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

I always figured they were hinged on the wrong side for the US because they were originally designed for right-hand drive markets. In Australia it's'probably on the correct side.

On one hand, I like the idea of the swing gate because you can mount the table on the inside of it or other storage solutions, but on the other hand it wouldn't play well with my bike rack, and I like being able to open the hatchback for a little bit of shelter if it's raining.

 

It’s neat seeing the differences too since I see the Ford EcoSport has its rear door open to the left, the RAV4 opened to the right, etc. I forget what the Wrangler and Bronco do…

Probably the biggest reason I’d like the rear door is to have easy spare access, or in the case of the GX, you can swap the door for one that supports the spare for a pretty penny and have two spares or the option to stick an auxiliary fuel tank underneath.

I drove a RAV4 sporadically in the past and the rear door wasn’t much trouble to me, (not much parallel parking though) and not having to accommodate an under-floor spare made for a LOT of vertical cargo space and room for taller things that wouldn’t have fit in later crossovers I’ve driven, but some of that might have been older less “rear-end collision safe” design too.

 

Tacoma wouldn't be practical if she needs to haul parents around on occasion. Those back seats aren't fit for man or beast.

 

I just skimmed the thread but the Tacoma is really small inside as well as having transmission issues. I was just at our dealership last weeking buying our 3rd 4Runner to add to the driveway and there are alot ofnused 2024 Tacomas on the lot. The 2025 4R is nice, but the first year run could be interesting. Look at the 22 and up Tundras. That POS has been nothing short of a nightmare for most owners with transmission failures, engine failures, and plastic interior parts breaking or falling off. One owner posted a dash cam video that caught his emblem flying over the windshield after it fell out of his grille. Any year 4Runners are solid vehicles but a 2020 or newer might suit your needs as well.

 

Id buy a used/older gen Lexus gx, or Tundra, or the like. But that's what id do. You can hardly get a milk jug in the back of any Tacoma, and I'm not a fan of any of the new gen rigs. At all. But adore older/last gen rigs. Id find a used GX or something that some one drove to Walmart twice a week, and traded it in on a newer model. In fact, I'm looking around myself. Cheers and good luck with whatever you chose. And happy adventures out there.


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