Does anyone have or had a 2nd gen Tacoma with the v6

I currently have a 2023 4Runner and a 2nd gen Tacoma with the 4.0 1gr (same engine as the 4Runner without the dual vvti). Both have 33inch wildpeaks and bilstein suspension

now I know the 4Runner is superior (built in Japan, full boxed frame, shorter wheelbase for off roading, coils in the rear and discs all around etc)

however I don’t know why but my Tacoma just feels more responsive and smoother to drive (both 5 speed auto) I was wondering if anyone who has driven the 2nd gen Tacoma noticed the same thing? I almost wonder if my taco has an after market tune (purchased it used)

 

I can’t speak to being smoother but I bet a lot of it is in the throttle response. Some folks use some third-party box to change that - the 5th gen is throttle-by-wire.

 

If I’m not mistaken so is the 2nd gen Tacoma

 

I have owned 3 separate v6 2nd gen Tacomas. One of them was a manual, the other two were automatics. All of them felt smoother, quicker, and more responsive than my 5th gen 4Runner.

 

I had an 09, 4 cylinder manual trans, and then got a 17 taco v6 manual. I missed driving the 4cylinder, as I felt it was more responsive throttle. My 22 runner, is more like my 17

 

I can't even believe this isn't part of the discussion. It's weight boys. Weight.
For example: 2013 PreRunner Access Cab 4.0L | V6 | 5 Spd Auto | RWD weighs 3865 lbs. 2013 4Runner SR5 4.0L | V6 | 5 Spd Auto w/Manual Shift | RWD weighs 4400 lbs. It's just simple physics.

 

So what you're saying is, the 4Runner is a Tubby McTubberson. It's a Fatty McFat-Fat that can't run!

 

The 4Runner 1gr has almost 40 more horsepower and 20 more ft pounds torque so that should balance out the weight somewhat

 

The Tacoma is more responsive because it's lighter? I had a 2nd gen taco with the same suspension & tires as my 4R. If you don't the bed the 4R is a much better vehicle

 

my 4Runner weights about 4700 pounds (trd off road) my Tacoma weighs 4220 but I have a camper shell so about 4400 pounds taco weighs only 300 pounds less than the 4Runner but again Tacoma has almost 40 less horsepower

 

no doubt absolutely the 4Runner is superior to the Tacoma I just can’t shake it in my head how much smoother the Tacoma feels for some reason even though ironically it’s supposed to be a much rougher ride due to the leaf springs although the longer wheel base of the taco could make it feel more stable

 

Ok good to know it’s not in my head, thanks!

 

My experience is the opposite. I drove my 2013 V6 automatic Tacoma to the dealership for the test drive of the 4Runner, and I was amazed how much more the responsiveness and smoothness of the 4Runner was compared to the Tacoma. And my Taco was not worn out - it only had 25k miles when I sold it. So, it appears different people see it differently.

 

I had a 2010 Taco before my Runner. The Taco felt about the same with responsiveness but the ride was definitely not smoother. The Runner’s 1GR definitely has a more noticeable upper RPM power surge. Both are slow turds.

 

Have both. 4Runner feels significantly smoother/ more responsive and I feel like I more need to mash the pedal on the Taco (that said, have KO2s, exhaust, sliders, skid plates, no sound deadening, 2” lift, etc on the Taco that I’m sure impacts perception of smoothness).

To state the obvious - 4Runner is definitely made with better finishes/ has more of a quality feel. Also, haven’t gunned it with the 4Runner/ still fully in the babying stage

 

just to be clear, when I said the 2nd gen tacoma was smoother, I was not referring to the ride..... I was referring to the power delivery of the engine

 

Then the only difference was at upper RPM.

 

Emphasis on “power delivery”.

There’s likely differences in how power is mapped & delivered between a Gen2 Taco and a 4Runner with the reworked 1GR, even when the empirical data appears the same. After a while, the drivers themselves tend to adjust to even subtle differences in throttle application, torque delivery.

Which is probably why we see others here expressing the opposite experience, saying in the 4Runner feels quicker, smoother. Sometimes it’s all just in how you use your right foot.

 

For me on the taco when I press the gas, the power is pretty much instantly and coincides with how much throttle I give it (if that makes sense) in the ho runner there always seems to be a slight lag of the power delivery. It’s very noticeable when you stomp on it to merge quickly or pass, the 4Runner there is a huge turbo lag, the Tacoma it’s way more instant.

 

Use more foot than you normally would and it will work. No need for a pedal pretender.

 

When I stomp on the gas on the 4Runner there is still a lag, the rpm’s will redline and then a second later it scoots

 

You get used to it and time your acceleration if you have to pass. But what you are describing is clutch application speed at the transmission. In the end you have to remember what you purchased and there is no Sport in SUV.

 

My daughter drives a 2015 Tacoma off road. Definitely a difference between this and my 2019 TRD ORP. The Tacoma drives and handles better than the 4Runner. Hard to explain. But like others have said the Tacoma is lighter. The steering feels better, too.