Is a 3rd gen the best option for me?

Happy Friday,
i am looking at replacing my xterra and looking for an unbiased opinion.
For the last 8 years, i have been in small midsized 4x4s. If I didn't street park and navigate through a city center weekly, i would be getting a fullsize truck like a 5.0/10spd f150.
I have had a 10th gen f150, 3rd gen 4runner, 1st gen tacoma, 2nd gen Xterra. Oddly enough, The f150 was probably the most reliable. I ran it to 200,000 miles with zero major maintenance, supercharged, regeared etc. The xterra is 2014 pro4x and it just doesn't seem to be holding up like i would expect. I have put a lot into it from maintenance, to upgrades. Its been good given i've driven it all over the country, wheeled it, towed, counted on it in zero reception areas, etc. I am looking at getting out the offroading scene. Too much time commitment, breakage potentional (and sunday night fixing) and having a daughter now really takes most of the time. I would like to get into another body on frame 4x4 that will be very reliable. The xterra is getting a little "too built," rough and overcapable for daily driving and long wheeling trips. it also will get 15mpg all highway which i have to fill up every two days. I will miss the VQ40 as it makes really good power and is very torquey for towing and being loaded with bigger tires etc.
Vehicle requirements:
-It will get driven alot- 30,000 miles/year (reliable)
-capable of 20mpg highway. Quiet-ish and comfortable on longer drives (this part is more important because i may give it to my wife for daily duties.) Comfortable is pretty subjective though because of my past vehicles lol. I just spent a day riding around in my Mother in laws X3M in track mode and i can barely walk today lol.
-full back seat that is functional for kids. They will age out at 10 and the end of the vehicles service life so not a huge space need. (suv/crew cab 4dr configuration)
-Tow a small offroad camper (2,000lbs)
-haul a canoe.
-Relatively kid friendly and easy to clean.
-4x4 capable, able to take chains on the rear drive tires.
i do a lot of remote hunting in the northeast where there isn't cell reception and the back roads can turn to ice by January.
A truck bed would be nice to keep the stinky, dirty hunting and camping out of the interior space.

I am looking at the following
2020+ tacoma TRD ORs. (Infotainment update)
2020+ 4runner TRD ORs (Infotainment update)
2018-2020 F150 5.0/10spd (10spd and dual fuel injection update)
2020+ Ranger

My budget is under $35,000 and less that 50,000 miles.

This is be my first "big" auto loan and i want something that will reward me for doing so for the next 4-5years. Reliability and value retention are important if my needs change and I suddenly need a full size truck. Again, i don't need crazy offroad capabilities and will most likely leave it stock-ish with some small appearance mods (the offroad models will provide a higher residual value than the SR5s or sports).

3rd gen tacoma- I know the 3.5 doesn't make great power and drivability is rough with the transmission strategy. An OVTune would probably be on the table. Same with complaints about seating positioning.
I like the 5th gen 4runner but i lost the bed capability again.
The f150- way more room, power, etc and probably the same MPG as the tacoma. The size is the killer for me.
The ranger seems great on paper but i've found to have serious transmission issues after researching people's actual ownership. This seems greater than most forum exaggerated gossip.
For those long-term owners, do you see the 2020+ tacoma as a good fit?
What shortcomings do you see for my need?
Are there other vehicles i should be considering?

I have gotten a few remote trade in offers on the xterra and found a couple well optioned tacomas i would buy. I would be traveling 300miles plus to find the deal, trade offer, and dealer experience.

 

You say you drive in the city and can’t have a full-size truck, but one of your options is an F150?

 

4runner

 

Good luck finding a 2020+ with those miles under $35k

 

I could get around it, but it wouldn't be ideal. If it wasn't for that factor, the f150 would be my first choice.

To this day, it is crazy how much value they retain.
I know my wife would have no complaints about taking it for her daily.

 

Prices are falling heavily this last month. i've got about 6 open on tabs of tacomas and 4runners that are 1 owner, certified pre-owned that fit

 

clean title and accidents a non issue I guess ?

 

Clean title yes,
no accidents is preferred, yes. If build quality has dropped post covid, body shop repair quality has dropped too.

 

I would thoroughly go over any options you are interested in that are located at either DCH in NJ freehold or Brunswick.

 

Honest question-

Why get another BOF if you want out of the off-road scene?

A guaranteed >20mpg, good back seat, and comfortable highway miles is what you are going to hate about the Tacoma. Yes, the taco can do better than 20 without much difficulty, but you have to grandma it to achieve it. 20mpg and comfortable highway miles don't go together on this truck, unless you're fine with cruising at 65.



I worked not be so quick to avoid the unibodies with AWD and 5000 pounds tow capacity. They are comfy, get great mileage, well mannered, have a bigger back seat, and are still able to take the occasional fire road.


If you have to have BOF, get a 4R or a GX and a utility trailer.

 

Buy your 1st choice. You won't get an unbiased opinion from a Toyota Tacoma Owners and Enthusiasts site.

Truthfully none of your choices are the best at any of your criteria listed above, although certain ones may excel in some. Its going to be about give and take, the perfect vehicle just doesn't exist unfortunately (depending on who you ask). My vote is go with what you actually wanted the most. Do some extreme number crushing and calculate how much the difference in gas mileage actually costs. Its rarely as significant of a difference as people think it is in the grand scheme of things.

 

F150 hands down

 

I owned a 2006 Nissan Xterra Off Road 6MT (the predecessor of the Pro4X) from new until I sold it in 2020 with 305,000 miles on it. It was absolutely reliable, only changing fluid, brakes and tires. It consistently got 20 mpg and had adequate power. In contrast. I now have a 2023 TRD Pro thst gets 18mpg with less power. I went with a Tacoma because I wanted a manual transmission and I really do like it, but I am disappointed that over the course of 16 years technology did not improve: less MPG and less power. I expect the same reliability.

 

You're forgetting that a 2023 Tacoma is like buying a new vehicle in 2006, everything is the same!

 

Yeah ikr, he also says it hasnt been holding how he expected but drove it across country lol wtf this guy is all over the place

 

My friend has the new f150 with the 8cyl and 10 speed.

If your worried about how a 3rd gen Tacoma shifts do not buy the ford lol.

 

Lexus TX, I like it for some reason. Looks more like a Highlander than a Highlander, TX is also around $70k for the one Lexus is promoting.

 

Tacoma is tough with kids .. car seats are a bitch. I’d def go 4 runner but then you’re back in the same boat as your xterra …

 

I would probably get something like a bronco sport …

 

Taco is not for you. Full size.