Sell me on the tundra

I have a 2020 Tacoma 2.7 DC, with 10k miles, nice reliable commuter. But at 6’-3” I feel the cab is cramped especially as my youngens get older. I found a 2015 tundra crewmax with 78k miles that has plenty of room.
I’m debating on low miles and warranty (10yr) v the tundra with room. Has anyone had this transition and regretted it? Are the limited’s good trims? I can basically trade plus $4k to get the switch. Would love to hear your feedback, thanks.

 

Crewmax hands down, I have 3 kids 9, 5,4 and a dog they have plenty of room.
- back window rolls down
I mean if it’s what you want then sure but I really like the Crewmax.

 

I went from a 2018 Tacoma to a ‘19 Tundra, then a ‘21 Tundra. The Tundra is superior in every way except gas mileage, and there’s not a lot of difference there. Make the switch, you’ll be glad you did.

 

Only thing I miss about the Tacoma is the turn radius. Test drove a tundra and never looked back.

 

Do it! I wish I had a crewmax sometimes. That back seat is huge, and the rear window rolling down is awesome. The only downside from what I have read would be less off-road capability from what I have read. But you get a bunch more space and power. I have 185k miles on my 2015 and still going strong. The 36 gal tank on the newer models would be nice, but I appreciate not have that radar stuff. Less electronics to break.

 

Do it. Unless you hypermile your Taco or regularly need to fit down Jeep trails in the forest. The power and space are awesome. The Tundra is an underrated truck. Literally. The payload rating is low, and the rear leafs are weak, which is good for articulation and ride comfort, but the truck can squat a bit with a loaded bed. Despite the low ratings, and whether any of us thinks it’s smart or not, the Tundra is generally understood to be a truck you can push past its limits.

I drive an SR5 with the TRD Off Road package, but I think the limited is the best bang for your buck trim level if leather is a high priority for you. Skip the sunroof; it eats into your headroom and payload capacity, and with all 5 windows down you won’t miss it. Off Road package gets you LED headlights, dual climate, and pretty great wheels/suspension.

 

Just do it extra 4K for a dope truck worth it

 

swoop a tundra. Im single with no kids and went from a Tacoma to a platinum crewmax Tundra and love it. The leather is easy to clean and everyone seems to compliment the inside. Im 6' and it has plenty of room for me along with room for my 6'3" friends in the back seat.

Just remember, kids only get bigger. Get a bigger truck if gas mileage isnt too much of an issue.


Edit: Picked my 2010 up with 159k miles and never worried about the mileage. It's a toyota, you know their reputation in regards to engine reliability.

 

Honestly, I don't think I'd buy one with the small fuel tank. I have to stop enough with the big one, and I don't know how guys handle it with 10 fewer gallons to work with.

 

Any issues over the years with the truck? How many miles are you at now? Thanks for the positive feedback!

 

Wait for the new 2022 to hit the lots, then pick up a lightly used one with the upgraded fuel tank.

If you don't live in an area where parking is a challenge, i would do it.

 

I went from a 2017 Tacoma TRD4x4 to a 2007 Tundra 4.7L Limited 4X4 Hands down the best change I have ever made you suffer on the MPG but the room is worth it I chose the 4.7 because of its known Reliabilty and wanted a Limited 2nd Gen because I didn't want all the new safety stuff the 3rd Gen had it had 118k and now has 129k and we just did a trip from AZ to Idaho and it was Awesome
do it you won't be disappointed

 

Tundra, absolutely the best truck to tour the gas stations of America. Seriously though, if you can handle the gas, you won't regret it.

 

I’ve had the truck for a month but I’ve been looking at the 5.7 tundra for over 2 years and finally found the one I want. Purchased with 158,007 miles. I test drove 1794s, limiteds, sr5s, etc in both double and crewmax models (with mileages from 64k-220k) and always went back to the crewmax. My parents have a 2003 Land Cruiser (220k) and a 2005 DC Tacoma (265k) all from new and you can’t beat the reliability on these. The only 'major' repair were replacing one front CV axle in both. My current Tacoma has 235k (2wd 5lug) and I would easily drive it another 235k miles. These Toyotas are pretty bullet proof of you take regular care of them.

if you can swing the crewmax, get it. They’re just a tad smaller than my friends dodger 2500 mega cab in regards to the back seats.

