Hi everyone,

I have always loved the look of the 4runners.
My 2010 tacoma had the 4.0 v6, I had to upgrade to a tundra for a period of time but in 2022 my Tundra lease is up and I'm downgrading.

Is the 4.0 in the current gen 4runners the same as it was in my 2010 tacoma or did they change it?

I'm also curious about the reliability of the engines in the new tacomas.

Any input would be great thanks.

I know at least one difference is that the newer 4.0 is dual VVT. Also, the oil filter has been relocated to a super convenient spot with a new style of filter that makes changing oil 10 times faster lol

The 4.0 liter in the current generation 4Runners is better in every way than the 4.0 liter in the second generation Tacomas. I should know, I sold my 2014 TRD Sport to get my 2021 4Runner.

As has already been mentioned, the variable valve timing is the newer / better version so the motor has more power. Then there's the coil spring rear suspension, hydroboost brakes, bigger front disks, rear disk brakes, etc. Think of it this way. The 4Runner is related to the Tacoma, but got all of the upgrades the Tacoma never got.

You could also compare the current 4.0 liter in the 4Runner to the current 3.5 liter in the 3rd generation Tacomas, but that would be pointless. I'll take the 4.0 any day of the week!

Tacomas are now made in Mexico.

Huh? How does water boost a brake system?

I just got out of a 2018 Tacoma. The engine is probably pretty reliable, but the 6 speed auto transmission is total garbage, imo. Not that the trans was unreliable, it was just terrible to drive. I would avoid current gen Tacos, the autos at least.

"Hydro" is short for hydraulic. Hydraulic means the system uses a liquid - as opposed to air or mechanical means - to do work. "Hydroboost" power brakes work using hydraulic fluid pressure (fed from the power steering pump) to “boost” the force on the master cylinder's brake fluid and therefore apply more force to the brake calipers (and subsequently more force on the rotors with the brake pads). "Conventional" power brakes use a vacuum booster.

We have a 2018 TRD Offroad and a 2021 TRD Pro Tacoma. The Engine and Trans in our 4Runner is hands down better in performance and drivability. The Tacoma gets better gas mileage though. It all depends on what you are looking for.

I actually much prefer the oil filter location on the old 4.0 V6 I had in my second gen Tacoma's. That said the power difference from that engine to the one in the 5th gen 4Runner is night and day. I have heard from a few people who had second gen tacomas and got 3rd gens who say they think the second gens felt more powerful. Yet I have not driven one for myself. I frequently toss around the idea of getting another crew cab tacoma because I am remodeling a house and doing a lot of lumber runs and trips to the dump. However I actually can get more in the back of the 4Runner with the seats folded down than I could in my last few 5ft bed tacoma's. And the build quality/features (power seats, sunroof, better fit and finish) of the 4Runner far outweigh the convenience of a truck bed for me currently. Not to mention I would never see the 5-6 grand in modifications I have done to mine ever again. Nor can I afford to do the same to a Tacoma now anyhow and I'm not happy with anything remotely stock.

Same engine with dual (intake and exhaust valves) VVT-i and reduced internal friction but it is the same engine code. There more power overall but less power down low than the single VVT-i engine.

Valvetrain is different. 2nd gen tacoma has bucket style lifters where the 4Runner 10+ has hydraulics roller rockers. Only thing the same is the engine code, internally it's a different motor.

Toyota should've changed the engine designation IMO, as the Dual VVT-i 1GR-FE, is almost entirely different from the Single VVT-i 1GR-FE.

Different block, crankshaft, cylinder heads, intake and exhaust, etc, etc.

The Dual VVT-i 1GR-FE, makes more power throughout the rev-range, than the single VVT-i 1GR-FE.

Coil spring rear suspension???

On a new 4Runner, yes. On a new (or any) Tacoma, nope.

It's been that way for a couple of generations now.