Seeking opinions from those who moved from a Tacoma to Tundra

I've run the same thought experiment as the OP many times myself, and through all my research I've come to the conclusion that the 07-21 Tundra takes the cake for most versatile truck. A DCLB Tacoma is basically a Tundra with less cab room (even compared to a double cab Tundra), less HP, and weight capacity (towing or hauling). Toss in the proven reliability of the 07-21 drivetrain (4.6L, 4.7L. or 5.7L), it's really no competition in my eyes

 

I've had very little issues parking the Tundra in most urban environments. The only place I really thought the Taco and 4R would have more/easier access is on tight trails... although I could be wrong on that

PS>>> TNWSS... "is only 2" narrower, which is negligible at best"

 

I wheel almost every weekend with a buddy of mine who has an FJ (similar size to 4Runner & Tacoma) and I have yet to find the size of the Tundra to be a major hinderance compared to his rig. In fact, my truck has proven to be drastically more stable on off-camber sections of trail, of which there are lots of here in Colorado. Will there be sections of trail that I can't fit down? Absolutely, I'm sure I'll find a few eventually. But for 95% of available terrain, the Tundy is excellent.

Also glad you like my 2" joke

 

My '23 Tacoma felt a lot smaller than my '21 Tundra but I think that was mostly due to the difference in cab size and not actual dimensions. Agreed 2" is negligible. 3" is basically 5" right?....right??

 

DON'T DO IT!!!! I traded my '19 SR5 Tundra for a TRD Pro Taco. I am kicking my own ass for letting the Tundra go because I wasn't able to replace it for what I felt was reasonable money/time when the regret hit me. As much as I loved the Taco, and I really did, it fell short.

3rd gen Tacoma pros:

1. Drivability is good. Easy to park and navigate in a city setting.
2. Looks fantastic.
3. Capability off road or in snow is great.

3rd gen Tacoma cons:

1. The price of that good drivability characteristics is space. All the space that makes a 2.5 Gen Tundra comfortable is COMPLETELY gone in the Tacoma. To the point that it was miserable to do basic things like grocery shopping because the back seat is so small. That was with the double cab (this is the 4 door version in the Tacoma) and a short bed, so it's got THE most possible interior space in the Tacoma. There's just not space to keep things in the truck. Loading it up for camping means there's no room for people, and if you have people there's no space for anything else. The console is absurdly small after the glorious one in a Tundra. All that to say; the taco is SMALL.
2. It is slow. You can't get around it. It's very slow.
3. The transmission is annoying. It's not unlivable, but it is tuned so hard for MPGs (which it fails at anyway) that it won't hold gears when you need it to keep the power. Speaking of power, you have to wring its neck to make power for anything, but then the transmission will constantly kill the power by trying to shift to higher gears. Then it realizes it needs more power, drops a gear, doesn't like the higher RPMs, upshifts, sees the need for power, drops a gear, repeat.
4. It's not great as a truck. If you never do more than move a couch or a fridge, it'll work. If you want to tow anything EVER you need to plan on tuning it and still only having it be tolerable with very light loads that don't catch wind. Towing my utility trailer with a motorcycle on it (less than 2k lbs total) into a headwind the truck was shaking like mad and screaming just under redline to drive 60-65 MPH.

Seriously, if I could go back to the day I traded my Tundra I would kick my own ass for it. Because of that mistake I'm now driving a Ford F150 with the nagging anxiety that something could go wrong at any minute. Sure, it's smoother than the Tundra was, more tech, and better numbers on the spec sheet, but I deeply regret trading the Tundra.

Correct on all counts. I should have kept the Tundra.

 

I read an article from Outside magazine once about the Toyota Tacoma. It’s closing line was “The best Toyota Tacoma is actually the Toyota Tundra.” So even the elitist, poser outdoorsman “journalists” know what’s best for them.

https://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-gear/cars-trucks/how-to-modify-tacomas/

 

So I haven’t really driven my tundra in “large cities” but I’ve had it through downtown Cleveland Ohio, Pittsburg PA, and Columbus OH. Yeah it “feels” large driving in those downtown cities but it’s not horrible. I can still park it in any parking deck, parking lot, or 3/8th of the onroad parking spots.

