I am buying a new Toyota 4X4 this year.
Now I have to decide which one. I am excited by the FJ-C, but the fact I have a family makes me hesitant on the interior.
What, performance wise, are the main differences between the FJ, 4 Door Taco TRD, and 4Runner?
What do I gain and give up on each? First Toyota for me so I don't know a whole lot about them.
I can do the comparitives for the interior, but as I will be doing quite a bit of 4 wheeling (mostly access for hunting in Alaska) and traveling in snow, off road capabilites/good traction does matter. I an also a first responder and my vehicle MUST get me there regardless of weather.
Thanks.
Hard to advise. You didn't say how many in the family and age of kids. Also, whether you have another vehicle that is generally used for general family necessities such as shopping, school, church, kids activities, etc.
This will be my primary vehicle, I have three kids. The wife has the Honda Odyssey. I may go camping with the two older ones for now. After a few more years, the Odyssey will be exchanged for (probably) a Sequoia.
In a pinch, I may have to travel with three kids under 10 and me and my wife, though this will be exceptional. This is why the I am hesitant about the FJ.
The TRD taco has a great off-road reputation, though some mods are encouraged.
I am not exactly sure what more I get from the FJ over the Taco/4runner.
I have also heard some talk about an Xrunner. What the hell is that?
A bastard name for the Xterra?
The xrunner is really Toyota's 4runner. You need to test drive all three: 4runner, Tacoma, and FJC. The Tacoma and FJC are more rugged for off road jaunts when you drive off the track. If your driving is mostly dirt roads (rutted or snowpacked) the 4runner will be fine, but more expensive than either the FJC or Tacoma. If you need to haul stuff a lot (lumber, motor bikes, etc.) - either consider a small utility trailer or the Tacoma. This hasn't been much help, but only you can make the final decision. At least you recognize Toyota's reputation for well built and reliable.
Depends on what you're hunting I guess. I think if it fits your other needs, the Tacoma would be first choice for hunting. Slinging a deer on the roof of an FJ may work, but it's a pile easier and less messy to have an open bed in back. Let's not even think about what you'd do with a moose.
Note the FJ Cruiser's front seat belts attach to the rear door. Others have said this requires the front seat occupant to get out to let kids in and out of the back seat.
The MT FJ Cruiser has full-time 4WD.
Those are the two differences that I think might not be obvious.
Moose are already cut up, can't move them otherwise. Put them in 8-10 meat bags and call it a day. I wish the 4runner had a stick, though that would just complicate the decision making process. Right now I am leaning towards the TRD Taco.
thanks for all the replies.
The biggest difference between the TRD taco and the FJ-C is obviously the body configuration; pickup bed Vs SUV. the backseat of the new taco double cabs is actually very roomy for a compact pickup (when i first saw the new taco i thought at first it was a tundra). pleanty big enough for kids. the FJ is questionable on back seat room, im sure it would do in a pinch, but for roadtrips its probably not ideal to have 3 kids in the back.
the FJ manual has full-time 4wd, wheras the taco is available only with part-time systems, making the FJ MT more desireable for inclimate weather driving. "I wish the 4runner had a stick, though that would just complicate the decision making process." this leads me to believe you would prefer a stick, if thats the case you should be aware that the d-cab tacoma is available only with the auto transmission.
you also mentioned the TRD off-road package for the tacoma, i assume you want it for the off-road gear (shocks, rear locking diff, etc). if thats the case, the FJ MT comes standard with the TRD e-locker in the rear, potentially saving you $4000 or so of options to get it on the taco.
either way you will be getting a good reliable 4x4, best advice, as others have said already, is to take the family on a test drive, see how they fit and so on.
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Actually, the double cab Tacoma comes with a stick only with the small bed size. The long bed is an autocrapic....err automatic. I agree with you about having a stick. If your inlove with 4runners, I say get you a nice 98 4Runner 4x4 5spd, TRD S/C it and you'll have one bad ass 4x4 that can dub for a drag truck lol.
Although im getting an FJC mainly for 4wheelin, and it looks soo friggin good, im still keepin my 4Runner for when i wanna take more people and gear. But since your going hunting/offroadin, just get a FJC. You already have a Honda to do the family work in the mall, and if you do trade it in for a Sequoia, make sure its a 4x4. The Sequoia has a whopping 11" ground clearance that'll take you over alot of obstacles.
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