DC Tacoma or 4Runner for kids?

Yeah ...i think the new one will have great MPG.

 

Had many a blow outs from toddler, just wrap up the diaper, throw in plastic bag, boom no smell in the T4R or Tundra cab. Keep a stash for this very reason. Face it the Taco is not small kid friendly. Not one commercial from Toyota shows the Taco as a family vehicle, it’s always young adults out playing in the mud, never hauling the family.

 

Highlander with tow package tows 5,000 lbs. Sadly, configured that way, it really is a better tow vehicle than the Tacoma. When you have kids, your priorities change in a very good way -- so cut the guy with the minivan some slack. When you see your child for the first time you immediately understand that and what you drive becomes much less important.

 

I say make it work with the Tacoma. It’s will sick for a couple years but once they are older you will need the bed for all their big toys, bikes, 4 wheelers etc. I went from a full size Ram to Lynn double cab Tacoma dan Love it.

 

Yup, marketing can greatly influence a typical consumer.

 

Yup, and they don’t market the Taco as a family rig for a reason, because it isn’t one.

 

I should tell my family that.

 

Highlander much safer from a rollover standpoint. Plus the crash ratings are robust as it is a family vehicle.

 

Highlander is a pretty nice rig when equipped right

 

Isn’t it a Camry chassis ?

 

T4R hands down

 

Nope, will never sell the minivan. Much more interior room than any truck or SUV. I've got the best combo. Minivan is a road tripping machine with gobs of room and full entertainment center, and the Tacoma can take us to places no full size trucks will ever fit and fantastic for spring time home projects.

 

An extra 20 pounds is another

 

Minivan third row is truly amazing. Nothing in the USA market (including suburban), comes close to the comfort and real life usability of the third row

 

Low estimate

 

We have an 18 Highlander. Honestly it's literally a larger version of the 4Runner just without the transfer case. More modern amenities (though is still in need of a refresh) and way more room and way more comfortable. There are days I enjoy driving it more than the Taco.

We chose an SE which looks the best but is missing the front camera and heated steering wheel (shame on toyota). 2nd row captains chairs make it easy to get to the 3rd row. If an adult needs to sit in the 3rd row, slide the 2nd row seat further forward.

Plus, Toyota actually got the tuning on the ecu/tcu pretty good in the highlander. I'm leasing ours currently, but when the lease is up, if the current available highlander or 4runner are no better or not released, i'll probably just buy the highlander out.

 

Sounds like a 4Runner better suits your needs. To echo what most others have said...4Runner is certainly more baby-friendly with rear-facing seats and the like.

 

On another note, if you get a sienna, it has a sliding rear door on each side. What does that matter you ask? The sienna is very quite, and smooth riding. When your kids grow up, open both doors while in a field and KILL THE HELL out of some hogs.

 

Highlander is on the Camry platform. It has the updated 8 speed automatic. Love my Taco, and the Highlander really compliments it well as a second vehicle family vehicle.

 

We owned this 88-91