Did you consider a Tacoma?

I test drove a Tacoma off-road with the idea of buying a Tacoma TRD Pro, but hated the 3.5L engine.

Bought a 4Runner TRD Pro instead and love it.

Toyota claims the 3.5L is as good or better than the 4.0L, but based on my butt-dyno, the 4.0L in my 4Runner is far superior to the 3.5L Tacoma I drove.

YMMV.

Thats scary if they indeed plop that in the next gen 4R.
 
I was at that Dealer shopping for a new Runner, when a brand new white TRD Tacoma caught my eye...

Comparing apples to apples, looks like you get a lot more for your money in a Taco.

Did anyone consider getting one in place of your T4R?

Nope. Because child. And because Wife. Four doors mandatory with covered storage.
 
I was at that Dealer shopping for a new Runner, when a brand new white TRD Tacoma caught my eye...

Comparing apples to apples, looks like you get a lot more for your money in a Taco.

Did anyone consider getting one in place of your T4R?

I've had 3 Tacomas prior to my T4R. The only reason IMO to have one is if you need the bed a lot for quick hauls. I Looked at the new ones and was taken aback by that grill. Looks like a teenager with orthodontia on steroids. Yuck, what the heck were they thinking? Aesthetics aside tho the new Tacoma has tranny issues, power issues and to many other issues to even consider. My T4R made in Japan has zero issues. Love it and it's a keeper for the long haul. No more Tacomas for me.
 
I test drove a Tacoma off-road with the idea of buying a Tacoma TRD Pro, but hated the 3.5L engine.

Bought a 4Runner TRD Pro instead and love it.

Toyota claims the 3.5L is as good or better than the 4.0L, but based on my butt-dyno, the 4.0L in my 4Runner is far superior to the 3.5L Tacoma I drove.

YMMV.

There's no replacement for displacement!
 
yes and no. Tacomas are riddled with small annoyances that add up. to get a Tacoma comparable to my 4Runner, i'd be looking at $38k, and a 3rd gen.

I say this having owned 2 2nd gens (2008 and 2015, both TRD OR), and too much time test driving 3rd gens. i loved those trucks. but, admittedly, it was quite annoying getting into the 2015 and not having the creature comforts my wife's 2008 Camry had.

i'd rather have a Tacoma, but 4Runners make better family vehicles for obvious reasons. and the interior quality seems much better.

Never much been into the small pickup thing (must be the American in me...) but I think the Tacoma TRD and TRD Pro are two great-looking trucks. Hope the next gen 4runners get some of the upgrades the new Tacos have.
 
...Over the course of 5 years I was in a bad marriage, in a bad job, in Houston, and spent 90% of my time on there. I loved it because it was my outlet. Now I have a fantastic wife, a 5 year old, moved to San Antonio...

The problem and the solution, right there...I kid, I kid.
 
There's no replacement for displacement!

Don't get too smug my friend... the 4th Gen owners say the same thing about the new 5th Gen :sad:

Give it another 5-10 years... if the EPA keep their teeth in it we will be driving around 4Runners... sorry, I meant 4Bangers.
 
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I gave a short, hard look at the biggest Tundra on the lot. Nice truck. Huge truck.

But my boat isn't that big and my girlfriend has an old 5' x 8' trailer that will haul almost a ton if anything needs hauling now that I've renovated it.
 
Nope. Because child. And because Wife. Four doors mandatory with covered storage.


Exactly. I have owned both. With a wife, child, and a dog. Way more practical to drive an enclosed SUV. The bed is nice but I found it to be mostly unused real estate. I am a stickler for security also and never felt comfortable leaving any cargo unsecured out of sight...
 
Taco vs 4Runner

Two days ago I traded in my 2016 Tacoma Off Road AT with premium package with 28,000 miles for a new 2016 4Runner TE.

Tacoma pros:
Bed, if you haul often
Slightly better fuel economy (more on that below)
Premium package has lots of new, useful gadgets
Better quality ride on road (surprisingly) and very quiet in the cab

Tacoma cons:
First and foremost: Terrible transmission gearing out of the box in an attempt to run the motor at low (fuel efficient) RPMs. This thing constantly hunts for gears even after flashing the ECU with new firmware - drove me nuts. Living at higher altitudes made it worse of course, climbing small hill grades, driving in to a slight headwind, the truck downshifts in to 4th (from 6th). And forget about going with bigger tires without re-gearing.
Un-neccesarily Loooong flat hood is practically all you see looking forward. OK on the road but terrible visibility for offroading cresting small hills.
Longer wheel base than 4runner and worse approach/departure angles results in lower "effective" ground clearance.

