Former truck owners who switched to 4Runner, chime in!

[Kanger328]

Question: Has anyone transitioned from a pickup truck to a 5th gen 4Runner? If so, any regrets or things you miss about having a truck vs a 4Runner?

TLDR: Current Tundra owner thinking about switching to 5th gen, would like feedback from people who have made this switch (pros/cons going from truck to SUV).

Long version:
I'm a former 3rd gen owner, loved it. I had an opportunity to get a newer, lower mileage, less beat-up-from-offroading vehicle (lol) for free while I was poor and getting myself through grad school, so I sold the 3rd gen. Since then I went through various boring vehicles as I got myself through school. The goal was to get a new 5th gen as soon as I was able.

I'm at that point now, but having trouble deciding. I currently have a 2012 Toyota Tundra Doublecab 4x4 that I got for ridiculously cheap ($13K at 65K miles). It was all dealership maintained by previous owner. I know this truck will last me years to come, but the 5th gen keeps nagging at me. I'd like some real world feedback from people who have made this transition.

I don't tow anything. I live in Alaska though and try to do a lot of outdoorsy stuff (hiking, camping, fishing, biking, snowboarding, etc.). An SUV would be fine for all these activities, except sleeping in the truck bed with a cot.

Financially, I know this would be a dumb switch (any Dave Ramsey followers here?), but I'm doing ok. The current value of my Tundra is about $23K, which if I got that's $10K over what I paid. If I did get the 5th gen, I'd prob wait until next year to get the last model year of the current gen before the presumed update.

Just FYI, my desired trim would be the Off Road Premium with KDSS in magnetic gray metallic. #goals

Here are some pics/vids just because since I hate threads without pics:
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fNwWMlwr1tA" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[rayofsi]

prior to the 4runner i daily drove a 2011 ford expedition and also had a 2015 ram rebel. it was quite the downsize. no regrets though, the 4runner is one fine vehicle. lately i find myself driving the 4runner less.. and driving my raptor more. but the 4runner is still one fine truck. its one of those tough decisions in life haha.

 

[Mudhorn]

Switched from Ford Raptor SVT.
Like the better reliability (Toyota in general) and more of a family car feel. Plus my wife likes the 4Runner more. The size is perfect for my needs, and not as worried about the size of parking spots. Sleeping comfortably in the vehicle and having items in the back covered are nice. Feels more sturdy and stronger components off-road
I do miss the power and easier loading larger cargo, but rarely a need. Stock ground clearance was higher.
Since you like pics

 

[Wetdog4Runner]

I made the switch in Aug 2020 from 2017 Tundra crewmax to 2020 4R TRDOR. I got tired of driving the Tundra around in the city but I do pull a 21' boat. The 4runner has been great. I honestly switched because I drove the Tundra for 3 years and 65k miles and got $5k less than I paid for it new. I also got 15% off a new 4runner all this in the middle of Covid when used truck prices were soaring. I probably wouldn't have done it but the situation and timing made it financially a no-brainer for me and I was really wanting 4WD (will never buy another truck w/out 4WD). The 4runner pulls my boat fine.

 

[John in NC]

Check this out, Toyota should build this.

Toyota 4Runner Pickup Rendered - autoevolution

 

[CajunMikeR]

I swapped from a 2013 Ford F150 FX4 to a 2019 ORP (no KDSS). Prior to lift/tires, they got about the same mpg... afterwards, the 4Runner gets better than the Ford did (17.5 combined vs 14 combined). The 4Runner is a better ride, inspires more confidence offroad, and is all around better suited to my needs. While the Ford had a tow rating of nearly 11K lbs, I hardly towed anything... but the acceleration and sound of the 5.0L was nice.

I doubt I'll ever go back to a full sized truck. And if I ever needed a bed to transport something, my wife has a Taco TRD OR that I can use or we have a 6.5x10ft utility trailer that I can hook up to. Honestly, unless there is an accident that totals it, I'll probably hang on to this 4Runner long enough to give it to a grandkid.

 

[patkelly4370]

11/2019 I added my 2017 4runner.
Previous to that my 1968 Ford F100 was my daily driver (other than motorcycles) for 35 years.
I got the F100 from my Grandpa who was the original owner.
I drive them both regularly.
(Grandpa dented the bed)

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[Snowtrooper]

Switched from Ford Raptor SVT.
Like the better reliability (Toyota in general) and more of a family car feel. Plus my wife likes the 4Runner more. The size is perfect for my needs, and not as worried about the size of parking spots. Sleeping comfortably in the vehicle and having items in the back covered are nice. Feels more sturdy and stronger components off-road
I do miss the power and easier loading larger cargo, but rarely a need. Stock ground clearance was higher.
Since you like pics

^this!

To the OP question:

I drove full-sized trucks (Tundra, GMC’s) most of my life then moved on to sedans and lighter sportscars because the need to move from point A to B after a career change started to outweigh the truck bed’s utility.

Though I miss throwing dirty things in the back of a bed, I don’t miss how temporary it was. You couldn’t keep anything valuable back there without endless rope or an expense tonneau cover, unless you really trust your neighborhood.

When I first got the 4runner, one of the first things I noticed was it’s ability to go down narrow pathways, alleyways, and maneuver into tighter parking spots; spaces I would have dreaded moving in a full-sized truck. All of this while having ample carrying capacity and decent field of vision.

 

[rageandlove]

Had an old Tacoma (1 G) before this.

