When it comes to trucks, Toyota knows what it’s doing. With two of the most highly awarded truck models in the business, the Tundra and the Tacoma, Toyota has made serious inroads in the world of towing, hauling, and taking care of business. In other words, you really can’t go wrong when you shop Toyota.
However, the Tundra and Tacoma are very different trucks. They definitely serve different purposes, and each has their own set of unique strengths. So which is right for you? Let us help.
The Powerful Tundra
First launched in the United States in 2000, the Tundra was Toyota’s answer to the Ford F-150. Toyota already enjoyed tremendous success in the smaller-sized market with its industry-leading Tacoma, and they decided to take their knowledge and expertise into the full-sized arena.
The result? The big, powerful, imposing Tundra. Standing over six feet off the ground with a meaty width of almost 80 inches, the Tundra boasts a roaring V-8 engine available in either a 4.6L or 5.7L configuration. It’s the quintessential working truck: it can haul as much as 2,000 pounds in the bed and tow a whopping 10,000 pounds.
But how’s the ride? Well, the Tundra is one of the most comfortable trucks you’ll find in the market. The crew cab gives passengers 42 full inches of legroom in the back seat. That means your new Tundra can pull that boat to the lake with perfect ease and give your crew a homey place to stretch out when your day at the lake is done.
The First-Class Tacoma
No other vehicle has dominated its class like the Toyota Tacoma since it first hit showrooms in 1995. A bit smaller than the Tundra, the Tacoma is a great all-purpose truck. It’s powered by either a 2.7L four-cylinder engine or a 4.0L (or 3.5L, depending on the year) V-6.
The nimble-yet-feisty Tacoma can run anywhere you need to go with its four-wheel-drive capability, and it can haul up to 1,500 pounds. The Tundra, on the other hand, can tow up to 3,500 pounds. If you opt for the V-6 towing package, it can tow an astounding 6,500 pounds.
What the Tacoma lacks in raw strength, though, it makes up in pure utility. It gets better gas mileage, is more convenient in the city, and still seats up to five adults comfortably (with the four-door extended cab).
The Right Truck
Choosing between Tundra and Tacoma is a lot like picking ice cream or apple pie: it’s pretty impossible to make a bad decision. Both trucks are famously popular, hold their value extremely well, and are highly rated.
If you’re off-roading, hauling, and towing, the Tundra is the truck for you. If you’re looking for more of a commuter truck, you can use to run errands around the city, pick the Tacoma. Chances are, you’ll be happy either way. Stop by your local dealership today to take one for a spin and see which truck is right for you!
Image via Flickr by Truck Hardware