3rd Gen Taco vs 5th 4Runner

First off , I searched the forum and was unable to find such a thread. If I posted in wrong section , apologies.

so, my fiancé and cousin just purchased 17 4runners. I just purchased a 19 Tacoma 4 cylinder 4x4 with camper shell. I like old school tech (compared to newer stuff like the rangers) . I’m not liking the sounds of the newer V6s in the tacos but the 4.0 in the runners seem more my style compared to the 3.5. After riding in both of theirs they seem great and have plenty of room and decent power and towing capabilities. Who made the switch from 3rd gen taco to the 5 th runner ? What do you regret? What do you like and dislike about the transition? What’s real world mpgs looking like in the runners ? TIA

 

My input is that the 5th gens run and ride nicer, but lack features you'd really expect.

The new 2020 models are better but still lack simple things like blind spot monitor.

I plan on buying a 5th gen one day, but the price is murder. Same resale as the tacoma.

 

Thanks for the response. I honestly don’t like all the extra gizmos and gadgets. I have an SR and like my stuff simple!

 

Pretty tough to compare a 4.0 liter v6 to a 4 cylinder 2.7 and bring up power and towing capability. Obviously 4.0 is going to be superior. Be more specific. What do you need to know that you havent already stated? More room? 4runner. More power? 4runner? More towing? 4runner. More money? 4runner. Less tech? 4runner. http://www.fuelly.com/car/toyota/4runner/2019

 

Just wait till they redesign and drop the price of the land cruiser.

 

It's the little things that kill.me. for the price they are asking, they need a self opening rear door.

Jesus Christ even basic Ford's and Chevy's have that and the $50k Trd 4R Pro doesn't?

 

1. next gen 4runner is expected within 2yrs (most likely with a 3.5L engine/transmission tweaked differently than the current v6 tacoma)
2. the current 4runner gen is from 2009, with the mid cycle refresh in 2014 (which is the body style you currently see)
3. the engine/transmission is over 10yrs old, pretty much like the current tundra, old reliable and pretty bullet proof)
4. the current 4.0L in the 4runner is pretty weak unless you stomp the gas pedal
5. my 2014 is pretty bare (i made sure i didnt get the 3rd row option or the pull out tray) compared to current 2019/2020 versions but the layout is the same.
6. next gen is prob going to push over the 50k mark on a limited (which i have) and i am guessing the lowest trim is going to start around 35k probably close to 40k. sorta like how the highlander has pushed to 35k starting price on the LE and goes up from there.

ive had mine since dec-2013 and i intend to keep it until the next gen comes out and then decided to either get another limited or go for a platinum highlander.

i've had not one single issue with my 2014 4runner, only work done to it was oem recalls. pulled 6x12 uhauls from GA to ND (1800 miles), done multiple trips to/from GA from ND and never had any faults (except the oem battery tends to die after about 2yrs, on my 2nd oem warranty battery. 1st one died after 4yrs, 2nd is dying at 2yrs, probably the harsh winters up here in ND)

when we had the 16 tacoma and the 14 4runner, about the only diff was the seats. the 4runner limited was way better since it was electric 10 way adjustable. outside of that they are about the same across the board.

2016 tacoma had a better truck bed arrangement compare to the 2019+ but the new ones have bed lights and electric sliding rear window.

overall if you want a throw back to the old non techy vehicle find a 4runner prior to 2019.

 

I'll take the back window rolling down over the powered tailgate any day of the week.

 

Sounds like you didn't need a truck, and should of got a 4runner

 

The Tacoma gets better gas mileage, costs less, and has a bed. My 3 biggest reasons for going with the Tacoma.
Bonus: the Tacoma back seat folds completely flat (double cab).

 

I went the opposite direction, from a 2019 4Runner TRD Pro to a 2020 Tacoma. I love the Tacoma so much more. 4Runner feels old, you can tell the engine is 15 years old, the interior is dated. I know the 2020s added Carplay and TSS and such, but I still love my 2020 Taco.

Real world MPG in the 4R is around ~16 MPG (http://www.fuelly.com/car/toyota/4runner/2019/msayani21/911713).

I used it to tow my 1991 Miata to track days, and the Taco definitely handles that much better than the 4R. Texas doesn't have a lot of hills, but the 4Runner struggled while towing up any hills. I've noticed a lot less sway while towing with the Taco, and it gets to speed easier than the 4Runner did. Braking performance is about the same with the trailer.