Cayenne or 4Runner?
 

Yeah, not exactly apples to apples, but looking at a 2016 Cayenne and a 2015 4Runner. I have a feeling the 4Runner will hold resale better, but seems like it's a pig on the road, but rock star off road, and likely less to own and better reliability. However, the Cayenne looks pretty solid based on reviews, and has substantially more towing capacity and fun factor. If price were close, what would you do?

I love the way my Cayenne handles, towing capacity is 7,700 pounds.

Maintenance probably less expensive on the Toyota, but. . . personally I’d go with the Cayenne.

By the way, flag me down if you see me at Hollywood Beach, I’m the one in the Hummer Golf Cart, we can get a beer.

I love my Cayenne GTS, but the pragmatic side of me says the 4Runner would be the way to go.

The road manner isn't too bad but still its body on frame. I have the KDDS so the ride isn't bad at all. Drove all over CA with wife and kids in tow. Not too many complains. Handles pretty well for an SUV. I was flying through the 166 on the way out to Santa Maria with my family up the BMW's ass. I say its the KDDS suspension that did the trick. Drive them and you might be surprise. The Porsche is a very nice car but I worry about spending the unnecessary money on maintenance and repair. I have 100,000 mile on my 5 gen. Nothing but oil changes, fuel and on my second set of tires. I found its a real hassle going to the mechanic.

Edit:

My factory radio lost its touch screen. I was without the ability to change radio station for over 4 years. Finally bought a Pioneer head unit with Apple Play, changed out all factory speakers to Focal. Love it.

I own a cayenne and I love it, but we are a Toyota die hard family for sure. So much that my wife bought a sticker for her cayenne that reads "Toyota Landcruiser because everything else sucks". I would say the Runner would be a great choice. I have a new Tacoma TRD and I think its a great truck.

4Runner if you ever plan on doing any true off roading, which 99.9% of SUV owners don’t. Otherwise the Cayenne will be vastly superior on road but also have higher maintenance costs and probably worse resale. I’m a sucker for the 4Runner but find the new ones to be pretty average trucks, I think Toyota is really selling on their name and legacy instead of offering a superior product. I’ve had new 4Runners and Tacomas for rentals and been very unimpressed.

Maybe consider a Lexus GX. Same platform as the 4Runner so it can go anywhere the Toyota can, but in a fair bit more comfort. Of course you'll have to get past the god-awful grill design of the later models ...

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On resale there is not even a hint of competition between the two.

I know my Cayenne depreciates like a rock (I paid $60K with 60K on the clock and I bet it's worth barely $20K with 110K on it) and might need an expensive repair at any moment. But.. every time I drive something else I realize how nice the Cayenne is. The Cayenne needs nothing. It has great power, handling, brakes and most importantly: seats. To get anything else to be half as good would cost more than just buying another used but newer Cayenne.

Appreciate the responses and was hoping some of you would chime in. The Toyota is the logical choice for sure. I bought a Tundra in Oct to pull an Airstream, but those plans, for now, have fallen apart, but still want a decent tow capacity. I've got a new Lab pup, so an SUV is ideal. Cannot bring myself to buy a Cherokee, Explorer, etc. I think I can get by with the 4Runner. Guess that means I'll have to get a Cayman S too :--)


@RNajarian, I can see Sea Fresh out my living room window, would love to grab a beer!

I'm certain that the Cayenne will be vastly superior OFF road too. Wickedly fast control wheel system, air suspension and even has optional decoupling antiswaybars for better articulation. Cayennes are beasts off road.

I've owned an '04 Cayenne S and a '16 4Runner Trail Premium. The 4Runner was a terrible highway car. There was absolutely nothing good about the way that thing drove at highway speeds. It probably would have driven through muddy ditches like no ones business and it was absolutely great in the snow with snow tires. Resale was fantastic. Bought for $38K in January of 2016, An Acura dealer gave me $31.5k on trade last fall. Had it almost 5 years.

The Cayenne was too long ago to really remember a whole lot, it had power and handled pretty good for an SUV.

The 4Runner towed pretty good too.


http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1618327414.jpg

I'm a Toyota guy, but most of the 4Runners I see are butt ugly.

Where Yota screwed the pooch was getting rid of the 8 cylinder. If I'm gonna get bad gas mileage, I'd rather do it with 8 cylinders rather than 6.

My vote is for a Highlander. Size like a Runner but ride like a car. 300 hp N/A rock solid 3.5 v6 and for luxury go Platinum.

When the Tundra's get the Turbo 6's next year, I hope the 4Runner gets them as well.

I only have 4Runner experience, Tacoma, SR5, FJ, LC 80 and Tundra as well...closing in on over 1.5 million miles with exactly one can't drive failure mode - alternator on my daughters FJ, which she still drives after 10 years.

