Is the Tacoma the best midsize truck? - new member

Very much! Thank you. I have longer legs, and for the short drive I took the Taco on, it seemed fine. It did not have a moonroof, so headroom wasn't an issue. The transmission explanation helps, as it's different than what I am accustomed to... Appreciate you explaining this.

 

I will drive the GM twins to rule them in/out. I appreciate you sharing your experiences in the Tacoma. My biggest concern was around long term reliability of the GM products, compared to Toyota.

 

90 miles a day with any truck type vehicle is expensive both in fuel and maintenance and you are just running your resale value down if you are concerned with that (even the Tacomas best in class resale).

How about buy a new commuter car and find a decent used truck?

Ultimately you should test drive everything you are interested in and buy what you are most comfortable driving.

 

I've also driven the Ranger and Colorado, I didn't like the interiors of either, especially the layout of controls. Both have high sitting beds that are hard to access yet both also have less ground clearance than you'd expect for trucks their height. The Tacoma doesn't have either of these issues, but the downside is that the floor in the cabin is higher as a result.

If most of what you will be doing will be on road, the Ridgeline might be worth considering too as it has been definitely optimized to do what 90% of people looking at a truck will actually be using it for 90% of the time.

A big plus of the Tacoma is that because it is so popular, aftermarket support is very high. In my case, I basically fixed nearly all the minor annoyances I had with the interior by replacing parts, for example.

 

Welcome! I, too, drive 90 miles per day for my commute. My Tacoma drives fantastic! I actually grew up a GM guy and I developed some trust issues with them after years of my family owning them and them having my own GMC Canyon (2008). I began looking at the F150 because I wanted to go full size. I was refusing to even look at anything outside of Ford or GM for the longest time. Eventually I broke down and started taking a serious look at the Tacoma and I'm certainly glad I did.

I actually just got done driving a 2020 Ranger as a rental car and can honestly say I still prefer the Tacoma. The Ranger also has "gear hunting" and felt jerky when feathering the throttle. It had great low end power and power at altitude but that's what Ecoboost engines are known for.

As for the complaints on the Tacoma, here's what most of it boils down to:

- many people think it is underpowered. It's not a V8, it is a mid-size truck that is geared for MPG. So many of the complaints I see come from people who are used to a V8 or full size pickup. I can often get 23 MPG during my commute at 70 MPH in the summer.

-many people complain about gear hunting or hard shifts. Fact is we don't live in the days of 3 and 4 speed transmissions anymore. Most of those complaining have never researched the Ford/GM 10 speed transmission which has just as many complaints, if not more, even in the full size. Fact is more gears = more shifting. That 10 speed has gear ratios that are a little closer together. But the only time my truck shifts hard is under load such as 80 MPH up a hill while maxed out on payload and having the drag of a bike rack and rooftop tent on the bed. For me, it is very smooth otherwise.

-also, the 3.5L makes its power at 3500 RPM. It doesn't have as much low end torque as some more traditional engines but this engine is port and direct injected. Direct injected engines, by nature, tend to rev higher. But that's also how they can squeeze 40+ more HP out of an engine that was .5L smaller than the previous generation. It's a little alarming at first but once you get used to it you barely notice it, just like any other vehicle.

 

Is you Ridgeline towing capacity comment based on experience or conjecture ?

 

Their own spec sheet. 3500 pounds most models.

 

90 miles a day roughly works out to 16k miles / year.
Consider getting a used nissan versa or similar for the commute and then buy the truck you want

 

I'm 5'8-5'9...so my height is very different. However I drive a LOT. I bought mine new in Jan 0f 19 and now have 131K miles on my truck - many in 4WD. My main office is 60 miles from my home - though technically I'm on highways, they are rural. I own a horse farm and the roads I use daily are very lightly traveled. I use cruise (usually around 55-60MPH) and I average 21-23 MPG. I made a trip yesterday (3oo miles) and averaged just over 25MPG. I drove 1200 Miles last week and averaged 20.5 MPG, but I drove through major/larger cities and was averaging 70-80 MPH...I find anything over 65 MPH the MPG drastically drops. I honestly do not care that much about MPG - but 21-23 is terrific to me (it is the most efficient of all of our vehicles).

We own quite a few vehicles - all larger - I find the Tacoma VERY comfortable, though not as plush as our other vehicles. Remember I am very comfortable on a horse , so my idea of comfort is different than most. I must say on the rare occasion my wife travels with me she does not find the truck very comfortable - she prefers a larger vehicle. The back seat is not comfortable - but again 95% of the time I am alone or with my German Shepherd. I appreciate the size of the vehicle - around my property I can maneuver easily around the trails (we are bordered by a small river) and when I am doing business in larger cities I find parking/maneuverability very easy. I have had zero issues with this truck and honestly think it is perfect for my needs. If you fit comfortably in the truck I would highly recommend the tacoma as a great daily driver - to me it is a tremendous value. Good luck

 

Got the 2021 OR M/T, I'm 6'6" 240lbs.. I put the seat rockers on the front seat to set it back just a little.
225 mile commute one way every week.

