Tacoma or 4Runner?

I have a shell on my Tacoma. I can load an embarrassing amount of camping gear in there. Especially if the wife is camping with me. The dog gets the access cab area to himself. A simple need to bring my own firewood would suck with a 4Runner.

.....now if I had an off-road trailer.

 

If you need a bed, get a Tacoma. If not, the 4runner is a better vehicle in nearly every way.

4runner wins in build quality (Japan made), better frame, disc breaks, ride comfort, quiet, more space for family/dogs/kids, better resale...

With that said, I left 5th gen 4R for 2nd gen tacoma... very happy with the swap.

 

Only you can decide what is more important to you. I've had SUV's in the past, Tahoe and Jeep Grand Cherokee. For what I do a truck with a cap on it works better for me.

I'd not go back to a full, or mid size SUV unless I needed 3rd row seating. With a cap I can do anything I could do with a SUV without the 3rd row of seats. Even figuring the cost of the cap the initial cost is much less, AND a truck will retain more of it's value down the road than a SUV. I have lots more cargo storage and a better vehicle for towing than a SUV.

These little trucks beds aren't very big and payload is quite limited. Even with a Tacoma you're going to need a trailer if you plan to haul anything very big or heavy. So plan on a utility trailer with either a Tacoma or 4-Runner. With my trailer I can haul loads far larger and heavier than would be possible in a 3/4 or even 1 ton pickup with an 8' bed. Plus it is easier to load and unload a trailer than lift heavy stuff into a truck bed.

And while I can't haul much in the trucks bed, I can haul dirty loads and easily hose out the mess. Not an option with a SUV.

 

recently shopped all popular SUV's, made a list of where we go, what we carry, creature comforts, reliability ratings, fuel economy, ...... bought a 2019 Highlander (kept the Tacoma)

 

looked up some local 4runners on cargurus

~$500 monthly payment for them
vs $300 for a Tacoma

YIKES

 

Looking to jump to a 4runner - I want current gen 4Runner with the same 4.0 L instead of the 3.5 L which likely will be going in for next-gen. Also need the cabin space for family. Back seat in Tacoma is a little tight once the child seats start needing upgraded. Whoever gets my Tacoma will be getting a near-perfect 2011 copy, with a road-used TRD Pro kit.

 

Like many in here, we have both. Wife has a 5th gen 4runner and I have my truck. I always had 4runners before so the truck was a change to me. If I were to have to pic one over the other as a better vehicle, the 4runner wins. The only thing the truck can provide is more cargo space for camping gear, strollers,pack and play, baby stuff etc.... If you don't have to worry about that, then the 4runner is a better option. Yes I use my truck bed for home depot stuff too but it's only a 5ft bed so push comes to shove, if I needed to, I could probably fit what i needed in the back of a 4runner with the seats folded down.

 

100%, without question, 4 Runner.
Source: someone who owns both and can't wait to part with the Tacoma (sorry peeps).

Why:
- Taco just doesn't work for my lifestyle. Having a dog take up the back seat makes it impossible to transport other things I don't want exposed to the elements (even under a tonneau cover)
- My MPG on my 4Runner is about 0.5 MPG better than my Tacoma (negligible).
- 4Runner forum is active, but definitely not to the degree of this one
- Aftermarket support, from what I've found is significantly better on the Tacoma
- Headlights are both dogsh*t - replace ASAP [I have loved my plug and play Supernova V3's - they've been replaced by SV4's on HeadlightRevolution, though).

Edit: I have a 2018 TRD Pro Tacoma and a 2017 TRD Pro 4Runner

 

Just a thought, once the child seat comes out, your kids will be fine back there for years.

 

I've really been pondering a 460, and you aren't making it any easier. If they only offered it in Army green, I'd need a wet wipe.

 

I also have a 2018 4Runner and here is what I found between my Tacoma:

1) Tacoma has a much better turning radius than the 4Runner. On certain places where my 4Runner has to do a 3-point turn, my Tacoma can make a full U-Turn without breaking a sweat.
2) Tacoma has better low end torque so it's better on the streets. The 4Runner has more top end power so it pulls a lot better on the freeway.
3) The Tacoma seems more fun to drive, mainly because of the suspension.
4) The 4Runner is more comfortable and plush.
5) The 4Runner has better fit and finish.
6) The Tacoma seats are more comfortable and supportive (I believe the best seats were in the 05-06 TRD OR and Sport, in 07+ the seats had wide bolsters and unsupportive). The 4Runner seats seem all flat.

 

Tacoma for me. I use the bed everyday. You can throw dirty shit in there and not worry about it. And the Tacoma can tow more. I tow a trailer a few days a week.

 

I do not own a 4 Runner, but I have had my tacoma for 8 years. It has grown and evolved with me since, I was single and childless when I got it and now I have 4 year old twins and married. The car seats have fit back there just fine, there are attachments for 3 across even for up to three kids. I have had a tonneau cover on to help secure strollers and other things, but this weekend we are upgrading to a topper and custom roof rack to gain much more space. We have spend a few years chattering about moving into a "family friendly" vehicle like a Highlander. But I have never wanted to part with my truck. Once we have the topper on we will have WAY more space than any van or SUV could offer.

 

Its the rear facing car seat years you just gotta push through. Once they go front facing... boom rejoice legs

edit: here’s my back seat atm,
Adding the front seat jackers allowed me to slide my driver seat up a bit, and added more under thigh support at the same time

 

Tacoma is a truck, 4Runner is an SUV. Depends what you want.

Have Tacoma now, had 4Runner.

 

You know, if I were a 'car' guy, I'd probably have a 4 Runner. But I'm a truck guy. I love my Taco. I can't imagine not having a truck, I can't imagine not driving a pickup.
Like a few others have said, buy what fits your needs.