3rd Gen Taco 6 speed transmission vs T4Rs 5 speed

Hello,
new member, 1st post here.
Apologies upfront if I'm misusing the forum, that's not my intent.
I'm currently on the market for new truck. Right now I drive 3rd Gen 4Runner.
Looking into 5th Gen 4Runner and 3rd Gen Tacos.
One substantial difference I noticed is that T4Rs did not change his gear box since 2010 (5 speed) and Tacos added 6th Speed in 2016.
I'm not so sure why is that. I was kind of under impression that Taco is pretty much elongated 4R with the bed.
I'd like to ask all happy owners of 3rd gen Taco how's it really working for you? Also if anyone has experience of driving both: 5th Gen 4R and 3rd Gen Taco would really like the input on comparison.

Thanks all.

 

Everyone has their opinions. Best thing is to go for an extended test drive with both vehicles then decide.

Tacoma also has a manual transmission option, so check that out as well.

 

This has not been true since at least the 4th gen 4Runner / 2nd gen Tacoma. The 3rd gen Tacos are all longer than a current 4Runner.

The 4Runner is at a different stage of its lifecycle, 2016 was a new model Tacoma where as a new 4Runner model is probably upcoming in a few years.

 

Thank you.

So, does the updated gearbox work better then previous? I heard mixed reviews on both forums. And I'm afraid I will not be able to feel all the nuances in one test drive.

 

I have no idea, I got the manual.

Plenty of complaints on here about the drive train, if you search for it. Then you'll know what to look for during a test drive. Basically, the Taco is tuned for fuel economy, so the motor only really hustles higher in the rev range.

 

I don't mind my transmission after getting the TSB performed. I'm at 20k miles, uses the cruise control daily for most of my 80ish mile round trip commute. Gas mileage and shifting has improved as I put more miles on the truck.

 

You mean TSB like the drive cycle? Is that a learning tranny?

 

Build quality on the T4Rs is miles beyond the Taco in my experience. I do enjoy my 3rd gen but the gearing on the autos is anemic with the tall 5th/6th that are spaced way apart from 4th gear. You can use the S-mode to limit gears and then run it like a 5-speed if you want on the Taco. Basically, if you need a truck, you can live with a Taco. If you don't NEED a truck bed, quality and longevity of the T4Rs is hard to beat. I'm getting closer by the day to giving up my bed for a T4R + a trailer when I need to haul

The T4Rs are long in the tooth in terms of the generation, gearing, styling, etc., but if my 3rd gen has taught me anything it's that I will NOT buy a Toyota in the first 2-3 years of a refresh. Right now while the T4R hasn't gotten a lot of love in several years, any bugs have long since been worked out and it's hard to ever find an unhappy T4R owner. Tacos... not so much.

 

I don't REALLY NEED a pick up. I'm just somewhat messy person and I like some minor outdoors and after couple of trips my 4R cargo compartment expands into folded 2nd seats row and it gets so messy inside that I just wish I had a bed with a cap. But I live in the city and the thought of driving and parking longer vehicle holds me back a little as well.

Besides, I kind of dig the looks of the Taco...

 

Sounds like a Honda Ridgeline would have been a better choice

 

There is a technical service bulletin to update the transmission programming. And yes it is a learning tranny

 

I think Ridgeline does not have real 4wd and it's clearance looks less then of 4r and Taco. But it's an option.

 

I'm just going off of what you said.

You sound like the perfect Ridgeline owner, that's all

 

My wife has a 2017 T4R Trd off road, and I have a 2018 Taco, trd off road. This is 100 percent true, if you don't need the bed the T4R is a much better made vehicle.

 

To be fair, a large percentage of members would have been better suited in a ridgeline but they need to keep their "man card" by buying a real truck and then bitch about mpgs, the ride, etc, etc.



I see "overlanders" or people with 35s going down forest roads less rocky or steep as this one where a stock ridgeline can go on.

 

so true

 

I own both currently, at least a MT taco and AT 5th gen 4R. I also owned an AT 2016 Taco. If you dont need a bed or want a manual get the 4Runner, thats really it. The 5 speed feels like it could use another gear, but the 4Runner is more refined, quieter and more comfortable to drive. The torque feels like its available earlier on, making normal driving feel better. The Tacoma still has balls, especially with a MT, but it feels like a HP vehicle and not a LB/ft vehicle, if that makes sense. Having said that my MT Taco is a blast to drive. The 4Runner also feels more dated which to me is a good thing, because if I could I would have opted out on the TSS and all the extra driving nannies. Of course, if you wait until the 2020 4Runners show up you'd have those too, so I'd get out and buy a 4Runner now.

 

My mom drives a 2018 4Runner and I have a 2019 OR Taco and I hate to say but the 4Runner just feels better whenever I drive it. You can feel the better overall quality from the interior to the drive itself. If you don't need to bed and want a more comfortable ride for your passengers then choose the 4runner. I just love the look of tacomas and rarely have any passengers which is why I picked my tacoma. Keep in mind that 4runners are a bit pricier

 

If I did not need/use the bed often, I would be in a SUV (hopefully 4R). However, having owned SUV type vehicles (CR-V, outback, etc...), the bed is very useful for everyday life. What I have heard here, the 4R is a very nice, well built, SUV. Overall, drive both and let us know what you think.

 

I really don't get the complaints about the Tacoma auto transmission. Maybe because I have a 2019, and supposedly Toyota addressed the early issues with it, but mine works great. I recently rented a T4R and thought the auto in that was worse than the Tacoma's. It was hunting for gears constantly on hilly terrain.