Northern New Mexico Trip..... Should I take my Taco?

I understand the correct answer is "Yes" but please humor me.

We are driving from Louisiana to New Mexico (my first time there) and plan on visiting in the Santa Fe and Taos areas. We will likely do some minor hiking, viewing the mountains, but this trip will be an "All Hotel Trip." Transportation Choices are Subaru Forester or Toyota Tacoma. The Subaru has better gas mileage and more secured cargo room. The Toyota is a little bigger and has more offroad capability.

My questions:

1. Any particular points of interest I should definitely include on my trip?
2. Any recomendations for the trip where I should have the Taco?
3. Taco or no Taco?

 

The Taco. You will appreciate the extra power in the hills.

 

Unless you're planning on some serious off-roading, I would think the Subie would be fine. At these altitudes, any vehicle will be down on power (15 - 20%) compared to sea level. When is your trip planned for? The snow at higher elevations will be mostly gone soon here.

 

Honestly, the Subaru has plenty of power to pull itself around..... putting around town, it definitely feels better in the low rpm range than the Taco.

 

Good point on the elevation issue. Headed that way Sunday.

 

The roads to the ski areas at Santa Fe and Taos are paved, and have some nice views & hiking. The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge west of Taos is scenic. The road from Santa Fe north to Pojaque, and then NM Hwy 4 through The Jemez and the pueblos is scenic (most of NM is scenic, IMO ). NM 14 south from Santa Fe takes you through Cerrillos & Madrid: Madrid is a fun little tourist town. The loop from Taos north to Questa, then east to Red River, then south to Angel Fire, returning west to Taos on U.S. 64 is very pretty. I hope you enjoy your stay!

 

So many option in NM. From the way you are describing it the Subaru is a better choice

 

Thanks for the input.... It'll likely be the Subaru. After I get a camper shell, we'll likely plan a camping trip that way.

Thanks for the trip input. More is appreciated.

How is Fort Union?