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Comment by _fat_santa | Hacker News Reader

I think it's not just only their hybrid strategy, but the reputation they have built as company that builds rock solid reliable cars. I know many people that basically only ever buy Toyota strictly because of that reputation. Heck even when I was looking at an offroad capable SUV, I only considered Toyota models based strictly off their reputation for reliability (ended up with a 4Runner, great car).

It's good to offer consumers choice and all but IMO the real reason Toyota is consistently successful is their decades long reputation for being a reliable brand is paying dividends.

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4Runner is indeed a great car. I have a 2016 and still love it, I plan on handing it down to my oldest son when he turns 16 and gets his license in a couple years. When this happens my plan is to pick up a one year old Landcruiser hybrid. If the new model is as reliable as their predecessors then it may very well be the last vehicle I ever have to buy.

My dad handed me down our 2001 4Runner when I got my license and it was a great first car as a high school and college kid.

Not enough performance to be that tempting to do anything dumb, tons of space for friends and stuff, go anywhere, sleep in it, easy to maintain… Bumpers were rusted to hell but it had a sunroof and you could roll the rear window down so we were having a great time!

I always consider Hondas first because their interior fit and finish is superior when new, but the sheer size of the online support groups for dealing with complex expensive mechanical failures like electrical system gremlins and transmission failures alerted me to the scale of the problems. BMW might be more reliable than Honda these days

In Honda's defense, they've recognized their quality was slipping, and have been moving to fix these issues. Their transmission issues stemmed from the ZF built 9-speed, which has been a problem for every car manufacturer to use it. They've since replaced that unit with their own designed and manufactured 10-speed transmission.

My girlfriend had a 2018 CR-V for 5 years, 0 issues. She sold it back to the dealer for $1500 less than what she paid for it.

I agree with you on interior quality and fit and finish. Hers was perfect inside and out. Body panel gaps were robot perfect. Decent quality materials on the interior, too.

My new Highlander, in comparison, looks like it was assembled by drunk toddlers and its interior is of Hasbro quality materials.

>My new Highlander, in comparison, looks like it was assembled by drunk toddlers and its interior is of Hasbro quality materials.

I feel like Toyota is intentionally doing this to push people up to the Lexus brand.

The new Lexus GX would like to have a word with you. It is no better than my Highlander.

The reason is price. They keep the price low by skimping on interior plushness while keeping the mechanicals reliable.

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