DC Tacoma or 4Runner for kids?

Long story short I am in the process of trying to start a family and was wondering if people with Tacomas and children have any issues with car seats in the back seat. From what it looks like there’s not a whole lot of room in the back even in the double cab.

Is it a hassle or would it be better to trade the Taco back in for a 5Gen 4Runner for an additional 50 dollars a month.

Quick info regarding, I don’t tow, nor do I foresee myself towing anytime soon and I don’t haul very much. Have used the bed once for some boxes in 8 months.

Let me know what you guys think. Kids in the Taco or 4Runner?

 

OP, first the process or practice is the best part . Anyway, I have a 5yo pint sized dictator and the rear seats of my Tacoma offers plenty of room. I have had her and her friend back there with car seats obviously and still plenty of room even for multi-hour trips.

 

Coming from someone who has owned both, get the 4Runner. Having rear facing in a taco is a bitch. In the 4Runner we have waaaay more room.

 

I've got a 3rd gen 4runner and Tacoma DC.

Get the 4runner. The rear seats of the Tacoma feel like the back seats of a mustang compared to the 4runner. Even my 9 year old complains about the space.

NTM the 4runner has way more usable storage space that is covered.

 

I babysat my two nieces recently (no kids myself) and fitting two carseats in the back was a huge pain in the ass. For as much room as there is in a double cab, those carseats make you push your front seats forward. If I had to do it daily, I'd trade in for a 4Runner or something else.

 

I do like the fact that there is covered storage. I was on the verge of buying a bed cover like those metal ones to store work stuff in because I’m tired of it taking over my back seat.

 

And also like mentioned above the car seats will force you to move your seat forward and if your a bit taller it's a huge pita.

The covers are nice but I find loading a bed for tools another pita and stuff always slides and moves around. The smaller carpeted rear of the 4runner keeps stuff from flying everywhere.

Just to much work and money to really get the bed usable for daily use. Really sucks when you need to climb into a bed all the time to get access with a cap.

 

Plus with T4R you get more engine power, and power seats

 

Very true. I guess I didn’t really realize how little of space there was in the back until I had it for awhile. I am on the taller side so my driver seat is nearly touching the back seat.

 

And NO drivetrain issues. Lol

 

Then you best get a T4R

 

what they said...i take out my front seat to make it easier with rear facing car seat, but most people need all the seats

 

Get the 4Runner. I'm a brand new Tacoma DSSB owner and would have purchased a 4Runner if my wife didn't insist that we always have a truck available. While I use the bed ALOT I could get by with a 4Runner. I have a 10 month old daughter and her rear-facing seat fits fine, getting her in/out is a little tight/challenging especially compared to my wife's '17 Acadia.
HTH

 

So would you say the 4 Runner is worth 50 dollars more a month?

 

Only you can say that. You know your finances.

 

Yeah drive one. The drivetrain is tits. You won't be disappointed. When I'm in a 5th gen makes me question our Tacoma purchase every time.

 

I use a rear facing car seat for my girl in my truck behind the passenger seat my wife never has a problem with room with the car seat in but if my buddy whos about 6 ft tall sits up front he can barely fit. Maybe try a carseat in the back and see how it works for you before you trade it for a 4runner?

 

I am not trading in my taco, I use the bed all the time and is the reason I got me truck. Anyhoo, I did not know there is so much more room in the rear seats for a 4R, too bad they are not offered with a MT. If I was ever in a market for a SUV, I would certainly consider the 4R.

 

Heck, yeah!

4runner rocks. If you need the occasional truck duties, just buy or rent a trailer. The runner is better in every aspect.

 

I have put 2 car seats and and booster in the back of the tacoma. It is tight, but it worked. My other vehicle is a Tahoe for the kid hauler. I much prefer that for the task. If I had to only have the Tacoma or 4 Runner for the family I would take the 4 Runner hands down. That being said I always have one car seat and a booster in my truck for running kids around town or picking them up and it truly works just fine, just not as nice as the larger vehicle.