Trustable
Well-Known Member
- Thread starter
- #1
HI Guys,
Having recently bought a 6g 4Runner, I thought I would make a post that goes over some of my thoughts in regards to the similarities and differences between the 5g Ranger (2021) and 4Runner (2026). Full disclosure, I no longer own the Ranger, I sold it to Carvana shortly after buying the 4Runner. I am pretty disgusted with Ford, but will try to not let that show through my overview of the two vehicles. I also know one is a truck and one is an SUV (and 5 years newer), so keep that in mind as you are reading this. That being said, they are both body on frame vehicles, with the 4Runner basically being a Tacoma with a backseat and trunk.
General Overview
Night and day difference between the two. The FX4 shocks really hurt the ranger in this category. The 4Runner I have uses bilsteins and coils on all 4 corners, no leaf springs. Yes, the ranger is a truck, so it is not going to beat out an SUV, but I could not believe the ride difference. A lot of people did not like how rough the ride of the 4Runner is (at least from what I read online), but I thought it was great when compared to the ranger or my old focus I had growing up. The steering feel is about the same on both, you move the wheel just a bit and the vehicle will start to turn, so very direct, not play like in a Jeep or solid front axle vehicle.
Comfort
The ranger is an XLT and the 4Runner is an ORP, so these are not apples to apples comparisons. Right of the bat, having never sat in a toyota before, I found the seating position to be very nice, it doesn't tilt forward like the ranger does or have the issues I have seen detailed in complaints about in the previous gen toyotas. It is a wider vehicle than the Ranger, and that also translates to the interior being wider as well. There is much more room between the front seats in the 4Runner when compared to the Ranger. The seats I had in the XLT were a beige cloth, while in the 4Runner are black "softex" which basically seems like something inbetween vinyl to leather, but it is very tough. Overall, in terms of the seat themselves (not the position) I think both vehicles were pretty comfortable.
Engine/Under the Hood
Both vehicles utilize a straight 4 cylinder twin scroll turbocharged engine. The ranger is 2.3l (270hp and 310lbft) and 4runner is 2.4l (278hp and 317lbft). The transmission in the ranger is the 10r80 and the 4runner is an 8 speed (I dont know the name). Maybe its just the engine, just the transmission, or a combination of both, but the 4runner is very punchy. Neither vehicles are slow, but it seems like the 4runner gets near instant torque compared to the ranger. The engine on the 4runner is also port and direct injected, whcih will ideally prevent the need for walnut blasting or cleaning.
The way the engine bay is laid out is also much different. IMO the ranger engine bay was kind of a mess, while the toyota uses hardlines in a few places, and the looms are much neater when they do appear. Service points are much easier to get to in terms of access for the 4runner, but with actually getting over the engine bay - the ranger wins out as it is lower and not as boxey.
Its also much quieter when compared to the ranger. My ranger did not have an engine cover, so that may play into it. The 4 Runner does not have one either, but the insulation in the engine bay and on the hood looks much thicker and also the hood seems to close tighter if that makes sense. They both have pretty loud cement truck fans though that kick on when idling. The space within the engine bay of the 4runner is huge, so there is a lot more room for accessories I'd imagine. I assume this is because they didnt change the size of the bay when they redid the body and changed the engine from a 4l v6 to 2.4l i4.
Payload and Towing
Ranger wins out in this category, hands down there is no comparison, even if I compared it to the current gen Tacoma the ranger still wins. Obviously the 4Runner is an suv, but based on the door jamb sticker, the payload is 800 something pounds, which seems incredibly low. The difference between the wet weight of the vehicle and what its rated up to is around 1400 lbs, so I dont know where the 800lbs comes from, but even if it was 1400, the Ranger still can carry more + tow more. My specific Ranger could tow 7500lbs, the 4Runner can tow 6000. Theres already been an instance of me wishing I had a bed when at lowes, but when I went grocery shopping, I was glad to have full backseats and a trunk! Im gonna have to get on marketplace to see if I can buy a used trailer and fix it up to have around for when I would need a bed. The towpackage on the 4Runner also came with backup assist, tow cameras, digital rearview, and an integrated brake controller.
Overall
The 4Runner (even the base model) comes with a lot more functions than what Ford includes as standard, even on their current models. Things like ACC, Lane Centering, BSM, Safety Features, sensors, all standard. There is a lot more it comes with based on the Trim, but my ranger trim was an XLT so it wouldnt be fair to compare. The fuel economy has been bettet than the ranger, but not by much, and there isnt freeways close to me so its mostly been city and 55mph. To end it, I am really enjoying the 4Runner so far (especially when compared to my experience with the ranger, and if anyone has any questions I'd be happy to answer them.
I know its a weird comparison but you guys have been super helpful during my time with the ranger so I figured maybe this could help someone else. I am sticking around on this forum, as its a lot of fun and always got some useful information.
ALSO THERE IS PLENTY OF DAMPERS, I CAN FINALLY JOIN THE CLUB.
