| ductman |
has anyone before they got their x compared it to the
toyota 4-runner limited v8, i know this is a truck but
for some reason , people seem to love these trucks
the msrp is similiar, anybody make any comparisons, i know the
gx470 is similiar to the 4runner but the cost is substantially more
than the x, so has anybody compared and waht did you find pros and cons, other than the v8 versus the v6 |
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| screbr |
I think the MSRP might be the only similarity.....
I've owned two 4Runners prior to my X, and to your point, the 4Runner is a truck, and is designed (primarily) for off-road performance. It's got one of the best 4WD systems out there, and the V8 gave it a much-needed power boost for on-road performance. The interior is small (relative to the X), and the 3rd row seat is a joke (if you want/need that). When you drive it, it bounces around like a truck, and if you are in the back seat, expect a bit of motion sickness.
The MDX on the other hand is an oversized performance vehicle (read: car). It has very little in the way of off-road capability, but more than holds it own for SUV on-road performance and AWD handling. The interior is great, oversized, and while the 3rd row seat isn't perfect, it's good for a couple of small kids. I think it's more of a crossover than an SUV.
IMHO:
Go with the 4Runner if you want a car that you can take on the back roads, mining routes, and other backcountry trails.
Go with the MDX if you want on-road luxury and performance. |
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| vicpai |
....so as people get the correct (and not misleading) information when cross shopping vehicles. The above mentioned ride & handling characteristics of the new REDESIGNED 4-runner are TOTALLY and ABSOLUTELY incorrect. I understand that this is an MDX forum, but the facts have to be represented accurately!
I have owned a 2001 4-Runner SR5 4WD, for over a year, and have extensively driven a colleague's V8 4-runner ('05 model), as well as rented an '03 model 4-runner for 3 days from FREEMAN TOYOTA in Santa Rosa, CA (while visiting San Francisco). Ironically, this was the same time I had just bought my '03 MDX, giving me a very good perspective to compare the two.
While what the above poster has said may be true of the previous generation 4-Runner ('02 models and earlier), the negative assertions are simply not true for the redesigned 4-runner!! (The old and new models have NOTHING in common, except the name)!!....the new 4runner rides just as smooth and comfortably as the MDX with no jarring shocks or bounciness whatsoever. Besides this, my friends X-REAS suspension equipped '05 model handles just as good, if not better, than the MDX, and it's 270-horse V8 actually felt a bit more powerful than the MDX's V6.
At the time I purchased my MDX, back in Dec '02, I had narrowed it down to 3 choices: The V8 4-runner Limited, GX 470 and MDX. The GX 470 got eliminated early on because I did not feel it offered much value over the 4-runner for over 50K. I eventually went with the MDX, but I must say that it was a very very close call. I went with X because overall I felt it was slightly better in the following areas: much more comfortable "chair-height" front seats (you sit very "low to the floor" on the 4-runner), much better highway mileage, slightly less wind noise at freeway speeds (I noticed a fair amount of wind noise coming from the side mirror area of the 4runner, and the "boxy" body seems to get affected by cross-winds a lot more), and last but not least: the MDX's Navigation System was (and still is) LIGHT YEARS ahead of the 4-runner's!!
Other things that were of no concern to me when comparing, but could be an issue for someone else are:
higher step-in height for the 4-runner (due to higher ground clearance, and body-on-frame chassis) possibly making ingress and egress slightly more difficult for some.
SLIGHTLY less OVERALL interior space in the 4-runner (however, 3rd row seats of both vehicles are a joke, and only meant for very small adults or kids)
Some consider the MDX to have better styling, but this is a subjective matter. |
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| screbr |
Hey Vic - while I appreciate your enthusiasm about this topic, to state that I am emphatically incorrect on subject matter that is based on opinion is frankly out of line. I have driven the current generation 4Runners extensively (as well as past models), and while I agree that they have made dramatic improvements in on-road performance over the 2002 and earlier models, it is still a truck at heart. And when I say this, I am not favoring the X, I am merely stating my experience. For many, the "truck" experience of the 4Runner is preferred over the cross-over SUV's like the MDX.
My opinion, which cannot be accused of being incorrect (by definition), based on having a 2003, 2000 and 1992 4Runners in my past, is described in my previous post. I respect the fact that you disagree, now give me the same respect. |
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| rockyroad |
Oh the Drama. :2:
Happy New Year! |
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| teton |
Especially the V8. It is a very fast vehicle. I drove it a bit just before I purchased the X. I think it's not bad at all if you don't care for the 3rd row seat. While it has a 3rd row seat it is mounted way too low to the floor and hence your knees will be against your chest if you were to sit in it. Also when you "fold away" the 3rd row seats you will have very little space left in the trunk since these seats fold away to the sides and will block your vision out the rear side windows. I think most people do not get the 3rd row seats and if they had it they probably simply removed them off the vehicle and store them in the garage. I got the X because of the 3rd row seats which I use more often than most people. Also I got the X because of the brand name, i.e. "Acura" and the interior of the X is styled more to my taste and is more luxuarious. Also you can get more gadgets with the X like Blue Tooth. Fuel mileage goes to the X.
-Teton |
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| teton |
IMO the only vehicle on the market that is truely better than the MDX is the Infinity QX56, however you will suffer greatly when it comes to gas comsumption. This is only my personal opinion thinking from someone who wants a Luxuary SUV for what it is... a big comfortable cruiser capable of carrying several adults, a couple of kids, and a trunk full of stuff aquired from the latest trip to the mall.
My problem with the X is that when you use the 3rd row seats there is nearly no trunk left for the baby stroller. It simply will not fit. The Land Cruiser / Lexus LX470 will have the same problem even though that vehicle looks bigger. The design and chassis has a lot to do with available interior space.
Please don't bring up the suburban. I believe people who shop the Lexus, Infinity, and Acura are not the folks that will purchase a Suburban... EXPECIALLY out here in California.
I wish Acura made a larger SUV. I know I'd buy it.
-Teton |
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| screbr |
quote:
4 Runner is a great vehicle
No question about it - I totally agree. If it wasn't for "wife and kids requirements" I'd still have one. The extra space and better on-road handling are what differentiate the Acura if that is what you want/need.
You're point about the stroller storage is a big miss for me as well. I discovered this problem over the holidays when my in-laws were in town. The X's interior was great and we piled everyone in it, but then couldn't fit the stroller in the way back for my 1 yr old. Two solutions to this: roof top box, or fold 1/2 of the third row seat down (thus making it a 6 seater).
Not a big fan of the QX56 - it looks like a tank to me. It's really a tough puzzle to solve. I think many folks (including myself) shy away from the full-size SUV's for a number of reasons (gas being a big one), but then discover that most mid-size SUV's lack necessary space in some situations. The Acura has a great niche for the "tweener" spot between mid-size practicality and full-size luxury, but of course it too has some flaws. If not, this forum would be empty and quiet...... |
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| rockyroad |
quote:
Originally posted by screbr
........... The Acura has a great niche for the "tweener" spot between mid-size practicality and full-size luxury, but of course it too has some flaws. If not, this forum would be empty and quiet......
I totally agree to the above statement. |
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| BostonX |
The QX56 is the biggest POS on the road today. Roundly regarded as the most unreliable vehicle of 2005 by more than one consumer group and carrying the distinction of having the most consumer complaints logged against it than any other vehicle (even Land Rover!).
I like the 4Runner. I see alot of old ones on the road around here, still in active service. The new styling is sharp too, and that's really saying something considering it's a Toyota. I might get one when we move to the mountains next year and need a more capable off-road vehicle. |
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