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Which Slow Toyota 4x4 Is the Quickest? Pointless Drag Race You'll Want to Watch

It's no secret Toyota makes great off-roading machines. In fact, Land Cruiser ownership is almost like a cult - not necessarily hard to get in, but almost impossible to get out.
Toyota Tacoma Vs Toyota 4Runner Vs Toyota FJ Cruiser drag race 8 photos
Photo: The Fast Lane Car/YouTube screenshot
Toyota Tacoma Vs Toyota 4Runner Vs Toyota FJ Cruiser drag raceToyota Tacoma Vs Toyota 4Runner Vs Toyota FJ Cruiser drag raceToyota Tacoma Vs Toyota 4Runner Vs Toyota FJ Cruiser drag raceToyota Tacoma Vs Toyota 4Runner Vs Toyota FJ Cruiser drag raceToyota Tacoma Vs Toyota 4Runner Vs Toyota FJ Cruiser drag raceToyota Tacoma Vs Toyota 4Runner Vs Toyota FJ Cruiser drag raceToyota Tacoma Vs Toyota 4Runner Vs Toyota FJ Cruiser drag race
The same goes for other Toyota 4x4 models, with the 4Runner being the most obvious example. Unlike the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, it's not so much how capable these vehicles are out of the box that impresses, but rather their reliability coupled with how easy it is to modify them.

If you spend a lot of time on U.S. trails, the only model you're more tired of coming across than the 4Runner is the Wrangler we talked about earlier. Sure, just like in any other car-related activity, brand affinity and loyalty have a role to play in people's choice, but when it comes to off-roading, if a vehicle isn't good, you're not going to use it for long no matter the logo.

That's because the further away you get from civilization, the more important it is to know you can rely on your machine to get you through whatever's thrown at it and bring you back home safely in the end. That's one big reason why big Toyotas enjoy such popularity among adventure enthusiasts - that, and the fact they're pretty damn good at tackling the rough stuff.

Speed, on the other hand, is definitely not one of their strongest suits, and you'll find no Toyota SUV owner who isn't ready to admit that. Still, even among the slowest, one Toyota 4x4 is bound to be the least slow, so the question is: which is it?

The guys at the Fast Lane Car got three of them together - an old (how else?) FJ Cruiser, a new 4Runner and, since the latter also has a truck version, a newish Tacoma as well. Despite the age difference, the 4Runner and the FJ Cruiser share pretty much the same powertrain: a 4.0-liter V6 coupled to a five-speed automatic. The newer 4Runner does make 10 horsepower extra (270 for the Tacoma compared to the FJ Cruiser's 260 hp), but we'd be surprised if the more modern requirements - as well as the larger size - didn't add a few pounds to its total weight as well.

The Tacoma, on the other hand, has a 3.5-liter V6 and a six-speed automatic transmission, all garnished by the highest horsepower output of the trio: an earth-shattering 274 hp. The truck should also be the lightest - or at least as light as the FJ Cruiser - so it's definitely shaping up as the main contender for the "least slow" crown. However, after watching the video, we can't escape the feeling that a 200-pound sandbag thrown into the truck's bed would have worked wonders for the Tacoma's traction and, therefore, its performance in the race.

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About the author: Vlad Mitrache
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"Boy meets car, boy loves car, boy gets journalism degree and starts job writing and editing at a car magazine" - 5/5. (Vlad Mitrache if he was a movie)
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