Toyota offers two pickup trucks, the mid-size Tacoma and the full-size Tundra. Choosing one over the other is likely to depend on your need for towing ability and room versus a compact size and fuel efficiency. Both trucks are well-known for their reliability and off-road prowess. Let’s take a look at how they compare.
Cabin and Bed Size
The Toyota Tacoma comes in either a two-door Xtra Cab layout or the four-door Double Cab. You’ll get room for up to five passengers in the Double Cab layout, though the rear bench seat can be somewhat cramped for adults. The Xtra cab comes with a six-foot bed, while the Double Cab offers a choice between a five-foot or six-foot bed.
The full-size Tundra has four doors in every layout. The Double Cab version is a bit smaller than the CrewMax. The Tundra offers three bed lengths, depending on the trim. The Double Cab layout offers either a 6.5-foot bed or an 8.1-foot bed. The CrewMax offers either a 6.5-foot standard bed or a 5.5-foot short bed.
Powertrain Considerations
If you look for a used Toyota Tundra, you’ll mostly just find models with a V8 engine. However, the latest Tundra comes only with a turbocharged V6, and a hybrid option is available. Similarly, the Toyota Tacoma had a V6 engine but now only offers a turbocharged four-cylinder and a hybrid option. In both cases, the new powertrains have more horsepower and better fuel efficiency.
When we compare horsepower, the Tacoma makes a maximum of 326, while the most powerful Tundra makes up to 437. As you might expect, the Tundra’s larger size and more power means that it can tow and haul more, to the tune of 12,000 and 1,940 pounds, respectively. The Tacoma can tow up to 6,500 and haul up to 1,710. As you can see, if you need serious towing ability, the Tundra is an easy choice.
Off-Road Prowess
We can’t discuss the Toyota pickup trucks without addressing their off-road ability. Both models have trims that are geared toward off-road adventures, and Toyota has built its reputation on the off-road ability of its trucks and SUVs. This is largely due to the TRD Pro trim levels. On both the Tundra and Tacoma, 4WD is standard on the TRD Pro. In terms of equipment, both models have similar equipment with special Fox shocks and a lifted suspension.
The main consideration here is that the Tacoma’s smaller size and slightly more ground clearance make it better at navigating more challenging off-road trails. The Tacoma also recently introduced the TrailHunter trim with even more extreme equipment upgrades than the TRD Pro. It’s set up for overlanding as well.
Cost and Trim Levels
In most cases, a new or used Toyota Tundra will cost more than a Toyota Tacoma. The newest base Tundra starts at just over $42,000 and goes up to nearly $83,000 for the top Capstone trim. The newest base Tacoma starts at just over $33,000 and goes up to just over $65,000 for the top TrailHunter trim.
Choosing between these trucks mainly comes down to size, power, and price. If you need the towing ability and want more cabin room, the Tundra is a better choice. However, if you’re more budget-minded and don’t need that much towing ability, the Tacoma should meet your needs.
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