It is still hard for me to believe, but I put a deposit down on a 2020 4Runner TRD Pro.
As you may have seen from previous posts or in my 3rd Gen Build page, I have been struggling with this decision for quite some time. I have always liked the 5th gen 4Runners as they look closer to a 3rdGen than did the 4th, but the previous model year offerings have not been up to par, in my opinion. Don’t get me wrong, there are still some features of the 2020 model year that I wish were available, such as better mileage and a more powerful drive train (I know, these two are often mutually exclusive).
But the 2020 does bring with it some upgrades that I have been waiting patiently for. I really like the Toyota Safety Sense features of my wife’s RAV4 Hybrid Limited and now it is finally being offered in the 4Runner models. The dynamic radar cruise control takes a lot of the pain out of long highway trips. With all the distractions around us these days, it is nice to have features like pre-collision and pedestrian avoidance. I am one to embrace the technology if it means keeping me and my family safe.
Speaking of distractions, the 2020s also include an upgraded navigation/audio head unit that supports Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. I am sure there are tons of other features that will keep my eyes off the road.
You might be asking what does this mean for Mary Anne, my trusted 3rd gen 4Runner Limited. Are her days in the garage numbered? Will she be banished to the dark recesses of the backyard, just sitting there until our next off-road adventure? Will she eventually be passed over for future off-road excursions with nothing left to look forward to other than the day an orange and black “For Sale” sign is placed in her window?
All good questions.
More than likely, she will lose her spot in the garage. She may end up outside or perhaps in a rented space nearby (within walking distance). I will not be doing any serious off-roading with a brand new vehicle for years to come. Way too much money will have been spent to purchase this vehicle. I will probably wait at least until the 3-year warranty expires. That means Mary Anne will likely continue to be my off-roader for a few more years. Then who knows.
I still have time to think this all over. The dealer said it could take anywhere from four to six months to take possession. I also have the option of cancelling it all together, even after it arrives to the dealer’s lot. This really sounds like a man who has made up his mind, doesn’t it?