Confirmation on Year Model and Trim

Hello All, im looking for some confirmation of information as far as the Tacoma and 4Runner goes. Ill be looking for a new vehicle soon and am trying to decide between the two. Ive already landed on the trim level being the "Off Road" trim as it should provide a happy medium of what id want in the vehicle. I think ideally Id rather go with the 4Runner for its SUV capabilities and overall providence of uses. However comparing similiar years of the off road trim on both the 4Runner and the Tacoma it seems like it costs about $10k more for that SUV luxury.
Trying to stay within a specific budget, and allow for post upgrades it seems like the Tacoma would be a better fit there where that $10k could be partially used for aftermarket upgrades. Granted I wouldn't be using it for truck things, which is probably why the 4Runner would make more sense. Both vehicles would really be used for short travel \ fishing trips. Which would be accommodated with a 2-3" lift, slightly bigger tires, a roof rack, bed rack, etc. Just enough to make it functional on my fishing trips but not overly over the top to make it look like i participate in overlanding. The most the vehicles would see would be off path beaten roads, snowy state game land forest, etc. I currently utilize a 2016 Ford Explorer today, which in my eyes is not much of an offroad or even SUV capable vehicle in itsself. The ground clearance is subpar at best and off road competence is non existent. I will say however its what I believe to be "Full time 4WD" system has surprised me at least in the snow with my set of snow tires.

This brings me to my set of questions i'm hoping to get answered.
1. From my research the latest generation of Tacomas fall into the 2016-2021 year range. With some technology and face lift changes to the 2020+ year. For the 4Runner, its been the same from 2014 until 2018 with 2019+ being a facelift?

2. I couldn't get a clear understanding on what sort of 4WD platform either of this vehicles utilize. I thought I read starting with a specific year they switched to a full time 4wd system similar to my Ford Explorer where the only control you have is with electronic terrain modes like rain\snow\sand, etc. Which ultimately just control certain power to each wheel, along with braking and wheel spin? But then I also read about how some models\years\trims have part time 4wd where you actually have 4low 4hi control? Whether it be a shifter or electronically controlled?

 

RE: Tacoma
Others will pipe in with more detailed info but the following I believe is true:
You have 4hi and 4lo electronically controlled ..

Some of the upper trims ( I believe the TRD+ ) allow for rear diff locking.

 

TRD Off Road has electric rear Locking Diff and A-TRAC
TRD Sport has the hood scoop styling -Hitachi suspension but no rear locker like TRD Off Road

 

Tacoma trd off-road
Electronic 4wd
No scoop
Bilstein suspension
Atrac on manual trans models
Crawl control on auto models
Locker

Tacoma trd sport
Elec. 4wd
Scoop
Hitachi suspension
Not the same as off-road model
No locker

4Runner trd off road
Scooped hood
Manual shifter for 4wheel drive
Locker

 

The 2011-2013 4Runner is very similar to the 2014+, with some minor grill differences. The Off-Road trim for both the 4Runner and Tacoma includes the Crawl Control and A-Trac. Both offer a rear locker. The Tacoma has electronic control for shift to 4WD whereas the 4Runner has a manual shifter.

I own both and prefer the 4Runner due to interior comfort. I bought the Tacoma because I needed a truck bed.

 

Based on this, I see no reason to get the off-road trim. You plan to replace the "upgraded" OR suspension with a lift and based on your stated use, you'll probably never need the rear locker. I would recommend going with the SR5 for your stated use and save yourself a couple thousand dollars up front.

 

If you’re a fisherman I’d get the Tacoma. So nice just to be able to throw all your wet muddy stuff in the bed and get into a nice warm clean truck. Plus you can clean your fish on the tailgate. I’ve had both models and something just doesn’t feel right about throwing wet stinking fishing gear in the back of a $45-50,000 dollar 4Runner.

 

From what I’ve read the 4Runner has better build quality, proven reliability, better low end torque, no issues with gear hunting and handles better on road compared to the Tacoma. If you don’t need a truck get the 4Runner.

I also highly prefer the 4runners manual 4WD shifter compared to the Tacoma's electronic one.

 

Too bad 4runners are all Automatic now-- Transmission wise. At least manual options for Taco

 

Thanks all for all the replies and information. I found this post here that goes over all the different modes and what exists between the models and such which is extremely helpful.

Correct me if im wrong but the SR5 offers no MTS, ATRAC, Crawl Control, Rear Locker, etc. It seemed to be, the Off-Road model was the happy medium to gain what seemed to me, important raw capabilities in the vehicle platform.

 

Here is a PDF from 2016 with lots of specs info on Tacoma.

http://www.tfltruck.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/2016-toyota-Tacoma-Technical-specs.pdf

Also, I believe the Tacoma has a higher resale value over the 4Runner if you generally trade in every 5 years or so.

 

As the owner of both a current gen 4runner and a Tacoma, I laughed my ass off at this.

 

The only vehicle in this group that utilizes full time 4wd is the 4Runner limited and the current nightshade. None of the Tacomas offer full time 4wd. The rest of the 4x4 models in the Tacoma and 4runner lines have part time 4wd with lo/high control.

In the Tacomas, it's done via a switch on the dash. In the 4runners, the SR5 models have the center console mounted switch.

We own both - a 2019 off-road tacoma and a 2018 off road premium. The trannies suck on both of them...gear hunting in the taco (made better by the latest TSB) and massive kick downs in the 4runner to keep it up to speed on inclines. Our lifted, armored and modded Tacoma gets better mileage than our stock 4runner.

As for quality, neither has given us any problems. Both my wife and I feel the tacoma is more enjoyable to drive but the 4runner is more comfortable. Neither has a handling advantage over the other.

Other than the comfort of the 4runner, the only thing that stands out on it is the slide down rear window.

I can't compare them off road because the taco was never stock and has been extensively modified. The 4runner does fine off road, but frankly I'm not super impressed by it.

We have been pleased with both vehicles. If I had to buy a used example of either, I'd go with the 2020 Tacoma (if memory serves that's when they got the power drivers seat) and go with an older 4runner that doesn't have all the nanny tech.

 

Thank you so much for this insight and experience. Its very helpful and appreciated.

 

I have an sr5, it doesn't have crawl control, and a rear locker, but its got a lot of the other crap. Its an extremely capable truck in most conditions i'll ever run into. I'm not a serious off-roader that i need a locker or even that semi working crawl control.

 

You are correct. But if you dont plan to do any hardcore off-roading, a rear locker and crawl control are kind of overkill for most. If you feel you need those thing then by all means get the OR.

 

My buddy had to have the trd or....very important when climbing over those speed bumps in the parking lot at the local mall.