Toyota 4Runner or Ford Explorer
- Thread starter Prior
- Start date
I would get the 4runner. The new interior kills the Explorer. Exterior is up to you to decide. Simply go test them both and see which one is better for you. Ford can't beat Toyota quality IMO. I think off-road 4runner is way more capable also.
Check out Edmunds.com to see what they say.
Check out Edmunds.com to see what they say.
There's also a price premium on the 4runner. Wasn't the V8 4runner named to Consumer Reports bad list recently? Just go test drive both and see which one you like better.
The V6 4Runner was on the bad list.
4Runner is pretty much a better truck than the Explorer in every way. But it also costs more. Reliability will probably be excellent. Also, the V6 version costs less and has 10 more horsepower than the V8 model. So the V6 may be a good choice if you don't plan on hauling stuff. However, the 4.0 liter V6 is a brand new engine, so it may have some quirks.
Get the Explorer... The quality of the explorer is greatly improved as well as the handling in 2002 when they went to independant rear suspension.. The explorer also offers optional an saftey featurethe the 4 runner does not and that in the Saftey Canopy... This airbag deploys from the Headliner to offer side impact as well as rollover protection....
It is truly innovative and althought the toyota and many other oems offer a siomilar system the Ford Air Canopy out preforms them all....
I am a Saftey Engineer and if you are seriously considering a Ford Vehicle I can get you Fords supplier plan pricing I think they call it X plan...
PM me if your interested........
Live Die and Buy American...............
It is truly innovative and althought the toyota and many other oems offer a siomilar system the Ford Air Canopy out preforms them all....
I am a Saftey Engineer and if you are seriously considering a Ford Vehicle I can get you Fords supplier plan pricing I think they call it X plan...
PM me if your interested........
Live Die and Buy American...............
4Runner has had IRS for a while now... it's not something to brag about on the Explorer. Crash ratings for the 4Runner and Explorer are similar, but I guess the IHSA offset crash hasn't yet been performed on the 4Runner.
Edit: My bad, IRS wasn't available until the 2003 redesign.
Edit: My bad, IRS wasn't available until the 2003 redesign.
Zenmervolt
Elite member
- Oct 22, 2000
- 24,514
- 34
- 91
We've had three Explorers in a row, a first generation (180,000+ miles put on it), and two second generations. The first of the 2nd generations died an untimely death being sandwitched between a stopped semi and an oblivious motorhome on a freeway, dad walked away without a scratch and so did his passenger. It had about 100,000 miles on it at the time. That was mid-2001. Dad replaced it with a V8 Eddie Bauer ('99) Explorer that was a Ford Corporate vehicle. Bought it with under 30,000 miles on it and it currently has about 160,000 miles on it. Not one of the Explorers has ever given us trouble. Reliable as all get-out.
ZV
ZV
The 4Runner has not had IRS until 03, the 4th gen. I have a 96, 3rd gen.
Also, IRS isn't really great if you ever plan to wheel.
Wait wtf... You can get independent rear suspension on a 4runner?? I think you are smoking something...
JulesMaximus
No Lifer
- Jul 3, 2003
- 74,544
- 924
- 126
Toyota. I've owned a few toyota vehicles (including a couple land cruisers, which are similar to 4runners), and their reliability has always been impeccable. I've never owned a Ford SUV, though, so i cant really tell you anything about them. I've heard that Ford service is usually top-notch, and repairs are rather cheap.
http://www.automotive.com/reviews/12/2003/toyota/4runner/driving-impressions/
Toyota also steered away from using an independent rear suspension like the one on the Ford Explorer and many cars. An independent rear suspension offers better ride quality and allows for a roomier interior. Toyota said it used a live rear axle because it offers more suspension travel, and because off-road capability was a high priority. The 4Runner suspension uses a four-link rigid type suspension in the rear and double wishbones in front. Coil springs over gas shocks are used front and rear.
I say if you aren't going to use it for offroading, get the Explorer. That way every car enthusiast behind you will see your suspension arms 5" off the ground and know about your soccer mom tendencies.
Toyota also steered away from using an independent rear suspension like the one on the Ford Explorer and many cars. An independent rear suspension offers better ride quality and allows for a roomier interior. Toyota said it used a live rear axle because it offers more suspension travel, and because off-road capability was a high priority. The 4Runner suspension uses a four-link rigid type suspension in the rear and double wishbones in front. Coil springs over gas shocks are used front and rear.
I say if you aren't going to use it for offroading, get the Explorer. That way every car enthusiast behind you will see your suspension arms 5" off the ground and know about your soccer mom tendencies.
Out of those two, new explorer. And I hate fords too. But I still have to say the explorer is a superior vehicle.
But as an alternative, why not a Honda Pilot? Its basically a cheaper MDX...and fairly capable in light trail use.
But as an alternative, why not a Honda Pilot? Its basically a cheaper MDX...and fairly capable in light trail use.
off road- 4 runner
on road- Explorer
Most people buy SUV's as minivans without the stigma, and I think Explorer is more fitted for that role.
4 runner is an ugly truck IMO I would pick the aging pathfinder over the new 4 runner, just because of the styling.
on road- Explorer
Most people buy SUV's as minivans without the stigma, and I think Explorer is more fitted for that role.
4 runner is an ugly truck IMO I would pick the aging pathfinder over the new 4 runner, just because of the styling.
Hey guys listen up! You better belive everything Flapjack is saying, he knows more then anybody I know about car safety. Even thoungh I love Toyotas, they have been a tradition in my family, I would take his advice.
Grano
NFS4
No Lifer
- Oct 9, 1999
- 72,636
- 47
- 91
WTF are you crackheads smoking. The 4-Runner never has and currently DOES NOT have an independent rear suspension.
The only Toyota utes with an IRS are the RAV4, Highlander and RX330.
BTW, quality wise and feature wise, the 4Runner totally outguns the Explorer.
The only Toyota utes with an IRS are the RAV4, Highlander and RX330.
BTW, quality wise and feature wise, the 4Runner totally outguns the Explorer.
NFS4
No Lifer
- Oct 9, 1999
- 72,636
- 47
- 91
And who was that up there yapping about safety?? The 4Runner also gets better crash scores (barely) than the Explorer
4Runner
http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/html/0309.htm
Explorer
http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/html/0125.htm
And BOTH score 5 stars on side impacts
4Runner
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/NCAP/Cars/2549.html
Explorer
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/NCAP/Cars/2326.html
4Runner
http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/html/0309.htm
Explorer
http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/html/0125.htm
And BOTH score 5 stars on side impacts
4Runner
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/NCAP/Cars/2549.html
Explorer
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/NCAP/Cars/2326.html
Lithium381
Lifer
- May 12, 2001
- 12,452
- 2
- 0
4runner, we've owned three of them, two still around. One had 230k miles before it got wrecked last year, another one has almost 240k(i'll hit that on it by the end of the month) and the other one only has 180k on it so far. ALL very very nice, toyota reliability is off the charts
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