I found a great used ‘23 4Runner with 12k miles on it, one of the newest options I can find within my budget. I’m considering trading in my ‘23 Tacoma for it. I’ve worked really hard for that truck and waited a long time to get it, so it’s a tough decision. But with a baby on the way, I feel like the 4Runner would make life easier.
I don’t use the truck bed for much—mostly family trips with my wife, dog, and luggage. I figure the 4Runner can handle all of that just as well and make traveling more convenient with the baby and stroller.
I’m a little nervous about making the trade and regretting it later. Has anyone made a similar switch? How was the experience? Any big differences in the drive, interior space, or overall usability?
Amory said:
If you ever miss the bed, you can always get a utility trailer.
It’s not quite the same. Part of owning a truck is being able to toss stuff in the bed without caring. But for family life, the 4Runner is a great choice.
Raleigh said:
Have you test-driven it yet? I’d probably trade my Tacoma for a 4Runner if I had a baby on the way.
I test drove a ‘24 (figured it’d feel similar to the ‘23), but the ‘24 was way out of my budget. They’re shipping in the ‘23 soon, so I’ve got a couple of days to decide and still test drive it.
@Leif
We’re a family of 3 and took a road trip recently. I planned to use the Tacoma, but my wife didn’t want to deal with putting stuff in the bed. We rented an SUV instead. I don’t use the bed much, so I’ve also considered switching to a 4Runner.
@Raleigh
Same here. Right now, the dog fits fine in the back seat, but add a baby, stroller, and luggage, and it gets cramped. The thought of a stroller rolling around the bed doesn’t sit well either. I think I’m leaning towards the 4Runner. How’s it been with a kid in the back of your Tacoma?
@Leif
We mostly use the Tacoma for short trips and around town. For longer trips, my wife’s Prius is better. We’re planning to replace it with a RAV4 soon as the primary family car.
Oaklan said:
We have both a Tacoma and a 4Runner, and we love them!
Same here!
It’s a great combo. My wife used to drive an X5, which we loved, but maintenance costs were insane. I finally convinced her to get a 4Runner, and now I’ve got my Tacoma. Toyota’s quality is unbeatable!
I’ve got an ‘18 Tacoma, and my wife recently traded her ‘20 4Runner Limited for a ‘24 TRD Pro. The Tacoma’s bed leaks, so anything I want to keep dry has to go in a weatherproof box. The 4Runner’s interior space is perfect for family use. It’s more comfortable on long drives, too. The Tacoma is more fun to drive, but the 4Runner is better overall for a family.
If you’re not using the bed often, I’d go with the 4Runner. It’s probably more comfortable for a family, but you really can’t go wrong with either Toyota.