Advice / thoughts....
Wife has always been a 4 Runner fan. Had 1 for 7 years, then got something different. She wants a new 4R but we have been researching and it appears there is a huge problem with squealing breaks when in reverse with the new Gen 6 models, as well as some other Toyota models as well. We were ready to pull the trigger on one yesterday but then she got cold feet due to this issue. Really a downer cuz we were excited about it.

Seems there is a Toyota Service Bulletin but reviews are that it only fixes it for a short time and then its back to doing it again (most of the time anyway).

What do you guys think? Go for it or wait and see if the 2027 model doesn't exhibit this issue?
We are not in a "need" basis, mostly a "want"......

I don't have any experience with the new ones, but we've had multiple 4Runners and several other Toyotas and I've always been huge fans, but I am not particularly impressed with any of their current trucks. I am sure they are still one of the highest quality auto manufacturers, but I don't think it's worth the premium they get for these vehicles currently. I don't think the reliability is what it used to be.

I love the 2nd gen Sequoias; we have two. I was excited about the 3rd gen until they came out. HUGE disappointment.

Those look nice! Definitely a different vehicle thank the 4Runner goes if off-road is important, but for 95% of 4Runner owners the Passport is probably just as capable.

fixer said:

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Texaspainter said:

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Advice / thoughts....
Wife has always been a 4 Runner fan. Had 1 for 7 years, then got something different. She wants a new 4R but we have been researching and it appears there is a huge problem with squealing breaks when in reverse with the new Gen 6 models, as well as some other Toyota models as well. We were ready to pull the trigger on one yesterday but then she got cold feet due to this issue. Really a downer cuz we were excited about it.

Seems there is a Toyota Service Bulletin but reviews are that it only fixes it for a short time and then its back to doing it again (most of the time anyway).

What do you guys think? Go for it or wait and see if the 2027 model doesn't exhibit this issue?
We are not in a "need" basis, mostly a "want"......

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Gut check time: if squealing brakes in reverse is all you are worried about in today's automotive dumpster fire, then you are doing quite well.

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lol yea I know…. Real 3rd world problems

Old Sarge said:

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Toyota since '22//23 has been a YUGE disappointment to most if not all of us that had been used to the "low technology- high durability" reputation. Toyota should have kept their butts in their wheelhouse. However, stuck to the guns for too long without making adjustments or plans for changes in the future to assure the durability reputation.

If they had an inkling of sense, they'd return to the naturally aspirated motor market and integrate sensible tech to enhance said return.

If Toyota did this, they would DOMINATE the mid and full size truck market under the 3/4 ton segment. DOMINATE it.

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I agree totally with this. Growing up my Dad was a big Taco guy. He had 2 different tacomas that he put 300K miles on each of them without any mechanical failures.

I've got an '07 tacoma that has 190K on it and it's still running strong. It just keeps on going.

We bought a 4Runner at the end of of 2024 even though we technically didn't need a new car but my wife and I were on the same page that we wanted to get one of the last 5th generation. We wanted the old body style, heavy, slow, fuel inefficient, no stop-start technology, with knobs and buttons inside rather than a bunch of controls on a touch screen and couldn't be happier about it. It's exactly what we signed up for and we plan on keeping that until it's no longer functional. I had a 6th generation as a rental last year and it was fine for the week I had it. It was more quiet inside, felt quicker and more nimble, but I still have a lot of questions about the platform long term. It's also a significant price increase over the prior generation, we bought a limited and those are over $60k these days.

After our 4Runner is paid off it'll be time to retire our secondary vehicle so I've already started to research what's out there. As OP stated above you should check out the new Passport, especially if you don't have any plans to do any sort of real off-roading. It's got an old school V6, not a turbo 4 cylinder. The reviews I've read and watched on YouTube are very positive, especially if you don't need an SUV with a 3rd row. I haven't driven any or ridden in one but it'll probably be the first vehicle we check out when it's time. I also like how it's kind of boxy looking, I'm not a huge fan of the exterior look of the current generation 4Runner.