In all of those settings, I’ve seen 3/4 tons also. It can be done.

needless to say, I wouldn’t let the fear of a full size truck make you sell the tundra. Plus you’re not going to get 35mpg in a Tacoma or T4R

 

Just want to say this: almost all the problems outlined about the 3rd Gen Tacoma don't exist for 1st and 2nd Gen Tacomas. I get they're older, but they're incredibly easy to DIY fix most anything on them, and they make for great little commuter trucks.

I'm a little biased though:


But if I didn't have to fit my child's car seat in the truck, I'd drive my Tacoma everyday over my Tundra.

 

I’ve always loved the looks and functionality of tacomas, but you really have to be comfortable with that tight cabin space. As you perfectly said, The “apartment like space” of a 2nd gen tundra crewmax is one of my favorite things about my truck.

 

I’m currently driving an ‘02 DC 4WD SR5 Tacoma (265,000 mi) and a 2017 Tundra (100,000 mi). I drove an ‘07 Tundra for 10 years.
If you can’t keep both, the Tacoma would make sense to me, with what you’re doing. I love my Taco, and will never get rid of it, but it’s just too small for my camping adventures. But it is much better at tight trails, parking, turn radius etc than the Tundra. I love them both, but the Taco is more fun to drive for me. I don’t think you’ll miss power/acceleration, it’s a lot smaller rig. You’ve got a great year and low miles on the Tundra, would be hard to replace, though.
Tough decisions, if able, have both!

 

I rented a couple tacomas for work while the work van was in the shop, ran around for a couple weeks in a highlander as well, for the Taco, the V6 makes power but not till about 4000 rpm’s, the ride in some of the 4x4s seemed a bit skittish over pot holes but that could have been from the set up, if I had to pick between the Highlander and the Taco, I would get the highlander, I like the look and the Idea of the smaller pickup just didn’t really ride as well as it looks, as far as both of them go, I still wouldn’t trade the tundra, just can’t beat the v8 that makes power from go, would look at a used highlander though as a second vehicle if it ever came down to it.

 

Went from a '19 Tacoma to a '20 Tundra. Best automotive decision I have ever made.

Had to check your location after that statement. Here in the East, wheeling a tundra is about like a walrus on rocks, and you have to hate your sheet metal.

Huge difference in where I can get my FJ40 and what role the Tundra plays.

 

Oh yeah, where I am is admittedly pretty full size friendly. I’d really like to have a 40 series like yours one day. By the time I have the time and funds it’ll be tough to find to find one in decent shape. One can dream though

 

Haha, I have no idea. I have pretty much been the same weight since graduating high school, what, almost 40 years ago now. Crazy I know. When I showed up to the high school 30 year anniversary, all the old jocks (rather large old men now) pushed me around just like the old days, teasing the hell out of me for being the same size. Too funny.

To the OP - you will love the Tacoma if you fit inside and are comfortable. It is a small cabin, but if you like cozy cabins then you have found the perfect truck. There is something to be said about keeping what you know with the current Tundra. I’m still pulling into the garage thinking man, this is a big truck!

 

As others before said, I'm in the camp of keeping the Tundra and buy a commuter of some type; SUV, sedan, or another mid-size truck if that tickles your fancy. I truly think you'll have regrets departing with it, especially if you ever had to use it, there will ultimately be a time when you need it again.

 

The 5th Gen 4Runner I believe is on the list of the top 5 most reliable vehicles made in the world. Still completely built in Japan at the same plant that builds the Lexus GX and one or two others. If I remember correctly, Toyota/Lexus built three of the five most reliable vehicles made on planet earth…

 

We've crested the curve on older Land Cruisers where they are no longer disposable and now worth restoring. Lots out there being brought back closer to OEM or resto-modded.... on the flip side the days of $5k 40s that aren't part outs or scrap fodder are largely over.

I missed the OP in this thread.... going from a Tundra to long bed Tacoma is leaving a lot of capability on the table for almost no gain. Real world MPG gap is not that great on the highway.

Get a 2000s Corolla, Matrix, Yaris, Prius, whatever to commute with. Advantage of keeping the tundra is you can just go pick it up.

 

Well I have always loved big cars/trucks (as my Cuz says I like driving a couch on wheels). I currently have a 2008 Tundra Crew and keep thinking a tacoma would be easier to park, drive etc. But, at 6'2" not sure if I could deal with a smaller truck. Also we live in rural Humboldt so parking lots and highways are never crowded. So guess I will keep the Tundra. Also when we drive to SoCal 3-4 times a year have the extra size and comfort are great, But if I lived in SoCal with the crowds and parking lots I would have a Tacoma for sure.

