| Dipstick |
| I took a spin in a new 2003 4Runner today. It was an SR5 (base model) cloth seats, nothing fancy, etc. It had the V8 w/5-speed transmission. My impressions: very improved ride comfort, very quiet. Accelleration is very good, under 8 seconds to 60, very smooth and just the right amount of V8 growl. It has been some time since I drove the 2002 MDX, but my memory is that it was about the same on power, notoceably better on handling. The MDX is more responsive, confident feeling on curves and avoidance. The 4Runner tends to "wallow" a little on quick turns, but since it is more of a truck, not surprising. Very nice seating comfort. All in all, not a substitute for the X unless you want to do more off-raoding than I do. Dealer hasn't quoted pricing yet, but he says it will be the same as last year, which is a little under the 03 MDX. He also said the V6 which is very similar to the MDX's (283 lb-ft of torque at 3400 rpm with VVT) and should be comparable to the Acura. Anyone else had a drive? |
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| vicpai |
.......just yesterday and here are my impressions (drove it twice at 2 dealerships) - at the first place I took it for a long drive up to 80mph on the freeway.
Things I was impressed with:
This vehicle is so powerful, it's unbelievable for an SUV (loads and goads of low-end torque)
The vehicle was unbelieveably quiet. There was NOT A HINT of Road noise and THE BEST PART here, was the Engine noise. It's like an "abstract force" is moving the vehicle. Even under full throttle there was barely any sound coming from the engine and it was BUTTER-SMOOTH as well. Wind noise was also impressively low at 80mph!!. OVERALL VERY VERY IMPRESSIVE!! :29:
Handling was really good - and this was without the optional X-REAS sport-enhanced suspension, which supposedly improves it even more. (I would say, for the vehicle I test drove, handling was just a notch above the '02 MDX IMHO, but don't know how it will compare with the "improved" handling of the '03 MDX)
Ride quality was also very very impressive. Very smooth (almost fluid-like) and not jarring like the previous 4 Runner - this was not even with the optional air-suspension which is supposedly even better.
Very impressive list of features when "fully loaded" ......X-REAS sport suspension, Air suspension with self-levelling, Side-curtain airbags, dual zone climate control (for passenger and driver) etc. etc.
Things I was really dissapointed with:
Seat comfort (Front and Rear) sucks :28: . It's just A TAD BIT better than the previous 4 Runner, but Sheez, I was expecting a whole lot more from Toyota on this one. This was one of my BIGGEST complaints in the old 4 Runner and it hasn't gotten much better! Rear seat comfort is tolerable, but front seat comfort is a completely different story :28: Even at the "highest" raised setting, you sit like your in a friggin car, not a typical chair-like "SUV" seating position. What I mean is you sit slightly above the floor (not high above the floor like in an MDX). Yes, I also tested the 8-way power leather driver's seat, and the bottom-cushion angle adjustments are pretty much useless and the overall seat and it's adjustments are very badly designed and executed.......and you cannot effectively adjust the "front portion" and "rear portion" of the bottom cushion for adequate thigh support. At it's highest setting the bottom-cushion angle is very bad (rear- hip point - is very high, and the front - thigh point - is lower) making you feel like you're perched on a ledge on your butt, with no thigh support at all - VERY UNCOMFORTABLE - and at it's lowest setting there's still not enough thigh support (cushion angle is a bit better because front portion is higher than rear portion). However, at the lowest setting you're practically sitting on the floor :rolleyes: ......By sharp contrast the MDX's front seats are some of the most comfortable I've sat in. First off, the seat is HIGH above the floor like a "chair" in your home and overall support is excellent, because it's a "TRUE" 8-way power seat where seat-height is TOTALLY INDEPENDENT of the bottom-cushion angle, unlike the 4 Runner where it's a "quasi" 8-way adjustment. So, in the MDX, I can raise the seat up to it's highest position and then independently adjust the seat-bottom angle so that it slopes down (front part highest to rear part lowest for maximum thigh support - this way all your weight in not on your butt, but distributed evenly on your thighs and butt, making it sooooo comfortable)
Next, the Navigation system is very mediocre by today's standards
Just the 2 points above are enough to justify my staying with my decision to go the MDX route! |
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| tigmd99 |
Vicpai,
Well, just imaging what the GX will be like! I hear that the GX470 will be even QUIETER! It will have laminated glass and more insulation. In addition, you get the Mark Levinson and the real wood stuff. I assume the seats will be better in the GX, as is the leather quality. And it will have the adaptive suspension system.
I can't say much about the navigation system. It is supposed to be very fast.
Thanks. |
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| pbm317 |
| I was very impressed with the new 4Runner. Got to drive a 4WD Limited V8. Cool Double-Decker Cargo Area System. Electric rear hatch hand and close assist was interesting. The JBL Synthesis Sound System sounded pretty good as well. I am very close to buying one, but the dealers around here are pretty strict on pricing as the truck just came out. It's about 41 grand for a fully loaded Limited. GX is supposed to top out around 50, and I'd like to see that at least once before making a decision. Dont' really need the 3rd row, but I would like to see the exterior and interior in person. |
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| Will4271 |
I test drove the 4Runner about two weeks ago. I found it was a lot better than it's '02 model. It is very smooth and very comfortable.
But my nags were that the heighroom was still too little.
It did feel like a baby Sequoia in a way. |
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| oceanMDX |
| I test drove the 4Runner (V8) limited a few days ago. The engine was quite torquey. It has a 115 volt plug-in and an adjustable roof rack! One thing I didn't care for was the ride - rather bouncey relative to the MDX. It was obvious to me by the ride that it had a truck frame. Overall a rather nice vehicle, and more competent off road than the MDX. |
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