4Runner vs Land Cruiser – Off Road Comparison

The 4Runner and Land Cruiser, both belong to the same parent – Toyota! So, how do you decide which one to go for? Is it just based on the pricing or do you look at other factors as well? Let’s compare them together based on multiple factors to help you make a decision easily.

4Runner vs Land Cruiser

The price

If you go solely by the price, you will find that the 4Runner takes it away quite easily. It is priced at less than half the price of a Land Cruiser. So, if you are looking for a cheap option, you know which one to buy.

However, the price shouldn’t be your only criterion. You may have requirements or expectations from your Toyota that 4Runner may not be able to fulfill. What will you do then? We recommend you compare the off-road specifications clearly and only then come to a conclusion.

The engine

Land Cruiser’s engine is more powerful than 4Runner’s. While the Land Cruiser has 8 cylinders, its counterpart only has 6. You will see a significant difference in the displacement, compression ratio, and torque as well. So, when we compare the engine, the edge goes to Land Cruisers.

The powertrain

While the 4Runner is a 5-speed automatic, the Land Cruiser is an 8-speed automatic. The drivetrain of the prior is AWD, and that of the latter is 4X2.

The comfort

We don’t see much difference here. Both cars were made for sturdy use and not for pure luxury. So, you cannot expect a regal drive, but you can surely expect a comfortable one. The 4Runner and Land Cruiser, both, have all the regular comfort features.

The Safety

Just like in the case of comfort, they are neck-to-neck when it comes to safety. The only difference is that the Land Cruiser comes with rear side airbags whereas the 4Runner does not.

The capacity

The Land Cruiser is a bigger SUV than the 4Runner. It provides more legroom and space in the front as well as at the back. It also has more seating capacity in comparison to the 4Runner.

The options

While this may not play a major role in your decision making process, we thought we should talk about this too. The 4Runner comes with more option packages than the Land Cruiser, which means you are more likely to get what you want from a 4Runner.

The verdict

So, on the surface, it feels like The Land Cruiser is a better deal but would you really spend more than twice the amount for a few extra features? Are you sure, for example, that you really need an 8-seater instead of a 7-seater car? Will the extra legroom really help? Is an 8-speed automatic an absolute requirement?

What happens more often than not is that we end up buying an expensive car but never truly doing justice to it. A Land Cruiser is a brilliant model, and there’s no doubt about it, but the question is whether we will do justice to the features. If not, there’s no point in spending so much money. On the other hand, if you are really going to use the beast well and go on expeditions that require that extra power, powertrain, and capacity, you should definitely go for the Land Cruiser.

When so much money is on the line, you cannot make a hasty decision, can you? It is crucial that you be careful about your choice and don’t regret your decision in the future. Think smart. Think long-term!