Considering replacing my 2007 with a 2017 for safety reasons ...

Your truck doesn't have passenger side airbag, even my 1st gen did!
Keep what you have, don't forget all the Takata airbag issues, and all the current 3rd gen issues.

 

So you want to trade in for a newer vehicle because it's safer? If your truck has lasted you this long and you have no major safety concerns (a child or a precious dog), then why do it? Your 2nd gen is bound to last you quite some time. Now if your a guy looking to impress others with your new truck, go ahead, no one will stop you. The 2nd gen is a fine truck and with certain upgrades and aftermarket equipment, you can make it look as good or better than the 3rd gen (not looking for BS, the 3rd gen is a good looking truck, just not my cup of tea with the new engine and tranny, and I've test driven them all for extended periods of time) As long as you drive safely and know how your vehicle reacts to certain driving situation, you should be set to use your 2nd gen for years to come.

 

Thanks again for all the feedback. I will wait a bit longer and check out the 2018's.

 

Going 2018 will only give you the electronic safety goodies...

I got tboned in my 2017 Limited by some chick going 40 and walked away without a scratch, even drove the truck home despite the fact it was a write off. I was so impressed I bought another.

Ignore the professional 3rd gen haters, they literally are old men with nothing better to do than trash talk their own trucks all day.

 

The biggest safety device in any vehicle is the driver. Get some driver training, take a safety course, etc, etc. That said, newer vehicles do have more gizmos. But guess how many times I was injured in an accident over 115k miles in my '95 4Runner? None, with no airbags, only rear wheel abs, no fancy throttle control, no traction control (except 4wd).

 

How does the safety sense react to aftermarket brush guards/bumpers? If you need to push something will it let you?

 

Yes, new safety features are absolutely worth it. Hospital costs are out of control. Wouldn't you rather spend 40k on a nice safe truck than 40k on doctors (after insurance) to stitch you back up? This was part of my decision making when buying a new truck versus an old one. Also, I just can't imagine getting in an accident and having my girlfriend or mother seriously injured knowing it was because I cheaped out on owning a safe vehicle.

I'm not hating on people who think differently (I own a motorcycle and 93 miata for weekend fun and recognize they are dangerous) but for me, when it comes to long trips and daily driving, it gives me peace of mind knowing that the people I care about are safe.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=eouRDQ417mU

Tacoma was the top pick in midsize trucks on the small offset crash simulating a head one collision. It actually looked better than the Tundra and several other full size. Also several of the trucks did significantly worse in extra cab vs quad cab. Check out the Dodge 1500!

 

http://www.iihs.org/iihs/ratings/vehicle/v/toyota/tacoma-crew-cab-pickup

 

I can't believe people still drive cars with only 2 airbags!

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQQn-Lx4_XU

Tundra if for the curious.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NygirwxUotc

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGdLvMh5OPs