Which Toyota truck to buy?

My 1995 Toyota Corolla just died and I want to get a brand new or slightly used Toyota truck but I don’t know enough to make an informed decision.
I am looking for the following features in the most economical way possible
I won’t be using the truck for off-road ventures
I would like a manual transmission, but only if it saves on fuel
I need to be able to use the truck to tow vehicles for my business
Can I tow vehicles with a 4-cylinder or do I need a 6-cylinder?
I want the crew cab
I want the smallest truck for greatest fuel economy and also I am a petite female so I don’t want it to be too difficult to get into
Do I want 4WD or AWD
I found a 2021 Tacoma with under 10,000 miles for under $36,000 +fees
For a brand new 2022, pricing starts at $30,000 +fees but only if I can find one
The 2022 offers an optional tow package.
I am already thinking I should get a 2022 with full warranties
Anyone have any advice?

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld

 

I would suggest if you are dead set on a Tacoma, and you plan on towing with it, get the V6. The 4 cylinder is gutless for towing. Where in Texas are you? If you're going to be towing in the city, I'd suggest an auto trans just because of the hassle of traffic. Other than that, the manual trans trucks offer a better gear ratio which is helpful for towing, at least in the 3rd gen Tacomas. 05-15 trucks all have the same gear ratio except the 4cyl models had a slightly lower gear. For the 3rd gen trucks, there are also aftermarket upgrades that can help with power as well such as a regear and a tune which will help with towing. Let me know if you need any guidance, I'll be happy to help.

 

This is all depending on your timeline, if you can wait get a 22 if you’re pressed for time since your car died, you might have to settle. I’d still recommend new since used prices are ridiculous right now. 4WD is the way to go if you think you might even slightly need it. Unless something changed they don’t offer AWD (I could have misunderstood that question). I don’t think a manual transmission would save much, if any fuel and only certain configurations offer a manual. Do you need the 5 foot or 6 foot bed? That might limit your options as well. Realistically, you’re probably looking at under 20MPG.
I hope I helped but there is a lot of info to go through and I’m sure more knowledgeable people will chime in as well. Good luck!

 

Welcome to TW!

 

When is Toyota going to release info on the 2022 Tacomas and Tundra?

 

Tacoma is the same, just new colours. 2023 or 2024 will be update.

Tundra is delayed, but out shortly.

 

I want to see what options and models will be available and pricing. I would imagine that there will be a price increase. I don't expect any major line up changes for the Tacoma.

 

what type of vehicles are you towing for your business? Yeah you can use a tacoma to tow.... i wouldnt expect it be a car hauler on the daily

 

V6 for sure.
Tow package for sure.
SR5 Trim line.
4WD will add resale value for sure, and like insurance, it's nice to have even if you don't need it.

For about $10k less the Nissan Truck Lines aren't bad. They last a long time and sit lower to the ground.
The interior isn't as nice but they are reliable for sure.

 

This is the question you need to answer before people here can help. We need to know how much weight you are towing.

 

For towing cars (flatbed?) you need a real truck. A used F150 or Tundra would be better.

No truck will get great MPG, but a v8 F150 in good tune will be really close to a Tacoma.

www.fueleconomy.gov might give perspective.

 

Welcome to Tacoma World

One line in your introduction stands out to me, "I need to be able to use the truck to tow vehicles for my business".

The Tacoma is a handy duty truck not a heavy duty truck. Vehicles generally are heavy and trailers to tow them are too. If you are using this for work and towing regularly a Tundra might be a far better choice.
If you won't be using the truck for off road adventures a 2 wheel drive will suit you fine (please spare the , the lady is coming from a 95 Corolla)
Overall the manual probably won't save you any fuel.

My advice: A new 2 wheel drive Tundra.

 

I wouldn't go with a Tacoma for towing period, especially another vehicle. I'd find a 2wd diesel, maybe an older RAM with a cummins.

 

Cherry picking some points here...

This totally depends on you, but the EPA says the Auto gets better fuel economy. Manual will only be available for the TRD trims of the Tacoma, and to a later point, mostly exclusive to a double cab.

