Drove the new Tacoma just before finalizing on my TRD Pro, I find the new Tacoma to be fantastic overall however the flaws that kept me away from it are the seating position was terrible, the lack of a telescopic steering wheel and seating position overall not great, second the engine felt more compatible for a car, didn't feel that it had the torque I was looking for on a "Truck" type vehicle. The 4.0 felt to be a better fit. Lastly, having had multiple trucks, I just find small pickups to be lacking in to many departments, from payload to tow capacity that I dont find it to be a great fit.
16 Tacoma better than 4runner..
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chmura
New member
I test drove the new 2016 Tacoma last week and overall there is nothing spectacular about it. I am still not sold on the 3.5L V6.
Overall the build quality is inferior to the 4runner.
I popped open the Tacoma's hood and the wiring harness had much more exposed sections than my 4runner. The Tacoma's OEM battery looked small and just a genetic non Panasonic one. I doubt it will last 7+ years as my Panasonic did.
And power. Power seemed the same of my 4runner with 33" BFG KM2's. Very disappointing.
Overall the new Tacoma all has going for it is a new car smell and a truck bed if that is what people need most.
Overall the build quality is inferior to the 4runner.
I popped open the Tacoma's hood and the wiring harness had much more exposed sections than my 4runner. The Tacoma's OEM battery looked small and just a genetic non Panasonic one. I doubt it will last 7+ years as my Panasonic did.
And power. Power seemed the same of my 4runner with 33" BFG KM2's. Very disappointing.
Overall the new Tacoma all has going for it is a new car smell and a truck bed if that is what people need most.
Exactly my thoughts. Wait until the redesigned 4runner comes out before comparing the two. The Taco just had a refresh.
Beachdriver
New member
I bought new LE for the same issues ......I wanted the tried and true old school 4.0 and five speed before they stop using it .....to go cheap .
The 4Runner system is world proven in the harshest environments .....built simple and rugged for a reason to get you there and back. To last and last.
I don't want 8 speed transmissions and turbos, inter coolers , and cheap flimsy drive train to gain an extra 1 mpg . I want the reliability of Japanese proven quality. My wife's Lexus nearly 300,000 runs super and looks great. Nothing has ever been broken.
I avoid vehicles built in Mexico .....I don't care for 400 hp Mexican junk with Chinese made transmissions.
If I wanted junk I'd bought a stupid Dodge or Jeep.
You're seriously worried about the battery lasting seven years?
Out here in AZ, you're lucky to get three years out of one.
cjacob316
New member
You mean they downgraded the steering wheel from the 2nd to 3rd gen? I will never understand why they refuse to give the Tacoma even half the refinement of the 4runner.
The Tacoma may have more storage space, but the 4runner carries it better and tows better (suspension wise that is). I found it took a longer distance to stop the Tacoma, and in my experiences with drum brakes, they don't like to be wet.
If you compared the two vehicles side by side and didn't know the history or sales numbers, you would say the 4Runner is the one that Toyota seems to put more effort into and cares about more. Even the bottom end package on the 4runner is nicer than the base package on almost any vehicle Toyota offers. That's my opinion at least.
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Northern 4Runner
New member
I test drove the Trd sport dclb tacoma, 4Runner trail, and tundra trd crewmax.
By far the interior in the 4Runner was nicest. The infotainment on the new taco was nice, buts that's where it ended.
Every night when you go to bed say a little prayer that the engineers at Toyota will NOT put that awful 3.5l bumble bee for an engine in our 4runners!!! It was terrible, the seats were terrible and the ride was no where's near that of the 4Runner. The 4Runner also had a lot more rear seat leg room. That new 3.5 may make more PEAK hp, but it makes it at a higher rpm, and when you make it rev to those higher rpm's the motor doesn't sound happy, like a mad bumble bee under the hood. The torque and real world drivability of the 4l (which the taco had from '05-15) is far superior IMO.
The seats in the Tacoma sit too low, are not height adjustable, or even power seats for that matter.
I was disappointed because I really really wanted a new Tacoma, always liked the trd sport dclb, just look nice to me.
This is just my opinion but I put my money where my mouth is and bought a '16 4Runner trail edition, pick it up Monday.
I currently own a 1st gen (2004) Tacoma, and I love it for what it is. My work truck for in the woods.
By far the interior in the 4Runner was nicest. The infotainment on the new taco was nice, buts that's where it ended.
Every night when you go to bed say a little prayer that the engineers at Toyota will NOT put that awful 3.5l bumble bee for an engine in our 4runners!!! It was terrible, the seats were terrible and the ride was no where's near that of the 4Runner. The 4Runner also had a lot more rear seat leg room. That new 3.5 may make more PEAK hp, but it makes it at a higher rpm, and when you make it rev to those higher rpm's the motor doesn't sound happy, like a mad bumble bee under the hood. The torque and real world drivability of the 4l (which the taco had from '05-15) is far superior IMO.
The seats in the Tacoma sit too low, are not height adjustable, or even power seats for that matter.
I was disappointed because I really really wanted a new Tacoma, always liked the trd sport dclb, just look nice to me.
This is just my opinion but I put my money where my mouth is and bought a '16 4Runner trail edition, pick it up Monday.
I currently own a 1st gen (2004) Tacoma, and I love it for what it is. My work truck for in the woods.
