Trying to decide b/w Tacoma & 4Runner

I've had both and can't really say which I like better. When it was time to get rid of my 4th Gen 4Runner I was more attracted to the Tacoma because I had been using my 4Runner like a truck to haul all sorts of things for home renovations. I had everything from bags of mulch to 4x8 sheets of plywood/drywall hanging out the back of that thing. If you eliminate the usefullness of the bed, I still kind of prefer the Tacoma because I feel that the 4Runner is really dated. I had a 2004 Limited 4Runner and test driving a 2017 Limited I was so unimpressed with the technology present. I also looked at the Jeep Grand Cherokee and while I know the reliability and resale value isnt there, the JGC was so so so so soooo much nicer inside. If and when the 4Runner gets refreshed to compete with the other SUVs out there, or the next gen comes out, you might find me back in a runner with a trailer for hauling duties.

 

I never noticed a difference between the tacoma and my my 3rd gen runner or my brothers 4th gen runner. All seem pretty quiet.

 

Haul 4 adults comfortably? Haha 4Runner blows the tacoma out of the water with comfort. I still love the Tacoma's, but I definitely notice the comfort of my 4Runner

Snow is a big deal for me. Empty trucks suck in snow.

This is also true.

Overall, I like the 4Runner for comfort (ride quality, seats, etc), but I do miss the truck bed from my tacoma. If I went back to a Tacoma, I'd miss the 4Runner. Both have their trade offs. If you are over 6'1", the tacoma is not super comfortable.

Both look cool!

 

Thats why had the wife get a tacoma. Own both is the way to go!

 

I have a 13 Tacoma and my wife drives a 17 4runner. The 4runner is a better, quieter ride in my opinion. I like the 4runner almost enough to want to make it my daily. The 4runner is our travel vehicle if we are going somewhere we take it. I do however also love my Tacoma and do on enough occasions need the bed for things I wouldn't want to put in the 4runner that I am not willing to part with it. I guess I could always get a trailer. Its all about what your lifestyle needs are I guess.

 

in the back with the rear window down

 

I've owned both. Went from 16 t4r back to a new Tacoma. I don't miss the 4runner at all. Something about being a guy and driving a truck with a bed just makes more sense to me. Immature maybe, but I always felt like the Tacoma just felt right. I'd definitely recommend getting the manual trans. if you go for the tacoma. That was another big plus for me.

 

I was surprised at how long the cargo area is in the 4runner is

 

Yeah I can fit more in the runner with the seats down than my tacoma bed with a shell

 

deer carcass for me, but then again u could put a hauler on the back of the 4R..

 

I'll talk about this more of a person/item hauler being my vehicles are a bit older (09 double cab Tacoma and 13 4Runner) I have two young kids and on the daily for going around town, getting groceries the 4Runner is better imo. More seating room for my situation of having two car seats as to where in my Tacoma my 4 yr old can use my seat as a foot rest and I'm only 5'7". Looking at what you want to do I feel a Tacoma is better though. Easier to lug around mountain bikes, ski gear can be secured in the bed and even camping gear without worry of messing up the interior. With the 3rd gen Toyota has also stepped up the interior creature comforts to more align with the 4Runner as to the year models I have the 4Runner put my Tacoma to shame in that category.

 

Well if you don't have a shell, tacoma hauls more. I miss being able to just throw my snowboards in the back when still covered in snow. Now I got a rack for the roof. No big

 

I'd ignore any rumors about the 4runner right now. There have been rumors of unibody for years, rumors of a V8 return, rumors of it being discontinued... Etc.

 

Can't say I'd honestly care all that much. I dont think it would go that route, but if it did I would imagine they would have to create something that's still pretty capable and up to the normal 4Runner tasks, because who wants a 5 seater highlander?

 

Yes, the 5th gen 4Runner is quieter than the 3rd gen Tacoma. For deer, lumber, mulch, fish in a cooler, etc, a trailer is handy, heck even a hitch mount platform carries all I need. I'm getting a full gobi style roof rack for my runner, so even more crap can be easily hauled. The interior of the runner is extremely large when the rear seats fold down, so no problems there. In fact 4x4 sheets of plywood fit just fine.

 

Exactly how much snow you dealing with in SoCal ?

There are so many options to keep your bed covered and snow out not sure why that would be a big deal. Or you just take 2 mins and a couple of scoops and It's out. Don't be lazy.

 

^^^^This is solid advice.

The biggest question you have to ask yourself is- do you need a truck bed. As simple as that sounds, you should think about how many times you've absolutely needed a truck bed to do the things you want/need to do- fun/work/yard work/ect. As I said previously in other posts- that's the main reason I didn't end up getting a Jeep. (Don't shoot me...) I really used a truck and a truck bed a LOT during hunting and fishing seasons and all my friends with Jeeps would say: "Hey, can I put this in your truck?" Just so you know- a Jeep doesn't haul 5 dozen duck and goose decoys very well. A 4Runner COULD (wife drives a 4Runner) but I didn't want to have to put a tarp down for wet decoys, dogs, waders, ect.

4Runner is a nice ride, and like others have said the TRD OR package is a solid package and there are some SICK 4Runner builds on here and other sites- so there is always that.

Drive "comfort" wasn't something that was high on my priority list- as I've spent 6 years in the Army, lived out of an MRAP for a year (literally slept inside it for 6 days a week for 9 months) and rode around in those flame retardant seats- so I wasn't really going for all that, I just really needed a truck and serious off-road capability.

That's the big question here...

 

You are going to put a sheet of plywood in your $45000 Pro 4R leather SUV? To each his own.

 

I snowboard almost every weekend in the winter so a lot.

Also I was talking about how light pick up trucks are in back. Empty, they are terrible in snow. I don't know where I mentioned that I don't want to scoop snow out.

When I had a tacoma, I hauled sandbags to help with traction in the snow and it still wasn't great. The 4Runner deals with it much better.

Edit: now I see how you read that. I meant suck as in they "suck dick" in snow. Not "take in snow."