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For anyone that finds this useful, this is my take on the two, after owning 3 previous 5th gens and now a 6th gen (for the last month with 2,000 miles on it including towing miles). Additionally, I have owned 1st and 2nd gen Tundras, a 200 series, a GX 470 and 460, a 1st and 2nd gen 4Runner... I like Toyotas.
5th Gen:
The 5th Gen 4Runner is an absolute beast of a vehicle. The 1GR-FE is as bulletproof as Toyota engines get. Likewise the 20 year old A750 5 speed almost never failed. The word 'bulletproof' is the embodiment of the 5th gen 4Runner. As a former owner of the platform, there were only two downsides to me (a 40 year old, 'overlander' that cares more and more about safety after being in a serious auto accident last year and not about power and going fast):
1. The 5th gen was very picky about tire balancing and weight. All three 5th gens I owned, and thousands on all the forums, had issues when bigger tires were mounted, and suffered from wheel shake. This included 2 brand new units I had with less than 10 miles on them when switching to bigger all terrains (even modest 265/70/R17). This has been completely fixed on the 6th gen.
2. Crash safety: older vehicles simply don't perform as well and the 5th gen (same with the GX 460) left a lot to be desired in moderate offset and front end collisions, leaving the driver footwell very compromised: https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/toyota/4runner-4-door-suv/2022. The 6th gen, given that it is structurally similar if not identical to the 2024 tacoma all the way to the cab, has improved crash testing significantly. You can have a lot of problems in life, until you have a health problem, then you only have one problem. Safety is crucial, and I'm glad to see Toyota engineers improved the platform in crash safety.
That's it, I can find no other complaints on the 5th gen, I loved all of mine, and probably would still own one if it weren't for the vibrations that I was getting through the steering wheel every time I tried to mount larger all-terrain tires.
6th Gen:
The 6th Gen is a stark departure from the 5th gen. It is very close, if not identical to the Tacoma in every mechanical way (the 4Runner is thankfully still made in the Tahara factory in Japan, likely the best automotive plant on the planet). It features a 4cylinder turbo with hybrid option. It is no longer only port injected, but now includes D4S, Toyota's port and direct injection system, that in other models, works very well and is very proven.
As someone that very much liked the 5th gen drivetrain and did not think it was underpowered (despite living at 5,300 feet above sea level) for a midsize SUV, I can tell you that the 6th gen drivetrain (in terms of drivability, not necessarily durability and longevity) is a vast improvement. And again, I love the 4.0 V6. The 2.4 Turbo (mine is gas, SR5) and 8 speed are fantastic. There is occasionally a small hesitation/rough shift between gears 2 and 3, but it's not that annoying and only occurs to me under spirited acceleration.
On a recent drive from Boulder Colorado to Lander Wyoming (a route I drive regularly for work), and a route that previously in my 5th gen, was always filled with downshifting and 4,000 RPM, now is quiet and effortless. The 6th gen almost never even downshifts, and when it does, I stay at speed well under 3,000 RPM. The real world torque is very noticeable, and such a pleasant experience and the 8 speed gearbox is a welcomed addition. I also greatly appreciate the 6 grease zerks found on the front and rear drive shaft. I can't recall if these were present on my 5th gen, but either way, serviceability is a win in my book.
As soon as I got it, I added my favorite tire, the Falken Wildpeak AT4W, in a modest 265/70/R17 in SL variety (this is my commuter so no need for a C rated or E rated tire). Prior to doing this, the 4Runner was achieving (again at altitude, where I always experience better fuel economy than at lower altitudes) 26.1 mpg hand calculated (although the computer is almost identical and is very accurate in my experience). After the tire upgrade, I've been averaging around 22 mpg, so a significant hit, but still a very good number for a 4,600 pound SUV with all terrains (note that I try and drive very easy, this is also on 91 octane fuel). The air dam will come off soon:
Towing with the new 4Runner is equally is enjoyable. The power and low speed thrust is considerable. I towed my 7x14 cargo trailer with a couch and some other furniture about 50 miles (trailer probably weighed close to 4,000 lbs) and it pulled very well; much, much better than my 5th gen.
I appreciate the SR5 coming with 17 inch wheels and wish higher trims would do the same. 18s, 19s and 20s, do not belong on an SUV intended for offroad use in my opinion.
The user experience of the 6th gen has been delightful and I'm happy I made the switch. Many people complain about materials, but the plastic dashboard and armrests by the window do not bother me, and again, as a rugged all terrain machine, I prefer more durable materials that can take more of a beating.
The only annoyance so far on the 6th gen is that the plastic body moulding on the rear tires fills with mud, and even after a thorough car wash, it was still there. I had to clean it by hand while opening the door. But again, this is a very small thing.
Style is subjective, and I do prefer the 5th gen more than the 6th, but things have to evolve I guess.
If you have any questions about the comparison, let me know. I think Toyota did well. Yes it has a 4 cylinder, and a turbo, but servicing this engine will be very easy (spark plugs should take less than 10 minutes, which is great, given that they are called for every 40,000 miles in the 6th gen), and the driving experience is far better than the outgoing model.