 

I recently upgraded from a 2022 Tacoma TRD Sport to a 2021 Tundra Platinum and haven't looked back. I loved the Tacoma and wanted to build it as an overland rig, but I've got 2 young kids and was tired of getting kicked in the back of the seat and needed the extra space that the Tundra provides. (And I'm a sucker for the V8 sound!)
I have a long highway commute for work and still get reasonable mileage in the Tundra (16-ish mpg). Though the Tundra was kind of the truck I had always wanted and settled with the Tacoma because of my budget at the time, so I am a little biased toward the Tundra. Definitely recommend keeping it.

As was previously stated in this thread, test drive different things before making your final decision.

 

Agreed. It's not that much bigger, but it's a lot more capable. 2nd gen Tundra deceptively maneuvers much smaller than it is. I don't hang drywall or frame houses, and I don't sleep in my crewmax bed, so 5.5' and a massive cabin for the 6 of us (including our 60lb dog here) is perfect for us.

Biased obviously, but I think the 2nd gen Tundra is still the best truck the segment has ever produced. If you don't need the 4,000 lb of payload of a modern HD truck, it's your best option by far. Most reliable and best platform for building into what you want.

 

The turning radius of the 2nd Gen Tundra doesn't get nearly enough applause. I can make u-turns in my Tundra, that I have no chance of making in my '03 Tacoma (which is bizarre).

 

u-turn the 2G Tundra? Just step on it a bit and fish-tail that brick a bit, there....see? lol
But yea, I have seen some mid-side SUVs failed to make the same u-turn that I did in one.
It does take a bit of knowing your truck, know when to step on it a bit more to give it a glide and when to turn and send it, sorta....

 

I bought a new 2016 4-runner (great vehicle) and was disappointed in the torque band of the v-6, just not there but if it had the v-8 where the torque band was there I would have kept it. I traded it for the new 2021 Tundra in late 2020 for my retirement truck. The Tundra is so much more comfortable overall and the power is there when you need it but I understand what you mean size wise for traffic/parking. I have two F250's (gas/diesel) for towing so my intent is to not tow with it much but I know it's up to the job. I'm pretty much used to the sub-14 mpg. I have a Malibu Sunsetter inboard and the 4-runner felt like it strained to tow it. I towed it with a '97 Explorer Sport SOHC (4:11 gears) and a '98 Dakota with 318, no problems, all 4wd. Even though the v-6 was/is one of the most reliable engines ever made I don't understand Toyota's thought on the torque band. Engines make all the difference when mated to the right drivetrain, but I have a v-8 preference where peak torque comes in around 2200-2800 rpm's.

 

It’s made to go places that require slower speeds for safety (and get you back to civilization every time). It’s not really made for towing and only rated for 5k lbs. Overbuilt, low stress drivetrains that last forever are what drew most of us to Toyota in the first place.

The only race the 4Runner is winning is the race to 300k. Far more important to the vast majority of Toyota fans than its torque band compared to the rest of the segment.

 

Small wieners?

6', 215 here...

 

Nice combo.

 

Update on my decision. I sold my ‘21 1794 for $53k. I had made up my mind to buy a highly optioned ‘23 or ‘24 4-Runner. Very comfortable to drive. While I was shopping for one, stumbled into a ‘23 Tacoma 6’ bed, TRD Off-Road w/Premium, Technology and LED packages w/12k mi, Toyota Certified Gold w/ a TRD front skid plate in a color I really liked (magnetic gray) for $42,000. Even though I had made up my mind to buy a 4-Runner, I bought the Tacoma. I now have 15k miles on it and like it a lot. I would have loved the 4-Runner but couldn’t find the “perfect one” before finding the Tacoma. No regrets so far. If I change my mind in a year or two I can always sell it and buy a 4-Runner. I sold the nerf bars and Santa bought me some GoRhino RB20 running boards.

 

Old post, but get a Dexa Scan or similar to see what your actual body fat percentage is to then see what your weight should be (like 15%-20%). I got one done and was at 13% BF at 198lbs 6’3 (26lbs fat, 10lbs bones, rest other junk) which was surprised and no need to go down anymore vs BMI calc says that’s overweight.

 

Junk? eh.....

 

I'll never go back, the 2.7 was gutless and the gap between 2nd and 3rd gear made it even worse.
Had to rev the balls off it just to have it fall out of the power band after shifting