The '08 Odyssey finally died and we need to look for new wheels. Our choices have been narrowed to a leftover 2020 Ridgeline with 0% financing or a used 2018 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium with 20,000 miles. Both vehicles are in the same price range and 4Runner is Toyota Certified. Our vehicle goals relate to dependability and space for passengers and luggage on the great American road trip. We live in the Pennsylvania mountains, so snow driving is a concern too. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time and input!
If you are considering the Ridgeline and 4Runner, a more accurate comparison would be the Pilot to the 4Runner. The Ridgeline and the Pilot are based on the same platform, one just happens to be a truck, and the other an SUV.
Funny thing though, the 4Runner is built on body on frame tech, and the Pilot/Ridgeline on unibody tech. This gives the 4Runner a more truck like feel, and the Pilot/Ridgeline a more car like feel.
Since you are in snow, AWD and 4WD is a must and both have one of those options.
If you off-road more often than not, I’d go 4Runner. If it’s snow, mountains, and roads, I’d go Ridgeline/Pilot.
Give em all a test drive and see what you like best.
(And an even more accurate would be Pilot to Highlander because those are both unibody construction and have a similar feel. I digress. )
You would want to test drive them like said above. Though I've never driven any, the 4runner is more rugged and durability based while the Ridgeline is more like a city commuter truck more comfortable than rugged based on your needs 4runner seems to fit but you want to check them out in person. I want to say the 4runner is by far more reliable than the Ridgeline but I can't because the last 5 years have shown excessive engine knocking sound and transmission issues both on Scotty's channel and online. Good luck! I'd have a mechanic check out the 4runner as though its Certified, that doesn't really mean anything.
As the owner of a 2015 4Runner I would say drive both! You will get more space and all around flexibility with the 4Runner but I'm not sold on the long term reliability. Ours has 115000 miles with no issues, however, for about 60k miles now it has has this whining noise the dealer has dismissed as normal and I have found on many forums that others are experiencing the same issues with their 5th gen 4Runners. Something is amiss with the 4.0 V6, just thought you should know. I recently commented at length in my question titled, "Sounds like a supercharger...whine's like a supercharger...so where's the supercharger?"
I would take the 4Runner based on your criteria. Neither is a bad choice, but I think the 4Runner would do everything you need it to and more.
Maybe test drive both and see what you think.
I would go with the 4Runner hands down. It’s solid built and that 4WD system will be great in the snow. It’s a great road trip car and can pretty much go anywhere you want it to. The Ridgeline isn’t bad, but the 4Runner is much more capable and just cooler with the TRD off-road package. Make sure you have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection on it even though it’s “certified.”
You didn’t say how long you plan to keep and/or how many miles you hope to put on it, but for longevity I would go with the 4runner with the true and tried NA V6 and 5-speed AT. Realize with the 2020 Honda Ridgeline, it comes with the 3.5L V6 (J35Y6 engine) which has both direct injection-only (susceptible to carbon buildup compared to the 4runner which has both port and direct injection) and cylinder deactivation (susceptible to engine wear/damage and oil consumption over time) - even if you disable via aftermarket (through software) the hardware is still intact. Also, it came with the 9-speed ZF transmission which long term reliability we don’t have enough data for. Meanwhile, the 4runner’s 5-speed has been around for over a decade and should last longer than the 9-speed AT with fewer issues due to having 4 fewer gears (and complexity). Also, for resale the 4runner will be better than the Pilot. For piece of mind, go with the Toyota 4Runner.
I would take the 4runners for reliability. I would take the Ridgeline for something else than reliability. We haven't heard how long the ZF transmissions they last. Scotty had a video about a weird engine noise on the 4Runner. The Ridgeline is good for the way it drives and the use of pickup bed when needed. Check with the mechanic and check the title for both. Also, test drive both of them to see what fits you and your family.
