2023 Toyota Tacoma vs 4Runner Comparison & 0-60 / Now or Never

The 2023 Tacoma and 4Runner are both at the tail end of the generations. Yet each are among Toyota’s best selling models, today I’m going to show you what makes them stand out against competitors like the Ford Bronco, Ranger, Jeep Wrangler, Gladiator, Chevy Colorado and more. BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, I want to show how they stack up against each other!
Driving Sports TV Tacoma Offroad video
• 2022 Toyota Tacoma TRD...
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Thank you, Royal South Toyota, for providing the Tacoma for today's video!
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Tacoma MT Review
• 2021 Toyota Tacoma 6-S...

[@saltyt.1886]

I think the current generation 4Runner will be sorely missed once it’s redesigned. Get one now while you can!!

[@BoiseTDI]

Same with the Tacoma

[@lunamaria1048]

I just updated my 4Runner 2019 TRD Off Road to a 2023 TRD Off Road! I wanted the new cameras and finally Android Auto lol. I'm not buying a turbo 4 cylinder 4Runner lol

[@axetrops]

Dealership jacked up the prices when I went to look for 4Runner

[@fergusonogden6021]

@@lunamaria1048lol lol lol

[@Evom777]

I did. 😉

[@lunamaria1048]

The 4Runner has been awarded for being the longest lasting vehicle in North America AND awarded for being most reliable vehicle! Both 5 years in a row! I own my second 5th gen 4Runner (just updated to a 2023) and an FJ Cruiser I have had for 12 years (they are the exact same vehicle under the body lol). I'm from Japan so will always go with Toyotas actually built in Japan! My husband is the Tacoma loyalist lol. He has a 2022 Taco TRD Pro and the same Toyota pickup from Back To The Future! They are both immortals among mortal competition lol

[@decarloswilliams6099]

Great review Tyler. You could never go wrong with a 4Runner.

[@triple6758]

Manual Tacoma driver here, considering going to the Runners before Toyota ruins them.

[@chriss526]

I have owned both. 17 Tacoma and an 18 4Runner. They were both great. Even with the 5 spd auto, I’d choose the 4Runner as the better driver by far. Maybe it’s been fixe in later years, but the transmission tuning on the taco was terrible. Constant gear hunting. Slow down for a turn….make turn….transmission upshifted, then downshifted, then upshifted. I even had the truck tuned later in ownership which helped some, but was still annoying. Traded for the 4Runner. The 4.0L is a great engine with good low end torque….and it’s bulletproof. But It’s also quite thirsty!

[@darthtyranus7683]

Same I test drove my first new car and new Toyota ever ever came off a Nissan 370z the difference was extreme I test drove one 4 runner against 3 brand new 2017 Tacomas at the time sr5s up to TRD sports and went with the 4runner because it just had that great 4.0 V6 rep and the overall feel was more torquey by far vs the newish 3.5 I love Tacomas too but I'm sure everyone can attest after a year of owning the Taco theres little to enjoy from 3.5. Toyota should of R&D with the better fanbase I understand these EPA regs though they're so intrusive nowadays look how many car brands are moving to EV now

[@shawnseeley9561]

Anyone comparing these two should also consider a lightly used Lexus GX 460. This is the exact situation I find myself in, and I find the Lexus to be a very compelling option for a vehicle that I intend to keep for 20 years, give or take.

[@decarloswilliams6099]

I totally agree. The GX460 gives you a few more creature comforts with the same off-road prowess.

[@tylerwest3820]

Drive a gx and 4 runner back to back on the hwy there is no comparison the gx is far nicer

[@totallygothboy]

The way I almost choked on my coffee when he compared the rear glass of both vehicles ☕️😫🤣🤣

[@FXTKITE]

Great video Tyler!