4Runner pros
Much better matched engine/transmission results in a more relaxed driving experience.
Better visibility overall
Gear stored dry and locked
better ground clearance stock (see above)
IMO looks better
Cons:
I loved all three of my previous 4Runners, but only "really liked" the Taco so there is definitely an emotional component to my decision to sell the Taco.
Fewer/older gadgets/technology ( I was spoiled by the Taco in that trim)
Rougher ride on less than perfect pavement (Off road is yet TBD)

Barak
 
I traded my 2016 Tacoma in on the 2016 4runner Trail. Transmission and brakes were not good on the 2016 Tacoma... I had 3 previous Tacoma's, no issues. The 2016 Tacoma had issues....
 
I was looking at the new Tacoma to replace my 07' FJ Cruiser, but all I kept hearing was issues with the tranny etc. I think it's a nice looking truck with great features, but I always try and avoid buying the first gen. of any vehicle. It also doesn't have as much useful space without buying a $2k topper.

I settled on the 16' 4Runner Trail Prem. Felt that it rode very nice especially with the KDSS and is a proven platform for Toyota. The 4.0 motor is also rock solid. The 4Runner seems less cramped in the back seats and has more useful room for the dog and new family down the road. It was a tough decision but I'm happy although it was very tough to move on from my modded FJ which was a blast with the 6 speed; just the MPG was horrible with a lift/bigger tires. Only thing I wish the 4Runner had was keyless entry, remote start and memory seats but that's no big deal. Loving the handling and quiet ride along with being pretty capable off road.
 
I'm tall, so no Taco

The Tacoma is the worst vehicle for tall drivers I have ever encountered.

I wanted a 2016 Tacoma. Then I went to drive one, and, wow, was it uncomfortable. I'm 6'5", 220lbs. I'd be more comfortable in the middle seat of the last row in a 1990s-era United 737. I cannot sit up straight in the Taco without bending my neck. Plus, no support for my legs. Only slightly better than sitting on the floor. And there is no way anyone would ever be able to sit behind me, so it would be a 3-seater max.

I fit nicely in a Tundra, but that is too much truck, doesn't fit in my garage, etc.

So I bought a 4Runner instead (with no sunroof so I have some headroom). And I'm very glad I did. It is OK for a tall driver. Has all the off-road and recreational capabilities I wanted, plus Toyota quality.
 
I traded in a 2008 TRD-OR Taco Pre-Runner for my '14 4R TEP. Had the Taco since new and was emotionally attached, but now I barely remember it. Great truck but not nearly as refined as the 4R. Newer Tacos just don't appeal to me.

Besides, now no one is asking me to haul their crap somewhere for free...
 
Two days ago I traded in my 2016 Tacoma Off Road AT with premium package with 28,000 miles for a new 2016 4Runner TE.

Tacoma pros:
Bed, if you haul often
Slightly better fuel economy (more on that below)
Premium package has lots of new, useful gadgets
Better quality ride on road (surprisingly) and very quiet in the cab

Tacoma cons:
First and foremost: Terrible transmission gearing out of the box in an attempt to run the motor at low (fuel efficient) RPMs. This thing constantly hunts for gears even after flashing the ECU with new firmware - drove me nuts. Living at higher altitudes made it worse of course, climbing small hill grades, driving in to a slight headwind, the truck downshifts in to 4th (from 6th). And forget about going with bigger tires without re-gearing.
Un-neccesarily Loooong flat hood is practically all you see looking forward. OK on the road but terrible visibility for offroading cresting small hills.
Longer wheel base than 4runner and worse approach/departure angles results in lower "effective" ground clearance.

4Runner pros
Much better matched engine/transmission results in a more relaxed driving experience.
Better visibility overall
Gear stored dry and locked
better ground clearance stock (see above)
IMO looks better
Cons:
I loved all three of my previous 4Runners, but only "really liked" the Taco so there is definitely an emotional component to my decision to sell the Taco.
Fewer/older gadgets/technology ( I was spoiled by the Taco in that trim)
Rougher ride on less than perfect pavement (Off road is yet TBD)

Barak

I absolutely loved the ride of the 16 TRDOR I test drove. Potholes, railroad tracks, bumps, etc all completely soaked up. The 4R suspension feels like a sports car compared to the Taco. I would love to get that in the 4runner, still researching.
 
I traded a 2013 taco TRD offroad for my 2016 SR5 XP 4x4 4R and I'm pretty happy. I'm 6'2" and 215lbs. The 4R is way better on my back and I needed the extra room with 4 kids and another on the way. I opted for a 3rd row seat. I'll be getting a small trailer soon so I won't miss the truck bed at all. The 4R feels more refined and better quality in my opinion.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G891A using Tapatalk
 
I was going to trade my trail w/kdss for TRD PRO today. But after i test drove it i couldn't do it. The overall ride wasn't all there. And the space inside was too small for me. Im 5'10 and if i decide to have rear passengers the leg room for them would be tight. Felt like a coupe the tacoma interior seating.
 
Went to trade in my 2013 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon Unlimited on a Tacoma TRD OR but happened to see a 4Runner TRDP. After the test drive and crawling around it as if I was looking for last years Easter eggs, I was sold. So I can say that I liked the Tacoma but loved the 4Runner TRDP.
 

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