16 Tacoma better than 4runner..

[Knight-Errant]

I had the same car, only mine was a 2007 EX. EXs got the rear discs, among other things, worth every penny.

I loved that little car. Never had a problem and it was a pleasure to drive. Sometimes I wished I went for a higher model since they had little touches in the interior that made it a better place to be; mine came with hubcap covers instead of alloy rims. I enjoyed and loved it was what it was though, which was my first new car.

Excellent car, I don't regret buying it at all.

 

[RedMagik]

I've been toying with the idea of trading mine in for a TRD Pro with a 6-speed, the only reason being if I can drop my monthly payment I wouldn't be opposed. Not hurting, so it's not really a do or die. It's just a vehicle that I wouldn't mind driving on a regular basis for the price.

That being said I haven't driven the 2016 but used to use the previous generation and the generations before that for work. Needless to say, they are a blast to beat the ever living shit of. Especially anytime I was behind the wheel with a good ol manual. That being said some of this driving was on long hours, after some very long days in the middle of BFE. The cab is not conducive to comfort, nor is the rear cab space. Which is the voice in the back of my head as my daughter can already reach my seat in the 4Runner so I know it would be worse. I doubt I'll trade in unless I get the deal of the century that makes it worth it. If I did, I know full well I'm downgrading in every aspect. Except for the fact, I wouldn't hesitate to drive it like how it was meant to which would probably make my wife cry.

 

[Swacer]

Hi all,

I was very interested in anew 4runner... So doing some research and wanted to drive one... While at the dealership... I noticed a taco TRD sport.. Really nice... I need more of a suv and not a pickup but damm

The taco had a better engine now and a 6 speed tranny.... Why don't the 4runner at least get the 6spd..?

I have to admit also... I drove both,, and the taco TRD sport drove night n day better than the 4runner...which leaves me really bummed out..

Interior is much nicer in 4runner.. But that's it... Ehh

Oh in it was an sr5 premium that I drove

I refuse to acknowledge this post until the grammar improves :wacko:

 

[wadle5]

I refuse to acknowledge this post until the grammar improves :wacko:

Grammar or did you mean punctuation? :bounce: . . . . . . . . . . . .

 

[Dalko43]

Hi all,

I was very interested in anew 4runner... So doing some research and wanted to drive one... While at the dealership... I noticed a taco TRD sport.. Really nice... I need more of a suv and not a pickup but damm

The taco had a better engine now and a 6 speed tranny.... Why don't the 4runner at least get the 6spd..?

I have to admit also... I drove both,, and the taco TRD sport drove night n day better than the 4runner...which leaves me really bummed out..

Interior is much nicer in 4runner.. But that's it... Ehh

Oh in it was an sr5 premium that I drove

How is the Tacoma engine better?

It's a 3.5L atkinson cycle v6 that Toyota derived from the Lexus crossover and sedan models. It produces less torque than it does horsepower (in direct contrast to the old Tacoma engine and many other truck engines) and does so at a higher RPM than the previous 4.0L v6.

IMO, it's more of a car engine than a truck engine, and Toyota used it for the Tacoma to cut costs.

But hey, if you like it, don't worry about us naysayers...go out and buy the thing. I'm sure you'll be happy.

 

[Jetboy]

How is the Tacoma engine better?

It's a 3.5L atkinson cycle v6 that Toyota derived from the Lexus crossover and sedan models. It produces less torque than it does horsepower (in direct contrast to the old Tacoma engine and many other truck engines) and does so at a higher RPM than the previous 4.0L v6.

IMO, it's more of a car engine than a truck engine, and Toyota used it for the Tacoma to cut costs.

But hey, if you like it, don't worry about us naysayers...go out and buy the thing. I'm sure you'll be happy.

What doesn't show up on paper is that both engines are high rpm engines. You get basically nothing more than what the old 5VZ made in the normal driving rpm range. To get the power from them you need to be in the 4K+ rpm range. In fact in a recent comparison they did an actual race and old stock 1st gen Tacoma proved to be faster than either the 2nd or new 3rd gen Tacomas. Lighter weight helped, but also the 5VZ's average output is pretty close to the 1gr or 3.5L 7Gr??? in the middle of the rpm range.