[@michaelb2251]

We have a '22 4Runner and a '22 Tacoma 4x4 off-road...hard to like one better than the other

[@KayBertoss]

Great comparison review. You pointed out most of the details that get overlooked with these 2 vehicles. Still tho, Love my 2020 Tacoma TRD Sport 4x4. A truck. Body on frame 4WD. That’s what I wanted. If I wanted an SUV the 4R would be a top consideration.

[@canalesivany]

4Runner bulletproof! Timeless design!

[@gmega8]

Simple deciding factor. Tacoma=Built in Mexico 4Runner=Built in Japan, end of story.

[@dawsidaws]

Texas too depending on vin

[@jakmac13]

I’m a simple man… I see Toyota trucks and I subscribe

[@muscles662988]

My dad bought a 2005 Tacoma SR5 Double Cab brand new back when I was in high school. Fast forward years later and I bought myself a 2016 4Runner Trail brand new in Summer 2017. I did consider both but 4Runner fit more of what I do on a daily basis. Both are good choices!

[@brikwil]

Nice job, Tyler! You know, I can't believe I have never purchased a 4-Runner, because I have admired it and the gone-but-not-forgotten Nissan Xterra for MANY years. The older I get, the more your comments about a "composed, forgiving" ride matter to me! Lol. I'm still thrilled with my Grand Cherokee 4xe, and I still want you to review it!!

[@greatmusicgoodfeel826]

Good review , We have the TRD runner and love it, My son just got his TRD Tacoma truck and I love it to. I don't understand why the towing difference , Runner has a larger motor but stuck at 5k pounds . My number one like is resale , You will always get back huge with other choices . See ya

[@1Craftyone]

You’re incredibly in depth with your reviews. Biggest problem I have now is I want both now lol I’ll probably go with the TACO, but you really made it hard on me since some days I think about getting the 4 Runner. Great review though. Bottom line is I don’t think you can go wrong with either

[@gerard4441]

had the taco, managed to get my hands on a 4runner trd ORP with kdss, id choose the 4runner but yeah id keep both. convinced my sister to buy the taco off me, i still drive it from time to time lol

[@dalefrolander3583]

If you get kdss on the 4runner it's turns much flatter than the non-kdss version, and it gets stiffer shocks eliminating the nose dive issue.

[@orientxpress3093]

Form factor aside - 4 liter all day.

[@youtubecarspottersguide1]

4Runner better trail rig 109" wheel base , don't need to buy roof top tent or shell / topper can sleep out of the back mpg. towing payload is lower on the 4 runner have a 19 tacoma sr sx v6 4x4 has the 6.5" box I carry 2 or 3 bycyles and close the tailgate dont trust the towing my airstream is 6000lb and the tacoma struggles towing should be more like 5000 , get a 4runner while you can.

[@tannerdow3029]

I love my taco for overlanding but the 4runner is the better on road truck especially on the highway. The 5 speed somehow feels more modern than the tacomas 6 speed. Especially after putting a roof top tent and bigger tires on. Really can’t go wrong either way depends on what you want to use it for.

[@PB-om4ml]

Love my Tacoma. Sometimes I regret not springing for the 4runner. Both are great vehicles that will likely remain more durable than their next-gen tiny displacement turbo replacements.

[@jtlegionnaire6310]

I can’t decide! I love both! But with the Tacoma changing this year it’s more urgent!

[@marcuskoolrt]

@@jtlegionnaire6310 I can’t decide either

[@jtlegionnaire6310]

@@marcuskoolrt the struggle is real.

[@marcuskoolrt]

@@jtlegionnaire6310 I heard the Tacoma is getting a turbo 4 cylinder… but idk about that they already did it to the tundra with 6 cylinder turbo

[@amazinggrace8136]

After some researching/debating I just picked up a 2020 tacoma trd or.

[@DavidAragon13]

Last year I got a TRD OR with a 6MT and never looked back. Having also driven a 2nd gen with the 4.0, I like the 3.5 L much more. Also, with the pricing of my 6MT made it under 39K.

