First Time Truck Shopper - Visibility

[Goriders]

So I currently drive a 2022 Forester. It has been great, but I've recently been looking a lot into the Tacoma and 4Runner. This morning on the way to work I stopped at the Toyota dealership and sat in a 2024 Tacoma. The thing that most stood out to me was how bad the visibility was compared to my Forester. I know a truck won't be as good as a compact crossover SUV, but I was surprised by how big the difference was. Specifically with the front and rear glass. The front windshield was shockingly narrow.

Anyway, I thought I would get thoughts from others here. Has anyone made a jump like I'm considering? Is this something I would get used to pretty quick? I know I will have the 360 cam for parking lots, but on the road is a concern too.

I made the switch from an F150. The Tacoma front corners are higher and with the hood scoop and lower seating angle I thought the same thing when I first got my truck.

I’m used to it now. Although I did inquire about a front camera for parking. I have a sport so just rear camera.

Sponsored

 

[Bubbadog]

So I currently drive a 2022 Forester. It has been great, but I've recently been looking a lot into the Tacoma and 4Runner. This morning on the way to work I stopped at the Toyota dealership and sat in a 2024 Tacoma. The thing that most stood out to me was how bad the visibility was compared to my Forester. I know a truck won't be as good as a compact crossover SUV, but I was surprised by how big the difference was. Specifically with the front and rear glass. The front windshield was shockingly narrow.

Anyway, I thought I would get thoughts from others here. Has anyone made a jump like I'm considering? Is this something I would get used to pretty quick? I know I will have the 360 cam for parking lots, but on the road is a concern too.

You might want to check out the Honda Ridgeline if forward visibility is a concern. It is much better.

 

[JustAnotherDingus]

You might want to check out the Honda Ridgeline if forward visibility is a concern. It is much better.

Tbh even a maverick might work better too depending on how much/what OP needs to haul and if they really need 4WD vs AWD.

Ford finally put the hybrid and the awd drivetrain together for 2025 (not for the tremor trim tho. I bet they will soon) which is pretty cool! I think the Mav has better backseat room than a taco too lol. Go figure. It’s nice that there’s a truck for everyone’s use case these days. I think a maverick is close in overall length to a full size sedan too so for someone switching from a midsize SUV that length change probably wouldn’t be too trippy either. Plus a tricked out MAV is mid to low 40s MSRP at most. Way cheaper.

Maverick was too small for me (I need a 6’ bed and wanted 4WD specifically) but for a lot of people it’s a solid option. As is the ridgeline! I hope Toyota comes out with a small truck soon to compete.

edited to add: I jumped from a low FWD station wagon to a DCLB and the visibility shift while drastic hasn’t been that much of a trip for me really. But I’ve also spent my first four to five years in my current field driving 22’+ box trucks around so I was probably a little more primed to make that transition more easily. Plus my first car forever ago was a 20’ long wagon. Muscle memory lives on! The blind spot locations are certainly different and I miss being able to do dramatic fast u turns to snag parking spots etc but honestly it’s been pretty point and shoot to drive and see out of this beast.

Sponsored