Trade Tacoma for Highlander?

OP, keep in mind there's probably a bunch of folk commenting here that have no kids. If I were you I'd put more weight on the opinion of those with kids.

My kid creds: 3 (7, 9, 11 yrs old)...and a Schnauzer who never grows up.

 

Somewhat true but it's much better for trips. Plus, once I get back home all I have to do is sit in my Tacoma for a minute and it gives me my balls back.

 

Had a trd pro 4 runner on lock when I found out we were having a second kid. A few weeks later we found out there were two in there. Now you can see me ridin dirty in the swagger wagon.

 

sliding rear doors+child seats=happiness...

 

The Sienna is wonderful birth control for my wife and I.

 

It can also serve as a cheap hotel.

 

My post was #69. Fitting

 

My phone did it ok, forerunna

 

I have a 2016 Tacoma TRD Sport and my wife has a 2015 Highlander Limited. She really likes it and I actually really like driving it too. Its sporty for a 7 passenger vehicle, and I swear it gets up and goes faster than the Tacoma.

 

I have 2 car seats in the back of mine. 1 forward facing the other rear facing bassinet type. They work just fine, but I'm also 5'8". If you're 6" or taller the kids won't have leg room when they're taller in the front facing car seat.

This is for doing it in a pinch though. Normally they go in my wife's car which is bigger. Would not recommend it for a daily with kids.

 

FWIW my wife has a 2003 Highlander we got in 2008 as a one-owner CPO with 85k--it now has 255k and good luck to anyone trying to get her away from it. It still looks good (garaged all its life) out and in, and just runs and runs and runs...

 

I had a Highlander as my first car in high school (for about 3 years living in the PNW so I tested the limitations of that car, ha you can believe me on that) and I can say the following with absolute certainty:

Pros:
The engine, that car has a lot of power especially for an SUV.
Space, the 3rd row seating and storage capacity is great.
It's 4x4, very handy when you need it if you're ever driving in heavy ran or snow.
The handling is bonkers, Tacoma owners need to try it to believe it because it's amazing.
They last forever.
They look luxurious on the inside.

Cons:
The exterior is unappealing.
It's not a Tacoma.
You can't upgrade it to the same degree as a Taco.
You won't love driving your car, but you'll appreciate it.

Test a 4Runner if really want an SUV that has the same reputation as our Tacos. However the Highlander is not a bad option if you are comfortable with the cons I've mentioned. Also, who the heck buys an SUV for the MPG? Yeah it's a nice addition to an SUV now a days but seriously? If you want good MPG get a Camry.

Also, I grew up with an older brother, two younger brothers, and two younger sisters so the whole household was chaos. Best of luck to you and if you need to transport a lot of people then the Highlander can fit your need. It seats plenty of people in a very comfortable fashion.

 

My wife went from the Buick Ranier to a Highlander . We needed it because of the amount of kids/people being transported . And at the time I was driving a Caliber . I got my Tacoma this past summer because we had the highlander . If she had a something other than the highlander I would have gone with the 4runner .
I actually like the Highlander for anything but off road . Good going out vehicle . But REALLY like my Tacoma and if it is just me or me and one other person I take it instead .

Forgot to add , we get a pretty consistant 22 mpg with the highlander . Not bad for an SUV of that size .

 

I was watching my wife pull out of the driveway the other day and thought that the Highlander's styling had held up quite well over the years (as has hers). It is almost Bauhaus in it simplicity and will likely continue to age gracefully unlike many of the newer trendy, baroque and flamboyant designs...

 

Style is subjective and the con was more of my opinion if that's what you're getting at. Although people do not buy a Highlander specifically for it's style, if you want style then you buy Mustang GT350.

 

The GT-350 is nice I would prefer a GT-40 or an old school Cobra (my neighbor has a very nice 427 replica).

However keep in mind I'm old--the design of most new cars leaves me cold, and all the gadgetry makes me colder. The styling is all reiterative, swank, and generally uninspired and undisciplined--driven by pop culture appeal rather than artistic orderliness. They will look very, almost comically, dated in 10-15 years

 

Got a 4Runner for my baby hauler it has a lot of room

 

I went from a 17 Tacoma Pro to an 18 T4R Pro and my wife went from a 17 T4R Pro to an 18 Rav4 Limited.

 

Like I said before, style is subjective and I agree with you on the GT-40. I said the GT-350 because that was the first car that came to my head when I thought "stylish."