Narrowed down to a Tacoma or a Silverado with the 3.0 diesel

I am in the market for a pickup truck. Needs to be able to haul refrigerators, kayaks, coolers, and go off-road.

I have it narrowed down to a Tacoma or a Silverado with the 3.0 diesel.

a low mileage 2015 Tacoma sells for the same price as a 2021-2 with the same mileage. I assume that it’s because the 2015 is more popular. My question is whether there is a good reason why the 2015 is so much more expensive. Like is the 2020-2021 really that bad?

I’m almost six foot five inches tall so I like the fact that the 2024 tacomas appear to be that much roomier than the earlier models. Then again I can buy a 2022 Tacoma with 45000 miles for 30000 while a new one is 55000.

normally I’d just buy the diesel Silverado however I do spend time in the city so I think that the slightly smaller Tacoma might be better.

any thoughts here?

I’d also like to get 20 mpg or better.

 

I get where you are coming from.
Big boys need more cab room.
I'm 5'8" and my daily driver is a Tacoma.
I live in the country and drive on a lot of narrow roads.
I have an older f250 which I use to haul equipment. It isn't fun to drive.
Have you considered an older Tundra? I know Silverados are crazy expensive.
Good luck.

 

If you haven't driven a Tacoma on a regular basis you might consider renting one for a few days to see if you feel cramped.

 

How long do you plan to keep the truck?
If for less than 100k. Choose the one you like the best.
If more than 100k. Go with a Toyota, maybe even a Tundra.
The 3.0 DMax has had it's fair share of issues, and 3.0 doesn't use an Allison Transmission.
And GM hasn't made a decent transmission since the 4L series.

I'd personally recommend a used Tundra with a 5.7

 

Get either an older 5.7 Tundra, or a new 5.0 F150

 

I’d also like to get 20 mpg or better.

 

*like* being the operative word.

It can happen under some conditions, some tankfuls, etc.

But as far as a rolling average, say, like over a year, across all use situations, very unlikely.

If you have space, consider a utility trailer for your hauling, assuming your off roading is modest. And use a more fuel friendly vehicle.

 

You're gonna have a 7' freak that posts his Tacoma is comfortable and he drives it 12 hours a day every day and you'll be fine.

I'm an athletic 5' 8" and I find it cramped. It's got a low ceiling and narrow seats. To be fair mine has a sunroof so the ceiling is a tad lower.

 

Would you use the truck as a diesel wants to be used? The reason I ask is if you’re just running down the road 5 minutes away the Tacoma is better 10x out of 10.

I had a 2020 3.0 Duramax, great motor and I averaged 27mpg in it but my commute was diesel engine friendly 28 miles between 45-70mph with 2 stop signs.

 

With your size, and mileage "wishes", I would buy the Silverado, and the baby Duramax. Ski

 

right now my commute is 25 minutes on a 50 mile per hour road that is pretty flat. I do go on road trips about once or twice a year and those trips are 1400-1800 miles round trip.

 

I'm 5'11 and find it comfortable once in the truck.. entering the truck seems awkward sometimes IMO.

 

I have not driven a 24 but for years (back to my 87 at least) the Toyota Truck, then Tacoma, seating position has been set up for someone around average build and around 5'8" - 5'11". I am 5'10 so it fits. You at 6'5" are going to have to figure out where to put the rest of that length all the time which would be a no bueno for me. Somebody else suggested renting one for a couple of days and then trying it out which is smart. Or, you could just save yourself some time and hassle and get the Chevy which fits all your needs way better than the Toyota (no matter what year you look at) will ever do. Either way you get a new to you rig which is always fun..

 

If you are 6’5 and care about mileage, whatever you do DON’T buy a used 2015.

Signed, a Hobbit that drives a 2015 with accelerator manners like a grandpa and hasn’t hit 20mpg in years after adding all sorts of fun mods and armor.

 

OP- with your height, id stay away from the Tacoma purely due to cabin space. Im 6’0 and it is not the roomiest. With me in driver seat, the rear(driverside and middle) becomes far to small for anyone over 7 years old. Also, at my height i have to “duck” to see traffic lights through the windshield(something to consider that i did not)
Mileage is the next thing, real world mileage from a stock Tacoma is 18 avg(driving easy) with no payload and no passengers(others can weight in on mileage). I average 15MPG with a shell,racks and armor(regeared to 5.29 and KDMAXX tune).Overall payload is limited to just over 1k lbs, that includes passenger weight too.
Transmission shift points on the tacomas also leave a lot to be desired, so a tune is almost always a necessity to make these trucks shift/drive correctly(https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-trans-driving-me-nuts.795075/)
If you plan on doing any towing, i would get a Tundra for stability reasons(tacomas suspension is SOFT).

I will say though, once i did the tune and gears, i love the truck again. No it the mileage aspect, but it drives must better than stock(actually holds gears on the freeway, no gear hunting)

 

What wi_taco said x2^^^
… but also add all 3rd gen years to it.

 

^^x3

Love my Tacoma but I always feel bad putting adult sized passengers in the back.

 

I just test drove the 2024 for fun. If it's roomier inside I didn't notice.

 

It isn't....

 

Narrow roads on Maui are NARROW, brah! Sometimes no shoulder only boulder.