Anyone go from a Tacoma to a 4Runner?

Hey everyone. I was just curious if any of you have gone from a Tacoma to a 4Runner? I have a wife and an almost 2 year old son and am in a 2022 double cab short bed. We plan to have another child in about a year or so. I’m 6’1” and honestly the Tacoma is a little bit of a tight fit if I’m being honest. I hardly use the bed for “truck stuff” and I don’t really tow anything at all. I had a rental 4Runner while my Tacoma was in the shop and really enjoyed how it drove and how comfortable it was. I put a refundable deposit down on a 4Runner trd pro at msrp and I’m thinking about pulling the trigger as next year is supposed to be the last year of the current platform. Any thoughts?

 

After my 2010 Taco was totaled, I went for a Runner because I don’t like the Turd gen Taco. The ride is miles better and I even get better mileage. Interior space is much better but I’m only 5’10. I miss the towing capacity and bed but it’s been only s couple of times a bed would have been nice.

 

If you don't use the bed, sounds like the 4Runner is a better fit, especially with another kid on the way. I question if a car seat would fit behind the driver's seat of a 6'1 driver in a Tacoma.

 

On a Tundra double cab the front facing child seat didn't gave much leg room for my kid. So I doubt you can fit a rear facing infant child seat in a Tacoma double cab. In 4runner I have good amount of space for an infant seat.

 

4Runner is better. I miss my truck bed at times, but I’m happy with the switch.

 

I made the switch from a 2019 Tacoma Double Cab short Bed to a 4Runner TRD Pro just one week ago. BEST decision I made. WAY more comfortable and I can put things in the back and they are secure. There was a time when I used the bed of the Tacoma, but those times are over now. I highly suggest pulling that trigger. You will not be disappointed.

 

I drove a 2010 Tacoma TRD Sport double cab for 12.5 years before buying a 2023 4Runner Limited about 3 months ago. I did not use the short bed on the Tacoma very much at all - but liked having it. I really loved my Tacoma - didn't really want to get rid of it - I kept it in great shape. So, I didn't. Gave it to my youngest son. It is now his every day driver - and if I need a truck with a bed I can borrow it. The 4Runner is much more comfortable to drive. Much more leg room/comfort in the rear seats. The rear cargo area of the 4Runner is much more usable to me than the covered bed of the Tacoma. The part time 4WD on the Tacoma worked great and i used it all the time in the snow - and sometimes when getting to remote trailheads (we hike/bike a lot). However, I am really digging the full time 4WD on the Limited - one of the main reasons I got the limited. I don't intentionally off road - i.e. try to get in gnarly situations on purpose. My 4WD usage is mostly for snow. We get a fair amount of snow in mid-MO but it doesn't stick around long like farther north. Its typical to have the main roads covered for a day or two after a storm - but then they get cleared and subdivision streets and parking lots remain covered. So you have a situation where you need to go from 2WD to 4HI and back frequently. The full time 4WD in the Limited just works better for me in this situation - and if I do get into something sketchy just lock the center diff. and I could get through anything I could in the Tacoma TRD Sport. Loved the Tacoma - had to think about it for a few years before I got rid of it - but I like the 4Runner more - it is much, much more suited to my needs.

 

Went from a 2013 DCSB to my 4runner last month. Had my truck for 6.5 years and when I was single it was perfect. When I acquired 2 kids, I didnt believe them or my wife that the backseat was too small and thought they were just being babies because it was a low tech interior. 4Runner has way more space inside. I'm 6' and our 5'8" daughter rides behind me no problem. Front seat is more adjustable than the Taco, and the rear seatback reclines too. I loved my truck but I dont regret the change at all

 

Went from a '20 Tacoma double cab to '23 4R. I'm 6'1 and have 2 kids, 8 and 10. It was getting to be pretty tight for them in the back. The Tacoma was ok but always felt cramped to me. The 4R is way better....so much more comfortable for me in the front and leaps and bounds for the kids. With one kid and one on the way you will appreciate the back seat in the 4R compared to the Tacoma. Didn't use my bed a lot in the Tacoma but it sure was handy sometimes. But using the 4R crossbars for wood and renting a trailer for the day when I need it will be ok for me. For a family the 4R will serve you well.