But, while I am partial, I am not blind to the pedestrian nature and the fugliness of some of the recent designs. That said, if I want soul, I'll put on an Al Green album.

I am not looking for an SUV to "move me".

Aren't the Lexus GX's rebadged Toyota Land Cruiser Prados? They used to be, but I'm not entirely positive that they still are. It would explain why they get the V8, though.

I personally think the current generation 4Runner in proper trim is a pretty good looking truck. Certainly looks like nothing else out there, when everything else looks the same.

For the 4Runner ride, does adding HD Bilsteins help with the ride? They are great with the Tundra TRD package. Just gonna be me and the dog for a while, so not concerned about a soft ride.

I love my Pepper wagon, that being said, a buddy is selling his 2016 4Runner limited, very clean ride, but he moved the Costa Rico so it is just sitting here now.

Ooooo, would love to know more about Costa Rica. I've been to Tamarindo a few times and could totally live there.

Now is probably the time for him to sell it, Carvana and others paying good $$ for used cars.

Have driven them both?

I have friends that lease a new 4Runner every 3 years and they love them.

Wanted as close zero maintenance and a V8 in a Toyota so I bought a Land Cruiser. I do not think you can go wrong with either you are asking about.

Another reason to consider the Lexus GX.

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Yes, ROW it's the Prado.

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That V6 has plenty of power but it starts at a slightly higher RPM. On paper, it has more hp then the V8. 20-22 mph at 270 hp. Not too bad

Fair enough but that’s heavily dependent on the options selected. The average base model Cayenne doesn’t have any of that. You also have a massive and affordable aftermarket for the 4Runner that will make them off road monsters.

The GX 4.6 V8 has 300 hp with a 6 speed trans vs the 270 hp 5 speed trans of the runner. The GX is not a quick SUV by any stretch but much better than the 4runner with the same off road capabilities.

I've find the 6cyl, 5 speed tranny to be miserable in both the FJC and 4runner, at least where I commute at plus 5500 ft elevation.

I have really enjoyed my GX460, it's a good balance between luxury, enough power, on/off road capable and toyota reliability.

...and yes it has a butt ugly front end!

I can only talk to the 4Runner.

My '97 Runner has 380,000 miles and still goring strong. It is the SR5 model with 5-speed manual transmission. I attribute is longevity to performing scheduled maintenance as per the owners manual. I have never had any issues with towing or off-road ability. So....

I'm still rocking a 470 because I think it looks better than those that have followed. Well, that and there are multiple examples million mile 2UZFE engines.

Okay, there's also the cheapskate that lives within me.

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It was the comparison between the out going V8 and the new V6, not comparing that to the Lexus V8 with 300 hp.

The reason for the sihty transmission is its shift points. You can blame the US gov. for that. They shift that damn thing into 5th gear in a hurry to save fuel. Toyota released a software update after so many years a new vehicle has been on the road. I had it re-flashed and the shift points are like it should. Plenty of power and no more flooring it to get it going from a light.

Picked up one for my 15 year old. Its a 98 limited with a factory locker. It has 200,000 miles. We cleaned up the interior, new leather on the seats and it doesn't burn a drop of oil. I drive it once every two or three weeks to keep oil circulating for him. He will learn to drive it this summer. They make one heck of a vehicle.

A buddy has a Lexus suv.http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1618371176.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1618371176.jpg
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My wife drives a 2008 GX470 with only 53000 miles. Rock solid SUV. We’re going to keep it until we die then pass it down to the kids. It’s an heirloom.

The base model Cayenne will have the fast-acting traction control, and the car knows its incline and dynamics. They turbo's have air suspension as standard. The decoupling anti-sway is an option - for people who want the extra (large) independent articulation.

Just looked; the 4runner doesn't even have IRS. Big ol' diff hanging low...

The Cayennes suck off road for one reason - owners typically don't want to abuse the paint. And if running 35-series tires.. well, that feels a bit dicey too.

I looked at a GX460 and it checks the boxes, but I just returned from Florida and there were so many old guys (I'm only 55 LOL) driving Lexi. Found a 2015 4Runner Premium 4WD charcoal with brown leather. Pretty classy and has everything I want. I think this could be my last daily driver. If I ever decide to go the Airstream/trailer route, I'll get the appropriate tow vehicle.

Really appreciate all of the thoughts and recommendations!

Sounds like you found one you like, congrats.

You sound like you are planning to get hit by a city bus in the next few years. Last daily at 55, WTF? You got a lot of life left. I am one year behind you, dude.

Oh btw, that 4 runner is a great vehicle. I don't like it as much as my old land cruiser, FJ 80 only because its a bit taller for me to stick my bike in there without having to twist it going in slightly side way. It has plenty of tq for your Airstream.

Great vehicle. Enjoy!

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