Test drove a Trailhunter yesterday... Underwhelmed.

[adam2433]

Local dealer just happened to have a Trailhunter on the lot. I stopped in first thing and asked to test drive. Apparently it was sitting in the back of the dealership and got hit in the front by a truck. Body damage that they fixed at their bodyshop. Salesman was excited to tell me there was only 12 Trailhunters on lots in the country (idk if this is true) and that they put a big discount on it because of the accident... MSRP 70k, listed for 68k lol.

Anyway, long story short it was really nice but just didnt wow me. Comfortable ride for sure. I was surprised. Inside was just ok. Not bad not great. Power was good. What I expected. Plenty strong for what it is. Exterior design looked good in person. It is maybe the 3rd or 4th that I have seen in person. Again nothing earth shattering which was good. Though it does look different in person vs in pictures but that might just be me. Better in person.

That snorkel thing is annoying asa can be. I would never buy one because of it. With windows up it is fine. Windows down the whoosh is incredibly annoying and loud af to me. I was considering one next year and though between Pro and Trainhunter. 100% not Trailhunter because of that thing.

All in all it is good not great. No wow factor. Didnt leave me with a big smile on my face. It would've been a mall crawler for me. Perhaps those that overland see it differently. Power is definitely just fine. So everyone whining about 4 cylinder that hasn't actually driven it can kick rocks.

For reference I have had 2 Tacoma's, A4, S5, 328, 2 Sierra 1500's and currently an SQ5. The ride might actually have been better than my SQ5 given I have 20" wheels. The 4R was comfy. Pics in next post.

 

[adam2433]

 

[Trail4R]

That all sounds about right to me. The power is definitely a big step up from the previous generation of Toyotas (4Runner and Tacoma), but I imagine it’s probably not all that impressive to you, considering the lineup of vehicles you own. The tech in the new 4Runner doesn’t really compare to something like an Audi either, my buddy just picked up an RS3, and the interior in that thing is incredible. My wife drives a Rivian R1S, and honestly, it’s one of the most impressive SUVs I’ve driven in terms of power and tech, but it also costs $108K for our build spec. Still, the new 4Runner is light years ahead of the last gen when it comes to both power and features. That said, the market for this thing is weird, longtime 4Runner fans are still hanging onto the old 4.0 V6 for its reliability, and there are plenty of SUVs out there that offer better value or more tech for less money. The new 6th Gen is crazy expensive right now. But even with all that, it’s still a 4Runner at heart. I really love the new 6th Gen, it blows the 5th Gen out of the water as a daily driver, still holds its own off-road, and introduces a level of comfort we’ve never had in this platform. Honestly, if I weren’t such a die-hard 4Runner guy who camps a lot, I don’t even know what I’d go for.

 

[adam2433]

I love my German cars but I really enjoyed my Tacoma’s and Sierra’s too. I really wanted to love it. Perhaps another ride in a Pro without that God awful whooshing sound constantly lol.

I thought the power was great for what it is. Yeah not an RS lol but plenty for the class of vehicle. And the transmission was better than the 5th Gen (I drove one a few times perhaps I should’ve mentioned that). Ride was super comfy.

I really wish I could put my finger on what was missing for me. I really wanted to have it down to a 4Runner and the refreshed Sierra as my next vehicle. I’ll be honest I love trucks. The look and stance and everything. However I have zero use for the bed hence why I hoped a 4Runner would make for the perfect fit for me at this point in life.

 

[Trail4R]

@adam2433 - give it another try, anything iForce Max Premium, throw it in sport mode, and enjoy. That snorkel would drive me crazy, too.

I've owned a lot of vehicles. This new 4Runner is pretty amazing.

 

[adam2433]

Like I said the power was fine. I didnt even put it in sport mode. Everything was really "good" about it but nothing "great" it seemed. I think it is because of the price. $70,000 I can get a fully loaded Audi SQ5 or GMC Sierra 1500 both of which I owned in the past and I feel like are better at what they do than the 4Runner. I am not comparing the 3 against each other that would be silly. Fit and finish just seemed poor compared to even domestic trucks. Perhaps being a mall crawler and lifting it and stuff just for fun I dont see the wow factor that an off roader or overlander would. I will drive a Pro when I find one and see how that feels. And honestly maybe another color just for more comparison.