Comparing the Toyota Tacoma, 4Runner, and Land Cruiser in Moab: A Look at Their Performance

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      For decades, the Toyota Land Cruiser, 4Runner, and Tacoma have exemplified adventure driving, but the latest generation of each is still relatively new. The dependable V8s and V6s have been replaced by turbocharged fours and hybrid systems; analog dials have given way to screens. However, their off-road capabilities are intact, as demonstrated during a unique expedition where we drove all three vehicles together on Moab's famous slickrock.

      I've lost track of how many times I've visited Moab, but I can say that if invited again, I'd be ready to head back out there tomorrow. Despite the watery beer and costly motel rooms, the driving experiences are truly epic due to the area's otherworldly terrain.

      The town's surrounding region features precarious paths over massive stone fins. The FunTreks Moab guidebook, my go-to reference for the area, lists 90 trails varying in difficulty. What makes this place great for off-roading isn't just the quantity of routes or the breathtaking views they offer; the terrain itself is incredibly accommodating for trucks.

      Our convoy was led by an old 80 Series Land Cruiser, driven by Jackson Philby and Shawn Cardinal from OLT 4X4. Andrew P. Collins

      "Slickrock" got its name from the experience of ancient horse-drawn wagons. According to the previously mentioned guidebook, wagon wheels would clatter and skid over it, causing significant issues for early vehicles. However, with modern tires, the opposite is true. As long as you avoid loose sediment or rare rain, slickrock offers ample traction for today's polymer tires, making it possible to navigate extremely steep rock formations.

      Our mission was to get a convoy of stock 2025 Tacomas, 4Runners, and Land Cruisers through about half of the "Hell's Revenge" trail. FunTreks rates this trail as "difficult." From my experience, I'd say it's more of a hard-moderate route (unless you tackle all the extra-credit extreme challenges like Hell's Gate, which can be intimidating). Much of the challenge is psychological—you first need to scale some steep, narrow fins that can be unnerving, making you question why you’re putting yourself through such stress. Beyond that, there are just a few shelves and some notably uneven rock sections. Slow and steady is the key (unless you're in a UTV, which can overrun everything).

      We followed Hell's Revenge, as documented in Charles A. Wells and Matt Peterson’s FunTreks Moab guidebook. We went from "Start" to the "07" junction and then turned back. These trucks were capable of completing the full trail, however. I navigated the trail's rougher exit with a stock first-gen Taco TRD Pro and Nissan Frontier Pro-4X around 2015. Andrew P. Collins

      For trucks and SUVs, larger tires typically ease this type of driving. Stock Toyotas, even those designed for off-roading, often lack excessive ground clearance because they must maintain some level of practicality and fuel efficiency. Successfully maneuvering through such trails requires patience, careful line selection, and regular glimpses at the front camera view displayed on the screen.

      Since much has already been written about these vehicles in full reviews, I’ll concentrate on the strengths, weaknesses, and comparisons that emerged on the trail.

      Our convoy included a Trailhunter, TRD Pro, and TRD Off-Road—all three made it through without any damage. The Off-Road is the lightest yet least powerful, with minimal accessories; it’s equipped with modest 31.6-inch all-terrain tires and a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. The Pro and Trailhunter, both of which carry a higher price tag, are more powerful and heavier, utilizing Toyota’s i-Force Max hybrid system.

      While the Pro is more tailored for high-speed desert driving with larger shocks, the Trailhunter is better suited for camping, boasting a range of accessories. Both come with slightly taller, more aggressive (32.6-inch) tires and substantially more underbody protection. I had the Trailhunter model for a portion of our trip.

      Highlights

      The low-end torque of this vehicle is impressive, making challenging climbs easier. The large infotainment screen, which I usually find annoying during regular driving, becomes invaluable when approaching blind crests using camera mode. Engaging low-range is seamless. The main gauge display can be set up to provide a variety of useful information (temperatures, tire pressures, etc.).

      The previously mentioned underbody armor, which we reviewed in a video last summer, offers excellent protection against rocks.

      The vehicle manages its length surprisingly well. Cameras and a responsive console shifter facilitate multiple-point turns in tight spaces. However, we did experience some moments of scraping the trailer hitch on steep drops. Care is needed in a stock vehicle!