Max Power said:

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We bought a 4Runner at the end of of 2024 even though we technically didn't need a new car but my wife and I were on the same page that we wanted to get one of the last 5th generation. We wanted the old body style, heavy, slow, fuel inefficient, no stop-start technology, with knobs and buttons inside rather than a bunch of controls on a touch screen and couldn't be happier about it. It's exactly what we signed up for and we plan on keeping that until it's no longer functional. I had a 6th generation as a rental last year and it was fine for the week I had it. It was more quiet inside, felt quicker and more nimble, but I still have a lot of questions about the platform long term. It's also a significant price increase over the prior generation, we bought a limited and those are over $60k these days.

After our 4Runner is paid off it'll be time to retire our secondary vehicle so I've already started to research what's out there. As OP stated above you should check out the new Passport, especially if you don't have any plans to do any sort of real off-roading. It's got an old school V6, not a turbo 4 cylinder. The reviews I've read and watched on YouTube are very positive, especially if you don't need an SUV with a 3rd row. I haven't driven any or ridden in one but it'll probably be the first vehicle we check out when it's time. I also like how it's kind of boxy looking, I'm not a huge fan of the exterior look of the current generation 4Runner.

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Not really a fan of the looks of the Passport, IDK?? We like the look of the new 4 Runner. To each his own I guess.

Originally I wasn't a fan of the looks of the new Passport, they kind of look like a Bronco Sport on steroids. I've seen a couple of them around town recently and they've grown on me. I will say that I'd consider a new 4Runner probably before something like a Grand Highlander. The Grand Highlander felt too much like our Sienna, it didn't feel like an SUV. The 6th generation 4Runner still feels like an SUV, it's still a body on frame vehicle rather than a unibody. I think the only midsize body on frame SUVs still made are the 4Runner and Bronco. The Wrangler is body on frame but not a mid-size, they're tiny inside. I've never driven or ridden in one of the new Broncos, perhaps those are worth a look?

gx550 and landcruiser are also mid-size body on frame

AustinCountyAg said:

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gx550 and landcruiser are also mid-size body on frame

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GX550 is out of my price range. Well, I mean we could afford it but we don't generally spend that kind of money on vehicles. I want nice, but not that nice.

I like the land cruiser but I believe it only comes in hybrid. Not interested in hybrid. Plus I think it suffers from the same issues as the 4 Runner regarding break squeal.

Pretty set on a 4 Runner at this point. I think eventually we will end up with the 4R.....it's the only body style we really like other than the land cruiser.

AustinCountyAg said:

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gx550 and landcruiser are also mid-size body on frame

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Agree; I like both of them.

OP already declined in his post above mine, but ordinarily I'd suggest a GX for anyone considering a T4R, especially if they're open to a couple years older. The GX 460 has been a wonderful platform for us (we've had two now) and has many advantages that "fix" issues in the 5th gen T4R - slightly larger interior, more comfortable to drive/ride for everyone inside, quieter inside (Lexus, lol), and a 4.6L NA V8. No hybrid system, no turbos to fail. Very reliable for us.

That said, I do like the new 550s and LC.

I still daily my 2014 Tacoma but it's to the point of becoming an offroad toy where I'll need a new daily that can tow (F250 maybe unless the Tundra or Sequoia increases their numbers).

Don't fault OP for wanting a new 4Runner. I drove one of the very early models 2-3 years ago and it was quite pleasant (though the Toyota rep wouldn't let us push it).

Yep

Just buy it. I've had a GX550 and new Landcruiser and it's minimal only while backing up in mornings. There will come a fix eventually, and you can hear it, but it shouldn't be a deal breaker. The iForce has been really reliable as well.

Choward4 said:

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Just buy it. I've had a GX550 and new Landcruiser and it's minimal only while backing up in mornings. There will come a fix eventually, and you can hear it, but it shouldn't be a deal breaker. The iForce has been really reliable as well.

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Thanks

We're in the market in the next year, and while there are disadvantages, I think we're landing on a new Sequoia. I really want the v6 twin turbo hybrid technology. Ideally I would want the v8 older generation, but I think Toyotas Hybrid is rather proven / dependable. With the cost of the gx and LC, mine as well step up and get the Sequoia. It's not a far jump.

Just bought a 21 sequoia to round out my toyota NA engine collection. Its a hog. Toyota better fix their stuff if they want me to buy a SUV or truck from them ever again.