Toyota’s midsize body-on-frame offerings provide great reliability, fit and finish, and unrivaled resale value. Tacoma trucks and 4Runners sit side by side on dealership lots across the country. Similar price tags. Similar size. Similar features.
To the lay person, a 4Runner is to the Tacoma as the Ford Expedition is to the F150. Sure they have similarities, but the as they say the Devil is in the Details. The main detail is, that the 4Runner is actually more of a cousin to the Tacoma than a sibling.
Built in Toyota’s Tahara Plant the 4Runner shares many components and a platform with one of the world’s most revered small SUVs… the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado. In fact, the legendary Prado also provides the foundation for other Toyota products like the FJ Cruiser and Lexus GX.
Sharing more Prado DNA than the 4Runner or the FJ is the Lexus GX. It is dimensionally similar and its primary differences are only cosmetic – interior finishes, badging and Lexus-esque design tweaks. The relationship is similar to that of the LX and Land Cruiser.
Discontinued in the US, the other Prado variant is the FJ Cruiser. Kind of a retro FJ40-inspired version of the two-door Prado. It has all of the underpinnings of the Prado, but lacks the widespread appeal of the 4Runner and GX. It’s an awesome vehicle, but the styling and functionality appeal to a smaller niche. Perhaps if it had been positioned as a direct competitor to the Wrangler (removable top, doors, etc.) the FJ would still occupy the showroom floors in the US.
2010-Present
The current 4Runner (5th Generation) and Lexus GX (2nd Generation) are basically US-spec Land Cruiser Prados (4th Generation). Granted the 4Runner, with a completely different body, is less Prado than the GX. However, the 4Runner’s off-road prowess is more Prado than the GX – thanks to low-hanging Lexus bumpers and running boards. Choose the Lexus if you’re looking for interior refinement and headroom. Choose the 4Runner if you’ll be exploring alongside Jeep Wranglers.
The Good…
- Both the 4Runner and GX are Japanese-built uber-reliable body-on-frame SUV’s
- The 4Runner and GX together offer myriad options that fit almost any need or desire
- Huge price range: 4Runner MSRP starts around $34k; GX loaded with packages and options tops out around $75k
- TRD Pro 4Runner
- Great resale value
- When the FJ departed the lineup the 4Runner received more off road oriented options
- Both are truly capable off-roaders – not crossovers or mall cruising SUV-shaped minivans
The not so good…
- No diesel option in the US
- Lack of aftermarket support/accessories for the GX
- FJ was discontinued in 2014…
2003-2009
The 4Runner gets a V8 and the GX is introduced. Both the 4Runner and GX are slightly larger vehicles than the previous generation 4Runner.
The good…
- More horsepower than its predecessor
- More elbow room for passengers
- The GX provides much more headroom and a cool rear door
- Same V8 as the LC 100 Series and LX
- KDSS suspension was introduced
The not so good…
- The earliest 4Runner trim was… unique
- No longer looked like an 80 Series Land Cruiser
- The Prado twin is only available from Lexus
- No Diesel
- Manual transmission no longer an option
1996-2002
The good…
- This is the generation where Toyota really nailed it. Styling, options, trim levels, etc.
- Remained made in Japan when the Toyota pickup packed its bags and headed to California
- Kind of looks like an 80 Series Land Cruiser
- They last forever
- They look great, and that’s a big deal…we can’t say that for many other cars born in the 90’s
The not so good…
- Low mileage used 4Runners are pretty hard to find (pretty much all will have well over 100k miles)
- Some had gold plated emblems
- Unlike used examples of their big brother the Land Cruiser; there are a lot of 4Runners out there that were not babied, have more than two owners, and aren’t meticulously maintained
2006-2014 (FJ Cruiser)
The good…
- Kind of looks like an FJ 40
- Utilitarian interior
- Bulletproof and reliable engine, suspension, body… basically everything mechanical is rock solid
The not so good…
- None of the cool FJ40 features (removable roof)
- Half doors
- Going head to head with the Wrangler is difficult; even for Toyota
- Speaking of Wrangler… you will see a lot more FJ’s with Wrangler-like mods (We’re looking at you Unlimited JK owners with 20″ wheels and chrome accessories)
