Tundra vs Tacoma

Now that I have your attention , I'm shopping for my son's first vehicle. He wants a truck so he can wheel with his friends and I know the Tundra is a superior truck. However, I am concerned about the size (and cost) for his first vehicle. Navigating and parking may be a challenge for a full size truck. So, I was thinking about the Tacoma.

One factor is that he is a big guy. 6'3" broad shoulder, big bone built like a football player. Sitting in one at a dealership may not convey the same as daily usage. So for those of you that came from a Tacoma, can a guy as big as him feel comfortable driving a Tacoma?

 

I cant get comfy in one but everyone has a different idea of what is OK for them so....

 

Thanks for the feedback. As a comparison, how big are you?

 

I’m 6’2” and I drove a Tacoma around the block once , I couldn’t wait to get out of it . To be fair I’m the same with the Ranger , Canyon and Colorado . Maybe look for an older Chevy or Ford ? They’re a lot cheaper and somewhat easier to work on .

 

Good to know. I'd rather stick with Toyota for I know their reliable and also modern safety features such as blind spot detection is a must for a a young driver.

 

I have a friend that's 6'2" and 280ish. . Pretty solid dude and he has a new tacoma. . .he hasn't complained so I asked him one day cuz it was brought up in another thread. He said , after thinking about it, that the only difference between the new one and his old one was maybe a little awkward getting in and out. . But he's ultimately good with it. . If you go that route, stay away from the sunroofs. . .heard that makes for less headroom. .

 

I’m 6’3”, 250ish. Also broad shoulders, athletic build. I had two 2nd gen Tacomas over 12 years. Never had a problem. I have driven the 3rd gens and they definitely felt a little smaller inside. One of the 3rd gens had a moonroof and my head hit the ceiling.
I loved my Tacomas but now that I have my Tundra I don’t think I could go back.

 

6'1" about 200lbs. Monkey arms and long legs.

The real difference to me is that in the Taco it is like you are almost laying down with your legs straight and flat out from the seat while in the Tundy it is more normal upright seated position and your legs sit below the seat like in a chair.

I just can not stand the feeling of the Taco seating and it feels too low too no matter how high the truck.

I also drive long distance regularly and there is just so much more space in a Tundra that it makes it a lot more comfortable on long hauls than the cramper Taco interior.

I am also sure that to young people it might not really matter or even occur to him a difference especially since he is just starting to drive and has little to compare it to.

I bet though if you sit in both it will be pretty clear what I am talking about.

And it might not matter at all?

 

Just gonna throw this out there too. . .if it's his first truck, I doubt he'll care less about the room. . Lol. . The smaller size of the tacoma may be good for a first vehicle. . These damn tundras ARE big. . .

 

I tend to agree. I fear for him driving a Tundra especially after lift and larger tires. I dan se him trying to park and Corning the side of an adjacent vehicle.

 

You are correct the no sunroof model makes a big difference. Looked at them this weekend and much more headroom without the sunroof.

 

I wouldn't stick him in a first gen Tacoma. A newer one would probably be fine. My Tundra is definitely more of a pain to park than my 04 Tacoma. Its also much larger, so not as good as a Tacoma off road.

 

I am 6'2" 240lb. I had a Tacoma crew cab, I never had an issue with feeling comfortable in it at all. Cannot say the same for the poor souls that had to ride behind the driver's seat for any distance. Price wise might be darn close for a Tacoma vs a Tundra Double cab depending on options.

 

Yea, looking at a newer one with Blind spot detection. Dealer had a nice off road package at a decent price.

 

I prefer to have a hand at 10:00 on the wheel with my elbow on the window sill. At 5’10” my reach isn’t long enough to push the seat far enough back for my legs to stretch out, so driving a Taco feels like I’m sitting on the floor with my knees straddling the steering wheel. There wasn’t a comfortable middle ground.

I can see how taller people who can push the seat all the way back could actually be more comfortable in the Taco than me, but I absolutely hated it for the short test drive I took.

 

I had a 2015 TRD Sport Tacoma- I’m a 5’3” 120lb chick and I thought it was too small both in size and capabilities and I felt like I was laying in the thing. After two years of denial finally got my Tundra. Bigger sized truck, sure, but you get used to it like with anything, realistically its only 8” or so wider than the Taco was and almost the same length.
I miss how nimble the Taco was offroad and in grocery store parking lots but I tow, haul, and travel long distances a lot so I needed the larger truck. If hes gonna offroad constantly then id recommend cramming in the Tacoma. If thats a once in awhile thing, Tundra. That said- its his first vehicle.. and you dont know what you dont know. Shoe horn him into the Tacoma
First gen Tundra would be a good middle ground with truck size and interior room, imo. My husband has a first-gen Tundra and its a smidge bigger than my Taco was but has a roomier interior. Just my .02
Happy hunting, good luck!

 

I had planned for my son to inherit my 2006 Nissan Titan. He didn't like it because he thought it was too big, even though it was what I trained him to drive in. We found an older Tacoma (2000) and he loves it. This was 4 years ago. He is 6'2" but likely not as broad shouldered as your son. I'm just under 6' but with very broad shoulders and I love driving his truck (manual tranny). I don't know much about the latest generation Tacomas, but thought I would share, in case it might help.

 

Get a first generation 2006 tundra. Easy to park and see; plenty of room if you’re a big guy. I drive around Boston and can easily navigate through traffic. Parking is rarely an issue as well. I know if I can fit in a space before I even attempt it.

Also a very easy vehicle to work upon and wrench.

 

Ive always been admirer of the Tacoma. Almost bought one before going with the Tundra. Im 6'3", almost 300 pounds and am a former football player but was always more of a basketball person. Anyways, when I test drove the Tacomas it was always a chore for me to get in and out of one. That alone was something I did not want to live with. The Tundra is a much better choice for a bigger guy. Heck, I do better getting in and out of my Prius and Forester than I did the Tacoma.

 

1st Gen Tundra without all the nannies.

 

I'm not a big guy, but I'm going to throw this out there as an option... 4Runner?

I did not like seating in the new Taco, much prefer our 4R. But again, as noted, get one without sunroof for head room. He can still build it and wheel, it's still a Toyota, and it's not too big (easy to park).

 

Had a second gen access cab 5 speed traded on the Tundra. Tacoma was an outstanding vehicle my only major complaint was interior space it works for 1 or 2 guys but anymore grown adults it is very crammed. The 4 doors backseats are somewhat bigger but the bed size is a joke unless you come across a long bed

 

Yea, we brought this up to him as well and had him sit in one while at the dealer but for some reason he just does not like them. He really likes the Tacoma even though he’s big. Could be a psychological thing by being like dad with a smaller truck.

 

I am under the impression that the Taco and 4runner are essentially the same platform like the Tundra and Sequoia?

 

May be the same platform but not the same vehicle. Very different in the eyes of the beholder

 

I've always loved the 4 runners. . If it wasn't for pulling my boat, that's what I'd have!

 

Understood but my comment was in reply to one that suggested the 4runner would be roomier than the Taco and I think they will be identical based on the same platform of the build.
Actually most 4runners likely have sunroof and electric seats,both of which reduce headroom in the truck.

And as for beholder,I am surprised that he does not think the 4runner is a more capable vehicle for a lot of things and more popular probably for off roading too?

But I know that it is what it is a lot of times and if its not broken then why try to fix it !

 

I think it partially that he really wants to wheel with his friends and there are no 4Runners around that are lifted and big tires to see. However lots of off road Tacoma's around that catches his eye. I also think he views the 4Runner as a car that mom would drive.

 

Funny isn't it?