Like many, I swore allegiance to my Toyota Tacoma. Bought brand new in 2020, it was meant to be a forever vehicle, a testament to Toyota’s legendary reliability. Back then, life was different. COVID was reshaping the world, and I snagged a deal on my Tacoma – a small discount and 0% APR. Fast forward to today, and the landscape has drastically changed. Life has, thankfully, returned to some semblance of normal, but the Toyota truck market has gone wild with inflated prices and high demand. More personally, my wife and I welcomed our first child.
*My trusty Toyota Tacoma, once a backcountry explorer, now defeated by a child’s car seat.*Life throws curveballs, doesn’t it? The arrival of our son meant the trusty Tacoma, while still running strong, was suddenly… cramped. The new toddler car seat simply wouldn’t fit comfortably in the back without pushing my wife into an uncomfortable position in the front passenger seat. It’s a realization that hits you hard: the priorities shift. Remember those days of carefree adventures, focused on cocktail recipes and weekend getaways? Now, my reality involves navigating the delicate art of yogurt removal from floor crevices. Ah, parenthood.
The Tacoma’s limited rear legroom, while manageable before, became a genuine issue. It’s a known drawback, alongside other familiar Tacoma quirks: the somewhat anemic V6 engine struggling for power and fuel efficiency, the hesitant six-speed automatic transmission, the basic ride quality, the bare-bones tech features, and let’s not forget those speakers – possibly the worst in the automotive market. And yet, despite paying a premium for a truck with rear drum brakes in this day and age, I still chose it.
Simple pleasures: sunsets and trucks.
Why? Because Old Toyota Trucks, despite their shortcomings, offer something increasingly rare in the modern automotive world: unwavering reliability and mechanical simplicity. They are built for longevity, designed for the DIY mechanic, and project a certain rugged, no-frills appeal. We, as buyers, accept the compromises because of this inherent, uncomplicated nature.
This realization, triggered by the car seat conundrum, led me back to Toyota’s stable of “dumb old trucks.” I fondly recalled childhood memories of family road trips in the back of my parents’ trusty 4Runner. So, naturally, I borrowed a “new” 2024 4Runner – a model that, remarkably, dates back to 2009 – for a family road test, car seat and all.
ToyotaThe verdict? The 4Runner, much like the Tacoma, is undeniably outdated.
Granted, the TRD Pro trim I tested looked the part. Its “Terra” brick-orange paint screamed adventure, and its boxy silhouette stands in stark contrast to the rounded, almost amorphous designs of many modern SUVs. The 4Runner still possesses a rugged aesthetic that many find appealing.
However, beneath the tough exterior lies a truly archaic machine.
The 4Runner’s infotainment and driver information screens are laughably low-resolution. Toyota’s Multi-Terrain Monitor, the 360-degree camera system, is rendered almost useless by the grainy display. This is a significant issue, as this technology is primarily a safety feature, intended to enhance visibility in tight spots, not just for off-roading prowess. In parking lots or when backing out of a driveway where a child might be playing, a clear, functional 360-degree camera is crucial.
Nothing else delivers exactly what these long-serving Toyota trucks do.
By persisting with such outdated screens, Toyota is arguably compromising safety in the 4Runner. Even the screens in my 2020 Tacoma are only marginally better. The 4Runner’s screens feel like they were plucked straight from a 2002 flip phone.
The interior design and materials echo this dated feel. Cheap plastics and a decidedly old-fashioned layout are prevalent. The oversized, clunky shift knob resembles a beer tap handle, and the overall cabin materials feel rough and unrefined.
The base 4Runner’s cabin. Comfier than a Latvian prison. Probably.
Keep in mind, this 4Runner, as tested, carries a price tag of over $56,000.
After fifteen years with minimal updates, it begs the question: who is still buying these old trucks?
The answer, likely, is people like me.
The 4Runner’s “comically outdated” nature also translates to a certain “charmingly outdated” appeal. The climate controls, for instance, are operated by large, chunky knobs that protrude from the center console like miniature volcanoes. Like every other physical control in the cabin, they are intuitive and easy to use without taking your eyes off the road.
Can the same be said for the touch-sensitive, menu-driven interfaces in many modern vehicles? Probably not.
There’s a satisfying tactile feel to the 4Runner’s controls, a quality reminiscent of older vehicles. From the weighty steering to the distinct click of the wiper stalk, there’s a sense of mechanical robustness that’s increasingly rare.
Forget navigating endless infotainment menus. There aren’t any. Heated seats and steering wheel? Simple, physical switches on the dashboard. One satisfying click, and you’re done.
*The Tacoma's simple switchgear. We love it.*The 4Runner’s naturally aspirated 4.0-liter V6 engine delivers a decent punch of low-end torque (278 lb-ft), something many modern turbocharged four-cylinder engines struggle to match. Fuel economy suffers, of course – I averaged around 16 mpg – but the engine’s gruff growl fills the cabin with a character that’s missing in today’s quieter, more refined engines. And then there’s the reliability factor. If you needed a vehicle to last for decades with basic maintenance, the 4Runner would be a top contender.
The 4Runner projects an image of capability and durability, and it delivers on that promise. That’s a quality that resonates with many buyers.
However, change is inevitable.
The new breed of Tacoma and 4Runner.
Toyota is phasing out these older truck models. My third-generation Tacoma is already discontinued. The all-new sixth-generation 4Runner is on the horizon. Both are built on the modern TNGA-F platform, shared with the new Tundra, Sequoia, Land Cruiser, and Lexus GX.
The powertrains in Toyota’s body-on-frame trucks are shifting towards more efficient, more complex, and technologically advanced systems. They’ll undoubtedly feature modern infotainment screens and driver-assistance technologies.
For many enthusiasts, this transition feels bittersweet. We cling to these “old, terrible, wonderful trucks” and their unique blend of compromises and capabilities.
As for my personal vehicle search? The car seat fit perfectly in the 4Runner. My wife’s knees were comfortable. In the realm of “old toyota trucks,” sometimes that’s all that truly matters.
