4Runner vs Highlander

Loved our '04 Highlander for years.

If its street duty, no tow, I'd do that. Even if you want AWD for foul weather.

If you really want a people hauler, Sienna is a great choice. Dont let the van snickering folks get you down. Enjoy the comfort.

 

My brother has an 04 sienna with over 300k MILES on it and it's running strong.

 

I have a 2014 Tacoma TRD Sport access cab with 115,000 virtually trouble free miles on it. I'm buying a 2021 4Runner SR5 Premium tomorrow to replace it and I work at a Toyota dealership. Hands on experience? Yea, have some.

The 2 vehicles are very different. The 4Runner is a Tacoma underneath, but it got all the neat upgrades the Tacoma never got. (Better 4 liter motor, better brakes, better rear suspension, interior ... So the 4Runner will be a lot like your Tacoma - and get about the same mileage.

The Highlander is a "more civilized" vehicle in that it's car based. (Avalon.) It gets better gas mileage and rides nicer. It's also front wheel drive where the 4Runner is rear wheel drive based. Said another way, the Highlander is a car where the 4Runner is a truck.

As for 3rd row seating, both of them suck, but the Highlander sucks less.

Hope that helps.

 

Yeah, I wanted a newer 4Runner but couldn't get one up here for a reasonable offer so I got the Tacoma. But I don't have kids or the desire to have any anytime soon, so the T4R would work for me. I still have my 88 but it's a much different 4Runner than the new ones...

 

2 different animals. Highlander is a glorified staton wagon while the 4Runner is just plain awesome sauce.

 

My daughter-in-law has a Highlander. It's noticeably larger than a 4Runner, inside and out. Power everything including rear hatch. Just beautifully well made and comfortable. Perfect suburban family vehicle. As has been mentioned, the 4R is basically a truck. With that comes the truckiness that people love about it. Higher, stiffer, a little less refined, but tough as nails. If I didn't have the Tacoma, I'd probably have a 4Runner, but then I really don't like SUV's
Bottom line, which does your wife like.

Cheers

 

Like others have stated, the Highlander would be a better family friendly ride and comfort. I prefer the ruggedness and looks of the 4runner along with offroad capabilities. For an active outdoorsy family, 4runner hands down. The Highlander just looks like any other boring SUV build out there.

 

i test drove both the highlander and 4runner.
wife wanted 3rd row in case her nieces/nephews came along when out.

now the highlander is great if its going to stay on the street; awd in it is great (cousin has one)
I prefered the 4runner due to the body on frame/truck feel (reminds me of my 2nd gen) and also we wanted 4x4 because eventually the wife decided she wants to modify it (lift, tires etc)
we ended up getting a used 2019 with 23k miles

 

You're gonna get a lot of T4R love out of a Tacoma forum

 

Sienna x3 u can stack plywood in them or 7 people realistically
Or camp in it lol

 

If you need to 3rd row everyday (or even quite often) then I'd get the Highlander. The 4Runner 3rd row is manageable for kids and smaller adults, but I wouldn't want to use it all the time. The 3rd row is hard to access if you have a child carseat in the 2nd row and you have essentially zero cargo row with the 3rd row seats up. That said, I have two kids with the 4Runner as a DD and we love it. We use the 3rd occasionally, but not that often.

 

Can't say I like the look of the 2021 Sienna. It's starting to look more like a PT cruiser with the god awful lexus front end. The previous gen Sienna was pretty nice, especially the reclining rear seats with foot rests, which I'm sure the new one has too.

 

I’m not sold on the 4th gens either lol you can’t remove the 2nd row seats for one thing. And they’re all hybrid so that’s something to think about

we picked up a 2020 awd le (last of the 3rd gens) and are happy with it even with just one kid. It’s comfortable and plenty fast and a beast in the snow with proper rubber

edit:
Highlanders are awesome too

So are 4runners but if I’m driving a “truck” it needs a bed lol

 

Going to take a look at them tomorrow morning. My vote is for the 4Runner currently because I love the look of them and I actually like how my Tacoma rides and handles. The wife is leaning towards Highlander and ultimately it’s her choice. Maybe she will appreciate the 4Runner tomorrow as much as I do today

3rd row would not be used very often. Only on the occasional trip with extra family members tagging along. We have an infant car seat and a booster seat to consider as well. I like the Highlander, but as mentioned in a previous reply, it looks like any other SUV to me. Maybe the interior and comfort will win me over.

 

I think there's a cool factor in function and convenience, but you do you OP!