Torn Between Tundra and 4Runner

I will be in the market for a new ride early next year but starting to research and test drive now. I can’t decide between the Tundra and the 4Runner. I have 2 kids (10,6), do some house/yard work throughout the year but nothing crazy. Take a few trips to the beach in the summer and have a short commute to work.

I like the functionality of having an open bed whenever I need it, which is not often, but have also been a SUV guy to this point and the 4Runner feels more comfortable overall to me.

So my question is, what do you like most about the 4Runner? Also, has anyone here been in the same position or gone from Tundra to 4Runner?

Any feedback is appreciated!

 

I think the first appropriate question is: what is your budget?

Your time frame of buying puts you in a interesting spot. With stock on Toyota’s being so limited and prices higher than ever, and tack on that new model tundra and 4runner is about to come out...

 

A pickup is very handy especially for a homeowner. Now if money wasn't tight, I'd buy an older, used base model Tundra and get a new 4Runner. If two vehicles cannot be had, then a new higher trim Tundra with a quad cab will be it.

 

Realistically I’ll be buying around this time next year so certainly keeping an eye on the new model Tundra but not really a fan of the new v6 engine if that is where they go. I’d rather give it some time to see how they hold up since it will be new and the v8 is tried and true.

Budget is no issue, this will be a purchase and hold for at least 10 years, if not 15.

 

I have a Tundra and just bought my wife a 4 Runner two weeks ago. Both are great vehicles and I think both serve different purposes for us. If I could only choose one then I would go with the Tundra for the versatility. I too rarely need a truck bed, bed when I do need it there is no substitute. We also like having a V8 for certain trips/activities so the TTV6 that is likely to end up in the G4 Tundra makes the decision a little trickier. I will say that my first impressions of the 4 Runner is that the build quality is even better than the Tundra.

 

All good points mentioned above. I'll add one more.

If you wait till this time next year the Gen 6 T4R "should" be making it's debut. It'll be interesting to see what Gen 6 brings.

 

good thinking.

Your struggle may be finding a new tundra/4runner on the lot, though. Guess you’ll have to cross that bridge when it gets there.

As far as which, there are a few threads on here about who came from a tundra or who went to a tundra. I had a 5.7l crewmax before my runner. The room was phenomenal. For me, I went more towards overlanding and off-roading. The tundra was just a huge truck. Not a big deal for me, but after switching to the runner, I was amazed at how much more fun it was to drive.

don’t have anything bad to say about either. Some days I miss my tundra, but I could never go back. You’d be happy with either.

 

Sold my 2016 4Runner for a 2020 tundra.

tundra has waaay more power and room.

4runner had nicer features and felt better built.

depends on what you want in a vehicle.

Hooking up the trailer wiring plug in the winter on my snowmobile trailer to my 4runner was annoying. Fuel mileage wasn’t much better than my tundra. A truck bed is very useful and handy.

 

Definitely note the gas mileage won’t be much different. On a good day I get 2mpg more in my 4runner

 

Neither the Tundra nor the 4runner get great gas millage. If you fold all the seats down in the 4runner you basically have a tacoma with an enclosed bed. What type of stuff are you carrying?

If money is tight buy a 2wd 4runner and rent a u-haul pickup for that rare occurrence when you need more space than the 4runner has.

Have you thought of getting Sequoia? It is like a cross between a tundra and a 4runner. You get that V8 engine and an SUV with the same size as the Tundra.

 

I have both 4Runner and a Tundra I use the Tundra for hauling the "dirty" loads and pulling the Heavy trailer However being a single cab Tundra I could not tell you it is good for Kids and the Boss. The 4Runner tows the boat handles the off road fun and everything in between and it will handle passengers well.

 

I had trucks (rams) and the 4Runner. I don’t really miss the hemi, but I do miss the taller ride, the wide cabin, the middle console, the storage space (center console)
Since the runner is now taken over by the wifey, I’ll get myself a tundra (if the cyber doesn’t pan out in time)
I’d wait for the v6, more power and for sure better mpg.

 

I think Trekker makes a good point. The Sequoia is the closest thing to an SUV equivalent of the Tundra. If you're really on the fence about whether you'd prefer a bed or enclosed cargo area, then size becomes the differentiator. If you think the Sequoia is too big, wouldn't the Tundra be too big as well?

 

I did love the overall ride quality of the Tundra (SR5 4.7V8). Interior is very roomy. But there were few things I didn't like;
1. It didn't fit in my garage.
2. Traction is bad in winter days. (Probably due to lack of weight on rear axles)
3. Frequent fill ups required with its bad mpg. (Didn't have the bigger 38gal tank on this one). I think the 4.7 v8 is no more available now, I guess now they are all 5.7 v8)
4. Parking is not easy. I could park with a wider line if available but most car parks doesn't have much room for wide turns to park with all 4 tires with in parking lines. I did find reverse parking is easy when available. (Maybe my driving is not good)
5 Driving at speeds on dirt roads slomo videos I took show that the frame between the cab and truck bed is bending quite a but so not sure if it could create any stress on frame.
6 Didn't try any obstacles as with long wheel base I would easy have trail damage.
7 I think even Tundra TRD Pro doesn't have much offroad tech.

