Have you/do you own a 4Runner too?

The 4Runner seats have more vertical lift. They go back further, too. My 4runner Trail Premium has the moonroof. So does my Taco. You’ll likely still run into headroom issues but they seem more manageable in the runner. I’m 5’10” so I fit everywhere.

You definitely need to go drive the 4Runner. I would recommend driving a Pro, Limited, and Offroad. If you can find them to drive. Inventory is very low in the DFW area.

 

21 SR5 Tacoma and 20 SR5 4Runner. IMO the build quality, driveability and experience of the 4Runner is just absolutely superior. It just feels rock solid. No rattles, no shakes, no shudders. My Tacoma occasionally does the shuddering accelerating uphill and the occasional weird shift. All in all I still love my Tacoma and I feel it actually gets better every day I drive it. It’s bouncy and fun to drive and does come alive in the 3k rpm range.

 

Wife drives a 2017 4Runner Limited and I’ve got a 2020 Tacoma TRD Off-Road. They ride like night and day. The 4Runner is much more refined and has a larger back seat than the Tacoma. It rides smoother and the whole power train just seems better put together. The 4Runner even has some cool things the Tacoma does not-like an electric heating element that runs the perimeter of the front window to melt snow and ice when it’s really coming down! The 4Runner has a very small screen (at least in 2017) compared to the 2020 Tacoma. Did I mention the Tacoma has rear drum brakes versus disks on the 4Runner?! The 4Runner also has 20 inch wheels-stock! The rear sliding window in the 4Runner is also very cool! In the end, the Tacoma is a truck and the 4Runner is a SUV. They were both bought for different reasons, but the 4Runner is impressive!

 

My first Tacoma was a 2020 6 speed manual. I did love the truck. It wasn’t quite the manual transmission experience I was looking for when compared to older ones like you mentioned.

I’m more into the off road focused models that have MTS and rear locking diff like my Tacomas did. I have sat in a 4Runner recently with the sunroof and my head touches the headliner even with the seat all the way down lol. I’m 6’1 but apparently have a really long neck or something

I think I must be too fancy for a Tacoma these days. I want a smoother riding/more comfortable off road vehicle. If I wanna get beat up I’ll take my Jeep TJ out for some fun. Lol.

The 4Runner does have a few cool things vs the Tacoma like you mentioned. I wish the Toyota would make a remote start system that was smarter. I see everyone here is super happy with the quality of their 4runners so that’s encouraging.

 

The 4Runner is a dog compared to the 3rd gen Tacoma, not even close. Smash pedal, go nowhere.

 

I do! 2020 Sport AT and 21 SR5 Premium. I have OVT2.0 on the Tacoma and it absolutely wipes the floor with the 4Runner in driving dynamics. The 4Runner is an absolute slug and you have to really give it some gas to get it moving but at the cost of a severe mpg drop. It truly blows my mind when people say the 4Runner drives better - even before I tuned the taco the 4Runner hunted gears more often and ran out of breath at anything above 4K rpm.

 

My wife has a ‘21 4Runner Limited and I have a ‘21 Tacoma TRD Sport. Agree with everyone above. Power wise, they’re both slow lol. The ride is definitely better in the 4Runner (XREAS). Fit and finish on both is pretty good.

We took a 2200 mile road trip a week or two after buying the 4R. Plenty of room, quiet, smooth ride and comfy.

 

Interesting. You’re the first person to say this. I honestly think I would rather have my power delivery from idle to 4,000 rpm rather than 3,000-6,000 rpm. Do you typically drive really fast/aggressively? If that’s your style I could see why you like the Tacoma 3.5L. It actually does really well once it gets wound up.

Yeah they are both definitely not race cars, lol. That’s fine. I do wish Toyota would put that twin turbo v6 into the next 4Runner, but I’m probably dreaming. I actually disliked the Tacoma most on longer trips. I think I’m just looking for a vehicle I can be comfortable in for a 1,000 mile drive that’s also as capable as my Tacoma was. It also has to fit on the trails. The Tacoma was about the limit of that, size-wise. I think the 4Runner would be great, but I want to make sure I don’t regret it. I also don’t know when they’ll completely redesign it. If I bought one soon and a year later they released an all new one… wouldn’t be happy. But that probably won’t happen so soon.

 

great looking pair of Toyotas btw

 

You want too much. Buy a Lexus.

 

Thanks! I love them both very much. I actually drive super focused on MPG’s, my days of driving fast are long gone lol

I just feel like the with the same driving styles I really need to get some momentum with the 4Runner to get it moving. If I drive with the same light foot as I do with the taco it feels like it just doesn’t get up to speed as fast (unless I actually give it some juice, then it drives fantastic). For reference I get almost 20.5 mpg with the taco in the city and I’ll be happy to break 17 with the 4Runner. The Taco *feels* much faster with better mpg.


That said the build quality of the 4Runner is a touch above the taco. Everything feels solid and bolted down. I also have a 15 Lexus RX350 (which drives better than both of them but that’s a different story) and the 4Runner interior is definitely on par with it.

 

Not interested in Lexus. Are you talking about cars again?

 

That makes sense now that you mention the difference in throttle input. I’m sure the Taco gets moving much easier with the tune. I noticed a huge difference on mine with/without any of the tunes.

 

He's probably talking about something like a gx460, which is kinda a bigger, more powerful, luxurious, 4 runner.

 

The iforce v8 was not a slug in 4th gens

 

4Runner > Taco on every level.

3rd Gen 4Runner is fun off road. 4th Gen V8 is a beast on road.

They haven’t made a Tacoma since 2015, my man.

 

Shame they didn’t put it into the fifth gens. Yes I know it’s in the newer Lexus GX460, but they are so damn ugly. Also no MTS or locking rear diff. I have seen some talk about how to add the MTS to them on other forums. I’m just not feeling the looks or the higher price. All things considered I just can’t get past the appearance. But damn I do miss a good v8.

 

Me! If I had to drive more than 20 or 30 miles, I'd MUCH rather be in the 4runner. No question about that. The tacoma feels a little more powerful around town though imo.

 

Great looking pair.

 

I traded my 2017 SR5 4Runner a year ago for my 2020 SR5 Tacoma. I miss the front seats in the 4Runner. A lot. I miss the predictable shifting. I don’t miss the nose dive, gas mileage or steering wheel wobble on the freeway. My opinion — the 4Runner is nicer to drive overall. The Tacoma is more fun to drive. I’m happy with my Tacoma. No regrets.