Tacoma vs 4Runner

k_h_d

Member
I'd love to hear from people who either have both the 4Runner and a Tacoma or who made the decision between the 2 different models.

I was pretty set on a Tacoma to replace my Sedan as a daily driver / bad weather vehicle. I have triplets that are 9 and I need a little more room than the sedan. My wife wants me to consider the 4Runner. The 4Runner SR5 Premium gets me heated seats at the same price as a Tacoma Off Road with options for leather/heated seats.

The spec sheets so basically the same space in the back seats for both. Is that accurate? I have never liked the look of an SUV which is why I think I would prefer the Tacoma.
 
Thats a tough decision. I would say 4runner only cause you have triplets. I have a 9 and 10 yrs old and they said they have no room in my taco.
 
Are specs for the backseat wrong for the 4Runner because they are almost the same dimensions. The 4Runner is not a huge SUV like the sequoia. I probably need to get all 3 kids over to the dealer and see what they look like in them. This isn’t the primary family car. I just need to have something a little bigger than my sedan and I want 4wd.
 
That is a tough call. I couldn’t hardly fit 5 adults in my 2017 Tacoma. My sister has a 2014 4runner with the third row and 7 adults can fit comfortably. If it’s an interior space issue the Tacoma has less room then my 2012 Subaru Outback. Three 9 year olds would fit ok for a while but it would get cramped fast with backpacks/bags or traveling any further than school and back. The middle seat is not that comfortable. If you are looking at Toyota’s have you looked at a Tundra crewmax? You can get a 2018 SR5 crewmax 4x4 for about $38k right now with dealer discounts and Toyota rebates.
 
That is a tough call. I couldn’t hardly fit 5 adults in my 2017 Tacoma. My sister has a 2014 4runner with the third row and 7 adults can fit comfortably. If it’s an interior space issue the Tacoma has less room then my 2012 Subaru Outback. Three 9 year olds would fit ok for a while but it would get cramped fast with backpacks/bags or traveling any further than school and back. The middle seat is not that comfortable. If you are looking at Toyota’s have you looked at a Tundra crewmax? You can get a 2018 SR5 crewmax 4x4 for about $38k right now with dealer discounts and Toyota rebates.

My biggest issue with a tundra crewmax is they are huge. I have a moderate size 3 car garage and it would be huge in there with minimal room around it.

What model does the tundra take to get heated seats?


As far as space with gear. The bed of the truck can be used pretty easily for bags and gear. Are the tonneau covers water proof?
 
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My biggest issue with a tundra crewmax is they are huge. I have a moderate size 3 car garage and it would be huge in there with minimal room around it.

What model does the tundra take to get heated seats?

As far as space with gear. The bed of the truck can be used pretty easily for bags and gear. Are the tonneau covers water proof?
Folding Tonneau covers can leak some. I think you can get heated seats in the SR5 with a certain package upgrade. Limited and 1794 has heated for sure and platinum has heated and cooled. They are big but If you don’t want a SUV and you need more room they have plenty of that.
 
That’s a tough choice. For the three kids a 4Runner would definitely be easier. A Tacoma is a tough fit for three full size kids in the back.
It’s really according to how bad you want and need a truck bed.
 
I would have to vote 4-Runner in your situation as well, unless you really want/ need the bed. I guess it depends on how much you plan on having the kiddos in the secondary vehicle. It's tolerable once in a while, I'm sure, but not super spacey...

Unless you're Gordo... Haha20181105_104325.jpeg
 
Thanks for the input guys. A 4Runner just does not do it for me... I would constantly be looking for the next thing... I need something somewhat practical but that I look forward to driving. I am very much into cars and what ever it is has to be “interesting” in my eyes...

I’ll take the kids over and see what they think. Our minivan is the family car. My Porsche is for me, my 3rd car needs to be able to haul kids when my wife can’t take them but not all the time.

Plan with the next car is also to let my son drive it and take it to college in 10 years...
 
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Agree with 4Runner vote.

I’ve got a 2 year old and a 2 month old in two car seats in my 18 Trd OR and it’s definitely a tight squeeze. If you have 3 go 4runner
 
I have a 4Runner and Tacoma. Two car seats are tight in the Tacoma. Both are fantastic rigs. If you don’t need a bed 4 runner all the way.
 
I'd go 4R before I'd get a DC. The people I'd be hauling around (son and his friends) wouldn't fit well in a mid-size DC.
 
Thanks for the input guys. A 4Runner just does not do it for me... I would constantly be looking for the next thing... I need something somewhat practical but that I look forward to driving. I am very much into cars and what ever it is has to be “interesting” in my eyes...

I’ll take the kids over and see what they think. Our minivan is the family car. My Porsche is for me, my 3rd car needs to be able to haul kids when my wife can’t take them but not all the time.

Plan with the next car is also to let my son drive it and take it to college in 10 years...
I always look forward to driving my Tacoma. If that's what ruffles your skirt, go fart.... 0_o

[emoji23]

If you want a tacoma bad enough, it'll be worth a little trouble here and there. (with OV Tune... but that's just me...) they definitely have an appeal and an aura about them. It's a good thing that you have something quick to tickle that itch too... haha
 
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