Is the Tacoma the best midsize truck? - new member

@BookieBob

 

The rear seat to me is the worst compared to my F150. I hate that the seats fold down not up. Having to take off head rests etc.

 

Definitely! My old truck got 18 on a good day but this one will get 23 in the summer on that same commute. I'd love a hybrid for a commuter car, but it's just not in the cards at the moment.

 

Yes and no. I did a lot of research on this particular truck and would have gone with it if it weren't for the fact that I didn't need a full size pickup just yet and a mid-size was better for off roading. As for MPG, that is something that definitely varies on your driving. Lots of complaints with the 2.7L on not getting advertised MPG (usually getting in the mid-high teens). But, again, that depended on the driving.

As for reliability, the 2.7L seemed to be more reliable than the 3.5L (Ecoboost) or 5.0L in my research. Maintenance was about the same but it was recommended to change the oil more often than the 10k recommendation since there were some issues with timing chain wear.

But that all being said, I'm very happy I went with my Tacoma and would still consider the F150.

 

I'm the opposite. Headrests are an annoying compromise but I like the storage layout and the versatility of the forward folding seats. If I have to put something big in the cab, they work better than the ones that fold up.

 

See I find the don't allow for as much space because the width of the seat that folds forward takes up some space. with the f150 the bottom folded up and back and it was a giant open space. That's my only real gripe so far with the back seat

 

Just my opinion… I won’t get into full size comparisons as I assume you want mid size.

The 21/22 Tacoma is best off road / daily driver mid size with good reliability and average at best fuel economy. Redesign coming late 2023 as a 2024. Will be an awesome truck.

the 2022 Frontier ProX4 is the second best combo truck but has the smallest back seat of all.

The Ranger is 3rd best combo with redesign coming early 23. The 2023 Ranger will be based off the current Bronco (not Bronco Sport) size wise.

the current GM twins will be replaced late 2022. The 2023 will publicly debut this spring. The new ZR2 and AT4X midsize trucks will be nice. If you can wait a year I’d consider it. Going to have the best Powertrain (Silverado/Sierra turbo 4).

the Gladiator is not a good commuter, solid off-roader, poor MPG other than the diesel, second best back seat behind the Ridgeline.

the Ridgeline is the best commuter (comfort, MPG) and has best back seat but can handle very little off road. All new RLs tow 5k and have around 1600 lb payload. It’s off road capability are clearly mid-size suvish and you can cost yourself serious money damaging the undercarriage when off trail.

 

My 10 yr old Tacoma is also rated for 3500lbs and I have been towing a 2500lb boat among other things. I guess i should look for something bigger to tow the boat. What do you recommend? Odd thing is, Taco seemed to tow it fine!

 

Well thought out. I am interested to see the new ranger

You only missed one "truck"...

https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2022-hyundai-santa-cruz-first-drive-review



Hyundai tried to copy the pilot and it looks like a swing and a miss to me

 

This looks promising. https://www.ford.com/trucks/maverick/

 

Haha to each his own. Outside the 24 Taco, This looks the most promising to me. https://2019trucks.com/2023-gmc-canyon/

 

I have three Tacomas of which two I happened into.
A 1st Generation 1998 4X4 Ext cab SR5 that belonged to my mother that I acquired from my brother.
A 2nd Generation 2007 I bought for my son to whom I traded my camry so he could drive his required longer distances as a family man.
A 3rd Generation 2020 4X4 Sport that I primarily use for long trips.

I am a lifelong mechanic who will tell you that for what it is worth you will be hard pressed to find better service and backing than what Toyota provides. They stand behind their product.
After tearing into many, many vehicles I cannot find a better product. You simply cannot find better production quality for the money that you spend. These two examples are the reason why Toyota is the world's top notch automotive seller.

They are easy enough to work on by yourself and not cost you a fortune to do it. If you are determined not to pay the money to someone else you can very well replace or repair these trucks from bumper to bumper.
Tacomas are very dependable and I fully expect all three of these trucks that I have to outlast my useful driving life.

 

I would definitely look at the new Frontier along with the Tacoma if I was buying today.

 

Tacoma is best.
The number of Tacomas sold tells the tale.

