Tundra to Tacoma

Not trying to stir the pot here, this is a legit response, but if you do not tow anything or go off roading, it really sounds like the Ridgeline would fit your needs perfectly.
Roomy back seats, wide bed space, and overall great ride. I would not recommend it if you live down a dirt road however.
But, if you do not do any real towing and mainly the home depot runs, I think you would enjoy it. Sure, you are not going to look like one of the cool kids, but come on, with two young children you probably have already figured out that practicality comes before presentation.

 

So I went from a RAM 1500 crew cab to a Tacoma. Most of the time it’s just me driving and just trips in and around town bringing the kids to various activities. One kid is in a booster and the other in a seat and about to go to a booster. Yes it is smaller, but I do think we will be fine. My wife is 6’ and I put her in the front with the kids in their respective positions in the back seat before buying. They will all be OK.

The RAM was getting the HEMI tick and was getting expensive for up keep. Also I was getting an average of 17mpg. So far with the Tacoma AT I have been getting 21mpg. So when you drive 30k miles a year it adds up. I also firmly believe the truck is a better quality then the RAM. I’ve been wanting a TACO for awhile and it just made sense to me to get one. Like others have pointed out I went from NY to Kansas in a Pinto when I was young. Here I am 40 years later alive and well. Just a thought.

 

In that case sounds like the Taco may work just fine if it’s just an occasional family hauler. The Taco is more fun to drive IMHO given its agility and while there’s nowhere near as much power it likes a lot of skinny pedal which can be fun depending on your driving style.

I have a 1yr old and a wife, and while we have a “family” car that’s my wife’s CR-V, she actually enjoys taking trips in the truck. Says she feels safer on long trips and in the mountains in a solid-feeling truck. Over the last 6 months we’ve taken several trips 3-6hrs each way with the 3 of us and oftentimes my wife sitting in the rear passenger next to our daughter to keep her cool when we’re jn the car for awhile.

If I had a larger garage, didn’t live on a steep hill (driveway is not very practical for parking a vehicle), and didn’t work and live in a city where parking and maneuverability are tight I would consider a full size but the Taco is fun to drive so....

 

First truck I ever owned was an F250 back in early 80s . Just decided it was too big so over next 20 years I went through three toyotas. The first two were pre taco, the third was a 95 first gen xcab. Drove it for 8 years until I sold it and bought an xcab silverado 4x4 due to no child seat abilities in the xcab. Honestly I should have at the time bought a DC tacoma as they were making them by then. Living in the city and the fact I don't haul much anymore the Silverado was not my daily diver after a few years. Usually piled the kids in the Subi. I am 6'1 and about 210. I actually prefer the smaller size. When I go hunting in the fall it is so much more maneuverable in the woods and the fact I have to park in the city makes it a big plus. Only have one kid at home now but we do big trips with the three of us and a dog. My daughter is only 5'3 and the back seat is perfect for her. Even when sitting behind me. Ultimately it all goes back to personal preference

 

Think about the things that are important and not just the ones that stand out. I was torn between the Tundra and Tacoma and went with the Tacoma as it better fit my needs. There are pro's cons to both and neither get great gas mileage compared to most other same sized trucks these days unfortunately.

Tacoma Pro's:
Looks better (opinion)
Fits in my garage (big deal for me)
Fits my dogs (no kids, so space is not a major factor, and I prefer not to haul people around)
Easier downtown parking
Perfect for two person camping, dirt biking and kayaking.
Better gas mileage

Tundra Pro's:
More power
More interior space
Bigger bed

 

The child car seats these days are significantly larger than back in the day. At 5'7 my daughters car seat is 6 inches from the back of the seat and she is only three. Most states require a car seat until at least 5-7 years old and require boosters until roughly 10-12year depending on weight.

 

I have 3 year old twins. I’m 6’1” not an issue so far. They are in my truck almost everyday as I pick them up from the dayhome. It’s better for room once they face forward!

 

The new Tacoma is yesteryears full-size pickup.
If you don't need the towing capacity of the Tundra, the Tacoma would be a nice change.

 

I had an 86 dodge colt turbo way back when! That thing tore apart a camaro in a 1/4 mile race! I loved that thing.

 

They don't have a 4 Cylinder F-150 that l am aware of but Chevy has a 4 Cylinder in the Silverado.

 

They do, @Mobtown Offroad has one. It’s pretty nice. Not sure if it’s still offered though. His is a year or two old.

 

there weren't gigantic car seats back then.. seriously compare a car seat from 20 years ago to todays safer seats... huge difference.. they take up a ton of room..

 

I thought the 2.7 V6 was the smallest engine available in the F-150? The upcoming Ranger gets a 2.3 4 Cylinder

 

The Taco has no power compared to pretty much anything else on the road. The V6 is really my only major complaint about the truck, even after the TSB its unbearably laggy with acceleration, even with the ECT on. Cant imagine towing with this thing or adding a bunch of weight. Fuel mileage is good since you have to put the pedal to the floor and wait a second before the truck decides to move. Id rather the V8, just didn't need a truck that size.

 

I have 3 young kids. 6, 4, and 18 months. 18 month old sits behind passenger rear facing. 6 year old who is out of a carseat in the middle, and the 4 year old behind me in a full back booster. My wife and I are up front. All fit comfortable. I went from a 2007 F150 quad cab to the 2017 DC tacoma. Yes it is smaller but I also went from 15 mph to 23 mph so I can deal with it being a little smaller. If I'm going on a long trip, we just take the wife's Explorer with 3rd row so we can all spread out a little more.

 

Loved my Tacoma but missed the room of a full-size. Just went to a Tundra.

 

I have the 2.7 Ecoboost which is a twin turbo V6. It’s one year old and still offered.

 

She’s a hawg too. I have the 4 door short bed 2wd. Tow 6500-7500 lbs regularly with no issues and still get 16mpg. When I’m not towing I get about 22 city/26 hwy. best I’ve seen was 33. Have had a ton of pellets in the bed multiple times. I towed 12,600 lbs with it once. Towed for 40 miles and kept it under 35mph with no issues.

 

Unless you’re accounting for upsized tires, and only going off of gauge cluster or odometer, you’re underestimating your actual mileage. That’s part 1.

If your mileage is truly that low then it’s likely driving habits contribute over and above the extra weight, and that may transfer to thbtacoma mileage also. That’s part 2.

I took it that you have 2 kids total, one about to get out of a car seat and one in it for a while still. My daughter and son in law have a 5 and 6 year old pair of sons. They drive a challenger and Subaru WRX respectively. They make it work. I pop them in the back of my dcsb off-road once a month and they fit fine. No, there’s not much space left. But hey, as others have said.... there are much more important things to be thankful for.

 

This is very true. While it is certainly tight, my sister and her husband have car seats for a 6yr old and a 10mo old in an older Corolla and Civic. I don't think they would fit in the old subcompact cars

Nice! Ours was most certainly NOT a turbo. The vinyl seats on the other hand, were second to none at burning the shit out of you in the summer lol.