that it is likely due to the bushings lacking adequate lubrication, frame flexure, and/or the suspension. ***UPDATE @ 67000 miles: Turns out the creaking came from my grill guard stiffening the front frame which made the noise... So I removed it. I traded this vehicle in a couple months back. Why? Because there was a dealership incentive and he offered me $6k less than when I bought it new. What did I trade up to? I kept the same vehicle only upgraded the trim to the 2018 TRD Pro version. If you're wondering, the TRD Pro drives and handles even better both on and off road. Like it or not, all 4Runners hold their value outstandingly well, which is odd considering the archaic infrastructure. This is the 11th year on the same platform - going on 12! While there are bigger, better, badder, faster, stronger (in a towing sense), smarter vehicles, I've found this vehicle is just an old soul in a new era, which is why I appreciate it.

4 Runner disappointment

(Aug. 2. 2016) Sveto Djokic~Grand Junction, CO ~~ My wife and I purchased a 2015 Toyota 4Runner SR5, 4WD (13,000 miles) on July 20 , 2916. We based our decision on the superior rating (all red circles for a 2015 4Runner in Consumer Report). Several days ago my wife ran the Toyota through a car wash. To her great dismay and shock water leaked in on the driver's side and soaked the cloth just above plastic molding that covers the frame that holds the windshield in place. On close inspection from the outside we found that Toyota has a very. very, very poor gasket/molding design at the top corners of the windshield. Instead of there being one continuous gasket that encirlces the windshield and curving around the upper corners, 3 different gasket ends meet at the corner--and not snuggly-leaving a hole through which water can seep into the interior. Two other parties on our street have 4 Runners and I have looked at at the gasket design on their vehicles, and the same is true of their vehicles. One owner stated that she had not had a leak in her 2012 4Runner--yet. Jesus wept!!! This is the 21st century, not the first decade of the 20th century.This leakage is totally inexcusable. For the rave reviews, recommendations of other 4Runner owners, and the price we paid, one would expect superior design and workmanship. In my 70 years I have never seen stated in Consumer Report or any other source that when checking out a new or used vehicle it should be run through a car wash to check for leaks around the windshield, sun roof, and all other windows. Fortunately, our 4Runner is still under warranty and will be going back to dealer to have the water leakage rectified. I highly recommend that any one looking to buy a new or used vehicle take the time to run the vehicle through a car wash to check for water leakage.

Go anywhere, Do anything

After looking at several other models from Subaru, Chevy, and Jeep, I decided upon the new 2015 4Runner. I have had the SR5 4Runner for about a year and 16k miles. Driving in the snow and mud is no problem even with the stock 'base' model. This SUV can take you anywhere that any car can go in comfort and keep that comfort going even on the most rugged roads. User friendly controls take no time at all to become accustom to. Even after a year walking out to the truck brings a happiness that 'I actually own that'. With amazing reliability that goes with Toyota and incredible resale value, you can't beat the 4runner when looking for the universal vehicle. I recommend anyone who is considering it to go for it!

2nd 4Runner: excellent vehicle

Replaced a 2010 Limited 4WD 4Runner last year with the 2015. 2010 was close to perfect. Never spent a penny on the vehicle. This one feels the same and it should: it is unchanged for the most part. Front seating comfortable, build quality perfect, A/C-Heat excellent, Satellite Radio works fine, good braking. We get 22-23 mpg on highway. Areas for improvement on the 2017 redesign: better navigation system, improve torque on the 270, have to get the offset crash test results up to 5 star. The current model gets only 3 stars in the offset crash. A nice tight diesel would work well in this SUV, we would buy a diesel over gasoline model, but that will wait as 4Runners seem to just keep going. Consumer Reports unfairly compared the 4Runner SR5 to Pilot top model. SR5 does not have the soft suspension so the comparison and low rating by CR is not valid. The 4Runner is a well built SUV, of sturdy feel, and unquestioned reliability. The price is quite low for such an SUV with leather seating. Bi-Xenon lighting would be a great addition, halogens are just average. 2nd Review: so far, nary a problem with this or the previous 4Runner. Technology is poor. Needs serious upgrade to dash controls and NAV system. Need to ditch the DVD NAV system and go with hard drive system. Vehicle is tightly built and performs well. We will always own a 4Runner and this one will be replaced with the newer model in a couple of years. Resale/trade on 2010 model was excellent. 3rd Review: no problems whatsoever. Navigation system is terribly archaic with tiny screen. 2nd row seating yields rough ride, front row okay. Engine not enough torque or horsepower for this size vehicle. Safety features lacking.

