Anybody go from a 3rd gen taco to a 5th gen 4runner?

Strongly considering this, just wanting to get input and see if anybody has done this or has a 5th gen 4runner and what their opinion is.
Thinking of waiting for the 2020 4Runner as we are so close, maybe Toyota will switch it up and redesign it.

 

I did! I switched to a 18' TRD Offroad Runner. It's the most well put together vehicle I've ever owned. Loving it. I'm worried the redesign will have the same engine as the Taco and I'm sure it will also go from the current 5 speed to a 6. It'll be well built though since it's made in Japan.

 

@Norilsk I'd like to hear your input

 

It's better in some ways and worse in the others.


1. Interior is better in a Tacoma, 4Runner interior is something from the mid of the 2000s with the outdated head unit and that 2 pixel screen on a speed cluster.
2. MPG is better in a Taco, I get around 22MPG on 265s with 1" lift and some armour vs 4runner 16MPG (completely stock Limited with Torsen 4WD).
3. Powertrain is proven on a T4R, but I have no doubt 3rd Gen tacoma will last as long if taken care.
4. Open bed in Taco is nice to have when I need to throw some dirty stuff, but that cool power rear window on a T4R is also great for show off

Overall T4R is good, not great, but it does what its been asked for and that's all matters for me now. If I had more $$$ at the time I would've went with GX/LX instead of 4Runner.
The new 4Runner will most likely inherit 3.(point) minivan engine from Tacoma. I would wait and see what Toyota has to offer.

 

From what ive read, it’ll carry the same power train.

 

Thanks for the input!
From what I’ve read however is it’ll carry over the same power train. I came across an article a while back that was hinting at Toyota possibly running some models with V8’s in them. All rumors however, we won’t know more until earliest late this year or early next year.

 

V8 is dead in a mid size SUV, hybrid is the future and I have a feeling 4Runner production will be moved to US/Canada.
On a good side, if you won't like the 6th gen 4Runner you will be able to get a really good deal on 2019 4Runner.

 

From everything I’ve read the 4Runner still isn’t a truck. Just saying

 

I went from 16 Off Road 4Runner to 17 TRD Sport. Both have their strengths.... and drawbacks. Almost apples and oranges comparison.

 

Yep. I have an 04 gx 470 and although it don't have the roll down back window it is basically a 4 runner with v8. That said I have had it now for almost 15 years. I agree as comparing 4runner to tacoma truck is apple.and oranges. I love having a truck and will always have a truck. If wife and I ever drop to 2 vehicles instead of 3 she will always have an SUV and I'll have a truck. She has a 14 tourareg diesel and loves it. She got it in 14 and did drive gx all those years and I wasn't trading it in and kept and decided we could use a 3rd vehicle.

 

I had a 14 Runner, traded it for the 2016 Tacoma.

The back seat in the 4Runner is much more comfortable than the Tacoma.

The 4Runner, staying true to its roots, is one of the last SUVs with an actual frame underneath. Only others being the Wrangler and Tahoes. Everything else has gone to the unibody construction.

The 4Runner is very capable off-road, and they develop a following similar to a Tacoma. My Tacoma is my first one, but that 14 4Runner was my third.

The 4Runner is a great vehicle, I just needed the truck at the moment.

The wife loves my Tacoma, but she loved my 4Runner more. Once we decide to expand the family, I’ll be going back to a T4R. My idea is to check out what the 2020 model comes up with and go from there. A V8 would be nice, as they are heavy vehicles.

 

I still keep my hopes up that Toyota will revive the V8 in the 4Runner. I’m sure they’d attract more buyers from other ends. And very true. I already love how the latest 5th gens look. That will be the route I go for sure if the 6th isn’t appealing. I figured I’d wait a year and a half however if I’m that close.

 

That’s in the same boat I am in. They look appealing by every means and I seldom use my truck bed. My father has a 2011 and I have driven it once and it does seem like it could use the extra power form a V8. I will definitely go with a 2019 if the 2020 redesign isn’t great. Also, if it’s true from multiple posts that it’ll carry over the 4.0L, it is nice to know there is now a supercharger for it that can make up for the lack of power.

