Trading it at 500 miles. Car seat fit issue and ride quality bad

[bruce]

Bought the wrong vehicle. Rear seating is cramped and just can’t put a car seat back there with how bad this thing rides(tires aired down to 30psi). If you’re on the fence, please find the worst road you can on your test drive.

 

[Shawn_1121]

I have a 2 car seats and it fits fine. Even had a 3rd (booster) in the middle the other day and no one complained.

 

[papas4runner]

I have a 2025 off road premium. I keep 38 psi in the tires and it rides like it has moon boots on. Leg room is tight but we don’t usually have people in the back seat

 

[Undisputed_0369]

This is a screenshot from milesperhr on YouTube that did a video called “living with a new Toyota 4Runner”

They have 2 car seats in a rear facing and front facing and it fits fine. I’m sorry it didn’t work out for you. You must have a really tall family ! Lol

 

[spyder40]

Bought the wrong vehicle. Rear seating is cramped and just can’t put a car seat back there with how bad this thing rides(tires aired down to 30psi). If you’re on the fence, please find the worst road you can on your test drive.

What model, how much, and where are you located

 

[Drizzt]

You should have test drove it before buying!

 

[4RunnerWasStolen!]

Could you let us know what loss you take on it?

Also curious what you’re trading in for.

Good luck!

 

[brumey]

I seem to agree but not from a child seat prospective. We sat is a Tacoma to give us an idea. Now we have our 4R, its a little less roomy than it looks from the outside.

The getting in and out is also tight. We only have 100 miles so might find an effective way to get in and out. We are not tall or wide. I know my Ford Escape is much easier to get in and out but, its got a cramped interior or more cramped than I would prefer.

I seriously looked at the Sequoya along with the Chevy Tahoe, both seem much roomier. Tye Sequoya was silly money and the Chevy’s are known for engines blowing up. So, we adjusted down but also avoided the Ford Explorer due to reliability issues on the 3.0 Ecoboost.

We will make it work. I don’t like taking a loss by selling quickly. My average ownership time is 13 years.

 

[dc503]

I’m wondering how tall the OP is, but i can sympathize somewhat on space. Luckily my seating position at 5’11” is just on the limit to have a rear facing car seat behind me without having to compromise. Our 5th gen did feel roomier, which I think it is objectively measured, as did our GX460.

 

[LLL1990]

This is an example of the difficult jobs engineers have. Build a vehicle that competes with the best off roaders in the segment but it has to ride and handle like a family crossover for the people who will never take it off road. Make it body on frame for towing capabilities and strength but have the room and easy ingress and egress of a unibody crossover. There is only so much they can do so they rightfully chose to prioritize the 4Runner's legacy of off road, go anywhere capability.

I wanted a 4th gen 4Runner more than anything else when they were out. But being young, starting a career and family it wasn't the vehicle for us. There was only enough money to buy one vehicle and the 4Runner wasn't a good fit for a young family. It took almost 20 years for me to get here but I'm now waiting on my dream car to come in. Just me and the wife now so there is more than enough room.

To the OP, obviously you have young children and seem to be in the place I was 17 years ago. As much as I wanted that 2008 4Runner I'm glad I didn't get it. I would've been disappointed in it and it would've killed the fondness I still have for that generation today. May I suggest the Highlander instead for your family hauler. It doesn't have the rugged looks of the 4Runner or off road capabilities but trust me, you will much prefer the family friendly design on family road trips and the room to accommodate growing kids. If you really need a family SUV to go off road the Nissan Armada is looking good if you don't mind non Toyota brands.

 

[bruce]

Took it to the dealer and they’d basically do a swap for a top line Camry (2k less than 4Runner MSRP paid). Fiancé has an SUV so a car would make sense but I’m sticking it out, going to put some bigger plush tires on it and see if it grows on me. This dealer is already tacking on $5k to the land rovers so 4Runners might be next so we’ll be in a good spot!

 

[dc503]

Took it to the dealer and they’d basically do a swap for a top line Camry (2k less than 4Runner MSRP paid). Fiancé has an SUV so a car would make sense but I’m sticking it out, going to put some bigger plush tires on it and see if it grows on me. This dealer is already tacking on $5k to the land rovers so 4Runners might be next so we’ll be in a good spot!

Which tires did your SR5 come with?

 

[bruce]

Yokohama geolander xcv. 245/70/17

 

[brumey]

I just picked my 4R SR5 up 10 days ago it has Bridgestone (made in Japan). The tire model is a goofy name, “Dueler HL 422 plus”. I have no clue on how good these tires are. My goal is comfort ride across crappy roads ans potholes.

They are 245/70/17.

I was expecting Yokohama.

I am somewhat impressed with the comfort over bumps but can probably do better with a larger tire. I will wear these out first

Would welcome opinions in the Bridgestone.

 

[DangItsDen]

If ride quality is your main concern for like $1k you could upgrade the suspension to Bilstein 5100s or something. Cheaper than throwing a couple grand in the trash on a trade.