Tacoma TRD Offroad vs 2017 4runner Trail/Offroad

Hello Tacoma World, have been a lurker for awhile and was wondering if any of you experts could give me some input. In the next couple of months I will be purchasing a new vehicle, and I have narrowed it down to the DCSB TRDOR 4x4 and a 4x4 Trail/Offroad(will be called Offroad in 2017 i think) 4runner. My main usage would be as a daily driver and a whitetail deer hunting vehicle. Would see some moderate off road usage but no crazy rock crawling here in Mississippi. Most offroad usage would be limited to mud and roads on our property.
Drawn to the toyota's due to reliability and safety. Obviously each vehicle has pros and cons but am interested to hear some opinions. And as far as MPG and handling goes anything would be an improvement coming from an 08 FJ Cruiser with E Load tires, although that FJ is quite a tank. Mainly getting something new to keep the milage off the FJ so I can keep it for awhile.

Thank you all in advance!

 

4runner has better engine/transmission in my opinion.

 

You can put a dead whitetail in the box of the truck. I wouldn't want it on my roof or in the back of the 4Runner.

 

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Curious, as an owner of a 2015 4Runner Trail and a 2017 DCSB TRDSport 4x4, what do you think is better?

Have less than 100 miles on the truck but it's a heck of a lot more spirited than my 4Runner when driving on the street. Off Road both are plenty sufficient of course, but yet again I haven't gotten the Tacoma there yet either.

Don't get me wrong, I love the 4Runner too, but from multiple test drives and my limited time with the truck, I'm so far preferring the new 3.5 setup. The 4Runner needs a better transmission at least, which I'm sure it'll get if refreshed in 2018. It has the power, but it's just so lazy to respond it feels like a pig at times unfortunately.

 

Yes sir we can!!!

We can also pickup other things in our fancy trucks!

I could never do that in my 4runner. For the record I do like the 4runners better. But I'm a dad and dads drive trucks. lol

 

My wife has had two 4runners, The latest a 2013. I do agree it could feel a little lethargic at times but the transmission shifted much better without as much gear searching. My 3.5 is certainly no rocket ship either. The transmission still flares occasionally even after TSB which the 4runner did not do.

 

Better how? Reliability wise, I'd trust the 4Runner's power/drivetrain over the Taco's. Performance wise, I like my Tacoma way more (not quite apples to apples but for the sake of this discussion I'll put it out there). If we're talking about build quality, that point totally goes to the 4Runner. [Disclosure: I had a 2010 Limited 4Runner before the Taco]

Edit: you posted a response just before mine.

This. OP, unless you can throw your deer on a hitch rack, I don't see how the 4Runner will serve that need.

OA

 

Reliability is my main reason for my opinion.

 

The 4Runner will be a better daily driver. You could buy a cheap hitch rack for the 4Runner to haul the deer.

 

The point on the bed is spot on, although I have been using a hitch mounted rack on the Fj for awhile but throwing it in the back of the truck sure would be nice. New Tacoma does get better MPG as well so that is looking heavily in favor of Tacoma now. Plus the quicksand tacos are sweet.

 

As a hunter myself, I lean more towards a truck than an SUV. It depends on how you plan to clean and store your meat, but I find myself taking heads home once in a while and not have to worry about the smell or blood getting on the inside of the cab.

The Tacoma and 4Runner are very different vehicles and need to suit your style and needs. Each have their pros and cons on capability and in cabin space. Sounds like either would do for your 4x4 needs. Nothing wrong with a 4Runner from my viewpoint. Just need to be more careful of messy things, i.e. blood, trash, material hauling, etc.

 

I drove a 4Runner and my Tacoma. The 4Runner is a little more comfortable, but the Taco was much more fun to drive for me. Neither are going to win many races but the 4Runner seemed like more of a soccer mom SUV to me. I know it's plenty capable but just didn't look as cool to me. Easy decision for the Tacoma for me.

 

4Runner Pro in Orange or Cement. Made in Japan. Almost no problems to speak of. Front end is one the best looking on the market.

 

I have put deer inside my 4Runner. Other than the smell it was fine. Throw a tarp back there and there's no mess.

 

WOW cool wife

 

Dad's drive Sienna SE

 

She's not as cool now. She drives a Tahoe now. I think if 4runners had second row captains chairs as an option, she would still be driving one. She and my daughter have a love for those second row captain's chairs. I have always thought it's a little strange to pay extra money to have less seat. I guess it is nice to have one V-8 vehicle in the household though.

 

It takes about a week to get that dead hooker smell out of the back of an SUV. If you throw them in the back of the 4runner I advise opening the windows and careful use of a tarp. I think the blood stains add character but the wife was not happy.

 

Understand captain char love. We used to have Toyota Master Surf Ace vans. Had captain chairs that did full swivel so you can face the third row. Had tons of glass on the roof in addition to the front and rear sunroof, and of course the fridge. It was the coolest thing in the 80s....