[@chanoleyva8584]

This is the first time I have heard this. The 4.0 is a better motor idk why you prefer less low end torque.

[@skywalk78none94]

@@chanoleyva8584 maybe the manual transmission…..that would sway me from the 4runner but if the 4r had. An M/T that would be perfect

[@Jojo-ni2cg]

Owned both and I like the 4Runner much better all around-one is made in Mexico and one is made in Japan

[@anotheran]

Omg my 1998 4Runner had a 5 speed and the 2023 4Runner still uses a 5 speed. It’s crazy what Toyota can put out and ppl still buy it.

[@Supra_Nova88]

I had a 3rd gen Taco OR for a couple of years, and gotta say I did like it quite a bit. The light weight bed did make it skip a little bit on rough spots, especially in corners. But my biggest complaint was the lack of power and the transmission. It constantly searching for gears was absolutely infuriating. I ended up tuning it and it helped a ton, but then things go weird in the tuning world and OV was no longer offering the service. You have to do I yourself with their equipment. Looking to trade my Kia Stinger for a 4Runner now after test driving one and liking it quite a bit more than the Taco

[@verow5]

How long is the back of the 4Runner with the seats folded down? Thanks

[@TheHugsvilleHorror]

The wife and I settled this earlier this year. She got the 4runner, I got the Tacoma. Edit: It's not obnoxious. It's just loud. (I have the electric lime TRD off road.)

[@domiperez1759]

I got the lime color . I love it

[@teamhonzilla]

4runner made in Japan for the the win!!!

[@davidmaan9696]

I own both. 2019 4runner and 2018 tacoma. If you dont need the bed, do yourself a favor and buy the 4runner. Anywhere from powertrain to build quality, fit and finish the 4runner is superior.

[@PB-om4ml]

“The tacoma does have a lot of body/cab dissonance. You feel the front and THEN the rear doing their own thing.” YES, it was a very eery feeling the first time I drove it, thinking something was wrong. But it’s just it’s way of existing I guess.

[@jonathanhuynh880]

Nice

[@PB-om4ml]

One thing I can’t figure out is why the Tacoma depreciates less than the 4runner. There’s way more Tacomas built and sold, and 4Runners are built with higher quality and are usually more sought after.

[@hunterbise]

the truck market has gone crazy

[@Evom777]

And made in Japan at the same plant as the Lexus GX, whereas the Tacos are made in Mexico. Advantage 4Runner.

[@honda116969]

I have the 2022 6-speed manual 4X4 TRD off-road... Just your basic truck & then some. Yeah I guess there's those people that always want more but it pulls more than I'll ever need it's reliable I'm not getting that new Tacoma NO way

[@AR-pm9nv]

Not to brag, but I have a 17 4Runner and a 15 Tacoma, both with the 4.0L. 😉🤣

[@ryangreen3841]

If you fold the Tacoma back seats down you can put a reverse facing child seat

[@toronado455]

I am the keyboard warrior they speak of when they speak of keyboard warriors.😂 I was ready to comment that this is apples and oranges, but clearly you already understand that perspective, and this is a good video.

[@jtlegionnaire6310]

This is my inner debate, get a tacoma before the gen changes this year, or save more for the last 4runner's next year. Single man but hope to have a family soon.

[@Jayjay-143]

Those cars both reliable but I choose Blue or Lime rush green color who comes first,either Tacoma or 4 Runner , I wasn’t Lucky the Blue Color but this time 100%the Tacoma Lime Rush Green will be mine coz tomorrow I’m going to my dealer

[@YerBoyTroy]

4runner is more comfortable but Tacoma in my opinion is sportier and more fun to drive. Also the 3.5 feels way peppier than 4.0 after having driven both , though the AT paired with the taco isn't as refined as the 5 speed with the 4R. Also while the 4R has a shorter wheelbase, the taco articulates better due to having a c-channel frame so more flex in the body

[@Ni-fg6je]

