Superficial comparison look at Tacoma vs 4Runner TRD Pro (materials, build quality, feel, paint)

[James Cole]

Hello everyone,

I currently own both a 2025 Tacoma and a 4Runner TRD Pro (sorry, didn't know there were other trims). I wanted to highlight the striking differences between the two, especially since Tacomas often get a bad reputation for being built in Mexico, while 4Runners are praised for being Japan-built.

If I haven't mentioned a specific difference, it either slipped my mind or there’s nothing notable to comment on.

1. Interior

Some posts on X suggest the 4Runner is slightly more luxurious with better materials than the Tacoma. Let’s examine the main differences:

• Headliner and Sun Visors: The Tacoma’s headliner is made of a high-quality, luxurious fabric, while the 4Runner’s resembles flimsy black cardboard, which detracts from its interior appeal. Both vehicles use the same material for sun visors, but the 4Runner’s are poorly cut and stitched. The Tacoma’s sun visors are impeccably crafted.

• Center Armrest: The Tacoma’s armrest features a higher-quality matte material, while the 4Runner’s looks like cheap, glossy vinyl and feels overly soft in an unpleasant way, its already marked on the very edge for some reason.

• Glovebox: The Tacoma’s glovebox has a nice matte finish with a premium feel. The 4Runner’s, however, uses glossy, low-quality material that looks worn and clashes with the red interior. The Tacoma’s interior finishes feel consistently high-quality throughout.

• Soft-Touch Door Materials: The 4Runner’s door panels feel softer but in a fragile, low-quality way, as if the padding might degrade quickly. The Tacoma’s soft-touch materials are firmer and seem more durable, suggesting they’ll hold up better over time.
• Interior Plastics: Most plastics are similar, but the Tacoma’s feel slightly higher quality, though the difference is subtle.
• Door and Window Operation: The 4Runner disappointed me here big time, Its front windows rattle over bumps when halfway down, as if loose, and the doors closing “thunk” sounds cheap. The Tacoma’s windows don’t rattle, its doors have a heavier, premium feel, and the overall experience is noticeably better.

• Cabin Noise: The Tacoma’s interior is about 20% quieter, possibly due to its smaller cabin.
• Rattles: The 4Runner has rattles in the dash, passenger door, and possibly the rear. The Tacoma is mostly rattle-free, except for the seats, which I hope Toyota addresses with a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB). The seat rattle seems like an easy fix, and I’m experienced at resolving car rattles.

2. Exterior and Paint

• Paint Quality: The 4Runner’s paint quality is superior, particularly on black painted surfaces, where it’s flawless. The Tacoma’s paint is good but falls slightly short, especially on the black fender flares, which lack gloss and show factory imperfections even after paint correction. Both vehicles have excellent panel gaps.

3. Drivetrain and Ride Quality

• Drivetrain: Both vehicles feel similar, but the 4Runner operates in electric mode more often than the Tacoma for reasons I’m unsure of. Engine vibrations are identical when the gas engine kicks in. The Tacoma’s exhaust is sportier and louder due to a smaller rear muffler.
• Steering and Turning Radius: The 4Runner’s steering rack is quicker and easier to maneuver, with a significantly better turning radius than the Tacoma’s, which is quite poor.
• Ride Quality: The 4Runner’s ride is 50% smoother, likely due to its 2-inch lower suspension, requiring less stiff springs and shocks. The Tacoma handles high-speed bumps better, though.
• Vehicle Noise Generator (VNG): In electric mode, the Tacoma’s VNG is about three times louder than the 4Runner’s, which is only noticeable outside the vehicle, as it should be.
• Horn: The 4Runner’s horn sounds like it belongs on a 1970s Datsun—not a fan.

TL;DR I'm amazed that the Mexican-built Tacoma surpasses the 4Runner in build quality and interior materials, paint Japan is still king. Old perceptions linger, but rest assured, things have changed.

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[talmadge]

I don’t own both but looked at both and sat in/drove both pretty extensively before purchasing. I don’t agree with everything you said but I will say that I don’t understand where the people claiming the 4Runner has better plastics are getting that idea from. The first time I got in a 6G 4Runner I was excited because I heard the interior quality was much better than the Mexican Tacoma. I was pretty disappointed to find no difference whatsoever in the flimsy door handles and loose feeling 4WD control knob. I don’t need the interior to be made of mahogany and titanium but those are two parts in particular that I feel should inspire confidence every time you touch them. I’m sure they’ll be fine but for $70k I don’t want the word “flimsy” to cross my mind when I’m shifting to 4WD.

 

[rocktheroad]

Headliner and Sun Visors: The Tacoma’s headliner is made of a high-quality, luxurious fabric, while the 4Runner’s resembles flimsy black cardboard, which detracts from its interior appeal. Both vehicles use the same material for sun visors, but the 4Runner’s are poorly cut and stitched. The Tacoma’s sun visors are impeccably crafted.

I never really noticed it until I was trying to put in a dashcam. That headliner is so cheap and poorly made, it's almost ridiculous. Honestly, I’ve never been in anything with such disappointing materials - unless you count a U-Haul!

• Soft-Touch Door Materials: The 4Runner’s door panels feel softer but in a fragile, low-quality way, as if the padding might degrade quickly. The Tacoma’s soft-touch materials are firmer and seem more durable, suggesting they’ll hold up better over time.
• Interior Plastics: Most plastics are similar, but the Tacoma’s feel slightly higher quality, though the difference is subtle.

I’ve got the TRD ORP, so no soft-touch stuff for me. I was ready for that because I’m not the kind of person to smash my elbow through a window. But seriously, what's up with the interior door handles? That flimsy lock switch? with no color indicators? It's on top of my list for upgrades!

I really don’t like the sound of the door, and I saw someone spray some insulation after taking off all the trim panels. I’m thinking about giving it a shot!

 

[James Cole]

Yes the 4Runner headliner belongs in a 15k econo car... and it clashes with the sunvisors because they are made of a nice textile... makes no sense at all...

 

[Vintage38]

Excellent comparison review. I'm waiting for my 2025 4Runner TRD PRO to come in, hopefully next month. I've owned a 2024 Tacoma Trail Hunter which I traded in a year later on a 2025 Tacoma TRD PRO. In my personal experience I have noticed the build quality is better in the 2025. I noticed you went White exterior red interior on both. I was thinking the same with Mudbath over Black interior, but had a hard time finding a Mudbath Tacoma TRD PRO. Ending up with a Tacoma TRD PRO in Underground with Red interior (which I love the red interior). My incoming 4Runner will be Mudbath.

 

[James Cole]

Excellent comparison review. I'm waiting for my 2025 4Runner TRD PRO to come in, hopefully next month. I've owned a 2024 Tacoma Trail Hunter which I traded in a year later on a 2025 Tacoma TRD PRO. In my personal experience I have noticed the build quality is better in the 2025. I noticed you went White exterior red interior on both. I was thinking the same with Mudbath over Black interior, but had a hard time finding a Mudbath Tacoma TRD PRO. Ending up with a Tacoma TRD PRO in Underground with Red interior (which I love the red interior). My incoming 4Runner will be Mudbath.

Yeah I know super boring having the same colour, but I really like the red interiors and dark grey and black are high maintenance.... so white it is...

 

[Dr_Al]

I would assume it's where the parts are sourced from. For example I doubt it makes sense to buy headliners made in North America and ship them to Japan. So you could be looking at the capabilities of different suppliers.

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