Tacoma choices for on road safety

Hello everyone...first time poster here. I am looking to potentially buy my first Tacoma. And need some thoughts. First a little bit about myself:

I've wanted a Tacoma for a very long time now

Maybe 5% (most likely less) of the year I will actually use a truck for a 'truck' purposes.

The truck will be my daily driver (to and from work approx. 20 miles round trip), for short weekend get aways and shopping.

For our purposes something like an SUV/crossover makes way more sense (we also own a Mazda CX-5).

I don't have a lot of interest in any 'newer' Tacomas. Primarily looking for the trucks pre 2020 TRD OR or potential an SR5.

My wife is pushing for me to get new, however as I mentioned not really interested in newer models. I did promise her that I would look for a safe, road worthy model. Her idea of safety is that; I use my turn signal, say on the highway and will be alerted if a car is next to me (blind spot recognition?). This feature is in her Mazda and we both very much like it.

I have test driven a lot of cars recently. Seems like every SUV feels like getting into and driving her CX-5. Nothing wrong with that per se, but they just seem to 'similar'. We've tried sedans, but at 58 yo AND having an uphill driveway, getting in and out of those can be a pain.

Anything else I should be looking for regarding safety and maybe the best Tacoma years for that purposes? I think what I mentioned above it Toyota's blind spot recognition, but not positive.
Thanks in advance all.

 

This thread may be interesting for you:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/lucky-doesnt-even-give-it-justice.825549/

 

Kids. They whine about so much these days.

If you don't need a truck for truck stuff, don't buy a truck. You won't like the MPG, turning radius, ride quality, etc.

If you feel you need an open bed to pick up your new rocking chair at Cracker Barrel, look at an AWD Ridgeline. Seriously.

 

The newer 3rd gens with the TSS are actually not that bad. Saved my bacon a time or two. I've had a '21 and now a '22. The systems are not that intrusive. You can turn all the stuff off if you'd like.

 

A lot (most?) of folks these days buy trucks and don’t “technically” need trucks, especially full-sizers. So I’ll credit you for at least selecting something that takes up a smaller footprint.

2018+ to get the most safety gear, but the lane warning isn’t likely to save anyone’s life, and if you’re like most, you’ll probably leave it off permanently. Radar cruise is far from perfect, but more practical. However, if you can snag a 2020+ with LED’s, it just might make the difference someday between a hit or miss late at night.

If maximum safety is an absolute priority, I’d point out that any Tacoma is a rear-wheel-drive vehicle first, with relatively light weight over the driving wheels. Looking at everyday traction, in rain, on slick roads, and uneven pavement while cornering, you’ll be better off with an AWD SUV.

 

I would buy an older 2nd gen and use it when I needed to do truck things and buy a nicer car/SUV for a daily driver. I like the Rav-4.

 

My 2021 TRD off-road has blind spot monitoring, dynamic cruise, LEDs, and cross traffic alert. The rig also comes equipped with all sorts of traction control sensors that I don't understand but saved me when I hit ice driving at night in the mountains. Definitely would've ended up spun out into the forest if I had been driving my Jeep LJ.

 

Hello all and thank you for the responses! Yes, about the LED's and Blind Spot -- those are darned near mandatory for me. But, they are options on the trucks (other than 2024) right? Tacomas didn't come stock with those as far as I know.

Onto the SUV/AWD comments. First, we did drive the Ridgeline and it was very nice, but for some reason it seemed 'big' for me. But, i would agree that is a very good alternative. As for the SUVs we have tried Honda, Toyota, and Mazda. After each time - I left with a, meh they are okay. Granted they are all very nice vehicles, but each one just left me with a -- seems just like my wife's car.

NOW, I am 58 AND have been driving the same, manual transmission 2007 Honda Civic in the Washington, DC traffic for the last 17 years. I've paid my dues and now its time for me to get something new and most importantly something I really want. It's a short list and the Tacoma is near the top.

As for the Cracker Barrel comment....that was pretty good and not too far from the truth!

Thanks again all.

 

I would not get a Tacoma in this situation. There are more capable/fitting vehicles.
But it is your decision, get what makes you happy. Be sure to look at Fuelly to understand real world mileage(if that matters to you) and test drive several.

 

Honestly, if you’re set on a truck I feel like maybe a Maverick would better suit your needs.

If not, then you’re right, the CX-5 is a great vehicle.

 

You say the Ridgeline seemed big. Well anything will seem big after using a Civic for 17 years. You want a Tacoma but have you actually driven one? It's "big" too vs Civic. Like others said try Ridgeline again. They're great vehicles. I had one. All wheel drive, very safe, great storage like under bed compartment and 2 way tailgate.

 

We have driven a few Tacomas (2021,22,23) and you are right - they are big. Not sure what it was with the Ridgeline, but it just seemed a lot bigger. But, we should give one another test drive as they are quite amazing vehicles.

As for a Maverick -- I will give them a look. However, seems like many around these parts are running for a hefty markup though.

 

I wish Subaru would make the Brat again. Not the Baja, the Brat.

 

i would highly recommend a ford ranger instead. 2nd gens are still running around $10k. used single cab basic rangers in great shape can be had for $1k-5k.

but that said, a 4'x8' utility trailer used/new run between $500-3k, and most SUV's as mentioned will also tow those, making for far more load capacity as either a ranger or tacoma(utility trailers easily do 3500 pounds, most rangers/tacoma's max out near 1200 pounds), with a significant discount in road-going tax, insurance, and plating fees, only equaling a tacoma/ranger in storage space requirements.

 

Yeah, Maverick does sound it will fit the bill (assuming you can get a reasonably priced one, which was the whole point of that truck). I wonder if you can get a hybrid one in the appropriate trim level to get safety features you want.

Ridgeline is a bit bigger than the Taco, honestly. It's actually very close in size to a full size (same width as the Odyssey).

 

Older rangers are underrated trucks. They won't have any modern safety features, though which are the claimed reason for upgrading.

There's also 20 years of frontier to choose from. On the newer gen, they might even have better safety features available than the Taco.

 

IIRC most of the remaining markups are on the hybrid models. Gas only is an easier ask. Still worth checking around IMO.

And I hear you on the Tacoma being big. Jumping between my truck and my 135 is a trip.

 

I’d be tempted by a Subaru Outback with the 3.6 and a small trailer (possibly a rental ) for the occasional truck stuff

 

There are many sub models that have blind spot monitoring. The sensor lights up a small icon on your side view mirror. Just make sure the truck you’re looking at has the appropriate tech package; blindspot monitoring on these trucks works as well as any of them.

Everything after 2018 has TSS - pre-collision warning and auto-braking. I don’t have it but wish I did because it could save my kid when she starts driving.

I would test drive one to see if you like it. The gas mileage will be lame compared to a CUV SUV crossover variant.

Don't let the crusty people poo-poo you. Plenty of them also don’t *need* a truck. If you’re actually using it 15 days a year for camping or hauling or what not, we’ll, that isn’t bad. It’s more than a lot of people get regarding PTO.

 

to be specific, i was adding on to the idea of keeping a vehicle to the side for when the 'truck' aspect is required for occasional usage. the intent was not to recommend them for everyday usage if blindspot monitoring is a required feature, though the aftermarket does have ample add-on modules for the purpose... i mean, $200 for an add-on kit with a $2k ranger is far cheaper than a 2020 tacoma...

$100 BlueDex Universal Blind Spot Monitoring Assistant DC12V Car Lane Changing Warning 24Ghz Millimeter Wave Sensor Detection System

https://www.amazon.com/BlueDex-Detection-Universal-Monitoring-Millimeter/dp/B0BFXHRH9V