Need Help Making a Decision between 2025 Tacoma/LC/ or 4Runner

Hi everyone my name is Lucia, I am currently on the market for buying a new car. I'm currently driving a 1998 Ford (our family back up car until I decide what car to get) my Jeep Grand Cherokee was totaled and I am now looking to being a Toyota car owner. Hence, why I need to make a decision by the end of the year.

I am very indecisive between just saying fuck it and buying the 6th gen 4Runner when it comes out in 2025. I know a lot of people say to never get the 1st year of a new revamped model but how true is that? What risk may I be up against?

The 4R is supposed to have basically the same engine that is being used in the 2024 tacoma and LC right? So wouldn't Toyota have 1 year on working out the kinks for any engine or performance issues from 2024?

Or should I just conform to the 2025 Tacoma or LC?


My lifestyle is:

• 2 large dogs, 1 is 175lbs and 1 is 80lbs so space is much needed
• I like to do roadtrips to national parks and I take my parents with me
• I would love to finally be able to do the off-road trails when I go to said places
• I drive around 300 miles a week
• I want to be able to throw 1-3 bikes wether its on the back bed or on a bike rack
• I will be keeping this car until it can't go no more

Any and all help/input/advice/tips/opinions are appreciated

 

There are hundreds of sources on Utube and various forums that answer all your questions about the vehicles you are considering
so I would start there. From your requirements list it sounds like you need a long wheelbase MB Sprinter.

 

When you mention 1-3 bikes I automatically thought Tacoma. Though I would wait for longer term reviews on the engines of the new Tacoma's and LC's if it were up to me. The new Tundra's are having engine issues and from what I understand there are some transmission issues with the new Tacoma's.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/official-tsb-for-automatic-trans-failure-from-toyota.842050/

https://www.tundras.com/threads/3-4-i-force-engine-failures.121107/

 

To buy -
- If you want top reliability go 5th gen 4Runner. Also its the perfect dog mobile. Of cause 4Runner is the most offroad capable right off the factory.

- doggos would absolutly love the roll down rear glass
- when you go to the destination the rear hatch will provide a nice shade​

- Almost reliable as 4Runner (Per CarCareNut) + better comfort go Lexus GX460. (Of cause used, since no new available)

Highly recommend not to buy;

2024 Tacoma - There is unofficial transmission recall with bunch of problems with other issues reported by owners
2024 Land cruiser - Already seeing hybrid powertrain issues where it goes to limp mode, some owners having to tow.
Needless to say the disasters with 3.4 twin turbo engine that come on new Toyota Tundra, Lexus LX600.​

With 2 large dogs 2024 Land cruiser is also no good as your cannot put 2 heavy dogs in the cargo area. It has a very limited weight capacity. 60KG (aprox 120lbs). So your big dog will break the floor board.

 

Based on how you’d like to use it, it seems the Tacoma is a bad fit for you, due to lack of covered space. Unless you get a bed cap and the dogs don’t mind riding back there. But the back seat probably won’t be that comfortable for passengers.

The LC supposedly has somewhat taller interior dimension than what the 4runner will have. It looks the nicest to my eye. However the 4runner will have the option of a standard/non-hybrid powertrain,
which will probably end up giving you the most cargo volume in the back (compared to LC which only comes as hybrid, with battery pack in the trunk that’s about 4inches high). The LC calls for premium, but that may not be different from what the hybrid 4runner might need.

It seems that any of these three options are going to be higher risk purchases compared to previous Toyota first-year models. The problems probably aren’t as frequent as the internet makes it seem, but the problems that are occurring are the types of problems that will leave you without the vehicle for a long time…Definitely worth considering the risks.

If you don’t mind taking risks purchasing the first year of a new model, the Ineos Grenadier is a cool one to consider as well. It costs about the same as a top spec LC250, and seems pretty spacious). The only thing is that it has old-school vehicle handling (solid front and rear axles), but I have heard it’s very comfy.

 

That is not true about the weight restriction in the back of the LC. It is only for the small cover covering the rear storage compartment.

 

Watch out, Land Cruiser takes premium fuel.

Tacoma vs. 4Runner is more a question of which bodystyle better fits your use case.

Folks do say to generally avoid the first model year but personally my family has had luck with them, even with notoriously… less reliable vehicles.

It’s still ideal to sit back and bit but I won’t fault you for going for year one if the timing and your situation allows.
That said, another reason to sit back might be to let the rush of people who are willing to pay markups go first as dealers may be less willing to deal at the start.

I’m not too concerned with the upcoming 4Runner powertrain but it’s entirely possible other smaller issues can spring up like what the 2019ish RAV4 saw.

Anyways, the next question is value. We don’t know 4Runner pricing and the Tacoma might not feel to good compared to say, a Frontier when you get out-the-door quotes. (which I’d be more interested in now that they finally put in a telescopic wheel)

 

The 4Runner is about the best vehicle ever made for dogs. It’s one of the main reasons I didn’t buy another crew cab pickup. Unless you want to put them in the bed, you can cross the Tacoma off your list.

 

2025 will be a 2nd year 4Runner, because it's pretty much the same vehicle as the new Tacomas which have already been out for quite a while by that time.

So the kinks are really being worked out on Tacoma right now.

Same platform/frame.
Same engine.
Same transmission.
Same interior / dash.
Tons of the same part numbers.

6th gen 4Runner probably the only vehicle I have ever felt comfortable with buying the first year model.

 

3 adults and 2 big dogs will not fit well in a Tacoma. Cross that off your list. I would look for a slightly used 5th gen 4Runner.

