Yikes why are 4Runners so much pricier than Tacomas?

[l008com]

I just built up a TRD Off Road 4Runner and a TRD Off Road Tacoma on the site just to compare. Mainly because I really want that manual transmission. I expected there to be some difference, but the difference is huge!
The Tacoma was $45,500 and the 4Runner was $52,500! (both with the expensive red paint)
So the manual does save $1000, so the price difference is "only" $6000. That still seems like a large difference for what is effectively the same vehicle.
I also only just now saw that they are charging $1000 less for the manual. As if I didn't want one bad enough, now I want one even more! (in a 4Runner).

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[Nodak]

historically 4R have always been more than a tacoma. its just simple math really.

you have more of a vehicle with a 4R than a tacoma. better passenger interior space, better choice of more trims and features and more of a resource used pov than a tacoma. i mean on a truck 1/2 of the vehicle is just empty space vs and enclosed space in the same area that you have to make like the rest of the interior.

but i think the biggest issue is the where the vehicle is produced. mexico/texas vs japan.

logistically wise, the baked in cost of building, shipping and what not is always going to be more than having a vehicle built on the same continent vs shipping across the ocean.

and this gen taco will be the last version to have a manual. it will probably disappear on the refresh anyway from my guess.

when you are building 99% auto's and barely selling any manuals, it just a matter of time. unless its a dedicated sports car (which toyota still believes that is the only way to have a transmission in those types of vehicles)

but for domestic 99% of the population, no one wants a manual.

and for most federal requirements for safety systems, its just easier to program and tune a system to an automatic than a manual.

 

[Jay Dee]

but i think the biggest issue is the where the vehicle is produced. mexico/texas vs japan.

I'd say pretty much this...

 

[Vincenzo]

The extra seats, sheet metal, and glass should be free?

 

[Mr. Wolfe]

Wow, I can't believe they still offer a MT. That's great.

Mr. Wolfe

 

[Desert_6Gen]

They are more but that varies by trim since you really can't compare trim to trim. 4Runners are bigger, they require more metal, materials, parts, likely long times to build, more labor hours, and a longer transport time. Tacomas being built in Mexican are being built by people making less than the US minimum wage. Every aspect of manufacturing is more on the 4Runner.

 

[TrdProGirl84]

Well, my 2025 4Runner TRD Pro was made in Japan. The Tacoma was not.

 

[l008com]

They are more but that varies by trim since you really can't compare trim to trim. 4Runners are bigger, they require more metal, materials, parts, likely long times to build, more labor hours, and a longer transport time. Tacomas being built in Mexican are being built by people making less than the US minimum wage. Every aspect of manufacturing is more on the 4Runner.

Thats really not true though, about 4runners being bigger. Even compared to the short 5ft bed tacoma, the tacoma is 18" longer, an inch narrower than a 4 runner but an inch taller, and only about 200lbs lighter. Theres also the 6' bed option thats 31" longer than a 4runner.

I get that shipping from mexico is cheaper than shipping from japan, and that the labor costs should be cheaper. But by THAT amount seems... excessive. I'd love to see what the actual profit margins are on both vehicles.

 

[Nodak]

Thats really not true though, about 4runners being bigger. Even compared to the short 5ft bed tacoma, the tacoma is 18" longer, an inch narrower than a 4 runner but an inch taller, and only about 200lbs lighter. Theres also the 6' bed option thats 31" longer than a 4runner.

I get that shipping from mexico is cheaper than shipping from japan, and that the labor costs should be cheaper. But by THAT amount seems... excessive. I'd love to see what the actual profit margins are on both vehicles.

well the structure is completely different on a 4R than a taco.

1. an open bed you dont have to worry about crash testing as much, since you dont carry people in a truck bed

2. you also dont have to cover a bed with interior hardware (carpet, panels, more seats)

3. dont have to accomodate interior comfort or safety device for 3rd row people or the enclosed storage area

4. truck beds dont have a liftgate that rises up like a suv, so you have more hardware and safety considerations since the suv liftgate is usually the only thing between a vehicle wreck and the 3rd row vs a tuck that has a driveline and space to dissapate energy in a crash.

material wise, configuration wise, safety differences, creature comfort, more people carrying capacity ends up costing more since you have to cater to a larger customer base of varibles that needs to be appeased vs a truck where i need to provide more hauling space/capability vs people space/capability

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