 

Payload sucks and the transmission is going to blow up…buy a Ford.

I had a 2nd Gen Tacoma and a 5th Gen 4Runner and I would not go back to either. The bad gas mileage is well worth the ride quality and comfort in my opinion and I only have an 3rd Gen SR5. And at 6’3 I would have to imagine you with be much more comfortable. I am only 5’5 and it was a big step up.

 

Never really understood "dual climate" the system heats and cools such a small area, I don't think having the passenger set on 65* and drivers side on 70* does much.

 

Maybe you should test drive a Tundra and figure it out from there.

 

I wanted the tacoma, but at 6'4 and a kid there's just no way I could swing it. The crew cab tacoma has as much room as my ext cab chevy. I hopped in the tundra and i was sold on room alone. Plus I may need to tow my work trailer and it was on the upper end of what the tacoma could handle so I figured I'd stay with a v8.

 

It works really well in my situation. I get hot as hell when its 108 outside but my wife doesn't like freezing air blowing right on her. Moving the air flow to vents or floor just doesn't do it for me. Alternatively, in the winter, she'll blast the heat on herself and I can't breath at that temperature. I couldn't get by without this feature. I get what you're saying but I think its perfect given the temperature differences men and women seem to tolerate.

 

It’s one feature I miss and wish I had. Same reason…

 

Went from a 2018 Taco TRD OR to a 2020 Tundra DC TRD OR for the same reasons (growing family). The Taco interior is way too cramped and it’s only upside really is smaller frame and body for off-roading (tighter trails). But if you were a serious off-roader, you’re probably not considering a Tundra anyway.

Like others have said, MPG takes a hit but real world numbers…not by much. CrewMax is nice for all the obvious reasons which at times I wish I had, however, I love a full size bed for Alaska life especially since I can lay flat/camp in it, load up fishing and hunting gear, etc. Not doing that in a CrewMax very well.

 

I started out with a 94 toyota pick. then had a pair of matching Tacomas. Next was a pair of 2015 Tacomas. Mine was a 2015 Barcelona red TRD sport that I owned for 6 years. I had my Inferno Tundra for a little over a month now and have no regrets. Toyota trucks are not know for their great gas mileage and the Tundra is not that much more thirsty than my Taco was.

 

so in his comment about thirst vs the tacoma... im getting roughly 1-2mph lower on freeway mileage vs the 4.0 V6.. that's another considering factor when considering a Tacoma vs Tundra.

I know the OP has a bullet proof 2.7 (had one myself in a 09 reg cab 6 lug) but the MPG between the v6 Tacoma and v8 tundra is almost the same. Sacrifice a few mpg for a lot more room... Tundra all day.

OP...... for or some reason I keep trying to convince you but man, it is no turning back after you get a Tundra. YOU WILL BE HAPPIER

 

It actually does make a difference.

 

I had a 18 sr 2.7 double cab .. then a 2020 sr5 which I sold then I got a 2021 trd off road double cab .. loved the truck .. only thing I did not like and it really bugged me was how small the cab was .. felt my like civic on the inside.. the v6 is a good engine but I missed having a bigger cab and bigger bed and the v8 power .. so I sold my 2021 trd off and got my first tundra 2021 sr5 4x4 double cab .. so far I am getting 19.5 to 20.6 on the highway and in town I am getting 16.8 to 17.5 . If you want the bigger truck with a bigger bed and can and power I would say go for it .. good luck with your Choice.. you definitely will not regret it .. mid size truck are good like a Tacoma or ranger , Colorado, Frontier. All make good trucks . But nothing like have a full size truck and have the extra room in the cab and the power ..