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991-GT3MJK
New member
Ok, time for someone that actually owns both vehicles (2016-4r TRD-Pro and a 2016-Tacoma TRD-Off Road DBL Cab Manual Trans. To give a real world assessment. It really easy . 2 completely different vehicles that can do similar duties , but have their own personality. Neither vehicle lacks any power. You just have to get the Tacoma in a MT to solve that issue, diff rear end gears! I love both these trucks, but like i said its 2 completely diff vehicles. Its like dating twins!! They are from the same parents, they look fairly similar, but when you get them in bed, the take care of your needs in very different ways.
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Danimal
New member
Ok, time for someone that actually owns both vehicles (2016-4r TRD-Pro and a 2016-Tacoma TRD-Off Road DBL Cab Manual Trans. To give a real world assessment. It really easy . 2 completely different vehicles that can do similar duties , but have their own personality. Neither vehicle lacks any power. You just have to get the Tacoma in a MT to solve that issue, diff rear end gears! I love both these trucks, but like i said its 2 completely diff vehicles. Its like dating twins!! They are from the same parents, they look fairly similar, but when you get them in bed, the take care of your needs in very different ways.
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So we get that they are different, but can you provide an assessment with some info? Something more useful than a twins analogy.
Dan
991-GT3MJK
New member
Ill try, ok, Size, the 4runner is alot bigger, the kids have more room in the back. The 4runner had more room in the front. One has an open truck bed one doesnt. Honestly, i wanted one of my cars to be a MT. To bad the 4r doesnt come with a manual. The Tacoma has better tech, the 4R hasn't caught up yet. Both have a ridiculous resale value. Both are worth every penny!! I wanna try a Land Cruiser someday also,but i dont have the need for 7 passenger vehicle. Toyota makes a very good product. Both trucks are great!!
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Northern 4Runner
New member
I wish we could get a trd pro 4Runner in Canada, they just introduced the trip pro tundra here, but that's it.
Already have my plasti dip bought and picking up my white trail edition tomorrow. Seeng your white trd pro makes me more impatient to get mine home and ditch that ugly grey on the bumpers.:artist:
Already have my plasti dip bought and picking up my white trail edition tomorrow. Seeng your white trd pro makes me more impatient to get mine home and ditch that ugly grey on the bumpers.:artist:
I sat in a Tacoma, ready to go for a test drive, and went to adjust the seat which felt like I was sitting in a toddler's chair and lo-and-behold there was no seat height adjustment in the $34k MSRP vehicle. Think about that for a second.
It turns out that there is no way to adjust seat height on ANY of the trims. In 2016. That was an absolute no go for me. And no, a seat cushion is not an option for me.
It turns out that there is no way to adjust seat height on ANY of the trims. In 2016. That was an absolute no go for me. And no, a seat cushion is not an option for me.
williamlv282
New member
That has to be some sort of mistake right? There is really no way to raise the seat?
ArthurHawk
New member
That 3.5 engine is really weak, 4Runner goes up and go vs Taco taking its sweet time. Would a 6 speed tranny make a huge difference in the 4Runner yes but no way for that 3.5 engine in the 4Runner.
cbreze
Member
The 3.5 engine in the 4runner would be a totally bad idea, but then one wonders what Toyota was thinking putting it in the Tacoma for 2016. Just not enough power and having to wind it up to high RPM's to get some torque seems that would have to be detrimental to the motor over the long haul or even less. I guess time will tell on longevity of those engines. Maybe Toyota knows something we don't. Rather not be the beta tester for it tho at those prices.
Regarding the seats adjustment for height, or rather lack of it, Had 3 Tacomas previously and of course none had that adjustment. I was always kind of struggling to sit up higher, pulling myself up by the grab handle on the pillar. Then a few years back I got hold of a Miata and that came with electric seats except for height adjustment, for that it had a nifty little pump handle that put air under you and was adjustable to pretty much any height. A really slick feature, worked great. Toyota couldn't even do that?!?
Regarding the seats adjustment for height, or rather lack of it, Had 3 Tacomas previously and of course none had that adjustment. I was always kind of struggling to sit up higher, pulling myself up by the grab handle on the pillar. Then a few years back I got hold of a Miata and that came with electric seats except for height adjustment, for that it had a nifty little pump handle that put air under you and was adjustable to pretty much any height. A really slick feature, worked great. Toyota couldn't even do that?!?
cjacob316
New member
I don't believe this for one second. My '04 4runner had better tech under my butt than the Tacoma has there. I don't care what's in the head unit if it's too uncomfor table to sit in long enough to enjoy it. It's over a decade behind the 4runner in basic features.
A company sells a spacer to lift the seat from the rear mounts.
williamlv282
New member
They don't have an electronic seat adjustment like the 4runner does? I can raise my seat up or down depending on who is driving. The Tacoma doesn't offer that at all?
JSparky
New member
Yep, no seat height adjustment on any trim level. Seats are significantly better than gen2 Tacoma's but don't approach a 4runner's. I got used to it pretty quick but driver position in the 4runner is substantially better nonetheless. I do like the blind spot monitoring and cross traffic alert, I feel the 4runner should offer those at this point. 6th gen will likely have them. Windshield in the Tacoma is very narrow in height as well, 4runner has better visibility.
Northern 4Runner
New member
The trd sport Tacoma I took out was over 40k here in Canada, and no height adjustment. No leather either. Even my mazda3 had a manual pump style seat height adjuster.