 

Have you looked at the Tacoma yet? Try fitting in the rear seats for example, it will play a larger factor in your decision. Luckily, I live near longo toyota and they had a Tacoma on display and I was able to try it out. The backseats are definitely not spacious IMO, especially for road trips.

 

GX550

 

I was visioning the 2 dogs riding the bike with her.

 

In my mind this question usually comes down to "do you need a truck or not" but I will say no adults should be asked to sit in the back of a Tacoma for any longer than it takes to go to the grocery store and back so 4Runner it is.

 

Get yourself a 2024 4Runner. The new ones will be much more expensive and harder to get for the 1st year plus will have their shares of bugs to work out.

 

Welcome.

I would highly recommend taking everyone, doggos included, down to look at the vehicles in person. I’ve never had an issue with dealers letting me put dogs in the back for a quick minute, to check if they fit.

I would look at the Tundra also, if you’re considering a truck.

Also, you’re coming from a grand Cherokee, and all of the vehicle that you’re looking at will have BOF which will equate to a harsher ride.

 

We were in the same boat as you - we had originally looked at the mid size truck segment - most of what we looked at were eliminated due to brand/unreliability or too much tech (i.e. cylinder deactivation - think Honda RL). So out short list was either previous gen Taco or new gen Taco - old gen - off the list - hunting for gears, did not like the ride. The new Taco - did not like the ride - turbo lag and now the transmission TSB on the '24 Tacos - so we paused our decision - there was really nothing in our opinion in the mid sized truck segment that we liked and we starting thinking - do we need a truck or do we want a truck - what we concluded is we wanted a truck. So I started to look at the 4R.....I was coming from a '19 RAV that was getting up there in miles so time to trade and being where we are - we needed something that could handle the terrain better - what we liked about the 5th gen 4R was bullet proof reliability and high resale value...the downside(s) to the 4R that we could see and I knew about before we test drove was the under powered especially at low acceleration - once you get up to highway speed it's ok. We found the ride of the 4R very smooth, the engine is quiet when running but noisy when idling (knew about the noise before buying). As a previously poster already mentioned - you have to think - what do you need it for - towing/hauling I would go Taco...more creature comforts...4R....I've only had the 4R for a few days - but best "car" I have ever owned.

 

Also don’t forget to test drive and crawl all over them when you can.

Might find some oddball quirks in one but not the other that make a difference.

I have a rental Mazda and it has a bunch of design choices that both make me thing “neat!” and “I couldn’t put up with this daily”

 

For dogs, I really think an SUV is the way to go, whether or not you decide to go with a Toyota product.

I think buying a Tacoma, or really any midsize truck, is kind of silly. For >45k you can get a lightly used F-150, which will have more power, be able to tow more, haul more, have way more interior space, and get the same if not better mileage.

I've been looking into them, and even guys with crew cabs with 5L V8s have been getting in the twenties for mileage. They also have around 1,800 lb of payload, can tow something like 9,000 lb, and have an optional 36 gallon fuel tank. And even the crew cabs were available with 6.5-ft beds, so you can actually fit bikes in the back without slinging them over the tailgate.

An old co-worker of mine had one that she used for a mountain biking trips, she got better mileage with it than I do with my 4Runner. Hers was a 2.7L V6 4x4.

I know this isn't really what you ask, but I've been researching what vehicle I would buy if I was going to spend around 40k, and a 22+ F-150 is what I settled on.

 

I second the idea of a full size vehicle. Three adults, one dog and gear for a snowboard trip really stretched the limits of the 4R's capacity. Once you throw a roof box on, the handling and mileage gets pretty bad. Would your dogs be ok in a covered pick up bed or do they need to be in the cabin with you? That will determine much of the choice. Full-size SUV's like an Expedition, Sequoia or Tahoe have much more room, are pretty capable for mild trails and can be found off-lease (ex- soccer mom duties) at pretty decent prices.

 

1. tacoma is way to small for even med dogs. (we have 2 GSP and the rear seats are way to small for them, hence we went to a crew cab tundra)
2. again tacoma rear seats are too small for even 18 y/o teens much less your parents
3. tacoma is better probably for off roading compared to a 4R usually
4. 300 miles is a wash
5. bike rack is a wash, only tacoma you could fit bikes in the bed
6. wash, all 3 choices should be around a while

price wise, the LC250 will be at least 10k more than the 4R or Tacoma entry point, decently optioned LC250 will be around 67-69k

edit: just remember the LC250 will be around 4-5in taller than a 4R or Tacoma garage wise.

 

Get a Land Cruiser

 

It doesn’t look like much space in the back seat there either. The current 4Runner seems to have more legroom.

 

The reason I never got a GX is because the swing out is really hard for tailgating. I've often told ppl before you buy a GX, go open one & see how far it swings out & make sure that's okay for you.

 

It's very true for all models. Personally I wouldn't touch it. LC is my vote between the 2 given options.

 

Welcome!
Happy hunting.

 

Good point. Could also be an issue skiing where a car parks behind you and can’t open the door all the way.

 

isnt the new LC250 a lift up?

 

I’ve always felt the door was hinged on the wrong side. I’ve had a vehicle with a rear door with hinges on the right, and it was problematic when loading or unloading the cargo area while parallel parked. If the hinges were on the left then no logistics would be required.

@lucyneedshelp In my opinion the Tacoma is out. It’s no good for the dogs. I agree with those who worry about first year reliability for the 6th generation 4Runner and the Land Cruiser. If I were in your place I would get a used 4Runner with the idea that I’ll drive it for a couple of years and then trade up to a new 4Runner or Land Cruiser after the bugs have been worked out.

As a side note, I know everyone here is a huge 4Runner fan but really there’s no one who wouldn’t rather have a Land Cruiser if not for price and availability.