To 4-cylinder's tow rating is like 3,500 lbs I believe? Definitely not enough unless you're towing civics on car dollys. Even the v6 is limited to around 6500. If you're towing over mountains, it's going to be rough, but on flat ground you should be fine. There was a post on here recently of someone towing vehicles and hitting 300k miles with his Tacoma.

The '22 Tundra isn't smaller, but pick it up with some running boards and it should be easy enough to get into. I haven't seen fuel economy numbers for the Tundra yet, but I would imagine it's close or better than the v6 Tacoma.

I would get the 4WD if you get a manual for one reason: Reverse gear is awful. Backing up a steep hill is a pain, let alone with a trailer in tow. LO gearing helps immensely, and if you search the 2LO mod, that will allow you to use the Low gears to back up. Now that I think about it, I think the manual only comes in 4WD anyways so this may be moot.

Used prices are ridiculous, but as you mentioned buying new is difficult, and you may not have the time without a vehicle, so getting into an older used full-size truck while you wait for a '22 Tundra or Tacoma to become available may be the best route. It sounds like the refreshed Tundra offers more for what you want, especially because of the towing, but the only way to know for sure is to get into one and test drive, and see what you like more.

In October I was looking at a 2019 with around 33k miles for around $37k. The math didn't add up, between a higher interest rate to finance, an almost expired basic warranty, and the mid-generation refresh that took place in 2020, it just made sense to buy new. I ended up with a better outfitted brand new truck for less than the 2019 I test drove. I had to wait a while, but the patience was 100% worth it in my case.

 

Very helpful information you provided here and I REALLY appreciate your devoting so much time and thought into your reply!
Well, I’ve decided against a manual transmission, based on your info. And I didn’t know running boards were an option!
The towing would not be over mountains, mostly city with some rural, near Austin, TX.
So you are suggesting the Tundra mainly for towing purposes?
I don’t know if the car I choose will have 4WD or AWD. If I have a choice, which do you suggest?
I do have a loaner car to hold me over until I get a new car, so thankfully, I don’t have to go the used truck route.
Congrats to you for buying a new car with a new car in 2020, rather than the 2019 you test drove. I think I will choose new for the same reason.

 

Thank you for taking the time to reply and for the excellent advice you offered.
Another member suggested a Tundra, too, so that may be the way to go. With 2-wheel drive.
I enjoyed your humor, BTW!

 

A quick note on drive - Tacomas and Tundras (and most trucks up until fairly recently) only offer Rear Wheel Drive and 4-Wheel Drive, where 4WD will function as a RWD vehicle until you shift the transfer case to direct power to the front wheels. All wheel drive is more common in cars and SUVs, but I believe some more modern pick-ups have it available as an option as well. The difference between AWD and 4WD is that AWD has a third differential that controls how much power is directed to the front and back, compared to 4WD where you have a transfer case that splits the power evenly between the front and back (and then differentials will direct power to the wheels that have the most traction from there, unless you lock the diff). Anyways, all that to say that your only options are RWD and 4WD. If you're certain you won't find yourself offroad, in wintery conditions, or other situations where traction may be questionable, I would save the extra cash (and weight, and thus fuel) and just get a RWD. If you think there's a chance you'll get a bug and want to go offroad, either for hunting, camping, parking on a beach, etc. I would opt for 4WD.

Regarding towing, the Tundra is just built around it more than the Tacoma is. If you were just towing once or twice a year, I would think a Tacoma would suit you just fine - as long as you're towing vehicles on the lighter side. The Tundra will give you the towing capacity to comfortably pull along whatever vehicles you want and from what I've seen, you'll get better fuel economy than the current Tacomas as well. The compromise obviously is a bigger, more expensive vehicle.

 

Were you towing vehicles with your 1995 Corolla?

If it’s for your business you should definitely consider a full sized truck that is equipped to tow regularly.

I’m confused on what you are trying to do here with your informed decision because you have too many boxes to check and all of them are worlds away from a 1995 Corolla.

 

I had a 2015 TRD Sport Tacoma with the 4.0 and switched a year later to a 2018 Tundra TRD OffRoad for the towing capabilities. The Taco absolutely was not capable of doing what I needed (safely/comfortably) but I liked the look of them and wanted a smaller truck.
My husband told me to get a Tundra.. he was right. If youre towing regularly, get a full size. Just a cautionary tale.