Small screen vs big screen

The 4th gen auto trans is great.

Until I got this truck in June of last year, I had owned nothing but Toyota trucks with manual transmissions. I had a '90 pickup, a '93 pickup, an '85 4runner, and an '07 TRD OR extended cab Taco. All manual.

I honestly don't miss it with this auto. It is really nice.

 

I am kind of leaning that way. I want to be as unbiased as possible and get the better powertrain. It feels like, in this generation taco, the auto is better. Vice versa in the 3rd gen. Wish I could test drive a manual by me, but they are next to impossible to find, that aren’t already sold.

 

I deliberately chose the 8" screen because it doesn't sit above the dash. I hate the iPad-glued-to-my-dash look. No regrets.

 

This is from a 2024 Limited which I had as a Loaner on April 3rd...last week:

I Loved It!

But I do not want to start a new truck payment...so, I'm happy with my 2021 Sport display.

 

The larger screen is nice. I looked at 2 new trd or tacoma's today and while I could settle for cloth I wouldn't want the small screen. It's not like you can swap it for an aftermarket radio, so you're kind of stuck with it.

 

The 14" screen gets a bad rap for its size, but in fact it doesn't really stick up above the dash. The downward slope of the dash makes it look like the screen is taller, but it's really not. It's the same height as the left side of the dash and the top pf the steering wheel, neither of which obstruct your view. From the driver's point of view, the top of the screen is just below the bottom of the windshield for a completely unobstructed view unless you're 4' 10". I think they did a good job designing it as large as possible without getting in the way. If you need any data from it, it's so much easier to find quickly on the large screen without taking your eyes off the road to hunt for it.

 

I wasn't sure what I wanted either. So I got the Limited, and now I have everything I didn't know I needed! The big screen is great.

 

Have the 8” screen in my TRD Sport……….spouse has the 14” screen in her Lexus………8” screen is more than plenty, plus rather have the money difference for something more important.

 

No experience with any Toyota screen myself. Larger screens are more user friendly just because the increase in size. Small screens work just fine I mainly use the screen for radio presets and vehicle functions only accessible thru the scree if there was buttons I wouldn't really need a screen at all. Really if there wasn't so much nonsense on modern vehicles auto highs, rear seat alert, etc I wouldn't need a screen or buttons to turn the stuff off.

 

I've seen several with just the bigger screen that don't have the JBL speaker.

 

Depends on how old you are and how good your eyes are. I had a 24 Tacoma as a loaner and it had the 8 inch screen. It was a littler harder to see the choices and then try to press them while driving. I like the 14 inch screen I have now and to me it's easier to navigate the menus.

 

I've got no regrets with the smaller screen. We thought the large one was a bit of a distraction, and that really stood out testing when it was dark because it doesn't change brightness like the rest of the dashboard.

This is also important to understand I'm not putting the large one down any way, and my packaging has the JBL and upgraded seats I feel are very important.

 

I dislike the implementation of the larger screen. It looks like a ipad attached to the upper dash, chunky and extending over the top, not well integrated.
(As another example see how a large screen is placed in the Ford Ranger or even maybe the Lexus GX550).
That said, I have grown used to the large screen. It is great for navigation and general visibility.
Given a choice? (Which I was not at the time of purchase). I would go with the larger screen.
If nothing else, when people get into the passenger seat, they usually say, "Hey you got an ipad with your truck!"

 

All this talk about the HUGE touch-screen...I think it's great!

I use to make fun of it as described...iPad in your vehicle and such...

But, boy does it put up a clear/visible display!

Like anything new...there's progression involved.

If you've never had a display in your vehicle, it's gonna be cumbersome and seem useless/too much to learn.

Flip side of that, you start off with a 7" screen & Apple Car-Play/Android and push button start, one becomes familiar with onboard instrumentation.

I can see future vehicles turning into flying conveyances like what we saw on "The Jetsons." lol

 

Interesting. I went back and looked at the sticker, maybe this is a different option. It’s the 14” screen with JBL bundled for $845.

 

Thanks everybody for all the opinions and experiences. Good info.

 

Manual > 14" screen all day. Infotainment.com will likely come up with an OME upgrade if you decide to add it in a few years

 

I purchased my iForce Max TRD OR without the official "offroad option package" ($4640 at the time of purchase) or the "premium option package" ($8800). Large 14" screen. Manually adjusted heated seats. Single temp climate control. Rear camera only. Self dimming rear view mirror but not even HomeLink. No JBL speaker. It has all the 4x4 drivetrain toys except the front cameras. The only option added was an illuminated front Toyota emblem ($250!). I replaced the rear view mirror (easily) with one that had HomeLink. Just letting you know there are some stripped down versions containing higher end off road options (and in my case, iForce Max) if you look around. All in, with 10% local tax, the purchase price was $50,200.

 

Here's an Off Road with the larger screen and it doesn't appear to have the JBL speaker. It is an automatic but I don't think that matters.

https://www.sheehytoyotalaurel.com/resrc/toyotawindowsticker/getByVIN/?vin=3TMLB5JNXSM111881

 

Bigger is better in the screen’s case. It’s the centerpiece of the interior, and the larger icons are a breeze to locate w/o taking your eyes off the road. Some might argue it could’ve been better integrated into the dash, but that’s just debating aesthetics.

Obstruction of view is a myth: If you can’t see over the screen, then you wouldn’t be able to see over the hood either, and in that case, most here would prefer that you’re not driving behind us…