Almost traded in for a 4Runner but didnt... Right choice?

I have had both a 2006 taco and my current 2011 4Runner, I would not go back to a taco. With a family of four and a dog, the 4Runner is perfect. I already had a trailer so the loss of the bed was not really a big deal for me. In fact, the lower deck of the trailer is easier to load and unload.

 

A trailer and or a good top rack will fill the void. I used to have a Taco and went to the 4runner for the family/road trip features and never looked back. Top racks do most lumber actually better than a pickup can (no offense) because I can travel with 16ft pieces of steel if I want and it just ties down up top. You would have to invest in a camper top or ladder rack to do that safely with a taco.

Pickups come in handy for furniture and gravel but how often do you need that feature?

You're the best judge though. Try to count how many times you needed a bed and how many times you've felt the rough ride and go from there. They're both yotas so you've got one part right lol.

 

I have had two 1st gen 4Runners (obviously VERY different than SUV's today) and there were countless times I wished I had an actual truck bed. Sure I could take the rear seats out and remove the carpet and so on, but then I just defeated the whole purpose of the extra seating for the SUV. I have seen the new 4Runners and I must say they are badass. Very slick for a new generation, but I always have to float towards the pickup side. My dad once told me in high school when I was still driving an 1989 Volvo 240 sedan that if I like that ride to stay with it, because once I got a truck, I would never be the same again haha. Just my 2 cents.

 

Is there any news on the 16 4Runner?

 

Here is a reason to drive a Tacoma: 206868 miles and zero breakdowns, zero repairs, only maintenance.

 

I dont understand how people can describe a 4Runner like a family hauler/wife's car. That thing is massive, top heavy, accelerates slowly, rides like a truck, nose dives when when you brake, leans over when you corner. It is a truck, actually. I'd much rather have my wife drive the kids in a Subaru crossover. Much safer.

 

Im about to take mine in with 23k miles to have a bad clunk in the rear fixed (think its the shock) and have some bearing in my front diff looked at for a horrible rotational vibration.