I don't have the current generation of these vehicles, however I had the prior gen 4Runner (4th) and currently have the (prior gen)100 series, so I am familiar with this comparison. I really liked my 4Runner because it had the same drivetrain as the much pricier 100 series, and in the lighter vehicle it felt considerably more peppy and agile. My Cruiser feels somewhat slow in comparison (it has many more add ons as well) and I definitely notice that I have to get into the gas more to get the response I want at times. That said my Cruiser doesn't balk at having hundreds of pounds of gear in it and traveling on crappy "roads" and makes the transition from crawling on unmaintained roads to going 75 on the highway unflappably, which I think is what some people value. I do miss the way the second row seat completely disappeared into the cargo area in the 4Runner, compared to just rolling in the Cruiser, and I miss the roll down rear window, but I love the solidness, fit and finish of the cruiser. There is something about the Cruiser that implies I could drive whatever i want and choose this, versus, I wanted to drive something nice and could afford this. Maybe that's not fair, but there you go...