 

I've never owned a Taco personally but I did test drive a few tacos and Tundras back to back and without a doubt the Tundra was better in every way (at least for me personally). Plus I am a bigger guy and I can fit the wife and 3 kids in the CM and everyone still has plenty of room. It was a no brainer.

 

I got my 2021 Limited TRD Off Road in May of this year. I also have a 2008 Taco TRD Sport 2WD that I bought new and it's the best vehicle I've ever had, hands down. In 13 yrs it's really only ever truly "needed" oil, gas and tires. Did the shocks a few years back and I think brake pads once. The mileage was never superb on that truck but it was such a great all around vehicle that I never really thought about MPG much. I always pinned after a Tundra and test drove them several times, but I never pulled the trigger because I was just stoked on driving the Taco. I finally decided it was time for an upgrade when the Tacoma hit 220k miles (still runs like a top).

I looked at Fords for years...F150s and F250s. The prices of those trucks are crazy and I have read about lots of quality/reliability concerns. The V8 Tundra is a fairly simple formula: Powerful engine, properly tuned transmission that works well with the engine, lots of cabin space, superior reliability, looks good, sounds good, lots of aftermarket upgrades available, and a long standing design that has been optimized. Plus, and all of the "upgrades" that other manufacturers upcharge you for are already included. Resale is great on these as well. I'll admit that I was a bit concerned about gas mileage, but I got the large tank (a must have in my opinion). I think Toyota is making a bit of a mistake by not continuing to offer this formula of Tundra going forward. These V8 Tundras are awesome and will get more desirable now that they are going with a 6 cylinder. I don't think you can go wrong with any Toyota truck, but the Tundra is quite an upgrade from a Tacoma. The only things I wish my Tundra had is more comfortable front seats and a higher payload. Other than that, it's great!

 

Bought my first Tundra new in 2006 as a white SR5 double cab in 2wd, mainly to tow a boat. Drove the Tacoma 1st, and felt there was a lot more room and benefit for the couple thousand price difference with the Tundra. Lifted it for added clearance, and it was great until I got stuck in the desert in 2008 in soft silt from dug out whoops caused by side-by-sides (had driven that road many times without issue, didn’t realize the new “hills” were from the other side being dug out). Buddy pulled me out, and traded the 2wd tundra in for a 4x4 version the next weekend. Had that black Tundra for 10 years without any issues…sold it for $2k less than I paid for it when I bought my 2017 1794 in March of 2018.

Bottom line, there have been lots of truck versions since 2006, and I’ve test driven several, kept coming back to the Tundra. Never once regretted it. Kids love all the room in the back, as do friends that comment on it being like a limo in the back seat. I’m 6’ and no one every mentions wishing there was more legroom when sitting behind me. Had friends complain about the cost of used Tundras (and Tacomas) versus same year in xx brand…told them there’s a reason why they hold there value while others deprecate so much over the same time period (reliability). If you want more space and the same great experience you’ve had with your Tacoma, the Tundra is definitely worth getting.

BTW…most of the new sensor tech came out in ‘18 & newer. Not that I would let that hold me back from a newer year. So ‘17 an older don’t have the grill sensor and other safety sensors.

 

I went from a 2020 Tacoma, which I really, really loved, to a 2021 Tundra. As much as I loved my Taco (it was my second one, the other being a 2011), I don't think I could go back. My only issue with the Tacoma was how it towed our travel trailer, and while the four of us fit comfortably enough in it, we did not when we added our 80lb dog.

As for mileage, the others have covered that. My Tacoma was a V6 and I averaged around 15 mpg. In my Tundra I am only averaging about 11, and though I wish that was better, it's still worth it.

 

Are you getting 11MPG under load or just normal driving? The 11MPG seems about right when towing a heavier camper/trailer, but pretty low if that’s your regular MPG.

I’m getting 13.3MPG with mixed driving and 13.1 when pulling my 3500lb boat/trailer, and that’s lifted on 35s.