 

I went from a 17 taco OR to and 18 4Runner OR. Interior was nicer in the Tacoma, but the overall quality is nicer on the 4Runner. I switched to get away from the weird characteristics of the 3.5 motor, but really the 4.0 programming does similar things. I think they are programmed to maximize fuel economy so they shift at odd times and very frequently. There is no ECT setting in the 4Runner, which kind of sucks. The 4.0 is really lacking in power. Going up over mountain passes with people and gear sucks. Honestly I regret the decision a bit, but my taco had several issues in the first 8K and I was not sold on the long term life of it.

 

I must of got a good 18 model.for.mone runs great. I have no power issues at all and had lot more spunk than my 16 Colorado diesel.

 

Here is a review I wrote for the 4Runner forum last year:

5th Gen 4Runner/3rd Gen Tacoma Review
5th Gen 4Runner versus the 3rd Gen Tacoma – Who wins?
This article compares a 4WD 4Runner SR5 against the 4WD Tacoma TRD Sport Double Cab short box. There are options that can be had with either model that will enhance the vehicle but, for this comparison, let’s just keep it simple. Also, unless it is fact, everything is my opinion and *gasp* you might not agree!
So you have already decided that options such as minivans and CUVs, even though they are much more practical and efficient, bore you. You are an enthusiast that is either going or dreaming of going off road dammit! You want comparative highway comfort and the ability to go off road! You also want the durability and reliability that Toyota offers, not to mention the best residual value after three years out of any vehicle! Problem is, you have narrowed your choices down to two: The 3rd gen Tacoma and the 5th Gen 4Runner and you just can’t make up your mind. Well, hopefully the following article will help you decide.

Pro Tip #1:
No matter what vehicle you decide to get, don’t let the internet forums decide for you! Actually, the internet forums are probably the WORST place you can go to glean any meaningful information. Sure, if you are discussing mods, colors and tires, this is the place to do so. If you truly want an unbiased opinion or you need technical help such as warranty or such, go to people like the dealer or directly to Toyota proper. If you want reviews, go to Edmunds or Car and Driver. That is their job and they are much better at it than a forum guy, including me. You see, it seems like whenever somebody buys a vehicle, something snaps and, even though they are an Ancient Latin teacher in real life, buying that vehicle automatically makes them an expert in every facet of that vehicle. They suddenly know about transmissions, gear ratios, extended travel, tires and efficiency. Never mind they only learned it on Google a few minutes ago lol. They then go to the forum and expound on their (lack of) knowledge. Truth is, it’s hard to separate the bullshit from the truth on forums. Also on forums, you have to deal with the very real “I just spent a lot of money on this thing so it must be great” bias. When people buy something, especially if they spend a lot of money on it, very seldom will they trash the product. It’s almost like a Placebo effect. No lie, I have read where guys have put “E” rated tires on their vehicle, pumped them up to 60 psi, not added an ounce of weight to the truck and raved about how much smoother their ride is now! Really? Of course not. They just don’t want people to know they just dropped $1200 on tires that ride like a steel locomotive wheel and they suck. They somehow convince themselves that, “I just spent $1200, the ride must be better!” People do this with vehicles a LOT. So, stick with the pros on the reviews and stick with the dealers and Toyota on the issues. You will be glad you did!

Full Disclosure:
I went to the dealership about six weeks ago because the owner called me. They had just gotten in a new Land Cruiser. We had talked about the LC many times and I mentioned that I eventually could be interested in buying one. Well, I went and drove it. It is everything that the 4Runner aspires to be when it grows up! I won’t bore you with the LC’s attributes but suffice to say they were many. I went home and, after a few beers, decided to take a hard look at where I was at this point in my life. This also was the beginning of this story but I digress. I started asking myself questions: Did I truly want to get rid of my 4Runner? Did I really want to spend $80K+ on a vehicle to drive? I mean, two weeks before I had 10 five gallon buckets filled with gravel in my 4runner. Did I want to do that with the LC? So, after another beer or two, I REALLY took a deep dive into my life. My wife is retired, my kids are grown, I live outside, either on the mountain bike or in the woods on the trails. I still need a rugged 4WD because my job sometimes takes me out in the middle of nowhere. I live where we get feet of snow every year and there is no level ground. I still do a lot of wood work and enjoy working out in the yard. I came to the conclusion that, if I traded for anything, I needed a truck. I drove the Tundra a few years ago and that is just too… much for what I needed. So the next day, I went back to the dealer and traded for a Tacoma. That’s what happened with me. Now, before reading any further, you dear reader, need to ask yourself one basic question:

