Meh...4Runner engine has nothing special on the Tacoma

After a good 15 minute dump and reading this, I’ll be sticking with my Tacoma. I’ve been on the fence about selling and getting a 4runner, but lots of good points in this thread. I love the look of the 4Runner, interior could use some work but it gives it the “off-road” character feel. I had a 2011 4runner in the past and stomping on the gas in that thing off the line it would throw you back in your seat.the Tacoma is A LOT more reluctant off the line. However if you stomp it in the Tacoma while driving you get the same feels. Different power bands in both rigs. Having the ETC function does help the Tacoma. Difference betweeen night and day no doubt about it. Arguing which is better is stupid though, you’re comparing two different rigs with pros and cons. At the end of the day it’s about what personal use will be best for the rig. If you like a smooth quiet ride and don’t like rock crawling, the 4runner is your bff and vice versa. Love both rigs and will have a 4Runner for the wife (mostly so I get best of worlds).

 

Kinda late to this thread, but thanks for the laughs and keeping it light-hearted!

My wife moved from an '06 V8 SR5 2WD 4Runner to a '17 Limited AWD 4Runner. The Limited interior is super nice (heated and air conditioned leather seats), and having the center diff means she will probably never need to mess with any 4WD settings (I would have preferred an Off Road, but she would probably try using 4WD on dry pavement and jack it all up). Rides nice, drives nice. What she doesn't like? She misses the V8. Oh well, she's getting used to it, but wish they still had it as an option. The 4.0 is a good engine, just a bit dated. It's got enough power, just not a lot extra to give. We kept the '06 for my daughter since it hasn't crossed 65K miles yet. I like the new one better, it's a bit more refined. Not the motor, the vehicle.

I've had 2 2nd gens with the 4.0, and like I said, it's a solid motor but nothing to brag about. The 3.5 in the 2018 has to be driven differently, and it has taken time to get used to, but I find that the shifting is settling in and I am learning how to drive it. It's different, but it will get up and go if you step on it and get the RPM's up where the power is, much more so than the 4.0 ever did.

Running trails and forest roads in the Ozarks with a mix of gens, my 3rd gen was never lacking for power even at the low end and got MUCH better gas mileage than the 1st gens and 2nd gens, very enjoyable experience driving it.

 

Wow, true statement.

 

Isn’t that more of a tranny issue vs an engine issue?

 

IMHO it is the lack of Low End Torque that causes the Trans to jump around like that.

 

Yup

 

Lol my wife has an 03 with the V8, was gonna ask if yours misses it but then I read a little further down... Good to know.

 

My wife says the same. We had 04 4R sport, now 14 SR5. Misses the V8 power and AWD. 8 was better for MPG also

 

The 4runner is no better IMO on power or quality over the Tacoma. I prefer the seats (mainly the adjustability) in the 4runner, but that’s it. If you’re interested in power, you need to look at the 200 series Land Cruiser, the sequoia or the Tundra. The 5.7 is the only decent powered truck/SUV in the Toyota lineup, but the downside is that the gas mileage sucks pretty bad especially once you start modding. Expect 12-13 city and maybe 15 all highway in the 200.