The 3.5 is a joke and the 6 speed auto in the tacoma gear hunts too much. 4runner is better

[@YerBoyTroy]

​​@@Ni-fg6jeI fortunately have a tune on a 19 taco and have driven many 4runners at this point. My observation is that it's snappier than the 4.0. Especially at higher RPMs. A lot changes once you eliminate the aggressive gear hunting on the Taco

[@Ni-fg6je]

@@YerBoyTroyI have a tune on my Tacoma as well. It drives better but still gear hunts. 4runner is just a better quality vehicle thats much more drivable

[@YerBoyTroy]

​@@Ni-fg6jeCould be the tune, my setup works perfectly for me. And For sure the 4runner is a more premium vehicle, thats a fact. In my opinion it drives like an older vehicle as well. Some like that, but it's not for me. That being said both vehicles could improve in a lot of ways

[@dylanbrown3840]

You cannot go wrong with either

[@williamstevenson8518]

Did you have any problems with the Mustang getting hung up in the dirt?

[@Doc1855]

The 4.0L is a 750K mile engine

[@Doc1855]

@@layne4376 A friend of mine in TX has a Tundra and always had it serviced at Toyota. When it hit the 1 million mile mark, his Toyota dealership gave him a new Tundra. His old Tundra is now on the showroom floor. It still looks brand new. He did have to have it reupholstered 3 times. It’s the original power train and has never been rebuilt

[@Doc1855]

@@layne4376 I worked my last Toyota pickup like a dog and still managed to get over 300K miles. I was actually surprised that it lasted that long.

[@Doc1855]

@@layne4376 No, I cannot afford one.

[@Doc1855]

@@layne4376 Our current 4X4 pickup has only 35K miles on it and to replace it with the mods I’ve done to ours would set us back over $55K

[@rustynail7866]

I'll take the 4.0 over the 3.5 any day.

[@gillesthibault5023]

I’ve got 2022 tundra and it’s bouncy and jittery as well. It’s a pick up truck they all ride rough. If you want a smooth ride buy a car.

[@romaivanov7312]

4runner the best ❤

[@peterhoma6385]

I have both in a TRD off road , I ended up selling the 4Runner Tacoma was better fit for my needs , it’s great vehicles but Tacoma was suited better for what I do

[@axetrops]

Easy 4Oh….I have both taco and 4runner….aka FJ Cruiser lol

[@crusherman96]

A Tacoma with a topper rides much better

[@BoiseTDI]

This looks more like a video on why you think the 4Runner is better than the Tacoma, then an actual comparison.

[@wanderingdaze7018]

4runner is a smother ride, 4.0 plus optional manual transfer case is a big dead

[@georgeryan3534]

Ok guys the Tacoma is a truck it's made to work hard and last a long time it's not a race car if you want speed buy a sports car

[@JeepCherokeeful]

You can’t haul much of a payload in a midsize pickup

[@wackit6756]

As good as Toyota's are, these two are relics….

[@KLucero22]

Last of a dying era-get ‘em while you can! Many of us will miss them when they’re gone

[@Evom777]

And that's why they're still popular. 😉

[@mark_u]

Toyota really dropped the ball on the Sequoia if even the 14-year-old 4Runner has better ride.

[@kendramckenna7312]

4Runner best just doesn’t come in a manual transmission

[@Realistick]

I heard the 2025 is likely to bring back the manual! If that changes, I may jump to the 4runner camp.

[@kendramckenna7312]

If this is the case I will go back to the 4Runner camp.

[@stackthatartpaper]

TRD PRO: The trim you NEED when you live in the suburbs and help your neighbor take his old lazy boy to the dump once a year. SR5 RWD: The trim you NEED when you are hopping city medians, driving on shitty gravel roads, and hauling a fuckton of tools and junk

[@ramonolivares2072]

6'3 you're not average, what is wrong with you.

[@TibaaaUSA]

4Runner made in JAPAN----------------->Tacoma Made in Mexico