Tacoma XtraCab vs F150 Super Cab

Hello!

In the market for a basic truck, yes I know there is no such thing as “basic” these days.

Narrowed it down to 4WD Tacoma XtraCab SR and 4WD F150 Super Cab XL with the 2.7.

While I have owned Toyotas seemingly forever, currently have a 3rd Gen Access Cab.

Looks like they discontinued the access doors, yes? Smaller fuel tank only 18 gallons now, no rear slider window either? Can’t remember the last time one of my trucks didn’t have a slider. No dampen tailgate? Gas mileage didn’t make leaps and bounds improvement either.

Built one on the Toyota website comes in at $39K before taxes, licensing, etc.

Local Ford dealer here has a couple F150 Super Cabs XLs on their lot near $40K, 2.7 V6, 36 gallon tank standard (I take a lot of camping road trips, so that would be nice) 12” infotainment screen, rear access doors, and appears to get similar fuel economy.

Trying to decide and make a case for the Toyota.

Not exactly apples to oranges comparison, but can’t seem to find any Double Cab Tundra SRs. Again just need a “basic” truck with 4WD.

 

does the xl f150 have dampen tailgate or rear slider window?

 

Buy the F150

 

I would definitely get an F-150. So much better of a buy at this point.

 

Believe it could be added. Think the dampen tailgate can be added to the Tacoma as well, looking at the parts fiche it is in one of the hinges. No rear slider available unfortunately. Like to crack the slider so I don’t get blasted in the ear with the driver’s window down.

Wasn’t even on the radar, happened to stop by the Ford dealer across the street from Toyota. Was a little shocked at the prices, get a lot more with the F150. Retiring at the end of the year, going to traveling a lot more, which got me thinking a little extra space and the 36 gallon fuel tank would be incredibly nice.

No Tacoma XtraCabs on the lots yet here, appears they are trickling in California. Learning no more access cab concerns me, could live with it, do have a bad back worried about twisting and lifting stuff up and over the seats might throw it out. Keep a lot of my gear back there. Have zero use for rear seats 98% of the time I am by myself.

Oh yeah absolutely need a 6’ or bigger bed.

 

Add me to the F150 vote.

I'd also look at used, would open up your options. You could even get an older double cab Tundra that way, if V8 means a lot to you (or naturally aspirated). I'm assuming that since you're looking at the base model trucks, you wouldn't mind one with a few miles / scuffs, as this would be more of a utility vehicle purchase.

 

I’d go with the F150 in a heartbeat

 

I'd get the f150 if I were shopping for a new one now.

 

It will be travel camp dirt road running utility rig, does have to be new however. Retiring very soon, don’t want any problems, spent a lifetime fiddling with stuff, want easy peezy at this point of life.

Wasn’t even on the radar, have been buying Toyotas for the better part of 40 years, was a no brainer. Now not so sure, uncertain why the price is so high on a basic 4WD Tacoma, especially since they degraded a couple few things.

 

did i stumble into a f 150 forum??? f 150 will be big on dirt road.. harder to turn around.. 2.7 has twice as many turbos to fail.. also ford 10spd transmission not known to be most reliable either. but you do get more lbs of steel for same price.. so if were are deciding what truck is more of a value based on steel poundage then yes the 150 is a better deal for sure.

 

Most mall parking lots are fairly roomy to turn around in

 

Ha! With your name surprised you aren’t pushing Silvy’s.

Had my heart set on a new Tacoma, test driving a SR5 DCLB recently back to back with the F150, not so sure anymore after seeing what you get for the same money. Have driven dump trucks for most of my working life, do believe I turn a F150 around.

 

I work at a place that buys Ford trucks for us to work out of.

I have driven recent F-150 2.7TT Super Cabs, and I must say, they might be the best option for that body config. I also use my personal FS truck similar to OP, and the F-150 Super Cab is very appealing, despite being a Ford.
Although we get base XL trim, they all have locking E-Diff, LED interior lighting, and my favorite part, power rear side windows. I believe the new F-150 now has LED headlights and 14" radio as standard.

The only issues we ever had was rear door latch recall and a fuel pump recall, otherwise they are solid and take abuse.

Personally, I can not stand that Ford chime sound, dooh de dooh..... It reminds me of work, I hate that. If it weren't for that hang-up, I'd definitely consider it.

 

Good to hear, yeah the door chime is super annoying. Thought I read somewhere there is a way to turn it off. Not crazy about column shifters either. At that price do believe I could get over it.

The F150 in question. https://www.ontarioautoranch.com/new/Ford/2024-Ford-F-150-838e9913ac18335d8aae8b8dd21da42c.htm




The Tacoma’s I found via Smartpath.

 

Have you looked at a Frontier King Cab?

https://www.nissanusa.com/shopping-tools/build-price?models=frontier&cabType=king-cab

 

Forscan is what people use to modify the functions of the truck. Works pretty good.

 

If you do choose to stick with a Tacoma I know there’s lots of options for rear seat deletes that add storage.

 

Had my heart set on an access cab, was quite disappointed to find out they discontinued them. The DCLB isn’t totally off the table, do have to bump up to the SR5 to get it. Have zero interest in the DCSB. Have done carpentry/furniture building in the past, super easy to build my own rear seat delete, it is just plywood.

Comparing dimensions of the F150 Super Cab vs the Tacoma DCLB, it is really splitting hairs. The 18 gallon tank of the Toyota gives me pause for my intended use. Travel and bumping around on backroads. Didn’t realize the Fords came standard with the 36 gal until I started researching them, kinda had an “ah-ha” moment, double the capacity and nearly the same mpgs.

Haven’t, never cared for Nissans for some reason, sorta like the Dodge of the a Japanese manufacturers to me.

 

Nissan gets a very bad rep, deservedly so, for the crap FWD CVT cars they've been barfing up since Ghosn got involved in the late 90's.
But, their new Mallfinder, er, Pathfinder, ditched the CVT and went to the 9AT. Have they finally figured it out? I dunno....

Their RWD based platforms are very good at the price you can get them for. I had my 1st Titan for 14 years, I joked that it was as reliable as a 90's 4 cylinder Camry, because it was.

They do cater to low credit buyers and fleets, so yeah, they kinda are like Dodge, but even Dodge has a few gems. There's no way a Ford truck will be as reliable and long term low cost to maintain as a Nissan truck. However, since Nissan is struggling overall, I'd say getting parts for a Ford long term will be better, and definitely Toyota is a great choice too. I think nowadays they are all "reliable enough". Which, for all manufacturers, has been sliding the wrong way. Toyota is a good example, with all the new tech and regulations, Toyota has been slipping quite a bit, relative to their reputation that they earned earlier.......

Anyways, I also think the new F-150 looks sweet with the new front end design.... We have a few brand new XLs in our back lot getting upfitted, and at first I didn't realize they were just XLs, they don't look like a penalty box compared to upper trims

 

It's a coin flip with any manufacturer these days. Gramma's 2019 Accord just had the AC crap out today at 50k miles. Wife's boss has been through 3 F150 Platinum's in the last 4 years, it's his brand but he dumps them when they end up at the dealer more than his driveway. Co-worker's Explorer has been at the dealer more than with him since he's owned it. Contrary to that, parent's F250, Explorer & Sisters F150 have all been flawless. Dad's RAM 2500 had nothing but issues, it's why he has the Ford now. My RAM 2500 was perfect, I just didn't need a full sized diesel or the hassle of it.

TLDR: For what you want and want to spend I'd probably go F150 and roll the dice with Ford. No brand is better than any other anymore.