 

I went from 2 4Runners to a Taco, and back to a 4Runner. I like the 4Runner better overall. Back seats are bigger. I like the "wagon" better, VS a bed.

Both are good vehicles. If the 4Runner suits you better, you'll love it.

 

We went from full size Chev. pickup to Tacoma to 4Runner. The 4Runner seems more 'comfortable' than the Tacoma, both great vehicles.

 

I loved a couple of Tacoma, first a 2010 SR5 and then a 2018 TRD Sport. But, I wasn't really hauling much in the bed, and used a trailer for hauling motorcycles and such. So, I took advantage of an incredible trade in offer on my 2018 Tacoma and bought a new 2022 4Runner. Stuck with MGM on all three. I love the 4Runner.

 

As a single guy, no kids, and needed a vehicle to tow aluminum boat fishing I opted for 4Runner. For me keeping my stuff dry and more secure inside was the ticket. I had done the same with an Explorer for many years and tested multiple mid size pickups. The 4R fit in the garage so much better and had a better reputation than the Taco.

For other projects rent a Home Depot trailer for $20 and done

Best wishes to you and the baby and the baby to come.

 

Yes. I just traded in a Tacoma Limited for a SR5P because we have 3 boys and there just was not enough interior space in the Taco. My wife has an older Sienna that will be a car for the teens in 2 years so we were thinking about the next adult vehicle.

I loved that Tacoma but the 4 Runner is just awesome.

Edit: I really love seeing people own both! If we can do that financially in a few years and the redesigned Taco is a nice truck, I will strongly consider getting another one.

 

Yep! Went from a 2017 Tacoma TRD Pro to a 2017 4R TRD Pro. I have loved my 4R since day one. However, I do have a 2023 lunar rock Tacoma OR DC 6sp manual coming soon. I decided to do the best of both worlds and own both.

 

I had my Tacoma in for three months for a recall and was given a 4runner SR5P as a loaner. I didn't want to give it back I loved it so much but still need the bedspace. Now that I have my Tacoma back I still enjoy having the truck.

Once it was time for the wife to get a new car we got her an SR5P. It is now the "go to" vehicle anytime we go anywhere.

When we retire and drop down to a single vehicle it will likely be a 4runner.

 

I got my Tacoma first, then I got my 4Runner.
I'm loving having the best of both worlds in my driveway.

 

We bought a new 2014 TRD/OR DC 4x4, 6-sp. It was truly the biggest disappointment we've had from ToMoCo.
And I've had a total of 5 Toyota P/U's which included a '70, '73, '78, and a '93 Ex/Cab 4x4.
In 2016, the '14 was traded in on a new '16 4R TP. I didn't really need a P/U bed anymore since I built a trail/trash trailer from an old '85 Toyota bed in 1990.
Over all, the '16 has been a good ride except I really don't care for most of the 'nanny' features. I'm too old for that crap and rely on my own driving experiences, both on and off highway.
Oh, and in-between the '93 and the '14, was a '98 4R Limited we bought as a lease turn-in at 75,000 miles. We drove it to 275k but, it was headed for a major engine overhaul. So it was traded in for a 2010 RAV4 V6.

 

Thank you all for your responses! Yeah I’m definitely considering a 4Runner for sure. As next year is the last year for the current platform, I’d rather get an old tried and true platform built in Japan. Now just playing the waiting game for the pro. I’m not in a rush, just want to get it before the next gen comes out!

 

I went from an ‘06 TRD extra cab Tacoma to a ‘20 4Runner ORP. I love most of the things about the 4Runner. Feels more solid, and gets better mpg. I absolutely hate the automatic braking system. But other than that, I’m very happy with the 4Runner. Though I did have to install seat jackets.