A real step up for a 6'6 man

Check this out, I myself read many reviews written about the 2015 Toyota 4RUNNER 2wd Limited. 95% of the reviews were excellent. This is my first 4RUNNER, & hopefully not my last. This SUV is awesome. For a tall guy like me it is a very comfortable vehicle. I love the way it drives, I love the truck like feel. I definitely did not want a crossover SUV. I also love the look of the limited edition. When out driving on the road, I always look twice when I see another 4RUNNER. Those folks that have had some issues with this vehicle are not looking at the reliability record of this truck like SUV. I do not think I will ever go back to a regular car. So, kudos to those men & women, young an old alike that drive a 4RUNNER. I'm a pastor who enjoys this heavenly ride every day.

4Runner Rock Solid

2017 Limited 4X4 is about 8 months old now and no issue's of any kind to report. I opted for the 4X4 Limited at $45,300. I planned to tow a 16' boat and the four wheel drive helps for pulling out of the boat ramp. I also chose the optional 3rd row seat and I'm glad I did because we've loaded up with family and friends on several occasions when no one else's vehicle could fit us all. I'm averaging 20.1 mpg combined city and hwy miles everyday to and from work. One thing I noticed that affects my mpg is when I use the AC in the summertime I go down to about 18.5 mpg. I also selected the remote start on the key fob but it's been pretty useless since it shuts off once you touch the door handle so what I prefer to do for example on hot days is I had the dealer program the key fob to roll down all the windows and sunroof when I press and hold unlock and it helps cool the interior quickly on those hot summer days. The 6.1 screen size is average to good and the Entune Infotainment system is also average to good. The sound system on the Limited is very good and plenty loud. The ride and handling are exceptional and there's no rattling sounds to be heard anywhere. The seats are comfortable on long drives except for the 3rd row seat which I would describe as cramped and more suitable for kids or shorter people. The engine acceleration especially when towing or going uphill is not as responsive as you might want but again thats not the 4Runner's main selling point. I really like that I can take my 4Runner to the boat ramp or out on the town and it performs well and looks really good at either place! This is a great all-around vehicle that so far has performed wonderfully well and I expect to own for many years. **UPDATE** After a few years now I would say my original review was on-point and there's nothing I would really change except that infotainment screen sizes on other models have increased quite a bit since my original purchase yet Toyota continues to offer standard smaller screen sizes even on their most expensive vehicles. I think they really need to change that. This is an important feature especially when using Navigation. Also, this version of their 6-cyl engine is a bit dated and gets poor fuel economy and not as much horsepower compared to some of the other newer engines out there now.

