2016 F-250 6.7 Powerstroke to 2021 Tacoma...

2016 Off Road, 63k miles, no issues to report.

Wish it had more torque and the trans wasn’t so happy to upshift early and then hesitant to downshift

I haven’t owned a fullsize but I drive them occasionally. Love the power, wouldn’t want to daily drive them.

 

Yes, maybe so but how many Toyotas do you see on the road that are rusting or paint peeling compared to the other big 3. I live in Canada where the roads are salted and still do not see Toyota rusting or even any of the 5 I have owned over the years.

 

Debatable. We have both a Tacoma and a 2019 4Runner. I can't say either really drive better in my opinion. We certainly use the Tacoma more though, by a lot. With the 4runner it isn't so much that the transmission is programmed better. It's just completely different. It's a 5 speed with completely different gearing. The 4.0L is port injected which also adds to the power band being lower. But my Tacoma is much better at speed. I love our 4Runner (particularly more than the Xterra we had before), but I still love our Tacoma more.

A quick caveat though: my previous truck was a 2008 GMC Canyon. It was definitely quicker off the line but boy was it worse for passing speed. My 3rd gen is hands down an upgrade and I'd never own a 2nd gen. I've driven full size trucks but I've never actually owned one. For my current lifestyle the Tacoma works much better or I'd have an F150 right now. Right now I wouldn't trade my 3rd gen for anything.

 

My last truck was a 2006 F250, went stupid with a 2018 M3 in between but then got a 2020 Tacoma Pro. The fit and finish is not there on a tacoma. I do like the push button start, cameras and the ease of parking mine but that's where it really stops. It's fun to drive and that ease of parking compared to a F250 is night and day but I'm so OCD that I always park and walk anyway. The bed extender is a must, especially if you are use to putting stuff in the bed of your 250. The rest of the interior seems cheap compared to my old F250. The door panel has more movement than I expected when you pull on the handle to close it. The leather seats have been solid, no complaints there.

I've got 30k trouble free miles on my Tacoma but I'm selling it and going back to a full size, actually looking hard at a 2022 F250 Platinum with the Tremor package as my replacement. I have a side business as a full service property management company and my poor Tacoma hunts gears when I pull my mower. It's an aluminum trailer but the mower is a huge skag so it's heavier than normal. I honestly don't know how people tow towards the limit with these things, I probably wouldn't feel that way if I wasn't use to towing with a diesel though... I'm use to not having to allow a lot of extra room or having to put it in manual mode just to tow a little utility trailer. I will look at all the full size market since a F150, Tundra, etc would allow a larger bed and tow capacity but right now I'm leaning towards the F250. Might as well drive it if I'm going to be daily driving a boat anyway...lol

Lastly my fuel mileage has been the same as my old truck, I barely get 17mpg unloaded and it's around 12mpg when towing. I don't have the air dam being the Pro model so it must make a huge difference. Putting 4 adults in to grab lunch at my day job is also tight and once I throw my small tool box in the bed there's not a lot of extra room. The under seat storage is less than half of the F250 as well. My normal tool bag that I carry for maintenance calls (plug for veto tech pac, amazing backpack for carrying tools) doesn't fit in my little tool box in the bed or anywhere else besides the back seat. We have to move it to another car or throw it in the bed on the way to grab lunch.

 

I had back in the 70's a 1978 GMC 1/2 ton but 1 ton rated with the tow package ( over size alternator, trans cooler, electric brake for trailer etc etc ) it was great for pulling my masonry equipment around and very strong I had a 400 short stroke engine and my mileage was not great 5 mpg lol but then the price of gas was real low, I forget how much it was.
That was the last large truck that I owned been driving Toyota Tacomas since 1993 since I retired out of the business had no need for big truck anymore. It was quite the transformation going big to a sardine can lol. Toyota has come a long ways with their Tacomas. Had 93 4 banger auto xtend cab, 98 xtend cab v6 manual, 204 TRD Sport Double Cab v6 Auto, 2008TRD Sport Double Cab v6 auto and now 2021 TRD Sport Premium double cab V6. Believe me this is the best of all more room, power and convenience and mileage wise. Love it

 

I didn't come from a big truck or even a truck at all but wanted the best offroad truck. I also hated how the transmission shifted and drove around with the ECT on all the time before getting an OV tune. Spend the money for a tune and you'll be much happier with the truck.

The Tacoma isn't the best town truck or tow truck by a large margin but is the best off-road truck, I don't consider the gladiator a truck but maybe most do.

I couldn't afford to spend 50K on a truck so I bought a 2020 SR back in December 2019 before the prices went crazy, got lucky. The truck had what I wanted, V6 4x4, AC with the SX package. Came with extra equipment all for 30.5k, 32.5k OTD.

No issues yet at 15k and 20 months of ownership.

 

I'm 6'3"/195lbs. Have a 2016 F350 6.2 that weighs in at 9k lbs daily and my 16 TRD OR.

The 350 is obviously more roomy, but I don't necessarily think it's more comfortable. I like the more narrow cockpit kind of feeling in the taco.

The Tacoma rack and pinion steering feels like driving a race car after driving the 350 all week.

Tacoma suspension is far more comfortable, even before I modded it (keep in mind the 350 is loaded and an XL model)

There is no comparison for off roading.

There is no comparison for towing/hauling.

Plan on spending $300 for a tune for a Tacoma. They really transform the truck.