 

I currently own a 2020 Tacoma and a 2023 4Runner. If it’s just myself in the truck (6’4”) I drive my Tacoma. If it’s a family trip we take the 4Runner for sure. My wife is 5’10 my oldest is already 6’2 and youngest 5’4 at 13 & 11 years old. The Tacoma is too small for all of us to comfortably ride in for any duration over a short drive to dinner. If I had to do it to choose one over the other I’d choose a 4runner for a family. I love both for their own reasons but a 4runner and a utility trailer can give you the best of both worlds really

 

I went from Taco to 4R. Like a lot of folks. Just was given more than what i paid and it was too small for a bigger guy. And i don't haul much stuff in the bed anymore.

 

I own a 2022 Tacoma and 2019 4Runner. The 4Runner is more comfortable for me at almost 6'. Better tech and headlights in the Tacoma and the bed gets used all the time.

4Runner is more comfortable, we take it on all our trips pulling a small teardrop style camper. More rooms inside and I prefer the engine/transmission in the 4Runner over the third gen Tacoma.

 

We went from a 2014 Tacoma TRD Sport to a 2021 4Runner SR5 Premium. We dearly loved the Tacoma and put 117,000 virtually trouble free miles on it. We towed our 22' boat with no issues and I still say it was the best looking truck I've ever owned.



Then we bought a dog. Herbie is our rescue pit bull and as much as he loved the back seat of the Tacoma, it just wasn't working out for all involved. I work at a Toyota dealership, so we used my employee discount to buy this:



So, what were the pros and cons of the change? The T4R is clearly more comfortable to drive and actually hauls our boat better. There's more room in the back seat for Herbie and our grandkids. The T4R also gets slightly better mileage and has Softex seats instead of the fabric that held every dog hair in the Tacoma. Remember, the T4R got most of the upgrades / updates that the Tacoma never did. (The "better" 4 liter engine, coil spring rear suspension, Hydroboost brakes, bigger front brakes, etc.

On the negative side, there are times that I do miss having a pickup bed to haul things around in. Would we go back to a Tacoma because of these few faults? Nope. And Hebie says we need to keep it.

 

I’ve owned a brand new 3rd gen dcsb trd Tacoma and a few trd 5th gen 4runners. If you have kids, no questions absolutely 4Runner. Back seats sucks in Tacoma (lack of room) putting in car seats etc very unpleasant and the 4Runner is built superior in every way. Don’t get me Tacoma was built well too but 4Runner that much better

Not to mention the 4.0 is definitely better and more reliable than the 3.5 you don’t need to do a tune to it etc. built in Japan fully boxed frame vs c channel
but like a lot of people I need a truck bed once in a while so I also have a 2nd gen taco

 

Sold my owned-since-new 2013 Tacoma TRD Off Road:


in 2019 to purchase my current 2019 4R TRD Off Road:


Two years after selling the '13 Taco, I got an itch to have a truck again. After having owned several 1st gen Tacomas in the past, all 4wd, which I didn't need on the truck, I picked up this '03 Tacoma Prerunner:



Great little truck, nice to have both again.

 

I went from a 2018 Tacoma SR5 V6 Double Cab to a 2021 4Runner ORP. The Tacoma used to be my favorite vehicle I've owned. The 4Runner far surpasses it in every way. The only drawbacks are a lower towing capacity and lack of an open bed. In the course of a year, that might be an issue for me for 10 or 15 out of 365 days. Since my son now drives the Tacoma, I just borrow it if I need it. Every time I do, I appreciate the quality, room and ride of the 4Runner even more.

 

I went from my 2010 Tacoma to my 4runner pro. The 4runner is a much better, more solid vehicle. The Tacoma is now driven by my son, still a great truck.

 

Just sold my 2020 Tacoma and my 2023 4Runner ORP should arrive any week now. I did not use the bed enough to justify it, plus it was a short box so we could not camp out of it. I have two boys (6 and 9) and they Taco has served us well. Two kids in car seats are fine but not much spare room. I look forward to having functional hatch space though.

 

I loved my 2006 Tacoma DCSB, i never really cared for my 22 DCLB Tacoma and just picked up a 23 SR5P 4Runner. The build quality, engine and transmission is far superior to my Tacoma. As said earlier if you don’t need a bed absolutely get a 4Runner.