Is a 3rd gen the best option for me?

another vote for something other than the Tacoma with kids! Also, as mentioned, you are not going to consistently hit your MPG mark w a Tacoma either.
Aside from the MPG, the 4R would be great,,, but my GF's has been averaging 15.1 that's nearly 50/50, but she is a race from light to light driver (female)

 

My biased opinion says the Tacoma is an outstanding choice, however the rear seats are only adequate for small children or occasional adult riders. A lot of the people who dislike or even hate the Tacoma are simply folks who would’ve been much better served by a full-size truck instead (space, towing, long highway travel..).

You know your own situation better than any of us, so test drive all options thoroughly and go w your gut.

 

you list of what your needs are says ridgeline to me to check all those boxes.

 

I had similar wants as you but drive less. I got the Taco. Well manageable in the city and downtown parking garages. But I'm regretting I didn't look harder at an F150 or Tundra. Mine is ovtuned and have spent dozens of hours tuning the throttle and transmission to my exact liking. Yet, it doesn't feel great on long trips and never quite "smooths out and relaxes" at speed.

 

I vote Sienna.
I did the Sienna while the boys were 0-4 years and it was great. Of course I came from fast german cars, so clearance was not a big need at the time. An added benefit is that you will get to use the 3.5 in its intended application.

In the Taco, the MT saves the day...

In Australia, I got a AWD KIA Sportage with a great Diesel engine - and it was GREAT off road with all that torque - even while loaded-up. IT could not match the 80 Series, but it was great for camping and basic off roading (while getting to camp - not crawling, but oh, it could climb!).

The boys don't mind the rear seat in the Taco even on long drives. We'll see how it goes when they start stretching...

I would not be able to buy a full size anything. As it is, the Taco is the biggest vehicle I've ever owned. (Even the Sienna is smaller)

 

120,000 miles with full suspension replaced, brakes, all ball joints, 5 cv axles axles, two front diffs, hubs/wheel bearing, LCAs, etc. It needs transfercase and LBJs done again. I've only wheeled it three times needing the locker and armor and it hasn't faired well.


I’ll clarify a few things on the BOF off-road model need. By out of the off-road scene, I don’t plan on needing a fully armored vehicle like my Xterra is currently. I won’t be hitting the underbody on rocks, winching myself off obstacles, winching out of the snow, etc. Over the last year, I’ve been to Colorado high country, north Maine woods, and Cape Lookout Outer Banks. All towing my camper and needing to air down, needing LT tires etc. I don’t anticipate any of that going away anytime soon.

 

Thats a lot of work for that little mileage. I think you would have better luck with a Tacoma. What’s your timetable and budget? 3rd gen production just stopped completely, it will be harder soon to find specific models you want a dealer to allocate. The 4th gen is coming and will be a major improvement in a lot of ways, including ride, drivability/torque delivery and payload. However first model years of a new gen can be risky. New Land Cruiser is also coming out, made in Japan unlike the Tacoma, so you have plenty of BOF 4x4 options available soon.

 

I would just say no to an F-150.

 

Hey man, im just going to say, parking my tacoma when i lived in Boston sucked. Too long of a vehicle, i had to pass up so many spots…and i’ve been parallel parking my whole life. Get a 2 door jeep

 

OP said said he wants something very reliable though.

 

Corolla Cross.

 

Jeep *with a straight six

 

Solid motor but he would still be looking at a pretty old vehicle at that point. I suppose if it’s been taken care of.

 

A crew cab F150 with the 2.7L Ecoboost engine will get better fuel mileage than a 3rd gen Tacoma. It will outrun it, out tow it, and will have close to double the payload.

 

I would get a 4runner and let your wife drive it mostly and then get a Camry or Rav4 for you to put the miles on and get much better mpg.

 

Ive had 4 tacomas and 2 F150's.

The Tacoma is a nice choice for having a truck that will be easy and nimble in traffic and parking. But in every, every single other way the F150 is a mega better truck. They dont compare. The F150 is a real truck. Despite what goofballs say, the F150 has been a solid super reliable truck since the 2000's. Low maintenance and reliable.

But the Tacoma wins in the small and capable field.

Shoot, they get about the same gas mileage. But the F150 has way better engine options and can actually carry and tow stuff.

If you just need something to carry a half a 2x4 and some potatoes, the Tacoma is fine.

 

Buy an older Corolla for the city beater. Buy the f150 for truck stuff.

 

Purchased my 2020 used over the summer. Best truck decision and a huge blessing. Traded in a 2019 Ranger and yes on paper it’s nice, but mannn stay farrr away from those things. Bad brakes, bad torque converter, bad valve body in the tranny, bad slip yoke. Was flat out dangerous to drive and Ford said “yeah all looks good, it’s just a jerky transmission, it’s normal” No. The Tacoma has a bit of a jerky transmission, it is normal, and not that bad to be honest, the Ranger had a mind of its own. Almost yeeted me into the car in front of me THREE TIMES. My Taco is the last truck I plan to have, the amount of aftermarket mods I can do over time will make up for anything I really lack in not having a full size aside from heavy towing, which I don’t do

 

1st post gave me a headache

 

Hey man,

My ‘21 is at 120k if you want to take it for a spin and feel what a high ish mileage 3rd gen feels like.

It’s been good enough for my 3 kids, though we have a minivan for the big trips.

20mpg is doable if you do the speed limit.