I have never seen a 4 Runner with air suspension and locking differentials yet.

This alone separates the two by more than a mile.

Now, when VW no longer offers the Treg (2011) with 4 low and turns it into a bland station wagon, then they may have a good point.

Rick

 

The 4Runner comes with optional locking rear diff, no?

 

Yes

 

Just the fact that the Touareg comes with a TDI makes it that much greater. Especially the new touareg which will destroy the 4 runner on hwy and city mileage.

4runner rated at 9.2 liters/100km on hwy, touareg said to be rated at 6.5L/100km

The 4 runner no longer comes with a V8 only a v6 and the TDI's torque numbers are much closer to a v8 over 400 FT/LBS, vs the 4 runners 278 FT LBS.
Tow capacity
4 runner-5000 LBS
Touareg 7700 LBS

There are 2 reasons
once we get north american specs you'll have a ton more reasons.

 

Thanks Sam!

But what about OFF-ROAD specs/performance?

 

Don't know about the new ones, but a used 4-Runner with the V8 engine does look like something that you would want to give a beating to, with not as many lux related worries to kiss your wallet as our machines would. But then again, when your done beating it, there is nowhere else to go afterwards, but home . Then, you can pick up your other machine of a car , whatever it may be, and use IT to go cruising with, restaurant, opera, whatever. If you don't own an other "machine" and just the 4-runner, oh well...you make do with what you have right? With the Touareg on the other hand, you can do ALL THAT and more.

I'd compare the 4-Runner to a Jeep not the Egg. But maybe that is just me.

 

That basically sums up how i feel about the jeep Cherokee(little one). It's great off road, but who cares when you only use that off road capability once a month(if that) and you cant merge onto the highway without a 1/2 mile strait-away.

 

Then what would the Treg compare to? Not a Land Rover, IMO. And Definitely NOT an X5 or something like that.

 

Definitely not the X5.

Ya, I was thinking more Range Rover Sport...8-[

 

Hell no not the Range Rover sport. They are easily $30k more and much more refined (not to mention it's an ON-ROAD vehicle).

 

Are they now? :-k

When I was shopping for my Egg, the Range Rover Sport (not the supercharged one) was on the menu list. Mind you, the ONLY Egg that I was interested in was an all equipped V8 with Nappa and Air Suspension, or a good deal on a V10 TDI. The former would be about $5000-$7000 cheaper than a Rover Sport, with the V10 matching or surpassing the Rover $ tag. That all said, V6 Touareg's with no Nav, no air susp, no etc, were in fact dirt cheap(easilly at least $6000 cheaper than a fully equipped V8 ).

I almost bought a white Range Rover in fact, but a voice in my head on the very last few seconds before I almost committed, told me to "walk away."

I dunno man....

 

One thing is for sure, and that is the Range Rover is a city vehicle. The Touareg is most comparable to a Land Rover in capability, but falling slightly short, imo.

 

After reading a bunch of stuff, I'm convinced that the 4Runner is very comparable to the Touareg, as far as off-road features go.

There are some differences though:

It's a body on frame design is very rigid. It comes standard with locking centre diff (not sure if locking rear diff is still an option?), it has a bunch of other sh*t which supposedly helps you when off road, like their version of downhill assist, etc...

One thing stumped me though.
I read that the 2010 4Runner's wading depth is 701mm (27.6"). Even the Touareg with air suspension is only rated to 580mm (22.8").
Is this figure wrong? It seems wrong. How can it wade 5" higher than the Touareg with air?
The ground clearance is somewhat similar at 244mm (9.6"), whereas the Touareg (steel suspension model) is 237mm (9.3").

That fording depth seems wrong. Are my figures for the Touareg wrong?

 

^^^And on the ground clearance I was sure I read 10.1 inches for my 09 V6TDI

 

I was referring to the T1, and I may be wrong!?

 

The new T2 (2011) will have ground clearance of just under 8 inches. But i've seen offroad videos and it seems to do great offroad even without the Terrain tech package. OH here's another advantage for Touareg, the new one will get an 8 speed transmission vs the 4 runners 5 speed automatic. Even in europe with the terrain tech, they'll be getting the 8 speed with low range in essence giving 16 speeds to play with. Unfortunately the 4 runner will beat the new reg in ground clearance, however the new reg is still rated at 22 inches fording depth even though it's lower.

 

Last I read was the Terrain package comes only on the V6 TDI and it is the old 6 spd tranny with a transfer case. The 8 spd tranny has no low range available for it.

 

before i purchased my 09 vr6 i checked out a grand cherokee 4.7 similar enough.

but back to the topic...i think the 4runner is very comparable but it sacrifices for off roading. but how hardcore off roading are you planning, im sure for 90% of offroading either would be good, anything more get a wrangler

 

Nick,

How can the Range Rover compare to the Treg if it does not have the (absolutely crutial) Low gear and diff locks?

 

Where do you get that from? There is a thing called the "options list" when ordering. Just like on the Egg. Here is one link that I had saved in my bookmarks for when I was about to buy one. Range Rover Sport On & Off Road Test

My sister has the Range Rover Sport- It's a good car. It hasnt had any major problems but:
It is slow. slow. slow.. slow. It does not feel slow, but after driving my 'reg v8, it feels lethargic.
It's a rover.. don't even question it's 4wd abilities. They're great.
THERE IS NO HEADROOM. I get it that im I am tall, at 6'4 but I basically have to hunch my shoulders while driving it.
I hate at night, with the green dash lights... it feels very ford. but the overall interior, is pretty nice and high quality.
Good gas mileage, 21 on the hwy.