Hint: WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER TOYOTA

60,000 MILE UPDATE (YES, IN A YEAR AND A HALF SO KNOW I DRIVE A LOT!) The vehicle has gotten worse with miles. Here are the major issues: Front Seats - Color is coming off the leather which actually started within 6 months after purchase. OK NOW HERE IS MY REVIEW AFTER 153,000 MILES. THE NAVIGATION / SOUND SYSTEM ELECTRONICS STILL SUCKS. STILL LOCKS UP HAD EOTHER REBOOTS BY ITSELF OR WHEN EVERYTHING STOPS, I HAVE TO REBOOT IT MANYALLY. ALTHOUGH IT IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET, TOYOTA HAS TEFISED TO ADMIT THERE IS AN PROBLED AND ISSUE A RECALL. UN ADDITION THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ARE WORSE THAT NOT HAVING A ABS BECAUSE THE BRAKES LOCK UP, AGSIN ANOTHER COMMON PROBLEM I HAVE FOUND IS COMMON AND HAS EVEN CAUSED ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT! TOYOTA STILL REFUSES TO ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM AND ISSUE A RECALL. THEY CONTINUE TO PUT PROFIT OVER SAFETY! My vehicle now has over 153,000 miles on it and if not for the NAV/Entertainment system and anti-lock brake system locking up, it would be a near perfect vehicle!! I have never needed to have anything done to this vehicle and other than the aforementioned, I have not had to do anything but regular service and pit gas in it. Oh, and get a new set of tires st 95,000 miles! I STILL WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER TOYOTA PRODUCT BECAUSE THEY LEFT ME IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH THE BRAKES WHICH CAUSE ME TO GET IN AN ACCIDENT AS I stated previously. My recommendation because of that is to go buy a Suburu or the like and stay away from Toyota. PREVIOUS REVIEW WHEN NEW: The vehicle is comfortable in the front seats and the ride is very quiet and smooth until you hit some bumps then watch out but after all , it IS a truck after all. About 6,000 miles in, it developed a "hum" and vibration that you hear and feel in the pedal and steering wheel when you have your foot on the accelerator that stops when you let off but they told me that all of the 4Runners do the same thing. The "tilt" steering wheel is manual, clunky and very, well, why bother! The engine is WAY under powered! It struggles at on-ramps! Why Toyota does not offer an 8 cyl I do not know! The "leather" on the seats is of VERY poor quality and absorbs any color from like jeans, belts, etc. The technology is ok but the voice activation leaves a lot to be desired! More frustrating than helpful! The exterior paint is about the thinnest on the market! Had I know about the paint, I never would have purchased the crappy thing. I got a paint chip in the real tailgate (how I don't know) but it barely has any paint covering the primer! I wish I had done my research before purchasing it. Don't try to ride with the front windows open as the design forces all the wind in your face. Open the sunroof and you get an awful rumble! SYSTEMENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM AND BLUETOOTH HAS MAJOR ISSUES! - It looses bluetooth connectivity for days at a time so nothing will sync up to where the bluetooth icon is even greyed out and it seems Toyota doesn't care for some reason. After this happened, I researched online and found that this same thing has been happening in several models since like 2014! At times ALL the controls on the system and the steering wheel freeze up. I have to stop the vehicle, shut it off for a minute or two then start it back up for it to work again. DO YOUR RESEARCH ONLINE BEFORE YOU EVER BUY A TOYOTA OF ANY KIND BUT SPECIFICALLY THE MODEL YOU ARE LOOKING AT PURCHASING! FUEL ECONOMY - Still sucks at average 18.8 with 10% city and 90% highway driving. ENGINE - The cylinder engine remains under powered after a long break-in period.

Great truck

5 years into ownership of my 2015 4Runner Limited, I can say I have really enjoyed this truck. I love the power and cargo capacity. It also still looks great and performs great. It certainly doesn’t have some of the features other SUVs offer (i.e. technology package including lane change warnings), but extremely reliable and a great looking truck. I just got another positive comment on Sunday about what a great truck I own. I do mostly highway miles and get 19 mpg.

Love my 2015 4 runner

Its worth every dollar you will love the way it drives. I have the 4 runner now for 21 months best SUV I ever owned will buy another one in a few years it gets 21 mpg on the highway.Its 27 months old only 9378 miles on it.

Ouray colorado

took it to Ouray Colorado and it was a blast. It did every thing I wanted. Jeep trails to anywhere I wanted to go. Great ride there from Texas and back. Drives like a Lexus climes like a jeep rides like a lexus.

Rugged, No... Quality, No... Technology, Horrible!