Rides great, plenty of power. No tranny issues since I have the M/T.

I just came from the 2002 frontier. All of these trucks will last if you don't abuse them and do the upkeep.
Get the one that you like the best and can get the best price on.

I would favor the Taco though.
I too test drove all the competition and I bought the taco... I it was just superior in so many smaller ways.

 

Sometimes it is a little more complicated than that. For example:

Not everyone can afford two vehicles. I have a 90 mile commute as well but need a truck for everyday use, plus winter, and recreational uses. I cannot afford a separate commuter vehicle at the moment, especially with the way Michigan insurance is.

 

Welcome to TW! I do roughly the same mileage as you, and tow a lot of trailers as well. I'm 6'3 and I fit comfortably, but no one can sit in the seat behind me. I tow from 1000lbs - 6000lbs. I love roundtripping this truck while empty, it's great. With my OVtune and about 5mph over the limit, I average about 21mpg. Loaded, it's slower, but does it fine, it does rev tho. I have airbags in the rear to help with the squat, and it does great.

(truck doesn't have airbags in these shots, it sits level with them)

In my opinion, if you're not towing over 5500lbs more than 30% of the time, the Tacoma will do fine.

 

I'M ONLY 5'10" 215 lbs so I can't speak about the tall people issues. I would say don't get a sunroof for sure and it removes some complexity without it in addition to not losing head room. I daily drive mine I don't have any issues with comfort. the power seat allows good adjustment. I take mine on trips of 1-4 hours each way for camping and tow a pop up with my SR5 double cab. I really like the truck. I've never been uncomfortable in it so far. it's a bit utilitarian compared to the higher trims GM and Ford offer. the reliability and how it holds value sold me. I was close to buying a ranger but ford's ecoboost reliability across the brand didn't inspire me enough considering this was my first even brand new vehicle and the most I've personally spent on a vehicle. I always bought junkers and used cars that were a few years old before. I wanted something that would last for my hard earned money.

I looked at all of the mid size except the ridgeline and test drove Ranger Colorado, and nissan also. Tacoma for the win for me!

 

I get it, to each their own.

I used to have a Jeep TJ that got 12 miles to the gallon or so, and I was driving 50 miles to work each day plus longer trips several times a month.

I did the math and the fuel savings more than paid for the used nissan versa I bought for $4k.

Your mileage may vary, best of luck

 

A couple months ago I too was in the market for new mid-sized truck and I too drove a new Tacoma, the Frontier, the Ranger, and a Ridgeline. Each truck had things I really liked about it. But then I looked in the driveway at my 09 Tacoma base model (w/70k miles) and asked myself what am I getting with a new truck that my 12 year old Tacoma doesn't have. I decided to add a few things like cruise control and keyless entry and make a few cosmetic upgrades and stick with what I got for a least a couple more years. Maybe then I'll look at everyones 2023 lineup.

 

I've had my 21 off road about 6 weeks now, I'm 5'11" and about 200lbs. I found the seat position to be uncomfortable at first, I installed front seat lifters from desert does it and it improved the position a bit, but it's still just ok to me. I've been mostly a vw guy and in comparison the Tacoma just isn't anywhere near as comfortable.

The seat lifters do make the steering wheel in the Tacoma a little too close even when it's at it's highest position which makes getting in and out a little weird. Wish the wheel went an inch higher.

 

I am 5'11" and about 200lbs with a huge hog and I am very comfortable in my 2018 trd, OR. I have also ridden in the back seat for over an hour with no issues. I also haul a 16 ft camper 130 miles six times per year with no issues.

 

F-150 with a 2.7 EcoBoost. Will outperform the taco on every level you listed. Better fuel mileage, better power and a lot more comfortable. Tacos are great for weekend offroading or for people that can't drive a full size truck. I had a taco for 3 months and that was as long as it took for me to realize a full size is the way to go. Maybe the new Tundra will be an option soon, as long is they make it look better than the last version.

 

I'm 6'4" 36" inseam. I have the seat rockers which helps immensely. If anything my biggest gripe is that the telescoping wheel barely telescopes. So I drive with the seat back and my arms stretched out in front of me.

 

No doubt about it, these newer full size trucks have some advantages the mid-size don't. It goes the other way to. Those eco-boost engines seem to need far more expensive maintenance vs mostly replacing fluids in the tacoma. In the end, you get what you pay for.