Testing the "competition"

Same with my wife. She doesn't really "need" a 4Runner, but it's what she wanted, so it's what she got lol. She didn't even want to look at anything else. I didn't mind though because I like them too.

Yes, it's overkill for a grocery getter. But it's safe, reliable, and has a killer resale value.

 

I ended up with a 2015 Frontier for a week when I was considering that or a Tacoma. My number one complaint was the seats - the position was better than the Tacoma but the seats were really uncomfortable. I would get back pain within 40 minutes and was in my mid 20s without back issues. It sounds like they fixed that, which is great!

Other than that, it beat the Tacoma I ended up buying in some ways.

 

My wife drives a 2018 4R Limited. Yep, didn't buy a Grand Cherokee for it. Yes, dress up for sure as it's just cool, however with taking care of the 4R, in 15 years it will still be like new, whereas a Grand Cherokee would have a list of parts to replace (done that once already). the 4R is probably the most solid built vehicle we'll ever own.

 

Certainly nothing wrong with it. Like I said. It just feels and drives like the minivan we had for years. For a road trip I'd prefer it over my taco. Lots to be desired in a taco. Just got to find the best for what you need and go with it...

I had to put seat jackers in my taco for back pain. Helped but still not super comfy. Had a buddy years ago with a supercharged frontier, that was a blast.

 

Yes to all this. My wife just got rid of hers and the value held wonderfully after 6+ years and 80k miles. I LIKE the 4runner alot, I just like having something a little different, and it worked out that we were ready to trade this year.

 

I would buy a Frontier. The Santa Cruz might be a fun drive in traffic but it is too small for me.

 

If they offered a manual transmission on the Nissan I would consider trading . I wouldn’t consider the Hyundai don’t really care for the looks of those vehicles . As far as reliability on Hyundai doesn’t have the best reputation.

 

The coolest thing about the Frontier is that Nissan is bringing back 2 of the best colors Toyota has given up on; Cement & Quicksand. Plus they have a blue that is actually normal and also nice deep red.

 

The Nissan HB was a good truck I never drove one but it was still a good truck. The Hardbody was Toyota's insperation for the 1st gen Tacoma. I belive the last gen of the Toyota pick up came and went while the Hardbody was for sale. Then the Tacoma was released.

The Pathfider on that platform sold for many years, introduced as a 2dr than later as a 4dr, and eventually wearing an Infiniti badge. All the way until Nissan started building the unibody Pathfinder.

 

I'm an old dad, I have a Tacoma, and it's my daily driver. I traded in my Rav4 for it so that I could tow my Honda Goldwing old dad's bike to places that were too far to ride to when you are on a limited vacation schedule. The Rav wasn't going to do that. It also comes in handy for those times every month or two when I'm at Home Depot or Lowes and am brining home something that says "shit, I wish I had a truck right now". It will never see a lift, a set of KO2s or $2,000 wheels, sliders, or a TRD skid plate. It may very infrequently see a hard packed flat dirt or gravel road, or drive on grass, but that's about it. I like the ride and the comfort of the interior and it doesn't suck gas like a full size truck, which for what I want is overkill IMHO. And it was less expensive than a 4Runner, which I also considered. For the record, I work from home, so I don't drive it to the office.

I get the impression from your post that you feel that anyone who isn't buying a Tacoma to mod it out so it can make it to a base camp on K2, or is over a certain age, doesn't deserve one and should go buy something else. Maybe I've misunderstood, but on it's face that seems pretty narrow-minded and judgmental. I hope you make it to my age (64) and see how it feels when people make assumptions like that about you.

 

I drove the Nissan before deciding to get in line for a 22 Pro. It’s a nice truck, drives better than a Tacoma IMO. That blue is a very nice color in person as well. Ultimately I wasn’t really on board with the looks in comparison to the Tacoma and didn’t feel the interior or really any other aspect really separated itself from the Toyota standard. But that is as someone who isn’t going to be doing a lift/getting new wheels on whatever I would decide.

It’s going to pull a good amount of buyers away from Tacoma in my view though. Nissan doesn’t have the greatest rep as of late but with this and the new Z, maybe they can turn things around.

No real interest in the Hyundai. If I were in the market for that type of truck, no idea why I would look past a Ridgeline with Honda’s rep.

 

No the Santa Cruz wouldn't be direct competition but I put it up there anyways because I suspect it would satisfy the needs of many truck owners.

Bigger interior legroom front and back with nice tech, better handling and way better power train.

The only thing that is smaller is the bed really, everything else is midsize sized according to the dimensions. However most don't fully load up the bed every single day so putting down the tailgate with a bed extender to turn it into a 6FT bed would be a good compromise I suspect.

 

The Ridgeline and Santa Cruz are better vehicles than any midsize on the market. They make more power, and are quicker than any midsize. They also have better on road driving characteristics and interior space and comfort. The frames wont rust eithere.

Maverick is a compact SAV, RL and SC are midsize or fullsize SAVs. Ford already builds the Ranger, which is the most truck like midsize available, followed by Nissan, GM than Toyota.

 

No, I heard about it in the reviews but I didn't even notice during the test drive, the seating position and distance from the steering was just perfect for me (6'1") but I think it's a mistake, there's no guarantee is gonna be perfect for everybody.

The salesman was very cool and let me take it on a test drive by myself, did some "sporty driving" like I do in the Taco and felt fine.

 

Green and beige look better on the Tacoma. Nissan should have skipped over the green. Two shades of red? Why? Nissan should have offered their Monarch Orange color on the Frontier. White probably looks the best on the Frontier, and gray would be my choice. I don't like washing cars that much to daily drive a white vehicle.

 

I dont know anything about nissan other than they use to make great vehicles but their quality control has definitely went down in the recent years. I work in parts at a Honda dealership and have been with the company since 2006. All of us parts guys that work at dealerships in our town all talk regularly getting things for our used inventory . I can say by personal experience with that toyota is WAY more reliable and cheaper to own than the competition. Also our new 9 speed transmission uses a fluid that's $50 per bottle. I haven't had to order any nissan fluid yet but I bet theirs is pricey. Their normal fluids and filters are pricey compared to ours.

 

I think you took my comments the wrong way, but you are exactly who I'm talking about as the new owner segment. There is NOTHING WRONG in my opinion with how you use your truck, or the appeal the truck has for you. And even if there was, if you're happy it doesn't matter what I think. I also think most who mod don't use it and are silly, that wasn't my point at all. There are dozens of threads on this site that we can see that happening. But you are literally who I described is buying this truck now, and then got defensive about it

And most importantly, my biggest point was, I don't want to drive the same car as every 60+ lady in my county. And my wife doesn't either, so we sold our 4runner. I hope you have many pleasant years in your tacoma and smile every time you drive it.

 

Apparently I did misunderstand and yes, I'm and old curmudgeon and got defensive. My apologies and I appreciate the clarification.

 

I'm young and am usually even worse! I'll stop hijacking this thread now though, sorry Op.

 

How can the steering be heavier, because my 21 Taco feels like a dump truck compared to my 3/4 ton van.