I think it all depends on what you are doing and how much dough you have. I use mine mostly for getting to places to do things (fish, hike, explore off road) and sleep in it a fair bit. Having the whole cab enclosed vs. a traditional bed is way better than when I used to use the Tacoma.

That said, if I could do it all over again, I'd take a long hard look at a Tacoma with the Go Fast Campers back. Gives you the covered back in a way that's more usable than a 4Runner and the sleeping solution is better than my Baltic birch plywood setup, as good as it is. For 1-2 people out of the city a lot of the time, I think it would be a more enjoyable setup.

But I'm too deep down the rabbit hole of mods to worry about it lol.

 

[5thToy]

I went from an 03 V8 4Runner to an 06 Tundra to a 19 4Runner.

I loved the Tundra. Not a single issue over 10 years of ownership. I really miss that truck. Once you have a truck, it's hard not to have one. I miss being able to throw stuff in the bed, keeping the interior clean. It had 12 inches of ground clearance stock, which was great. I really miss that 4.7L from both previous rides.

I don't miss driving it in town and parking. I like that my 4Runner fits in the garage where my Tundra wouldn't. I like the 4Runner's shorter wheelbase and overhangs for the trails.

It's a mixed bag. If you need a truck, you need a truck. I will eventually get another one, but not to replace the 4Runner.

 

[Whippersnapper02]

I came from a 2010 Tacoma and miss having the bed for tall or dirty items and I miss the slightly higher towing capacity now that I have something I'll be towing in the future.

 

[Kamalani Mahie]

I’ll be honest:

1. I absolutely LOVE my 2015 Trail Premium w/KDSS. Very good on road manners, reliable, off-road prowess, and ample climate controlled storage space. Increase storage with a roof rack. One of those fun vehicles to drive even though it’s not very fast. Amazing community of Toyota owners.

2. I absolutely do miss my 2002 F150 SuperCrew. The utility of a full size pickup truck is unmatched. And I miss the V8. Do I miss the gas mileage? No. But if I was concerned about MPG I wouldn’t have bought a 4Runner lol. Not as capable off-road as the 4Runner and most storage space is not climate controlled. Doesn’t have a unique community identity like Toyota.


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[flyrv9]

We have a 2000 Tundra and a 2013 4Runner so we have it covered. I'm always working on one project or another that makes a pickup necessary. However, it appears most pickups these days have 3 and 4 foot beds, which makes them pretty much useless IMHO.

 

[3kushn]

Off loaded a 2013 F150 Eco last November. I wouldn't say I have regrets but I sure wish there was more customization available. Not many of the irritable features were a surprise since my wife has been a Toyo fan for over 30 years. Things like not being able to lock doors if one is open. Remote Start... Doesn't work if a door is open and engine shuts off when a door is opened. Exterior lights won't turn off if for instance I open the tailgate before my designated timeout setting. 20seconds of on screen warning on all startups. BTW what's the Continue button do? Prolong the agony?

Oh well, the Ford wasn't perfect either. And in your case coming from a Tundra, all those things are normal I'd suspect.

 

[85GT-79FJ40]

My 4Runner is my 17th Toyota 4x4. Previously most were pickups including 4 1st gen tacomas and 3 second gens. A few earlier trucks, an 86 4Runner, a 00 4Runner, and 2 FJ40's. I do sometimes miss the bed of a truck but 99 percent of the time I don't need it. If I need to haul something big I borrow or rent a trailer. Or someone elses truck. It's WAY better with a dog too. put them in the way back so they can stick their head out the back window and 5 people can still ride in it.

 

[aggrobot]

Went from a 2015 Tacoma to a 2018 4runner LE. The 4runner suited me much better. Better gas mileage, more comfortable, better-composed on the highway, better stereo, etc. I dont do any 4-wheeling. Just dirt trails here and there to get out of the city, etc. Turns out everything I thought I needed the Tacoma for, the 4runner does better. Just my experience. Both great vehicles. Good luck!

 

[rightyouareken]

I had a 2011 Tacoma 4x4 double cab long bed and a 2012 F150 FX4 SuperCrew. Long story short I just didn’t use the bed much, and always wished for more protected storage inside the vehicle. So I was hauling around a mostly useless (for me) 5.5-6ft bed making maneuvering in town harder. The 4Runner just makes a lot more practical sense for me.


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[HenryJ]

I had a 2002 Dakota -> 2005 Titan (got totaled) -> 2008 Titan to my 2011 Trail Edition.

I love it, only regret is how long it took me to acquire one. I loved my Titans and the power, but the TRail is suuuuuuch a nicer ride and functionality.

 

[Saker]

I came from a 2002 Tacoma 4X4. Had just under 200K miles.
Edit: Was having to cover/protect hunting equipment from rain when traveling. Was getting tired of doing that!
Drove by the dealership FEB 2013 and decided on an FJ. Had it under a year, bought a 2014 4Runner in Nov 2013.
Now in a 2021 4Runner.
Luvin every minute........

 

[gr8filed]

no regrets

I used to own a chevy tahoe than a 2005 avalanche and then a 2013 black diamond avalanche. No regrets at all buying a 2020 trd off road premium. The 4runner is a great vehicle. The only thing i miss is being able to load the truck with firewood. Its my wife's daily driver, not very good on gas but so what, i bought it for road trips to ski country and summer mountain biking trips. Its great in the snow, i put 4 general arctic ice snow tires on using reconditioned used wheels and 4 new tpms sensors.