NVH-Tacoma wins hands down.

Build quality-Tacoma all day

They are both good for their intended purpose, which is very different. The 350 is a real working truck with a ton of capability. Mine has 1500lbs in it at all times and still has another 1000 or so before it hits GVWR. It also stops, accelerates, steers and rides like a heavy truck. The Tacoma is adequate for light truck jobs. I have towed a few thousand pounds with it, and it can technically tow more but the chassis is just not made for it. I think it is accurate to say a Tacoma is a less off road capable jeep with a little more cargo space that is much more reliable. It is a lifestyle vehicle, built to reasonably facilitate your outdoor hobbies. That is where it shines.

If I could only have one, I'd probably take the 350, and I would want a gas engine. A big factor is that it would not be my daily. It is just so much more capable for doing work and I'm not a hardcore offroader. There are definitely FS roads and camp sites that I would not be able to get to, though.

 

I'm pretty sure the OP has bought a Ford Raptor by now

 

If I were in your shoes I'd be looking at 1/2 tons as a compromise. I don't think you'll ever be happy with a truck that small after the F250.

Ford's 2.7L EB engine can be equipped to have about double the payload of a Tacoma, and still tow as much as 10,000 lbs. And get 25-26 mpg when not towing. Will cost less than Tacoma too.

 

Surprisingly almost...

I test drove a 2020 Raptor @ local dealership recently. While she checked all the boxes except particality and financial responsibility, I implored self restraint and purchased a low mileage 2019 F-150 SuperCrew, FX4, 3.5L EcoBoost. Now the fun begins.....

Thanks for the input--much appreciated!

 

OP, I did something similar and regretted it. About ten years ago I sold my diesel Ram Heavy Duty and went to F-150. I regretted that decision and missed my 3/4 ton almost instantly when I pulled a trailer the first time. Couple of years later I was back in a diesel truck.

Either way good luck with the decision.

 

Did you get a chance to test drive the Tacoma

 

Yes! I test drove and spent time in a SR5, TRD Sport, TRD OR, and TRD Pro; all 4wd. I really like the Tacoma platform of simplicity and no frills manufacturing. I'm positive I "could" make the truck work for my lifestyle. Additionally, I think the Tacoma is better looking and really enjoy the enthusiast aspect supporting the Brand.

However, the F150 suits my current needs best between size, power, capabilities, etc.
As stated in OG post, I don't tow or log high miles (1,000 + / week) as I did from 2018-2020, thus the necessity to make a change from the F-250.

The "new" truck (F-150) is well outfitted, low miles (20k), has the 3.5L EcoBoost, and met my financial markers. It'll work for now.

Such 1st world problems!

 

I have a TRDOR with no air dam and I have been known to get 24 MPG at 70 MPH although 21-23 is pretty typical for the summer. I commute 90 miles per day round trip as well. Not sure what kind of driving you do or how fast you're driving. But, basically, it isn't the air dam.

 

No idea I don't live where it snows.
My comment is not negative necessarily just facts about how I can dent my Tacoma bed with my pinky If I want but not my f150.
My last Tacoma was a 2008 and my trash can hit the bed and wrecked the piss out of it. I don't mean hard either, in fact I heard it and then didn't think anything of it till I got out and was shocked to see the driver side bed panel rolled in.
They might have great salt protection but I still say the body panels are beer can.
Now I happily drive my beer can before my f150 because I really enjoy the Tacoma

 

I used to have Full size pickups and would probably still have one if my wife didn't talk me into buying a Toyota.
Resale value and longevity and ease of parking. If your a bigger fellow your going to hate it.
I live in Socal and it fits perfectly for my use. I used to miss the power and room. still do a little until i'm knee deep in traffic and have to maneuver around.

 

In 2010 I bought a 2008 4runner which I loved and didn't have one problem with it. I sold it because I needed a truck to go to the lake with. I bought a used 2011 Tacoma TRD sport and racked up huge km on it over the years. The only issue i had with it I replaced a heater motor resistor, but that was it. In 2018 I sold it for $500 less than I paid for it with 200k on it. I purchased a new 2018 Tundra offroad as I needed the power on the hwy and for towing a water tank at the lake. I like my Tundra but I loved my Tacoma, it was so much fun to drive. After 3.5 years I haven't had a single issue with it. I've now ordered a 2021 Tacoma sport MT which will be here in Oct. I don't do as much hwy driving now and still miss my 2011 Tacoma, infact I wished I had never sold it. Don't get me wrong, my Tundra is a nice truck but it's not like driving a Tacoma. The things I like about Toyota's or even most Japanese vehicles is the reliability. Since I started driving them in 1983 I've only had to do 3 repairs other than brakes and tires. That's pretty incredible and you won't get that with the big 3 imo. I did a lot of driving over the years and much higher than average. The other thing I like is the resale value. My Tundra is up for sale for 5k more than I paid 3.5 years ago, which I'm pretty sure ill get. I know some is because of the chip shortage but before covid I looked at pricing and back then I could get 2k more than I paid. Bottom line though is you have to buy what you like as only you need to be happy with it. If you're going from a powerful fullsize to a mid size you may not be happy. I know it will be a change for me but after test driving I know I'll be happy. If I feel the need for speed I can always hop in my 2020 Supra Good luck on your search!

 

I have a Titan XD Cummins and a DC Tacoma, The titan has more power but the Tacoma to me is just more fun t drive and just fits in a lot more spaces