SUV Help: 4Runner or Pathfinder?

[sjc3081]

Studded snow tires will turn your 2wd sedan into a tank. You put them on the winter and take them off in the spring and still get the good gas mileage of a auto as compared to a truck.

[LOKNLOD]

I would generally recommend the 4runner over the Pathfinder.

They're pretty much equivalent in function, and if either one really floats your boat over the other, I wouldn't try to convince you otherwise. Both Toyota and Nissan build a nice, reliable ride, and on paper they're very similar, but across the board my experience when comparing Toyota and Nissan models at a deeper level than just a test drive has favored Toyota.

Resell is usually better on the Toyotas, though that can be offset by the Nissan costing less when new. If you want to buy used and drive out all the remaining life of the vehicle anyway, then this may be an advantage to the Nissan. The design and construction on the Toyotas usually lends itself to easier maintenance, with everything laid out better for the guy doing the work. I've worked on some Nissans where you could hardly access simple things like the oil filter.

Either way, both will last a long time and serve you well, but I do think the Toyota has a bit of an edge. Just my opinion and experiences though, I'm sure some might feel the opposite.

[orionz06]

I havent worked at a garage in about 3 years, but the pathfinders I have worked on were generally more of a PITA than they needed to be.

[HD1911]

4 Runner....hands down.

[DTHN2LGS]

I live in Wisconsin and have an old Chevy full-size 4X4 now. My next truck will be a Tacoma, so I would vote for the 4Runner.

[Iraqgunz]

I have a 2006 SR5 4 Runner V-8 and it's an excellent vehicle. It may not be a 4 wheel vehicle, but it drives and handles great.

[Ak44]

Can't go wrong with a Yota

[sadmin]

I bough a 09 4runner for the expecting wife in August, its been the best car purchase ive made. It rides like a car, and is comfortable to sit in for 3+ hour trips. We test drove the 4runner, volvo suv, and tahoe, and the 4runner was hands down the tightest to us.

[Mjolnir]

I'd recommend the TOYOTA over the Nissan. Outstanding reputation for reliability, decent performance and huge aftermarket support if that means anything to you.

[ToddG]

While my current and most previous cars are/were Nissan (Infiniti G35x's), before that I had a 2004 4Runner AWD V8 that was excellent. The 4Runners are truly built for off-road driving.