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So Where's The Fat? 2022 Wilderness Heavier Than 2000 4x4 4runner

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3.8K views 8 replies 7 participants last post by  bigreen505  
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#1 · (Edited)
6th Generation Colleagues:

I'm curious. Our 2022 Wilderness weighs approximately 3,896 lbs (curb weight) according to Subaru's 2022 Outback brochure. A 4x4 2000 4runner weighs approximately 3,885 lbs (our 4runner is 2wd so weighs 3,710 lbs). The 4runner has considerably thicker sheet metal, a two speed transfer case, a V6 engine, a full frame, roughly 4 additional cubic feet of cargo space, and a lot less plastic than the Wilderness. This surprises me as I thought that 21 years of automobile design progress would have produced a considerably lighter vehicle rather than one that is essentially the same weight even though it lacks many of the robust features.

So what am I missing? What components of the Wilderness contribute to it's nearly equal weight?

I definitely prefer to drive the Wilderness on the highway and moderate dirt roads, so I'm very happy with it. But when I lean against a door and feel the sheet metal give, or compare the solid steel forward underguard of the 4runner to the plastic and aluminum of the Wilderness, I can't help but wonder about progress in design.

Howard
 
#2 ·
A 2000 Outback weighed 2,835 to 3,500 lbs

A 2022 4-Runner weighs 4,400 to 4,805 lbs. Instead of thicker sheet-metal, new vehicles may have way more reinforcing metal for the extra crash tests these days, motors, actuators, sensors, computers, adhesives, sound deadening, 12 air bags (just kidding but there's more than just 2)
 
H
#3 ·
The Outback is 10" longer, 7" wider than that 2000 4Runner. Add in all of the added safety equipment (airbags may not be heavy, but they also add weight). Figure that the slightly larger dimensions offset the somewhat lighter construction.

Look at what the current 4Runner weighs...

lol @SilverOnyx I was just about to post mine when you posted...
 
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#4 ·
SilverOnyx & Hallux:

Thanks - I hadn't thought of the safety features (airbags, etc.). I'd definitely rather be in the Wilderness than the 4runner in an accident! I realize the OBW is longer and wider, but it's interior is definitely more restrictive (I've camped & slept in both vehicles).

Yes - the current 4runner is definitely a lot larger and heavier. Which is probably the major reason we didn't even consider one when we were looking for a new vehicle - we wanted a comfortable and nimble car primarily for highway and moderate dirt travel, requirements for which the Wilderness is perfectly suited!

Howard
 
#6 ·
The 2012 Small Overlap Frontal Crash testing made a significant difference in vehicle design, and in some cases added a lot of weight. Vehicles that didn't have doors pop open or tear off, didn't allow tires and front suspension components to intrude into the driver and passenger footwells, and could take a glancing blow and veer off, tended to do well. A high window line also did well, as steel is initially stronger than glass (and a lot stronger than glass once the latter is broken).

Here's a compilation of tests from 2012-2019 of models that initially didn't do too well, and in some models you can note where design changes improved the ratings.

 
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