Having recently bought a 6g 4Runner, I thought I would make a post that goes over some of my thoughts in regards to the similarities and differences between the 5g Ranger (2021) and 4Runner (2026). Full disclosure, I no longer own the Ranger, I sold it to Carvana shortly after buying the 4Runner. I am pretty disgusted with Ford, but will try to not let that show through my overview of the two vehicles. I also know one is a truck and one is an SUV (and 5 years newer), so keep that in mind as you are reading this. That being said, they are both body on frame vehicles, with the 4Runner basically being a Tacoma with a backseat and trunk.
General Overview
- 2021 Ranger XLT
- Packages
- 302a
- LT Tires
- 6ft Bed
- FX4
- Tow Package
- BSM
- Packages
- 2026 4 Runner Off Road Premium
- Packages
- Tow Package
- Sunroof - I did not want this but Toyota allocates vehicles, you cannot order them like you can from Ford. There wasn't a single 4Runner within 500 miles with the ORP trim that didn't have a sunroof.
- Packages
Night and day difference between the two. The FX4 shocks really hurt the ranger in this category. The 4Runner I have uses bilsteins and coils on all 4 corners, no leaf springs. Yes, the ranger is a truck, so it is not going to beat out an SUV, but I could not believe the ride difference. A lot of people did not like how rough the ride of the 4Runner is (at least from what I read online), but I thought it was great when compared to the ranger or my old focus I had growing up. The steering feel is about the same on both, you move the wheel just a bit and the vehicle will start to turn, so very direct, not play like in a Jeep or solid front axle vehicle.
Comfort
The ranger is an XLT and the 4Runner is an ORP, so these are not apples to apples comparisons. Right of the bat, having never sat in a toyota before, I found the seating position to be very nice, it doesn't tilt forward like the ranger does or have the issues I have seen detailed in complaints about in the previous gen toyotas. It is a wider vehicle than the Ranger, and that also translates to the interior being wider as well. There is much more room between the front seats in the 4Runner when compared to the Ranger. The seats I had in the XLT were a beige cloth, while in the 4Runner are black "softex" which basically seems like something inbetween vinyl to leather, but it is very tough. Overall, in terms of the seat themselves (not the position) I think both vehicles were pretty comfortable.
Engine/Under the Hood
Both vehicles utilize a straight 4 cylinder twin scroll turbocharged engine. The ranger is 2.3l (270hp and 310lbft) and 4runner is 2.4l (278hp and 317lbft). The transmission in the ranger is the 10r80 and the 4runner is an 8 speed (I dont know the name). Maybe its just the engine, just the transmission, or a combination of both, but the 4runner is very punchy. Neither vehicles are slow, but it seems like the 4runner gets near instant torque compared to the ranger. The engine on the 4runner is also port and direct injected, whcih will ideally prevent the need for walnut blasting or cleaning.
The way the engine bay is laid out is also much different. IMO the ranger engine bay was kind of a mess, while the toyota uses hardlines in a few places, and the looms are much neater when they do appear. Service points are much easier to get to in terms of access for the 4runner, but with actually getting over the engine bay - the ranger wins out as it is lower and not as boxey.
Its also much quieter when compared to the ranger. My ranger did not have an engine cover, so that may play into it. The 4 Runner does not have one either, but the insulation in the engine bay and on the hood looks much thicker and also the hood seems to close tighter if that makes sense. They both have pretty loud cement truck fans though that kick on when idling. The space within the engine bay of the 4runner is huge, so there is a lot more room for accessories I'd imagine. I assume this is because they didnt change the size of the bay when they redid the body and changed the engine from a 4l v6 to 2.4l i4.
Payload and Towing
Ranger wins out in this category, hands down there is no comparison, even if I compared it to the current gen Tacoma the ranger still wins. Obviously the 4Runner is an suv, but based on the door jamb sticker, the payload is 800 something pounds, which seems incredibly low. The difference between the wet weight of the vehicle and what its rated up to is around 1400 lbs, so I dont know where the 800lbs comes from, but even if it was 1400, the Ranger still can carry more + tow more. My specific Ranger could tow 7500lbs, the 4Runner can tow 6000. Theres already been an instance of me wishing I had a bed when at lowes, but when I went grocery shopping, I was glad to have full backseats and a trunk! Im gonna have to get on marketplace to see if I can buy a used trailer and fix it up to have around for when I would need a bed. The towpackage on the 4Runner also came with backup assist, tow cameras, digital rearview, and an integrated brake controller.
Overall
The 4Runner (even the base model) comes with a lot more functions than what Ford includes as standard, even on their current models. Things like ACC, Lane Centering, BSM, Safety Features, sensors, all standard. There is a lot more it comes with based on the Trim, but my ranger trim was an XLT so it wouldnt be fair to compare. The fuel economy has been bettet than the ranger, but not by much, and there isnt freeways close to me so its mostly been city and 55mph. To end it, I am really enjoying the 4Runner so far (especially when compared to my experience with the ranger, and if anyone has any questions I'd be happy to answer them.
I know its a weird comparison but you guys have been super helpful during my time with the ranger so I figured maybe this could help someone else. I am sticking around on this forum, as its a lot of fun and always got some useful information.
ALSO THERE IS PLENTY OF DAMPERS, I CAN FINALLY JOIN THE CLUB.
Sponsored