The 3.5L is much smoother at high rpms. So it's actually a good bit more comfortable making 200hp than the 1GR making 200hp. Driving the two the 3.5L will seem to give up its power more freely due to the quiet smooth high rpm range.

I have both (an RX350) and it's a night and day difference in how smooth and quiet the 3.5L is. Going up the same mountain pass I'll be running both engines at 4k rpms in 3rd gear. The Lexus you'd never know it was doing anything if you didn't look at the tach. The 4runner 1GR feels like it's screaming. For that reason I think the 3.5L is actually the better motor. If the 4.0L was balanced better I'd prefer the ouput, but it's pretty rough in the high rpm range where you need to go to get some power out of it.

 

[Dalko43]

What doesn't show up on paper is that both engines are high rpm engines. You get basically nothing more than what the old 5VZ made in the normal driving rpm range. To get the power from them you need to be in the 4K+ rpm range. In fact in a recent comparison they did an actual race and old stock 1st gen Tacoma proved to be faster than either the 2nd or new 3rd gen Tacomas. Lighter weight helped, but also the 5VZ's average output is pretty close to the 1gr or 3.5L 7Gr??? in the middle of the rpm range.

The 3.5L is much smoother at high rpms. So it's actually a good bit more comfortable making 200hp than the 1GR making 200hp. Driving the two the 3.5L will seem to give up its power more freely due to the quiet smooth high rpm range.

I have both (an RX350) and it's a night and day difference in how smooth and quiet the 3.5L is. Going up the same mountain pass I'll be running both engines at 4k rpms in 3rd gear. The Lexus you'd never know it was doing anything if you didn't look at the tach. The 4runner 1GR feels like it's screaming. For that reason I think the 3.5L is actually the better motor. If the 4.0L was balanced better I'd prefer the ouput, but it's pretty rough in the high rpm range where you need to go to get some power out of it.

I've driven the RX350 extensively as well. It's engine and the similar 2GR-FKS used in the new Tacoma are perhaps a bit smoother than the Tacoma's old 1GR-FE, but they make about the same torque (or slightly less depending on fuel octane) as the 4.0L and do so at a higher RPM. The 2GR-FKS is a car engine that puts an emphasis on refinement and smoothness more than anything else. For any kind of truck engine, I've always thought low-end torque delivery should be one of the defining aspects.

Also, you are comparing a RX350 unibody crossover to a BOF, pickup. I'm not sure that the the differences in engine is only issue at play when you make such a comparison.

Anyways, my point was Toyota could have looked at other options for the Tacoma's engine: an updated version of the 4.0L 1GR-FE; an updated 2UZ-FE V8; ect. I think they ultimately went with the 3.5L 2GR-FKS because it was a cheaper solution (since they've used it in many other platforms) and because it probably gets slightly better mpg than the other options (which is a major planning factor for any new designs).

 

[manofsteele2003]

Look at what we picked up last week . Already got a long mods list.

 

[renau001]

I was set on a Tacoma since the 2016 was announced last spring, finally drove a TRD off-road and loved it. But I waited and watched a few of the new model year issues and looked into the 4Runner a little more. The decision maker for me was a back to back test drive of a 4Runner and Tacoma. I just think the engine/transmission combo feels/sounds/drives so much better than the Tacoma. I also will use the lockable cargo space more than a bed as well. No doubt that if I needed a truck bed, I'd be super happy with a new Tacoma and never look back. But if that is not a factor, It'd be hard for me to believe that someone prefers the 2GR-FKS/6-speed combo over the 1GR-FE/5-speed. I live in the flatlands though, so maybe that's a factor.

 

[manofsteele2003]

I agree the overall feel and build quality is better in the 4Runner but I do like the feel of the suspension in the Tacoma. Nice and firm unlike the mushy one in the 4Runner, that's one of the first things I changed in mine. Fortunately I get to have both, 4Runner is mine the Tacoma is the wife's.

 

[renau001]

I agree the overall feel and build quality is better in the 4Runner but I do like the feel of the suspension in the Tacoma. Nice and firm unlike the mushy one in the 4Runner, that's one of the first things I changed in mine. Fortunately I get to have both, 4Runner is mine the Tacoma is the wife's.

