4th gen with kids?

[ToyotaDude13]

I’m new to this forum but I’m considering getting a 2024 Tacoma. I’m coming from a 2015 tundra. I absolutely loved my tundra. It was a great truck. Only downsides were the fuel economy and the size. We used it to haul or camper, but we have since sold the camper. I’m considering a 4th gen Tacoma as a new truck because I don’t need the tundra towing capabilities anymore. My concern is the backseat size on the Tacoma. I have a 9 and 11 year old. We have all sat in the new Tacoma and it seemed fine. Just not sure long term if it will be alright. Our other rig is a 21 toyota Highlander. I’m often by myself or taking one of the kids to practice etc.. but there will be times when we go fishing or hunting that all 4 of us (me, wife, kids) in the Tacoma. I would likely put a camper shell on it first thing to have more dry storage.
Ultimately I wanted to hear from those of you who had kids and the new Tacoma and how it’s working out for you?

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[Goriders]

I’d stay full size for that age range if you still do long trips or they are heavy into sports.

 

[ToyotaDude13]

I really want to like the new tundras but that new engine and all the issues and recalls they have make me weary. I’m a Toyota guy at heart. Which is why I’m considering the new Tacoma.

 

[Kielly]

You're going to get a lot of back and forth here. Your best bet is to take the kids on a test drive, see how they do.

I've had lots of people in mine, some bigger than 6' and none have complained about the leg room, they were just fine. Kids will fit no issues at all, but kids will also be kids and get restless. Some kids may find it too cramped back there, especially on long road trips.

 

[nyydynasty]

I have two 9 year olds and its working great for now. Enough space for both of them in the back. I'm 6'1" and my son can fit behind me without any issues.

 

[Madmez]

I think you will be fine, the only problem is having things in there, like a backpack or snack bags. I have an 8 and 3 year old. The fifth seat is our storage area. Things rarely fit in the foot area fyi.

 

[bking]

My dad would've told me to sit back there and be quiet . I had a 5'2" woman in the back seat from Ohio to Myrtle beach and she was fine. It's going to depend on how tall each of you are and the kids. Kids have a lot of entertainment now in the car. You could always turn on the wifi in the truck so they could watch tablets, etc...

 

[bitflogger]

I’m new to this forum but I’m considering getting a 2024 Tacoma. I’m coming from a 2015 tundra. I absolutely loved my tundra. It was a great truck. Only downsides were the fuel economy and the size. We used it to haul or camper, but we have since sold the camper. I’m considering a 4th gen Tacoma as a new truck because I don’t need the tundra towing capabilities anymore. My concern is the backseat size on the Tacoma. I have a 9 and 11 year old. We have all sat in the new Tacoma and it seemed fine. Just not sure long term if it will be alright. Our other rig is a 21 toyota Highlander. I’m often by myself or taking one of the kids to practice etc.. but there will be times when we go fishing or hunting that all 4 of us (me, wife, kids) in the Tacoma. I would likely put a camper shell on it first thing to have more dry storage.
Ultimately I wanted to hear from those of you who had kids and the new Tacoma and how it’s working out for you?

I think I made a post here about 400 miles and a weekend in back seat. Our kids are older and said they're really glad we didn't do something like that to them at any age. It's like a low dollar airline seat too steep but with even less foot room. It won't take long for it to be small for those kids.

If we didn't have honest truck needs and were not empty nesters now another Sienna, Crown Signia or Grand Highlander would have been the Toyota choice. The non-hybrid Grand Highlander can be quite powerful, tow, carry etc....

With the pickup truck and two wagons, no one in this family chooses the pickup when someone having to sit in back has choice. My Tacoma is my 5th pickup since the 1970s but for several years I liked renting when needed. For the next about 3 years I need a light truck often thus the compromise we made.

 

[Powhunter]

I’ve my 3 boys in the back seat of the Tacoma for some couple hour camping trips and they were comfortable with no complaints. As a kid and teen my dad hauled me around all over the place in the back of an extended cab Chevy. It’s all I knew and I had a great time and many memories were made. If you want a Tacoma, get one. If you find it really doesn’t work after awhile, you’re not going to get hosed on the resale value.

 

[maxx075]

Tell your kids they never had to live through the Chevy S-10 backseats and that they should feel lucky to have as much room as the Tacoma has

 

[Tacomel]

I traded in a 22 Tundra for my Tacoma so I can speak to both. I have two kids ages 7 and 4 and the Tacoma is fine for them. the kids generally like the Tacoma and feel it is 'their size'. They can reach things in the back seat - windows, dome light, seat in front of them (seat back protector with pockets for their stuff). For getting around crowded parking lots at kid activities (or narrow trails) the Tacoma is also way better.

While the Tacoma works, the size advantage a tundra has with kids is huge - a functional middle seat and tons more room. As others have said the larger gas tank on the tundra is also very nice. The tundra also has more amenities for the back seat - rear air vents and potential to get heated seats.

While the interior space of the Tundra was really nice. I do not miss driving the thing. I had the crewmax with 6.5 foot bed and it is a boat. Turning radius is awful and parking lots were a huge pain - I usually had to park much further away. 3 and 4 point turns were common and it was easy to get boxed in due to the length. My wife also hated to drive it. She is 5 foot and had issues with visibility.

 

[BIGPZA]

Just thinking about having to park my 6'1" 275lb ass in the back of my Tacoma is making me sweat. I've driven hatchbacks all my life, and I was blown away by how tight the Tacoma was compared to much smaller vehicles.

I recently talked a buddy into a Tundra because he's going to need to throw two car seats into his truck and the idea of doing that in a Tacoma is brutal.

At 9 and 11, I doubt your kids have the same space concerns that I do, lol. But, if you think those two are poised for big growth spurts, that Tacoma could end up feeling like a Civic within the next couple years.

Considering you've got the Highlander at your disposal as well, I'd just pile into that for bigger family trips.

 

[Sagebrush]

Well... I grew up in the backseat of a frigging Rambler, but what do I know?

 

[Benny]

98% of the time it’s just me and my Taco, it’s the right size truck for me, and the front passenger seat is plenty comfy for my wife.

With that my teen daughters have complained the rear seats are pretty uncomfortable on long trips. Leg room is tight and the rear passengers sit pretty upright.

You’ll be fine around town and shorter trips, but anything longer take the Highlander.

 

[timetoeatpotatoes]

If I had to carry 3 or more people regularly I would be looking at a 4runner or a full size.

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