Why a Tacoma and not a 4Runner

I'm debating between a Taco and T4R at the moment. I'm leaning towards a taco for the following reasons

- fresh redesign (stupid I know but I can't help it, at least I can admit it)

- optional 6 speed manual transmission

- truck bed for my mountain bike

- about $5,000 cheaper when I have each optioned the way I want

 

If possible get one of each. We got my wife a 4Runner Trail Premium and I have my now 3rd gen Tacoma. They both have their pros and cons, but I feel that it's oranges and apples to compare. If you do, outside of cargo capacity, the 4Runner beats the Tacoma hands down. Both are great vehicles tho. If I had to choose I would go with the 4Runner.

 

1. Your meat comparison to represent tacos to 4runners was ridiculous… and they are both equally delicious!
2. has EVER or WILL EVER make for the money? You, sir, take this shit more serious than ANYONE EVER HAS OR WILL EVER take a thread!

love ya, hope we can still be friends or whatever..

 

Get both we did.
I feel the 4Runner has more bang for buck. You get a lot more luxuries than the taco, and to me better quality. Plus it's made in Japan.
I've always hated the new face of the 4Runner, so when my wife wanted one, we got the new limited because it still has the more classic look. Then the pics of the 3rd gen Tacoma came out and suddenly the new 4Runner didn't look so bad
We just traded the '14 limited 4x4 for a '16 premium trail edition

 

$$$$
4Runners brand new are too expensive.
and gas mileage. MPGs suck. Royally.
Tacomas get better mileage.

I've decided that I'm keeping my 250 cause I need a full-size. So I could get a 4Runner but I'd really rather have a second truck. It's more fun.

 

yep 2014 4Runner LE and 2016 Tacoma for the warden

 

Basically, do you want a truck or an SUV?

 

I use the open bed for hauling off light loads of debris from the yard and hauling light materials for house projects. I also sleep in it when I go out hiking in places where I don't need any weather protection.

I drove a 4runner and they're nice but I like having the open bed more than having an SUV. Since it's only me, I don't have to worry about hauling kinder crap or stuff for the wife/GF.

 

After owning 3 Tacomas over the years I'm loving my 4Runner. Best suited vehicle for me. Only thing I do miss is the option to throw something big and dirty in the back. Strapping my kayak on the roof rack isn't as easy as tossing it in the bed absolutely. I thought about trading it for a new tacoma when the '16's came out, but regained my sanity and kept it. Glad I did. As for the auto tranny, well after always having a manual in the other toyotas I'm digging it. Love the Shift select mode. Use it all the time. And the 4.0 gets up and moves, all 4500 pounds or so just fine. Loved all my Tacoma's also, just can't afford to own both and would't trade my 4runner in for anything. I shall continue enjoying them vicariously thru all your adventures on the forum.

 

towing capacity 4,700 vs 6,800. 5 speed automatic instead of the 6 speed. and like the interior of the new Tacoma better.

 

I traded a 2012 4Runner Limited for my Tacoma. It was a fantastic vehicle, but the back seats were of little use to me and the cargo space wasn't very usable for what I need. I dive with 300-600 pounds of equipment just for myself and it was a pain in the 4Runner. The Tacoma works much better for what I want to do with it and I think it's a lot more fun to drive.

 

Tacoma..... FTW

 

Interesting that people are saying the 4Runners are so much more expensive....My 2016 Taco cost more than my lady's 2016 SR5 Premium Runner. Not significantly more but maybe within $500 difference out the door. For that reason, cost would not be a factor in making my decision. Since we have both vehicles I get the best of both worlds

Interior on the Tacoma is better IMO. Ride Quality maybe about the same. I like driving the Tacoma better... steering is a bit over sensitive on the Runner at highway speeds. Gas mileage is about the same between both vehicles but the Runner engine noise and road noise is louder. Also the SR5 Premium is lacking quite a few premium/tech options from the 2016 TRD OR that I purchased (Climate Control, JBL, Head unit on Runner is older looking, etc). The head scratcher is how Toyota puts power seats in one, but not the other...or BSM and Climate Control on one but not the other, push to start, etc. Lady didn't like the chrome/wood trim "luxury" look of the Limited or we could have considered that as an option.

 

Just you.

 

I like the Tacoma for having a bed. Plus I get the access cab for more bed space without sacrificing wheelbase. I rarely have more than 1 passenger, so a full cab isn't necessary.

I love the 4Runners though. If I were to ever get an SUV it would be a 4Runner.

 

If the runner was just a taco with a shorter bed and a built in campershell, I'd do it.

But it's not.

 

when I haul in my bed, it's generally tools and lumber and stuff that's better left outside the passenger compartment. Since I don't need the seating (never even considered a crew cab tacoma, preferred the 6ft bed, can't imagine having just 5ft). If I hauled more often, I might have even moved up to a full-size truck, in which case I might not have stuck with the Tundra over the F150.

One of these days I'd like to get an old FJ-40 (70's-early 80's model) as a restoration project (crazy what the restored ones are going for around here), gotta get the house fixed up first, though.

 

Same. Those things are beasts!

 

Ya gotta luv those superlatives.
4 Runners never do any one thing the best. But they do a lot of things well. "For the money" simply means, they still can't compete with a Grand Cherokee, but they are outrageously expensive. Yes, 4 Runners and Tacos are both good vehicles. But, they make no Lexus version of a Taco; they do the 4 Runner.

Yes, we will remain, "whatever's "