That really is the ideal scenario.

 

[bigbwb]

Obviously only Toyota knows what the upcoming 6th Gen 4R will bring, however are we fairly certain it will have the Motor/tranny setup of the new 2016 Tacoma? From the reviews and owners impressions thus far, the new Tacoma with the 3.5L V6 and 6 spd seems to accelerate the same with only a marginal improvement in fuel economy over the last model. To me at least, its seems like a bit of a disappointment. More power on paper yes, but real time data shows otherwise (for the most part). Prior to the release of the 2016 Tacoma my hopes were high for a ~300hp V6 which would give it better acceleration and a noticeable boost in MPG's.

If the 4R doesn't lose any weight next time around and is given the Tacoma's drivetrain, I foresee the same or worse mileage and an overall slower truck.

Its kind of frustrating when virtually all of the other brands out there are improving performance and economy. Granted, Toyotas are reliable but come on....get with the program

 

[cbreze]

New Taco owners are finding tons of issues it seems if the chatter on their forum is correct. Shaking hoods, air leaks in the cab, low transmission reservoirs, slipping transmissions, so far my 4runner has been perfect over 3 years old and no issues. No thanks, I'll take a pass on any new Tacoma.

 

[dredawg]

New Taco owners are finding tons of issues it seems if the chatter on their forum is correct. Shaking hoods, air leaks in the cab, low transmission reservoirs, slipping transmissions, so far my 4runner has been perfect over 3 years old and no issues. No thanks, I'll take a pass on any new Tacoma.

That would be expected from a new model release, it will take at least a year or so to work out all the bugs. It's been said over and over to never purchase a newly redesigned vehicle in its first year of production.

 

[Jetboy]

New Taco owners are finding tons of issues it seems if the chatter on their forum is correct. Shaking hoods, air leaks in the cab, low transmission reservoirs, slipping transmissions, so far my 4runner has been perfect over 3 years old and no issues. No thanks, I'll take a pass on any new Tacoma.

The hood and air leaks seem like possible new model issues. The rest are issues with a drive train that has been in use for a decade. The only new parts that aren't sourced from other existing models are the rear differential and the body.

 

[manofsteele2003]

It's really just quality control stuff. The trans slipping is due to the fluid not being to the correct level. Remember the 4Runner is built in Japan, the Tacoma and other Toyotas are built in Mexico and finished in Texas. And we all know most Americans are lazy and stuff gets looked over.

 

[cbreze]

Stuff like low tranny fluid is pretty bad QC in my opinion. This has nothing to do with it being a new model year. Just shoddiness. Being built in Japan does seem to make a difference. I had three Tacomas prior to getting the 4runner and never had any significant issues at all. Glad I got the four Runner though, it's been sweet.

 

[Blitzkrieg]

It's really just quality control stuff. The trans slipping is due to the fluid not being to the correct level. Remember the 4Runner is built in Japan, the Tacoma and other Toyotas are built in Mexico and finished in Texas. And we all know most Americans are lazy and stuff gets looked over.

TIL - they do build Tacoma's in Japan. You just have to go through a different channel to get one.

Where are Toyota Cars Built? A Toyota Car FAQ - CarsDirect

 

[Phoenix4R]

I loved that little car. Never had a problem and it was a pleasure to drive. Sometimes I wished I went for a higher model since they had little touches in the interior that made it a better place to be; mine came with hubcap covers instead of alloy rims. I enjoyed and loved it was what it was though, which was my first new car.

Excellent car, I don't regret buying it at all.

Oh yeah, mine was absolutely bulletproof. I put 80k miles on it in the span of three years and had zero problems with it. 40 mpg was nice when gas prices were going crazy back in 2008, too. Up until my 4R, that was probably the best car I've owned. I kinda wish I had kept it.

 

[Quentin]

TIL - they do build Tacoma's in Japan. You just have to go through a different channel to get one.



Where are Toyota Cars Built? A Toyota Car FAQ - CarsDirect

Tacomas are NA only. Hilux is the worldwide equivalent.