Any SUV's comparable to a Taco?

Hello,

I have a 2010 Access cab with 4x4, an I4, and 5 speed. I have lifted it a couple inches and have been very happy with its performance in deep snow, backroads, etc...

But I may have to sell the truck and get something a more civilized do-all vehicle, with more interior space & better gas mileage (hopefully). When I was shopping for a vehicle in 2010, the Taco seemed to be the only truly reliable, tough, and go-anywhere vehicle out there, and I am running into that problem again, so i need help.

I have almost sold myself on a 2011-2014 Subaru Outback, but would like input on what others think would be the most comparable SUV/Wagon in regards to reliability, toughness, and ability to get home during a major snowstorm. Hmm, maybe i should just keep the taco if nothing else compares.

Thanks

 

I guess the obvious would be a 4Runner.

 

Or land cruiser, if u had the resources and time a first gen rav4 could be quite comparible in the right hands. I cant think of any suv id have over my tacoma but if i could have two those two and the 4runner (maybe an fj) would be up there

 

I appreciate the responses. You guys have already listed a few options that I hadn't even considered, which is exactly what I was hoping for. This will help me in my research immensely.

I had always assumed that 4 runners were just big SUVs, I didn't know they were truck based. They definitely seem to fit the bill, but are pricey. I have a paid-off tacoma, and am hoping not to take on more than a few thousand dollars in additional debt after selling/trading the current vehicle.

As far as AWD v 4wd, I am not too picky. I actually began my search a month back thinking that I might just get an AWD Acura Sedan, but decided I want more ground clearance and space. Lol, the more and more requirements that I add to the list, the more the ideal vehicle sounds like a truck, or at least truck based vehicle... and there goes the gas mileage.

 

The new 4runner is very nice. If you haven't seen it already you should look it up.

 

4Th gen runners had 4 6 and 8 cylinder options and an optional center locker if u off road any would be very helpful.

 

Loved my 2004 4runner. The newer ones gets a little better gas mileage and have more power. Just get a trail edition, they just look waaaaay better in my opinion

 

I don't think it would make sense to add thousands in debt for a vehicle that gets better MPG. I bet if you did the math for a couple grand in debt plus the annual fuel cost for a 30 mpg vehicle, it would take a few years before you broke even compared to just keeping your paid-off Tacoma. If you sold your Tacoma and got a fuel-efficient vehicle that cost less, that would make more sense.

I have owned a Subaru Outback and currently own a Honda CR-V. The CR-V has been a lot more reliable, gets similar MPG but with more passenger and cargo room, and has a timing chain instead of an interference engine with a timing belt. I like the CR-V part-time 4WD a lot more because it performs as well in bad weather but tires last a lot longer than they did on my Outback. The "frameless" windows on my Subaru were rattly and floppy unless they were all the way up. Those phuckers drove me nuts more than any of the other Subaru quirks. I probably won't buy another Subaru, but I would definitely buy another CR-V. For me, the 2001-2006 CR-V is ideal because of the timing chain engine and available 5 speed manual, which is what I have. 2000-older CR-Vs have timing belts, and 2007-present CR-Vs are automatic-only. I'm not a Subaru hater though, I still like them better than anything made by the Big 3.

 

What ever you do, DO NOT buy that vintage or older Subaru. From 2010 - 2012 the outback had a basically unfixable steering wheel shimmy. If you read the forums from that time the unfortunate owners were frustrated beyond belief by how poorly Subaru was handling the situation. The older generationa have problems with head gaskets and that is a $2,000 repair. My 07 Outback (that I sold to buy the Tacoma) was just an OK car. In 60K miles two wheel bearings went out, and the center differential went out. I was glad I bought an extended warranty because the central diff problem didn't show up under the regular warranty period.

 

any SUV wont get better gas millage, well a utility one anyway. if you use it at all in harsh conditions, DO NOT BUY A 4RUNNER! i have had some and loved them, they were beautiful and comfortable and fun splashing in the mud, but very top heavy. 6th day after i bought the first one, starting sliding on a wet road at about 25-30mph, i turned into the skid, it started correcting then the right rear tires hit the gravel on the shoulder of the road and when i came to i was upside down in someones yard. 2nd one got i ALWAYS drove in 4wd on any slippery surfaces, seemed to help a little, or maybe it just made me feel better being in 4wd, not sure. it got totalled after i had it for about 2-3 weeks. not my fault though, we got hit by a passed out drunk driver while we were sitting still at a stop sign. 4runners's are very top heavy, especially if you are not used to one.

if you just need room and not off-road use, your Subaru idea is a pretty good one, they are VERY reliable, good power for the size, very good awd system, and pretty good gas millage! have not owned one in many years but i heard the interiors are actually tolerable now too! LOL!. but no ground clearance and no torque, so defiantly no off-roading.

 

Just to throw another option out there how about an FJ Cruiser? I had an '07 before my Taco and it was a very capable vehicle.

 

Wait, so you rolled your 4Runner, replaced it, and the replacement got taken out by a drunk driver in less than a month? That sucks man...

 

If you want to avoid debt, keep your paid for Tacoma. It is a access cab. So unless your adopting 3 teenagers you'll have enough space for quite awhile.(More time to save for your next vehicle)

 

Well the DC Taco is just an SUV with the back cut off.

 

Every one I know with a Subaru gets worse mileage than my Taco!

 

5th gen is the best looking T4R

 

My favorite 4Runner gen

 

Cant add much to what you said. I love my 4Runner, ok, its the wifes, but have never had a lick of trouble with it on or off road. It is better in the snow than my Tacoma was and actually enjoyed driving it more. We just came back from a 1000 mile round trip to South Carolina and averaged 24.8 mpg. Never came anywhere close to that in my Tacoma. If a truck wasnt an absolute must for me, I would have a Trail Edition 4Runner in half a second.

 

Wife commutes 84 miles daily, round trip in her '13 Outback Limited 2.5, CVT. It gets an honest 29-30 mpg's on her all highway commute. Which is fantastic for something with roughly the same footprint as a Jeep Grand Cherokee and similar off-road prowess.

 

I really wish Toyota would have put the 4.0 in the 4Runner into the Tacoma. I really think they screwed that one up. Also, the interior of the 4Runner is badass.