I've been a loyal 4-Runner owner for over 27 years and was excited to upgrade to a newer version. I loved taking my stock 1995 4-Runner into the Colorado mountains off-roading, skiing, hiking and camping. Ten years ago, I purchased a Trail Premium, and this "car" isn't what it claims to be, quality, rugged or reliable. The dealership and Toyota Customer Care Center know me by first name due to the number of times the car has been in for similar issues, over 14+ trips and counting. Many readers will say this review isn't helpful but after reading about the issues search other reviews and you'll find similarities, even the positive ones. I went to arbitration with Toyota because they can't and most importantly don't want to fix known technology issues with the 4-Runner. Toyota eventually blamed the electronic issues on my cell phone, which was on their approved list for years after buying the car, and then mysteriously disappeared the day after placing a call to Toyota about the ongoing issues. After purchasing another smart phone, it should be noted that all of the same electrical issues still persist. Nearly everything mentioned below is not unique to this one car as other reviewers have noted similar issues. The 2015 Trail Premium is grossly underpowered which can be a safety hazard when you need to accelerate. Always manually shift through the 5 gears, never use "D". This makes up for some of the marginal power and greatly improves the gas mileage which can stay at 14-15 miles per gallon when it's cold despite the manufacturer's claim of 17 to 21. Manually shifting I used to be able to stay in the 17-21 miles per gallon range. The older the car gets the worse the mileage is getting and if you switch to all terrain tires your mpg is going to tank. Systems such as the voice recognition, navigation and radio simply don't work as claimed. It's not uncommon for them to freeze up requiring the car be pulled over and turned off in order to reset the system. I've had three radioheads replaced by Toyota over 4 years for a total of 4 in the car and NONE of them including the latest work right. Two factory reps worked with the car but were unable to resolve the issues. One Toyota rep was able to duplicate some of the same problems on his Tacoma. At times the screen doesn't work at all or only half turns on. The issue is repeatable and is directly related to the maintenance app, yet Toyota won't fix it after demonstrating the issue to the dealership multiple times. These problems have gotten worse as the car gets older. My 16-year-old handheld Garmin is more accurate than the navigation system. The voice recognition system works accurately approximately 30% of the time even after taking tutorials, reading the manual and taking it in to the dealership numerous times. Voice commands, directly from the manual, work 50% of the time. Referring to the Entune infotainment system Consumer Reports stated, "Toyota needs to go back to the drawing board", I agree. I enjoy backcountry mountain roads and moderate off-roading. I rarely take this 4-Runner off-road as the stock version isn't designed for anything more than a dry level dirt road. The off-road features and traction systems that come on the Trail version are an utter joke and total waste of money as they rely on technology designed for a novice vs someone having off road experience. If you want something remotely off-road worthy, plan on spending another $3,000 to $10,000 to correct the awful ground clearance and replace street tires and sheet metal skid plates. The car is easily high centered in 10 to 12 inches of snow and HORRIBLE under adverse winter driving conditions, even after installing winter rated AT tires. It slides out sideways easily and without warning. In winter driving conditions I disable the traction systems as they greatly increase the back end sliding out. I recently read a review where the writer was doing the same thing for the same reasons. Also plan on bottoming out and damaging the undercarriage due to marginal ground clearance. The car has an issue of accelerating in reverse after a cold start if your foot isn't forcefully on the brake. The dealership told me "If you think yours is bad try driving a Tundra". While better, it's still is an issue. At 65,000 miles the transmission started to act up. Interstate mpg dropped from 21 to 14 mpg and 4-wheel drive doesn't always disengage without resorting to backing up and driving forward multiple times. Squeaks and noises are an issue. The moon roof started rattling within two weeks of buying the car. In order to fix the problem, the dealership had to replace the entire driver's side mechanism twice. The dash developed a consistent squeak on the driver’s side caused by the wheel well liner flapping in the wind. The liner has been rebuilt twice and is better but still squeaks under windy conditions. The headlights are a safety issue as they project a perfectly straight horizontal line in front of the car, below the line is lighted and above the line isn't lite at all. Driving on a less than level road the line is constantly moving up and down which obscures obstacles in front of the car, especially animals. Friends have commented on the limited coverage. The paint is paper thin, brittle and is easily scratched. I've never seen anything like it. This is a commonly known problem. Lightly brushing against the car can and does damage the finish. A friend at work who has a slightly newer version is also experiencing the same issue. If you buy the Trail Premium or similar version know that the "fake" air scoop on the hood reflects the sun directly into the driver's eyes. When driving towards the early morning sunrise or late afternoon setting sun, you're going to be driving with your hand blocking the light as the visor is too high. Again, commonly known issue, yet how many years has Toyota maintained a feature that utterly serves no purpose and is a safety issue. While the car may be within "performance standards" as stated by factory reps, it's an over-priced under performing version of the older 4-Runners. My ex-girlfriend nicknamed the car the "Fragile Butterfly" due to the paint, lack of off-road capability, bottoming out, and poor winter performance. My friends refer to it as "Captain Crap" and 6 acquittances who were considering buying one, are no longer looking at them. If you're considering buying a new 4-Runner, which I wouldn't recommend, rent one and put it through the paces under various conditions, so you know what you're getting in to. Last of all you have people who once they've bought one for the first time, know everything about the 4-Runner, and insult those for saying things as mentioned in this review. Consider the source of the attacks versus someone who's driven a 4-Runner as a daily driver since 1998. I recently met one such guy and when he said he wasn't experiencing any issues I went down through the list and he reluctantly began to admit that he too was experiencing many of the same issues, especially the electrical ones. Word of advice, don't listen to 4-Runner "know it all's", the majority of them never go off road or drive under adverse mountain conditions. Toyota had an awesome truck until the 5th generation models. Let's hope they do better with the 6th generation, if one ever comes out, but if they do, let's hope they're more supportive than they have been with the 5th gens.

