Tacoma Baja Edition vs. 4runner Trail Edition

ive been quoted 37k to 39k for a fully loaded TE '12 at several dealers....the Baja goes for about 35-36 after haggles.

for the money difference, the TE is worth all of it.

 

I'd go with the baja. Nice upgraded features, great shocks, very capable off-road, great looks, etc. The taco does have 1 big advantage that no one has mentioned yet (surprised) 4runner only tows 5000lbs, taco will tow 6500. Your pilot will almost pull the 5000. Don't know if you plan on towing but if i'd spent 38k on an SUV that big I'd like to know it could out tow a Honda Pilot. Put a cap on rear of taco and now you have more cargo capacity,just as good of ride if not better, and almost same interior space. Seems like an easy decision.

 

This is what I was thinking. Interior space is the nearly the same, and the interior roofline of the 4runner is odd. Towing is more. A tonneau cover on the bed is probably the same cargo space as the 4runner, and a cap would be more than the TE. The Tacoma has the option of adding a Supercharger, while they are not available for the 4runner. So, a Baja Tacoma with a Supercharger would be a way badder-a$$ machine and much rarer than a 4runner TE. And how often will one actually use all of the crawl control features, anyways?

 

and everything would be covered under a full warranty. Not to mention the baja already comes w/ bfg's and the trd wheels. Case closed. Decision made. baja taco w/ supercharger some n-fabs and a tonneau!!

 

must be bad muffler bearings!

 

4r TE is a much nicer rig.

 

4Runner Trail Edition is the way to go if you're looking for a family ride. Your family will be a lot more comfortable sitting in the back seat of the 4Runner than they ever would be in the back seat of the Taco. I own an '07 4x4 4Runner and a '12 4x4 TRD OR AC, and the reason I chose the AC over the DC is because I was keeping the 4Runner and will use it when we travel as a family. Once we discovered the DC isn't nearly as comfortable as the 4Runner I decided to go with the AC since we wouldn't have taken the DC on many long drives anyway. The DC and AC are both fine for short trips, but I wouldn't want to ride in the backseat of either on a long trip...the reason I kept the 4Runner. Since you're planning to keep your Taco, you're much better off going with the 4Runner...that way you have the best of both worlds. I'm sure others will disagree, but that's my $.02.

 

Every time I talk about putting a cap on the back of my DCSB, the wife asks why I didn't just buy a 4Runner in the first place....

 

Kind of seems like your wanting a Tacoma vs the 4Runner, maybe it's the Tacoma loyalty in you?! From what it sounds like your not going to be doing any serious off-roading/rock crawling with the family but more of a some basic trail driving ( I could be totally wrong though ) in which case either rig is more than capable. I think the bottom line is, would you have more use with the bed of a truck rather than some extra cargo room in the back. You still have the wifey's car for a comfortable road trip, so just get the truck!!!

 

love the tacoma, but the 4 runner is better for the family. you could always buy a small trailer for hauling and have the best of both worlds.

 

4runner rated at 5k towing capacity vs 6k for tacomas, but 4runner has more HP and better MPG...and the KDDS is such a sweet deal since i would benefit from this almost daily

i test drove the TR and was in love with it!
i tried like hell to figure out a way i could make the interior space make due for what ive been using my pick up for, it just wouldnt work.......so bummed.

 

I have the 4R TE and it is a great truck. But to camp/explore with two kids, I'd go for the Baja (or DCSB OR) for the bed/cargo space. I dont have kids, but my impression is that they require a TON of stuff to go just about anywhere.

 

I had a 2005 TRD Sport Quad Cab 6-Spd. Loved it. Traded it in for a new 2010 T4R TE. Loved that too. The TE definitely wins the interior comforts category. The seating is nicer, the electronics are nicer. More passenger and cargo room. I loved the power rear window, backup cam, the nav, and the badass JBL system.

However, my 4Runner TE handled like a hippo, walked all over the road and curtsied every time I slammed on the breaks. It would switch lanes on the highway all by itself and scare the crap outta me. Felt like a sailboat in the wind too.

Taco handled like a cat by comparison, accelerated faster (lighter vehicle), pulled a larger load, wan't as affected by wind gusts... and I REALLY missed my bed once I didn't have it anymore.

I lifted the T4R TE, put 285's on it, got it down to about 15mpg, and ended up trading for a 2012 Hyundai Elantra Limited for gas mileage... go figure.

Now, I'm giving the Elantra to the fiance and I'm back in the market for a truck. The Baja (with Entune) has the backup cam, the nav, and the badass JBL system. That is top on my list. I looked at a 2013 Taco Limited yesterday. Had leather, heated seats, and chromed wheels. It was nice, but nothing about it really stood out. I personally prefer the stance of the Baja. I found two local dealers selling black Bajas for $33,764. Not bad.

Since you already have a Taco, get the 4Runner. For anyone else, get the Taco.

 

Nice to hear some real world experiences on both the Tacoma and TE. Thanks for the input. I hope there will be Bajas offered in 2013, cause I think I am gonna have to wait on new vehicle for time being.

 

I have a 2012 T4R TE and a 2006 Tacoma DC OR.

The T4R wins hands down if you want interior comfort, room for family and cargo. The Tacoma wins if you want a truck.

I have not seen the difference in on-road manners that rclangelan describes. Both are solid vehicles and drive much the same which is not that surprising since they are close cousins mechanically.

I do quite a bit of off-road driving, and I prefer the lifted Tacoma (Icon Stage 1) but the 4Runner is not bad. Since the Tacoma is older, I do not mind driving it where branches and bushes could scratch it.

The KDSS on the T4R TE is nice on-road, really controls body roll.

I enjoy both vehicles.