Test drove a 4Runner

I had a 2011 and feel the same way about the power. It was a night and day difference in between comfort ability though. The 4Runner rode incredibly smooth and the seating was extremely comfortable. I’m just patiently waiting to see what Toyota has in store for the 4Runner for 2020. I love my Tacoma but I’m an SUV guy I have found, and absolutely love how the current 4Runners look when lifted and fitted properly. I’m hoping they do a much needed interior refresh for next years model.

 

I am surprised, really, how little patriotism I see here for the USA built trucks. I’m Canadian, so have no real skin in the debate, but I have never noticed USA built stuff to be consistently lower in quality than Japanese built stuff. In the industry I work in I see lots of products from both countries. The only relevant issue is quality control. A factory in Japan, and a factory in the USA will have the same number of defects coming out of them, they just need a good system of catching the defects, which should be the same in either plant run by Toyota.

Toyota runs an aluminum wheel casting plant near where I live in BC, and the quality control is insane, as I am sure it is at the Toyota wheel plant that makes the Tacoma wheels in Mexico, or the 4Runner wheels in Thailand (I own OEM 4Runner pro wheels.....they are Thai castings....not Japan).

So is the suggestion that the good men and women who go to work every day in the Texas plant show up and do an inferior job than the same group in Japan?

 

You could have done the same “test” in a Jeep, a Tacoma, or even a Ridgeline. Any brand new vehicle will suffer abuse. The only relevant data point is how the truck is in 2 years after raking the shit out of the undercarriage. I’m a Toyota fan, but know I could have pushed the ice around in a Jeep Liberty.

 

I always think the negativity towards the US based stuff is because a lot of people who buy or trade to a tacoma have had a bad experience with a domestic brand

My dad had fords for years but when the dealership screwed him over on a lemon he remembered the old toyota pickup he had in college that had no issues and went back to toyota

My friend's chevy was in the shop for months and finally he just ditched it for a 4runner

A lot of people, especially those in Toyotas, know that US-based vehicles have lots of issues and believe that those could occur in a us-made toyota regardless of if it really matters/affects quality or not

Just my 2 cents

 

I believe you are right. The difference in quality between a Toyota and a Dodge is not Japan vs USA, it is Toyota vs Dodge......but that gets lost on people.

 

Exactly, that's why a lot of people still get the 4banger even with its lack of power. They know it as a bulletproof, japan-built motor that's been made for years

IMO you can't go wrong with a toyota I couldn't see myself buying anything else in the future to be honest

 

Drove a 4Runner recently too, the 4.0 definitely has more torque at low RPMs. The taco lugs at rpms where the the T4R would accelerate briskly. The 4.0 is also a lot quieter, could be less insulation in the taco and not the engine itself. Overall I would love to have the 4.0 over the 3.5 in the taco.

Rear seats without a doubt more roomy.

 

Tacoma may deliver higher MPG than 4Runner. My 2016 4Runner delivers around 20-21 mpg on highway and 17-18 on city. these figures drop in winter time by 1-2 mpg. I think Tacoma delivers better MPG.

 

I love the rawness I felt in the Taco. Also looking for something different, but still want to stay Toyota.

I thought for sure my next vehicle was going to be a Ridgeline Black Edition (drives like a Lexus), but it’s just missing something. I wasn’t even planning on a taco, but wanted to just cross it off the list via a test drive. Now I’m planning on pulling the trigger if the price is right for the ‘19

 

Now I should go drive the new rdx like my wife wants and both the taco and 4Runner will feel like clunky slow terds with cheap interior.

https://youtu.be/hLled8VWNuc
How a modern car should shift.

 

Acura’s are damn nice! Cannot argue that! If I wasn’t in a Toyota I would happily drive a Acura or Honda!

 

It’d be a nice combo. Custom rugged Tacoma and sport luxury family Acura.

 

You might be on to something brother! Either way Toyota or Acura your making a right decision!

 

For sure. Both well made. We'd like a fast awd sport wagon but are too smart to buy an Audi or BMW. Sexy but can't trust em! Acura or Lexus is a wise reliable second choice.

 

That's what I think of 3rd gen Tacomas

 

Some people like pickup trucks....others like station wagons.....to each their own

 

As someone who has both 2nd Tacoma DCLB and 5th gen 4Runner.... it's night a day differences including fit and finish between the two. The 4.0l with dual VVT-I in the 4Runner is more refine the the 4.0l single VVT-I that was in the Tacoma and more powerful to boot. Sitting in my 4Runner and the Tacoma rear seats, I definitely had more leg and knee room then the Taco. Also it reclines on the 4Runner. No driveline shudders due to the 1-piece driveshaft on the 4Runner. I could go on but why? I enjoy having both trucks for work in construction (Tacoma) and for the trails(4Runner)

 

I agree that the build quality seems much better on the 4runner

 

If you don't need a bed the 4runner is a much better vehicle. Better offroad too.

 

My mom just got an RDX. That thing RIPS. It is crazy fast for a grocery getter. I can see why women like it.