 

Lol

 

I don't think any of us are qualified to make this decision for you because they are all the right choice (or wrong one) for each person. I think if you're open to picking the Ridgeline, then you clearly are able to think for yourself. For me the choice came down to the Tacoma and the Ridgeline. I went with my gut and got the Tacoma and I haven't looked back.

 

To answer your question as posed in your title: In my opinion the answer is: "Yes". I have a 2014 Tacoma. I wanted a second generation Tacoma. Even if I could have afforded a 3rd generation Tacoma (which I can't), I still knew I would be happier in a second generation model. My son has a 2005 4 cyl SR5 Stick. It had 134,000 miles on it. When we went to look at it and I drove it, I -knew- it was a good truck and I also knew I wanted one some day. It has 173,000 on it now and the ONLY thing that it has needed is a new clutch master cylinder (+- 140K) and at about 150k a new clutch slave cylinder). That's it. I've had two trucks before the Tacoma: a Blazer (350 V8) and a Bronco (302). Loved them: The Ford more than the Chevy, but not by much. My other son has a 2016 F150 XLT CC 5.0 4x4 Sport. He offered to sell it to me below Blue Book (good son) when he heard I was looking for a truck. It's an awesome truck with lots of goodies but not too many. It has the full boat tow package and he tows a boat and snowmobile trailer and you dont even know they're back there. But it's too big for me. And I wanted a Tacoma.

Here's what you have to consider: The Tacoma is definitely a -Truck-. It's a little noisy, it rides like a truck, the 2H to 4H switch can be a little cranky (but they never break). The Ranger, Colorado and esp the Ridgeline [well...Kinda: it has AWD and is unibody based] are a truck, but they are more refined so the handling is more refined, they are quieter and they track straighter down the highway. Are they more reliable?? Except for the Ridgeline, in my opinion: The answer is NO. Don't laugh now, but I traded in a really beautiful 2012 Buick for the Tacoma. I know: BUICK --> TACOMA??? Whaaaat???!!! Nice car, but at 102K I knew it was starting to give it up .... -and I wanted a Tacoma-.... Fingers crossed: but my intent was to make this my last vehicle purchase. It has 104,000 and has the Lexus V6 and an Aisin transmission. I'll never get it clocked up to 200,000 miles, so I should be good.

Drive them all and if you like the Ridgeline: buy it. It's a Honda and you'll never look back and it's unlikely to break down before 200K. They make excellent cars. I don't know why they don't give it a shot and make a genuine Truck. They'd sell a lot of them.

 

There is only one real complaint I have with my Taco. That is MPG, it's pretty bad to mediocre at best. Seating position was bad until I got the seat Jackers mod. Other than that, it has a few rattles that any other truck will have. But it has been reliable as any Toyota could be. Never has it not started, let alone leave me stranded.

Sample a few trucks but personally I wouldn't go for the domestics in midsize form. If you don't care for the Taco, check out the ridgeline. Honda is a reliable brand too.

 

1.
I drive 110-120 miles per day and put 100,000 miles on my 2017 Trd sport automatic (traded it on a 2021 Trd sport manual dcsb) (Just get a DCLB manual)
2.
I’m 5’7”. I fit fine. It also now has a power adjusted seat!I have friends that are 6ft+ with a sunroof and make it work.
3. Tacoma is the best looking truck out there. Ridgeline looks like someone chopped the roof off a minivan.
4. I’m on My 3rd tacoma. one was a 2nd Gen and the others 3rd gen.


Take a test drive! Go to Honda and drive it!
Buy what you want. It’s your money


FYI

Just buy it and drive it for a year. After that sell it for whatcha paid. Resale is absolutely insane. Buying used is insane. 2020 tacomas selling for $2k more than new!!!!

 

I have had my up and downs with my truck for the past 2 years from differential whine clunky transmission to whistling noises . None of them have been resolved. Multiple dealer visits and same answer we can’t find anything wrong . On the upside it has always got me from point a to b so ya I can say it’s pretty reliable . I have towed with it …off road with it and she keeps on chugging along . You can’t go wrong in a Tacoma … even if you end up later thinking this thing is a real piece of crap you can sell it . These trucks have great resale value . So no loss on your end .