 

I was always a truck guy, until I drove my buddy's 4runner and knew I wanted one. I traded in the F150 and got one. I soon had some ohh no what did I do feelings when I needed a truck for simple things from lowes or whatnot. I got a 7x12 aluminum trailer and a prinsu roof rack with plenty of tie downs and have since gotten over my fear of making a wrong choice. Yeah a truck is convenient, and if I had it to do over I may switch back to a taco or tundra, but I really do like the 4runner.

 

You're lucky in that there is no bad choice here. I have both and I'd hate to have to think about doing without one or the other.

 

Tundra...

 

Greatly appreciate all the response, lots of good insights, and things to consider.

 

Seems like the real question to consider is space/versatility vs off road performance/agility. Might be worth considering whether you plan to do mostly city or country driving.

Either choice will be the correct choice

 

Note the comments on 4Runner build quality. The design is ancient but it's built in Japan on a Lexus assembly line and that will end after 2022 so it's your last chance to get one...the build quality is impressive. On the other hand I read where the Tundra will be getting two new engines so I'm sure it will be a highly desirable truck. I love full size pick-ups but really don't need one so for me the 4-Runner is a broadly capable vehicle that fits easily in the garage and parking spots.

 

I have both in 2020. Tundra hands down. 4Runner is nice and versatile but slow IMO.

 

I own a Ford 250 diesel and a 4R. My truck is purposed for hauling lumber and other stuff from Lowe’s, trash, trailers, etc. My 4R is for traveling, camping and over-landing. My advice would be to select the vehicle that best suits your most frequent needs. If traveling and outdoor activities is the more frequent need, then get a 4R and buy a small utility trailer when you need lumber, or need to haul a riding mower, etc.

 

1st.. Welcome from Wisconsin! I don't think you'll go wrong with either one. They both have advantages and disadvantages. We came from a long line of Chevy Silverados to a Tacoma, the thought was about having an "open" bed. Your right about 'no substitute' for a pickup. Now after downsizing to a Tacoma, and having to pull a small trailer sometimes, we have since switched to a 4Runner, everything under a climate controlled roof. Sometimes we still pull the trailer (and I know that can be a pain in the butt) and have to plan accordingly to park, if need be, and keep mobility. Basically a couple pros and cons, which I'm sure you've weighed out, the thing to check is the availability of either one also. Good luck.

 

This will be a long thread. Lol. A lot of different opinions. I traded my 2020AG 4runner Pro in on tundra pro LunaRock. I loved my 4runner pro and I had a 17 before that. My decision to trade in my wife has a Acura SUV so we don’t need 2 of them. Tried to convince her to take the 4runner and I would have traded the Acura. No go. She did not want that mans color and that big 4runner to drive around. I agree. Her Acura is very nice and easy to drive. So getting pretty much what I paid for my 4runner and not needing to put much out of my pocket for the tundra and made more sense to have a truck. Do I need a truck I don’t use it that much for doing any hauling. But I have the bed if needed. The crewmax the back seat is huge. Just got back from OBX for a week. Put about 1000 miles on it. That was the first time the wife rode in it since I bought it. Her first impression this thing sounds awesome. That is one thing where I would have a issue trying to give this back up plus the smooth shifting with the transmission and V8 sound. This is my first full size Toyota I have ever had. Always had tacomas then switched to the 4runner. I wanted the last year of the tundra Pro. No V6 turbo for me. I have nothing to lose especially I’am also about numbers when it comes to vehicles. That why I stayed with Toyota’s over the years and the reliability. It does fit in my garage. But the only issue I have is this thing is big compared to the 4runner and Toyota. It will take a little bit to get use to. I drive mostly all highway so the gas is not that bad considering I was getting 17 highway with my 4runner Pro because I had 285’s. So if I get 16 or 17 with this I will live with that. But like I told my wife I have nothing to lose. If I decide to go back to a Tacoma or 4runner I will make money on this. Sorry about the long post.

 

Will the Tundra fit in your garage? I could fit one in mine, barely, but not if my wife also wanted to park her Mazda CX-5 in there. It would just be ridiculously tight for both of us.

And my house was built in the 80s, so it doesn't exactly have one of those dinky new-style garages.

Please ignore this if you don't garage your vehicles, but it's something to consider.

 

Tundra hands down.

Miss mine. No new ones coming here for a bit so I'll wait. Not to mention the power difference.

 

I respectfully disagree (don't shoot me) but there is an alternative to a truck bed especially when seldom used - it's called a utility trailer. However, if you are in a position where you do hauling on a regular basis then definitely go for the Tundra!

 

I don't think a trailer is a equal substitution for a truck bed.

Not to mention have you seen people try to drive with trailers. I get a laugh at the boat ramp all the time.

 

For myself, I wanted something that would fit in the garage and still tow. I considered the full size and the Tacoma even is longer. In a standard 2.5 garage I have the 4Runner fits good with my Accord and still room for a snowblower and lawnmower and tools etal.

The Tundra/F-150 would barely fit in length wise and no room for lawnmower/snowblower behind.

This is just me though I am fussy guy though and like to keep my vehicle clean and not outside.

 

must be going to the wrong boat ramp then, I tow 3 different trailers with the 4Runner and it is as smooth as can be...