5th Gen:
The 5th Gen 4Runner is an absolute beast of a vehicle. The 1GR-FE is as bulletproof as Toyota engines get. Likewise the 20 year old A750 5 speed almost never failed. The word 'bulletproof' is the embodiment of the 5th gen 4Runner. As a former owner of the platform, there were only two downsides to me (a 40 year old, 'overlander' that cares more and more about safety after being in a serious auto accident last year and not about power and going fast):
1. The 5th gen was very picky about tire balancing and weight. All three 5th gens I owned, and thousands on all the forums, had issues when bigger tires were mounted, and suffered from wheel shake. This included 2 brand new units I had with less than 10 miles on them when switching to bigger all terrains (even modest 265/70/R17). This has been completely fixed on the 6th gen.
2. Crash safety: older vehicles simply don't perform as well and the 5th gen (same with the GX 460) left a lot to be desired in moderate offset and front end collisions, leaving the driver footwell very compromised: https://www.iihs.org/ratings/vehicle/toyota/4runner-4-door-suv/2022. The 6th gen, given that it is structurally similar if not identical to the 2024 tacoma all the way to the cab, has improved crash testing significantly. You can have a lot of problems in life, until you have a health problem, then you only have one problem. Safety is crucial, and I'm glad to see Toyota engineers improved the platform in crash safety.
That's it, I can find no other complaints on the 5th gen, I loved all of mine, and probably would still own one if it weren't for the vibrations that I was getting through the steering wheel every time I tried to mount larger all-terrain tires.
6th Gen:
The 6th Gen is a stark departure from the 5th gen. It is very close, if not identical to the Tacoma in every mechanical way (the 4Runner is thankfully still made in the Tahara factory in Japan, likely the best automotive plant on the planet). It features a 4cylinder turbo with hybrid option. It is no longer only port injected, but now includes D4S, Toyota's port and direct injection system, that in other models, works very well and is very proven.
As someone that very much liked the 5th gen drivetrain and did not think it was underpowered (despite living at 5,300 feet above sea level) for a midsize SUV, I can tell you that the 6th gen drivetrain (in terms of drivability, not necessarily durability and longevity) is a vast improvement. And again, I love the 4.0 V6. The 2.4 Turbo (mine is gas, SR5) and 8 speed are fantastic. There is occasionally a small hesitation/rough shift between gears 2 and 3, but it's not that annoying and only occurs to me under spirited acceleration.
On a recent drive from Boulder Colorado to Lander Wyoming (a route I drive regularly for work), and a route that previously in my 5th gen, was always filled with downshifting and 4,000 RPM, now is quiet and effortless. The 6th gen almost never even downshifts, and when it does, I stay at speed well under 3,000 RPM. The real world torque is very noticeable, and such a pleasant experience and the 8 speed gearbox is a welcomed addition. I also greatly appreciate the 6 grease zerks found on the front and rear drive shaft. I can't recall if these were present on my 5th gen, but either way, serviceability is a win in my book.
As soon as I got it, I added my favorite tire, the Falken Wildpeak AT4W, in a modest 265/70/R17 in SL variety (this is my commuter so no need for a C rated or E rated tire). Prior to doing this, the 4Runner was achieving (again at altitude, where I always experience better fuel economy than at lower altitudes) 26.1 mpg hand calculated (although the computer is almost identical and is very accurate in my experience). After the tire upgrade, I've been averaging around 22 mpg, so a significant hit, but still a very good number for a 4,600 pound SUV with all terrains (note that I try and drive very easy, this is also on 91 octane fuel). The air dam will come off soon:
Towing with the new 4Runner is equally is enjoyable. The power and low speed thrust is considerable. I towed my 7x14 cargo trailer with a couch and some other furniture about 50 miles (trailer probably weighed close to 4,000 lbs) and it pulled very well; much, much better than my 5th gen.
I appreciate the SR5 coming with 17 inch wheels and wish higher trims would do the same. 18s, 19s and 20s, do not belong on an SUV intended for offroad use in my opinion.
The user experience of the 6th gen has been delightful and I'm happy I made the switch. Many people complain about materials, but the plastic dashboard and armrests by the window do not bother me, and again, as a rugged all terrain machine, I prefer more durable materials that can take more of a beating.
The only annoyance so far on the 6th gen is that the plastic body moulding on the rear tires fills with mud, and even after a thorough car wash, it was still there. I had to clean it by hand while opening the door. But again, this is a very small thing.
Style is subjective, and I do prefer the 5th gen more than the 6th, but things have to evolve I guess.
If you have any questions about the comparison, let me know. I think Toyota did well. Yes it has a 4 cylinder, and a turbo, but servicing this engine will be very easy (spark plugs should take less than 10 minutes, which is great, given that they are called for every 40,000 miles in the 6th gen), and the driving experience is far better than the outgoing model.
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