Cayenne or 4Runner?

[Vipergrün]

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?

[RNajarian]

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.

[Embraer]

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

[look 171]

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.

[beran earms]

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.

[onewhippedpuppy]

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.

[Norm K]

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 ...

_

[berettafan]

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

[David]

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.

[Vipergrün]

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!

[island911]

Originally Posted by onewhippedpuppy

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...

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.

[GG Allin]

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.

[GG Allin]

The 4Runner towed pretty good too.

[911 Rod]

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

[cabmandone]

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.

[911 Rod]

Originally Posted by cabmando

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.

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

[Seahawk]

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".

[BReif61]

Originally Posted by Norm K

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 ...

_

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.

[GG Allin]

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.

[Vipergrün]

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.