Do I Haul People or Do I Haul Stuff?
This is the most important question you should ask yourself before deciding on a 4Runner or a Tacoma. If you haul more than two people on a regular occasion, get a 4Runner and never look back. If you only haul yourself and one other person and you haul a lot of stuff, then look at a Tacoma. Yes, you can haul four adults in the Tacoma. It won’t be very comfortable for the people in the back though. Yes, only two people can ride in the 4Runner but then the back seat is wasted space, unless you fold them down.
Hands down, the 4Runner wins if you haul more than two people very often for any distance. The Tacoma does just fine with two people, maybe three adults for an hour or so. If I had to drive any distance regularly with four adults I would NOT get the Tacoma. So, if you are gonna haul people, quit reading and enjoy the 4Runner!

So What Did I Get?
I now own a 2017 4WD Tacoma. It has a 3.5L V6, six speed manual transmission and a short bed. I got the TRD Sport trim with no sunroof or technology package. I did get Entune and navigation. The color is Inferno. I also purchased the TRD Grille, the Toyota OEM Bed cover, Toyota bed extender and a generic bed mat. I have installed Vent Visors. That’s pretty much it. As of this minute I have put 5,342 miles on it in around a month and a half. The longest trip so far has put me in the driver’s seat for 12 hours. I think this qualifies me to at least state my opinion on the Tacoma.

Let’s Talk Apples to (Oranges, Spiders, Helmets) Quality
One of the many, many things that drives me crazy is when people decide to expound on quality. After reading or hearing what they have to say, I don’t think they would know quality if it bit them on the ass. People try to compare the 4Runner “quality” with the Tacoma “quality.” Why not compare the quality of your couch to the quality of your yard? It’s about the same comparison, really. Now, you could compare the quality of the 4Runner’s door panels to the Tacoma’s door panels. Compare the carpet or the glass. If you break it out, you can compare the individual quality of components, be it material spec or design. You cannot compare the “quality” of the whole vehicle, simply because the vehicles are not the same. You can compare the “luxury” of the vehicles and you can compare the fit and finish of the vehicles, but overall quality comparison will never tell the story. The 4Runner is definitely more luxurious.
The quality of the 4Runner is very good. The quality of the Tacoma is very good. They are also very different! Most of you have 4Runners so you know how they are. You know how you feel when you get in, how you feel when you drive it, how you feel when you wash it. Well, with the Tacoma, it is a different feeling. When you get in, you immediately know you are in a truck. This is extremely hard to describe, but it is an almost visceral feeling. It is a tad bit raw, a tad bit edgy. When you drive it, at least for me when going over a bump, I know I am in a truck simply because of that instant body/suspension flex you only get when you drive a truck. Bottom line, both are quality but, taken as a whole, both are very different. I’m pretty sure the Toyota engineers worked really hard to give the owner a “trucky” feel and they did a good job. It rides fine, actually smoother than my 4Runner TE with KDSS, but it is different somehow. The fit and finish is very good on both vehicles. The interior material is comparable between the two vehicles. Both are quality but both are different. It also does not help that the models between the 4Runner and the Tacoma are different. For example, they both offer SR5’s but what makes up a SR5 with a 4Runner is not what makes up the SR5 in a Tacoma. Different seat materials, different Entune, different options, etc.

