2016 Tundra to 4Runner?

Don't sit in a Tacoma then. I was originally set on trading my 4Runner in on a 3rd gen Taco. When I finally went to test drive one, I sat in it and knew from that very second that I was not going to buy that truck. I was expecting it to be like a 4Runner with a bed. The 4runner's cab is far more spacious especially vertically, and you're sitting up in a chair with your feet down on the floor and your knees level. In the Taco, your seat is on the floor with your knees up in the air. It's more like a Camry with a bed. I was so disappointed. And there was no way I was going to subject my kids to that backseat. I'm happy with the Tundra. I only lost 2mpg coming from the 4Runner to the Tundra, and the power and space is great for all five of us and our dog.

 

Definitely sit in one and take the time to see how you feel. I was looking into going from a '10 Tundra to a '16 Tacoma(I think a similar cab to the 4 runner), sat in the driver seat of one with a sunroof and my head was rubbing the headliner, I'm 6'0". The trim was a TRD sport and the seat didn't have an up or down option, I think a non sunroof would of been better, but still turned me off. The body on frame construction of Toyota trucks, which is what makes them awesome, also seems to keep them from getting the seats very low.

 

Maybe, maybe not. Back to using for hunting, nice when all seats fold down and you can sleep back there. Pretty sure 3rd row also has higher demand, and higher resale.

 

Another option might be to put a nice cap on your Tundra, add a bed rug and some other goodies to make it closer to an SUV. I've had 4Runners, Sequoias, Tundras, Tacomas, and even an old Camry. Of course, each one serves it's intended use very well. However, I'm more of a truck guy and I've found I can keep the truck functionality and have a nice enough bed for dry cargo, pets, etc. while keeping the comfortable Crewmax seating, nice ride, and V8 power.

 

Yes, the 3rd row models are closer to flat if you want to sleep back there. Lots of guys build small platforms (usually with drawers) in their 2-row 4runners to add lockable storage and level it out for sleeping. They build the platform to match the height of the 2nd row when it's folded. Seems like most guys with 3-row 4runners on t4r.org ended up ripping them out in favor of ARB or homemade drawers.

The other extremely annoying thing about having the 3rd row is that the entire cargo area very gently slopes down toward the liftgate. If you have anything in the back that can roll, it may try to escape on you as you're opening the liftgate. Especially if you're parked on an incline. I never had anything roll out on me, but I remember slowly opening the liftgate several times while crouching and reaching up to block a watermelon or something from rolling out and splatting on the ground...

I bought used, and at the time the 3rd row 4Runner I settled on wasn't any higher than other 4runners from the same year with similar mileage. I think most everyone knows it's almost useless at this point.

 

Just to throw out another option... if you don't offroad and think you might need a usable 3rd row, the Highlander is roughly the same size as the 4R, but with available 2nd row captains chairs. 4R only has the 60/40 fold down 2nd row. It would also get a few more mpg's.

Granted, the Highlander doesn't look near as good as a 4R or Tundra, IMO, but depending on use it might be a viable option.

 

If I was concerned about the 4 Runner with V-6 power, I might look at a moderate mileage Lexus GX460 with the 4.6 V-8. Very similarly sized and most of them have been babied.

 

Seems like you are getting the worst of the Tundra and Camry (as compared to each other) in one vehicle...the 4R.

 

I had a previous gen 4Runner (2007) with the 4.7 V8 and loved that thing. Put about 60k miles on it and all it ever needed was oil changes. Phenomenal vehicle and I miss it. We have a Highlander Hybrid now. Quite a bit more power than the 4Runner, a great interior, and good gas mileage, but I am not anywhere near as happy with it. My wife mostly drives it. I wouldn't argue with her if she wanted to trade it in for a Lexus GX460 or new 4Runner. But with that said, I don't think I could give up my Tundra. I went from a 2020 Tacoma, which I really loved, to the Tundra, and the Tundra is where I will stay...

 

I’d vote to keep it on power

 

One thing I love about my tundra is the instant power when you need it. Especially when getting on the interstate. That 5.7 really likes to get up and go. Would not want to lose that going down to a V6

 

Wife has a 2018 4Runner and I have a 2018 Double cab. It would be a hard sell for me to go primarily to the 4Runner but there's a lot of really nice things about the size, mainly parking. For 90% of my daily usage, the Tundra is overkill but comes in handy for extra mountain bikes and hauling the Airstream. It is refreshing to drive the 4Runner at times, small, maneuverable, get up and go is just fine. We use it a lot of errands, places with parking garages and also getting to trailheads on narrower roads.