It is not a substitute for lockers but it works well. Hitting the A-TRAC button sends equal power to the front and rear axles. Operating the 4th gen Limited’s 4WD system is done by way of knob-style selector affixed to the dash. Having a 5th gen Limited on hand would be the only way to do so as the 4th gen didn’t have a TRD or proper off-road variant. Do note that due to the difference in trim levels this is not an apples-to-apples comparison. The big difference lies in the 4WD systems. Today it’s severely lacking behind the competition. While the 4.0 is perfectly adequate it didn’t exactly set the world on fire when it was new. All that differentiates the engines is the addition of Dual VVT-i. Both use 5-speed automatic transmission (early 4th gens had a 4-speed). But they’re reasonably comfortable and boast more airy passenger compartments and more cargo room than comparable Grand Cherokees which are of near-identical length.īoth trucks have 4WD and share a variation of effectively the same powertrain. Neither is a tech master for its respective time period, neither is the most modern available. The a-pillars are quite a bit smaller and the seating position affords a much more commanding view of the road. What the 5th gen does do drastically better is the forward visibility. Same goes for the 4th gen’s seat heaters which get hotter and emphasize more critical locations on the back. They are simply more intuitive and situated where one’s hands rest more frequently. Among these are the steering wheel controls. And it must be said that it’s utterly ridiculous that a ~$40k, 2018 model year vehicle even requires use of a real key.Ī few items favor the 4th gen’s interior. In turn it’s harder to see and harder to find. In the 5th gen it was moved to the steering column. The location never moves, regardless of steering wheel adjustment, and is easily visible from the driver seat. Also, in the 4th gen the ignition is on the dash, out of the way. The 4th gen’s HVAC controls were certainly unique but are nowhere near as logical or direct as those in the 5th gen. This makes them easy to use when resting one’s arm on the window sill itself but otherwise inconvenient as well. Toyota attempted to remedy this in the 5th gen by putting the switches on a flat surface at the base of the window. Accessing such can be cumbersome and inconvenient. In the 4th, it’s low on the door, down below the handle. For example, the driver’s door window switch control locations are both awful. Likewise, both have serious ergonomic quirks. Both have good space overall and make efficient use of the exterior dimensions that house them. You sit stretched-out versus upright in the 5th. And yes, both have the ever-crucial roll-down rear window. And it is: 2” longer, 2” wider, and depending on trim 300-400 pounds heavier (~4400 vs ~4750). Meaty and chunky in all the right ways, it certainly looks bigger and more substantial than the 4th gen. Introduced as a 2010 model year vehicle and refreshed for 2014, the truck looks just right for its intention. More curvaceous than chiseled, it needs modifications to truly look good. The bulbous and semi-bloated bodywork doesn’t lend well to its shape. Admittedly the 4th gen body is not the most visually attractive in the model’s history. Where to start in comparing two trucks separated by thirteen years? On the outside, of course. It now has close to 22,000 miles and is wholly unmodified. The 5th gen is represented by my newest acquisition, a 2018 TRD Off Road Premium. With nearly 155,000 miles and the majority of its life spent in Canada, on off-road trails, it was a bit worse for wear. The 4th gen is represented by my recently-sold Stormtrooper 4Runner, a 2005 Limited V6 (the beloved 4.7L V8 was available). Let’s break down how the 4Runner changed for its 5th gen, how it’s better, and so on.įirst let’s look at the specific vehicles here as it’s not a perfectly direct comparison. How does it compare to its successor? Neither vehicle is perfect but the similarities and differences are vast. On sale from 2002-2009, the 4th generation 4Runner falls more toward the unloved side. And yet, some are viewed more favorably than others. But prior generation trucks are holding up well, and the options for a reliable, comfortable, trail-happy rig are more than ever. Now deep into its fifth generation, the venerable 4×4 is still posting strong sales numbers. Since its introduction in 1984 the Toyota 4Runner has become a forever player in the off-road capable, street-friendly SUV segment.
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