DC Tacoma or 4Runner for kids?

Go for the Highlander. Great road car, lots of room. Easier to get kids and car seats in and out. You may think your image might suffer, but when you have kids that concern goes away. Put winter tires on it and it will do much better than either truck on the way to grandma's house. Our Highlander tows the boat better than the Tacoma - more low end torque.

 

What is the towing capacity on the highlander?

 

The towing number is ?

 

5000 max IIRC

 

Find compact car seats my advice.
There are more options out there now than there used to be, but my first car seat I bought (for new born up to 50 lbs, forward and rear facing) was a beast. Daughter barely had enough room to move feet once she was 2 years old with the front passenger seat all the way back. I couldn't wait to move her into a booster so that she had more room for feet and back of seat didn't get abused.
I'd say 2 kids is max for Taco in my opinion. Still comfy but a little tight. 4runners seem to have a bit more width and length in 2nd row. They are pricey though...I prefer dollars in pocket over a bit more room. 3rd row option would be nice for 4runner so 3rd kid or friends can squeeze in. Not sure if they still have that option?

 

One of our secretaries bought a new 4Runner S45 4x4. She said something around 35K.

 

Y’all fools that keep saying “it’s tight” are forgetting a few things:

1) OP said he is tall and his seat almost touches back seat, so that rules out any kid behind him period
2) there is absolutely zero room for really any kid gear to be placed in the back seat, so it must all go in the bed

 

Exactly. They can be purchased for mid thirties all day long brand new.

 

He brings up a good point. You never know what to expect during and after the kid is here. lol.

 

Why? I put our stroller in the bed of my truck all the time. Works fine. Never considered it was an issue.

 

Agreed, having bed is easiest for strollers/bikes that will come later...etc.

 

I own both. Hands down, 4R is our go to vehicle. And we only have 1 kid. I went with the 4R with the 3rd row and it sure is handy. There is SO much more room in the 4R vs. the Tacoma.

 

Or OP can do what I did and buy a CrewMax Tundra and never have an issue with interior space ever again

 

I traded my 3rd Gen AC for a 5th Gen 4runner in December. I pay exactly $50 more a month now. I definitely think it's worth it.

 

Here OP your T4R could be as sexy as ours:


Not bad for a family hauler when not rolling in daddy’s truck

 

It is my absolute favorite truck, interior room wise. But I can't get over the sumo wrestler look (big body, small behind). I really wish it had the 6.5ft bed . Though I personally like the design of the J-Lo style DualCab+8.5 feet bed, that doesn't meet my needs of larger interior space.

Once the new redesigned tundra drops, if there are no changes in cab/bed, Crewmax is what I will end up with.

 

What's the big deal there? Granted, you should probably get a tonneau cover (factory are nice and can be had for pretty cheap on CL) or a shell. Ever have a toddler have a blow out on a road trip? No garbage cans around? Toss it in the truck bed instead of fumigating the whole cab.

By the way, we typically pack a duffle bag or two and place it on the floor in the back. Gives the kids a place to rest their feet instead of dangling (and kicking my seat).

 

I hands down absolutely love this truck. I don’t know why I dicked around with other trucks before this one, but happy to finally be in it.

 

Hope they can also get the MPG up at least close to the competition. New F150 diesel just dropped. 30MPG.

If I were to go full size now, I'd get an F150 (non-diesel). Bigger rear seat than the Crewmax, available rear locker, AND 6.5' bed.

 

Yeah I have two friends locally with a 1794 and a PRO. I NEVER EVER take them up on "come on I will drive."

I know if I go inside. its over.

Plus now that the CrewMax comes with front bench again--god i NEED it so bad...