Mr.POJ

This is my second 4Runner (SR5 2005 still running great after 200,000+ mile, and 2016 Limited RWD), needless to say 4Runner is the CAR, and that's it! Overall: great in every aspect.

All Around Great Vehicle

Absolutely love the 4Runner. It is great to drive and handles very well.

Not for all, Perfect for some

Best 4WD vehicle you can purchase, however pretty bad in fuel consumption.

I’m hooked! I loooove mine! 4Runner Fan!

It’s just so tough looking and it’s total eye candy! So sporty and refined. A real stand out on the road SUV/Truck. I love that it has a pickup truck feeling. The way it sits up on the road makes visibility very easy from all angles. Great handling and performance. So fun to drive. I truly enjoy owning it. I’m extremely satisfied with my used higher mileage 4Runner Limited 4X4. A purchase that I don’t regret at all. I have the magnetic gray metallic color and it’s a very appealing color. This vehicle feels safe on the road. It’s extremely comfortable for road trips or just around town. I have said to others “I don’t think I’ll ever buy anything other than a 4Runner” .. I am such a fan and I understand the popularity and huge following 4Runners have

Great buy!

This SUV is great for transporting/pulling. Great style. The only draw back is not having airflow through the 2 and 3 row seats. And the 3 row seats has no leg room.

Stairway To Heaven

Too tall. Need stepladder to get into it. Now looking for 2016 - 2018 Nissan Murano or Pathfinder.

Tow Vehicle

Love my 2nd 4Runner

seats not quite as comfy as other leather options, but awesome truck great mix of rugged, useful, and comfy

wife's car

Thus far it meets my expectations. I'll rave about it when we get to 300,000 miles.

Toyota has done it again

4Runner is still so awesome!

Go anywhere anytime !!!!

One of the last real mid size suv's

Can you live with this?

So this will be the most reliable car you ever purchase in your life, and you will pay a lot for this. It has never left me stranded in 4 years of ownership and it is spacious and awesome and sounds cool but here are the problems you need to look at before you buy. The lights hook-up at the back are 2 feet to the left of where they should be and it makes it pretty much want to use any other car for towing. Luckily, we also own a Tahoe. It also is slow, not dangerously but it is slower than a 4Runner of like 8 years older, which is stupid. The gps can't be programmed while moving but you can have presets and previous destinaions that you can select while moving. Not bad but inconvenient. Not a great UI given the price-point. There are no safety features. The only ones I get are airbags and given the tokata recall, they're half-grenade. Going over 80 miles per hour on the highway, the hood starts to shake around a bit. It's not a real issue but something that doesn't make you feel good. It is also quite floaty but that is quite normal given its construction. It only has 5 gears so you'll get bad fuel economy above 70 mph. Nothing has ever broken though and I never worry every time I floor it or drive it where-ever I want.

Love my 4Runner

We were looking at 4Runners and we found the perfect one. My husband and I love driving it!

Upgrade!

I have only owned this truck for a few weeks but so far am impressed with its size, ruggedness and style over my previous Highlander.

Just Purchased Another One

I liked my 2015 so much that I just purchased a new 2018.

Our second 4 Runner

Loved our 06, now love our 16.

2nd 4Runner

Great car drove first one 2011 147000 miles this one 158000 miles. Maintenance was a little high, did every recommended scheduled maintenance item.