I hated the green too

It is slow, but that is why they have the S.C model for a few more pennies.
I'm 6.4 myself. The Egg is nice and roomy no doubt.

 

My sister has the Range Rover Sport- It's a good car. It hasnt had any major problems but:
It is slow. slow. slow.. slow. It does not feel slow, but after driving my 'reg v8, it feels lethargic.
It's a rover.. don't even question it's 4wd abilities. They're great.
THERE IS NO HEADROOM. I get it that im I am tall, at 6'4 but I basically have to hunch my shoulders while driving it.
I hate at night, with the green dash lights... it feels very ford. but the overall interior, is pretty nice and high quality.
Good gas mileage, 21 on the hwy.



As far as the new touareg vs. 4runner:
I like the new 4runner, but the interiors of Toyotas are just so low grade and plasticky- you question yourself 'am I in a rental car, or did I really pay 40 grand for this'. Also, Touaregs are much more unique. When you see one on the road, it sticks out. 4runner.. not so much. you don't even notice them. While it is probably a good time to get a good deal on a 'yota, if it were me spending my hard earned money... I would much rather get a Touareg. The ride is great, they handle great, the interior is beautiful, and the exterior is much more attractive than a buggy Toyota.

 

I owned a 1997 Lexus LX450. Weight, size, off-road, very similar to my '07 Touareg. My LX450 had full locking diffs, and was a beast off-road. I use to say that it could have pulled a house off its foundation.
I would compare the Touareg to the Toyota Land Cruiser, both off-road and highway.

 

We don't have the 4Runner in South Africa, but we do have the Fortuner, which I think is very similar in spec and ability.

What is rated as "off-road" ? If it is real hairy stuff (between gravel roads and rock crawling), I would certainly rate the Toyotas as 'more capable'.

For the normal family type of excursion, the 'Treg gets my vote. Safety, comfort, roadholding, luxury appointments etc all count in the Treg's favour.

Do the compete in the same sector, though?
The prices are very different too, are they not?

 

From their website:

Looks like the "Driving Technology" features are pretty close on both models.

Range Rover Sport

LR4

 

So the 2010 model comes standard with locking center diff and optional locking rear diff?

 

Wow. Incredible post.

Thanks a LOT for setting myself and anyone else here straight

I am impressed that the Range Rover's come that well equipped. Maybe I'll be open to upgrading one day now (although I still like the look of the LR4 better).

I just saw this Jeep a few mins ago at the MEC in North Vancouver. I don't know what it is but I really want one (flame away). It had an awesome winch on the front and some crazy bar/lever under the steering wheel (second pic). Anybody know what it might be for?

 

Wow. Incredible post.

Thanks a LOT for setting myself and anyone else here straight

I am impressed that the Range Rover's come that well equipped. Maybe I'll be open to upgrading one day now (although I still like the look of the LR4 better).

I just saw this Jeep a few mins ago at the MEC in North Vancouver. I don't know what it is but I really want one (flame away). It had an awesome winch on the front and some crazy bar/lever under the steering wheel (second pic). Anybody know what it might be for?

The bar in question resembles a hand control for brake and throttle. These are common in cars owned by persons with disabilities. You arn't required to have a "handicap" tag if you are disabled. In fact, many prefer not, so as not to be victimized by thugs. And yes, those folke kayak, ski, play basketball, and just about anything else but walk.

 

I don't know what that bar is but the vehicle looks like one of the best 4x4 "values" availble these days, the Jeep Rubicon Unlimited.

It comes stock with 32" bfg mt tires, I forget about lockers, may be a factory option but from ARB it's only about $900 per locker plus an air compressor with switches for the dash.

It's on solid axles front and rear so can be lifted as high as you like via springs and damper kits from ARB or elsewhere.

These things new, totally loaded are still only in the $30k's !!!! If you don't mind a very, very basic interior in terms of materials, then you might love it. I think they can be ordered in 6 spd manual too!

That's an aftermarket rear bumper, likely the front too, and rack with support bars and ladder but what's cool is the aftermarket is very deep for those things. I think there are two engine options as well - you might even be able to spec a diesel.

 

If you want to start getting crazy....:
EarthRoamer XV-JP

This one is really cool, you pick the base vehicle, they build you your dream:
American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) - Custom Turnkey AEV Jeep Conversions

Enjoy your afternoon...

 

Isn't it a Jeep Wrangler? I am on the (Canadian) website now and there is no Rubicon.

I love my Touareg, but I really need something I can beat off-road, and this might be it. Price is agreeable even after fully modding it like the one above.

 

In the US, it's listed as "Wrangler Unlimited" Apparently "Rubicon" is a build package that may be called something else or you have not gone deep enough to see yet. I found that under "build", it only shows up when "4x4" is selected.

This is clearly the most affordable / well equipped 4x4. I didn't realize you "have" a Touareg - by all means, keep it, travel in it, etc but take this out to places where you might accidentally lean on a tree or boulder.

 

I just priced one out at $34,165 CAD before tax, etc... (not even really sure if I selected the right model?):

 

That was the idea...

Keep the Touareg and beat on this. I might drive down the hill now and check one out/inquire. I just hate bugging the salespeople when I'm probably not going to buy

 

If you're just going to beat on it why buy a new one? You can probably get a 1 year old one for 1/2 the cost of a new one....