Back seat big enough for kids?

I don’t have a taco yet nor have driven in one but have heard complaints about the lack of leg room. I’m guessing for kids up to younger adults it’s probably ok? I’m wondering if it’ll be enough room for my fourth and first grader.

I’d like to hear from people who have kids and see what their experiences are.

 

As long as you don’t have huge expectations like it’s a Ford expedition back there, you’ll be fine…
I’m 5 foot eight, I’ve personally sat back there numerous times on various trips while my chick was driving and my 15-year-old took the front passenger seat…

 

2nd grade and 2 year old here. It works but it is tight. Don't expect any rear storage except in the floorboards and maybe in between the seats. If you are above 6ft and need the legroom to drive, I would not buy a Tacoma. Keep in mind your fourth and first grader are going to grow. Which means there will be more gear to carry.

 

When I was shopping, I had checked this out myself, as I had heard the same as you. If you don’t drive with the front seats pushed all the way back, you should be fine. I could “force” myself to sit back there, but I’m 6’5”. My wife is 5’1” and she was fine. Our salesman fit back there as well, and I’d guess he was 5’8” to 5’10” give or take.

 

You can always take the family to a dealer and do a test fit, and test drive. It’s going to depend a lot on the size of everyone.

 

Everyone survives we used to go 2 hours with adults in the 90ś in an extended cab on fishing trips, the ones that couldn hack it were left behind.

 

It's tight, but definitely manageable for around town trips in particular. However, the poster that talked about growing kids had a good point. We do 10-hour trips to Williamsburg Virginia to see family and my daughter quickly grew tired of the tightness of our 2013 Taco when she had her growth spurt. My son is now 6 ft 1 and said that he wouldn't mind going around town in the backseat of my 4th gen but definitely not on a long trip.

 

If they need more leg room, tell em to sit in the bed like we’d have to do as kids!

 

Just remember, they won't be those sizes long. The 4th grader may well be adult size before the warranty expires.

 

My current teenage and adult kids grew up in the backseat of our 2nd and 3rd gen Tacomas. The thing is, kids get used to anything. If they’re used to riding in a suburban, they might bitch about the legroom in a Tacoma. But if they grew up riding in a Tacoma, they don’t know any different and they’re just fine.
And if they whine about it, it’s a good opportunity to remind them about first world problems.

 

I’ve had 3 Tacos since mine were born. I’m kinda a slight build and all of 68” tall. My progeny are proving to maintain the traits sooo, no problem! The booster seat swap happens just about the right time for legroom. The big 3 way Graco seats take up a bunch of space. The Diono I had been using in my Barracuda fit in the Taco way better. There was a recall on 3rd gen’s related to the top mount anchor weld if you’re looking for a used truck BTW. Make sure it’s been in

good luck

 

Three wide in the jeep Comanche was the way it went.

 

Its like any other midsize. If you need full time family vehicle, def get full size truck or SUV like 4runner. Other than that they will fit fine and yes you can test drive, dealerships allow that

 

Just test drive the Tacoma and then the tundra with the family in the rear. They are almost the same price.

 

Glad we did not have it as a frequent travel or primary vehicle when they were younger or now. For each vehicle we had while our kids were about 4 though high school we did a test drive with them in back and imagined all we'd have with on a vacation or road trip.

 

Kids yes. But kids grow fast.

I drove 1/2 ton crew cab trucks until my youngest moved out. He was 5'3" and 140 lbs in 7th grade. He was 6'3 and 240 lbs in 10th grade wearing size 13 shoes. He won't fit in the back seat. The Tacoma was my primary vehicle for 9 years until I had 5 grandkids. Since 2016 it's been a 3rd vehicle that I drive around town. I have another 1/2 ton crew cab and my wife drives a SUV with 3 rows of seats.

 

It's fine for kids and occasional adults.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwHEo-CN_uc&ab_channel=TeamOilDrop

 

How much does it cost to warranty a 4th grader?

 

The thing that I've noticed is that my older kids fit better because their feet can sit down on the floor and toes tuck under the bottom/back of the front seats. My 2nd grader is in a booster seat and her feet end up at the perfect height to be right between the front of the back seat and the back of the front seat. This causes the front seat to need to be moved further forward to give her feet space.

 

Thanks everyone for the responses. Yeah I figured it’d be harder/less room for the one in the booster seat. But we won’t be taking long trips in the Tacoma, my wife’s RX is our family vehicle. It does sound like we’ll be ok, I’m 5’11” and wife is 5’. Regardless, we’ll take a test drive beforehand.