I have a 1st Gen. runner and a 06 Taco. I love the Runner for kayaking and throwing the dogs (Labs) and gear in the back, and hitting a trail or making a new one. I have a kayak rack on top for the touring yak, and the 2 little play yaks get tossed in the back and just hang out the rear window a bit. The Taco is a 4x4 access cab with a bed cover and is used primarily as a tow vehicle for the pop-up and john boat. I have even double towed and got 15mpg (4 litre / 6 speed). I was so torn I keep both because they do each job so well. I guess if I had to choose I would go in favor of a new Runner. These days they are so much more powerful and roomy than my old '89. To me you'd have all the abilities of a Taco with the exception of tall cargo...but like I said I kept both! But you can put a camper shell on a Taco...