The best reason to buy a Tacoma is for its good roll over and crash test ratings. Its the best truck on the market hands down for fuel economy, power, off road ability and the down right good looks. Not to say it doesn't have its own share of issues.

Dude you live in Canada, get the Access Cab or Double Cab V6 4x4 you will not regret it. If the 4x4 thing isn't for you then get a 4cyc Rav 4.

 

I don't know about the lsd in the sport compared to the base model, but my 07 TRD sport 4x4 has been a great truck, simply loved it. Good power, reasonable fuel economy, looks good, lots of room (4 door), great in the snow.

Also there is a problem with my driveshaft/vibration that crept up after one year. If not for that I would say go for it. I think all vehicles have problems, I just thought Toyota had fewer and stood behind their products, I was wrong.:headbang:

 

And about the 4wd system in the Tacoma, it is a part time system which I believe is different from your Highlander.

The Tacoma when put in 4wd will bind up if it is being turned on a non slippery surface, like a dry drive thru. Your Highlander I believe will not do the same binding in this case.

The Tacoma wheels are locked in 4wd and will try and turn the same amount as the other tire on the axle. This part time system does offer the advantage of not having a single tire spinning uselessly but a disadvantage to some of just leaving it in 4wd and forget it.

This was my first vehicle with a part time 4wd system, I'm no expert as the above description shows, but it is easy to use with attention having to be paid to correctly using this 4wd system.

 

correct, in a Tacoma 4x4.... do not leave your 4wd on all the time. it should only be used when you are on loose dirt, ice, or some other slippery surface. it should not be used as an All-wheel drive vehicle with 4x4 on all the time.

the highlander and Rav 4, I BELIEVE, have a front wheel drive system that when the vehicle's front wheel/s begins to slip, the rear wheels begin pulling to counter the slippage and IS NOT a full time ON 4x4 as some suspect.

The 4Runner when in 4x4 high mode is an all wheels pulling machine that won't bind up if travelling on dry paved surfaces as the tacoma will.

 

How fast can you be traveling in 4X4 mode? I am just thinking of how ice & snow can build up on the highway and having 4x4 would be quite useful in those situations.

 

LSD vs open diff in the snow... A base model will do fine (you can always throw in 4hi), but having an LSD will add a little more traction, especially in 2wd.

After having both, I prefer the LSD. Whats nice is I can drive most times in 2wd on semi-plowed roads and not have to throw in 4wd just to get up my unplowed driveway. Only drawback is the rear end can kick out quicker, so dont gun it in 2wd.

There is no speed limit to drive once in 4hi, done plenty of long snowy trips on the highway locked in 4hi. To engage it though, you gotta stay under 60mi/100 Km/hr.