Small screen vs big screen

My opinion is that the 14" screen is significantly better when you are using it for the following two purposes, for example:

- back-up camera - the larger image is really impressive and useful (same comment applies for any of the camera views that are available)

- navigation - much larger map display and if you are using CarPlay then the display is large enough to have a usable map display on the left portion of the screen, with the right portion of the screen used to display podcast or other information

This is my first vehicle with such a large display. Before I purchased it, after I test drove one of the first '24 Tacoma's that came in and was backing it into the parking place at the dealers and the display came on with the backup camera, I actually laughed (in a good way) at how large and impressive it was.

 

Fourteen inch for the win!! Huge ass screen for maps is great.

 

You know what. Let’s just be happy we get to choose the options between 8” and 14”.
People with the 8” are happy and people with the 14” is happy. Any 8” screen owner shitting on a 14” screen is due to envy. Nothing less and nothing more.

 

And vice versa

 

I would have loved the big screen, but that would mean going to a TRD and would have cost me thousands, so I’ll make do.

 

i came from an Xterra which didn’t have any creature comforts. to me, the 8 inch is totally luxury. it works great.

 

I originally wanted the larger screen, and had test driven a truck with the large screen, but the discount I could get on a TRD Off Road with the smaller screen compared to the same truck with the 14" screen was a no brainer. It was a LOT. And I'm perfectly happy with the 8" screen. I actually prefer it to the larger screen now that I have one for comparison. I remember thinking that the 14 inch screen in the one I test drove made the cab feel a little cramped, like it was too big for the truck. The 8" screen is actually more proportional to the cab, and is plenty large enough for Waze and Spotify, Pandora, etc. The large plastic bezel surrounding the 8" screen is what makes it look cheap. If it had a thin bezel, it would look great. A 10 to 12 inch display would be ideal, but Toyota probably knows that and the 8" vs.14" is a great marketing tactic for upselling expensive premium packages. The larger screen is available as a stand alone option for around $850, but they seem to be scarce.

 

I can guarantee you that no envy or jealousy was involved with my choosing a pickup with the smaller screen. Same for my trail building partner who made similar decisions in getting work oriented pickup. Somewhere here or another Tacoma site I pointed out my discovery in test rides that lighting of the center display is separate control from rest of the dash, and at night I found it distracting. Both of us could buy much more expensive stuff and without any financing.

The decisions many make are understandable. Just how many short beds and fancy versions of lots of pickups are sold tell me how use and values differ. My Tacoma is mostly just a tool to wear out. It really only has to be utilitarian while keeping me comfortable and safe.

 

The fact that you’re responding to this and justifying your purchase tells me what I need to know. Enjoy your tool.

 

Maybe someday there will be an affordable option to upgrade. I had a Jeep Wrangler with the 7" screen, and the 8.4" systems would sometimes come up used, etc. I upgraded to the 8.4 in it, was pretty easy since it's the entire radio for the most part. Took me 5 minutes to swap it out. That extra 1.4" of screen made it feel twice as big. A few of the fancy features didn't work but that didn't bother me.

If I could get the 14" screen in some kind of supported fashion that didn't require selling a kidney to afford it, I'd be all over it. Don't care about the larger instrument panel screen, just the infotainment one.

 

It's boss.

 

No comparison. Night and day difference. I traded in my 24 off-road (upgrade package but with the smaller 8-inch screen) for a 25 off-road (upgrade package plus the 14-inch screen and moonroof). The larger screen is so much nicer, and I believe it makes the truck's interior look so much better. I honestly think that Toyota should be putting in the 14-inch screen on everyone paying for any of the TRD trims.

 

I concede for Gaia GPS or similar the big screen could be nice, but for a comment made about me, that was pretty off base. I gave consideration to how often I use that app and where and my use of it and another mapping app is almost always data collection so I need the phone's or iPad's screen if not my laptop.

If I only had the 14" display as an option I'd likely still get a Tacoma because my main reasons for the purchase were a top safety pick long bed with locker axle. It seems to me that independent brightness adjustment is universal. My wife's car with display within dash can only switch between light, dark and off. Other pickups I tested were same.

On that app, in our car I've set it to an early 1900s topo map while my wife and others were driving for some good cheap entertainment.

 

Somewhat off-topic, but I was surprised that the Tacoma get an IIHS Top Safety Pick award after seeing on the window sticker that it only got 3/5 stars for driver protection, and 4/5 for passenger. I feel a little better now knowing that it's not as bad as I thought...

 

My insurance decreased, which indicates to me passenger protection hasn't been compromised.

 

I have both screens, 8" in our 4Runner and the 14" in my Tacoma. When we were buying them, I didn't care about the big screen, but my Tacoma was a simple TRD OR with 14" screen, heated seats, and all-weather mats and that's it. I was like sure why not for $895 I don't have to take either of the upgrade packages and it's still only $50k. BUT now after having them both for almost 2 months I HATE the 8in screen every time I drive the 4Runner, I have to look at it longer to read and it's just looks super small. Since you can add just the 14" screen in the Tacoma it's a no brainer for me! The 4Runner you have to do a package to get it, now I'm going to have to upgrade the 4Runner when something comes out.

 

I'm not familiar with the 4Runner but you might be able to upgrade to the 14 inch screen.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2024-tacoma-14-inch-screen-swap-question.847230/#post-30443852

 

I saw that, was hoping someone would release a more "plug and play" solution down the road. I am comfortable with the wiring parts but would prefer something a little more turnkey

 

I’m in the market myself and looked at both … I do like the larger screen but it does block the view a little bit since it’s not set into the dash . The smaller one looks cheap.

 

I guess it depends on your seating position and how tall you are. My sitting position and my height at 6ft my screen doesn’t block any view for me.