The Important Part – The 3.5L Engine
So everyone is all worried that the Tacoma 3.5L engine is going to replace the 4.0 4Runner engine. I would not be worried at all guys. The HP and torque are basically the same when comparing the 4Runner to the Tacoma. I have a manual transmission but I did do an extensive test drive in an AT Tacoma. Guess what… in order to make it go, you have to push the accelerator pedal. In the 4Runner, in order to make it go, you have to push the accelerator. What’s the difference? About 7/10ths of a second from 0-60. The Tacoma is a bit quicker. When I test drove, especially up the hills, the Tacoma did indeed change gears rather often. In the 4Runner, it also changed gears quite often. Now, in my manual transmission, it does not need to be changed like the automatics change. There is a button in the Tacoma automatics, the ECT button that will minimize the shifting. Also, the aftermarket is HUGE for the Tacoma. Just thought I would throw that in there. After driving the 3.5 for 5K miles, and 400 miles was with a 3.5K trailer, I wouldn’t think twice about buying a 4Runner with this engine. Both my 4Runner and my Tacoma weigh within 100 lbs of each other. I am AVERAGING almost 22 mpg with the Tacoma. I averaged around 19.9 with the 4Runner. That is over 10% which is a really big deal!

Warts and All
You hear a lot about the problems the Tacoma and the 4Runner are having, especially if you read the forums. Tire shimmy. Vibration. Airbag. Rear diff. Water leaks. Recall this, problem that, blah blah blah. The Tacoma has had some issues. The 4Runner has had some issues. Right now there is a recall on 228,000 for possible rear diff weep or leak. Toyota only thinks about 1% of that number are affected but you gotta check them all. If you read about it on the forums though you would think the world is ending. It also had a few first year growing pains. Cam positioning sensor and a few other odds and ends. Mine? It’s working perfectly with no issues. Again, if I would have listened to those guys on TW I would have bought a Ford or something! I have been a member of this forum for six years and the problems I have had (squeaks, axle wrap, etc) from the 4Runner is about what I would expect to have from the Tacoma. No Takata airbag problem though! And compared to the rest of the automotive world? We have no problems!

Let’s Wrap This Up
There will always be detractors on both sides. There will be fanboys on both sides. I got a Tacoma because, right now at this point in my life, a smaller truck rather than a SUV fits my needs. I got a manual transmission because I just wanted it. Yes, the Tacoma has rear leaf springs and rear drum brakes. People say it like that’s a bad thing. Guess what – when I step on the brakes the truck slows down. When I step firmly on the brakes it slows down faster. Braking distance is comparable to other mid sized trucks. Drum brakes in the rear are no big deal. If it had drums all the way around there would be a problem. I have had a half ton of gravel in the back. The leaf springs did their job and kept the bumper from dragging. The engine goes just fine, the radio sounds good (so I can listen to my AM religious broadcasts – not) and the seats are comfortable to me. I didn’t get a sunroof on purpose because headroom. So far I really like the truck. It actually rides (and my wife concurs) better than the 4Runner on the interstate. We did 30 hours of driving in five days so we do have the seat time.
It seems like life, advertising, family and peer pressure is always pushing. You have to go faster, harder, stronger and longer, especially when you are younger and climbing the ladder. Well, the truth is, sometimes you can go sideways, slower or backwards and it’s OK. If you can afford it, get what you want and what will fit your needs the best. Haul lot of people and some stuff = 4Runner. Haul few people and lot of stuff = Tacoma. I think both are good vehicles. I don’t necessarily think buying the Tacoma is a step back from the 4Runner. It’s more a sideways step. They are truly two different vehicles with pros/cons to each. If I would have gotten the Land Cruiser it would have been a big step forward, but right now, I am fine and don’t know if I ever want to take that step. I’m not out to impress anyone any more. I have nothing left to prove. I am 55. I have a truck. After 5K miles, I truly feel that I could beat the piss out of this truck and it would still be just fine. Life is good.
Thanks for reading.

 

You are 1engineer on the 5th gen forum?

 

I traded my 16 Tacoma for my 17 4runner. Wish I had done it sooner. I love my runner, no issues, totally satisfied with this vehicle. I plan on keeping it 30 years and getting 1 million miles on it!

 

Wasn’t there a 5th gen 4 cylinder for a couple of months? I say that because Car and Driver just posted an article about 4 cylinder full size trucks. No chance at a V8 for the 4Runner. Just none really.

 

I agree with all this and good fair read. I an also 55 and have had 3 tundra s and still have my 04 gx but haven't had a 5th gen 4 runner but have driven and been in them and agree with how u use it. I love my tacoma and it is just wife and I. Plus we have her vw tourareg and the 04 gx 470 any time I need suv. I much prefer truck and we almost 100 % take the truck when we are together running around