If you’re in the market for a new truck, two excellent options for your consideration are the Toyota Tundra and Toyota Tacoma. These pickups both benefit from Toyota’s high-quality design and construction, but they cater to slightly different types of customers. While the Tundra fits into the full-size pickup class, the Tacoma is a smaller, compact truck. We’ve taken a closer look at both of these vehicles’ features to help you decide whether the 2023 Tundra or Tacoma is the right choice for your next purchase.
Tundra vs. Tacoma: Overview
The main difference between these two trucks is their size. The big Tundra can measure up to 21 feet in length, depending on the cargo bed you choose. By contrast, the maximum length for the Tacoma is 18 feet 10 inches. This means that the Tundra offers more cargo space, but the Tacoma will be easier to handle on busy roads.
As you’d expect from a full-size truck, the Tundra also has more power under the hood and a higher towing capacity than the Tacoma. That said, the Tacoma’s stats are more than capable of meeting the needs of many drivers.
Tundra vs. Tacoma: Engine and Performance
The Tacoma offers two engine options. The first is a four-cylinder unit that puts out 159 horsepower, which is enough for typical daily driving. If you plan on taking advantage of the Tacoma’s solid 6,800-pound towing capacity, you should opt for the larger V-6 engine. It puts out 278 horsepower. The smaller engine has a towing capacity of 3,500 pounds, which is about enough for a midsize camper.
The Tundra also has two powertrain options, both of which supply considerably more horsepower. The base engine is a 3.4-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 that can put out up to 389 horsepower. The alternative option adds an electric motor to the mix to increase output to 437 horsepower. The Tundra’s towing capacity is an impressive 11,120 pounds, making it a great choice for hauling heavy loads on the job site or a full-size camper out of town.
Tundra vs. Tacoma: Passenger and Cargo Capacity
You can choose from three cargo beds in the Tundra. The longest option measures 8 feet 1 inch, and it’s only available with a compact cab. The two shorter beds measure 6 feet 6 inches and 5 feet 6 inches in length, respectively. In the Tacoma, you can choose between a bed measuring 6 feet 2 inches or a shorter one measuring 5 feet in length. What this means in practice is that unless you need the longest bed in the Tundra, you can access roughly the same amount of cargo storage in both trucks.
Both cab options in the Tundra offer seating for five people. The compact double cab has half-size rear doors and enough room in the second row for adults to travel on short trips. The Crew cab offers much more legroom in the rear row, making it ideal for longer trips. However, you’ll’ need to choose from one of the two shorter bed options.
In the Tacoma, the standard Access cab can seat four people. The rear seats are quite small and best left for kids. If you step up to the larger Double cab, you gain a fifth seat and some additional space for back-seat passengers.
Tacoma vs. Tundra: Infotainment and Safety Features
The infotainment systems in both trucks are quite similar. The Tundra has an 8-inch entertainment display, while the Tacoma’s screen is slightly smaller at 7 inches. Both trucks have a six-speaker stereo, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. The Tundra’s standard setup also includes a navigation system and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Optional upgrades in the Tacoma include an 8-inch display and a navigation system, while the Tundra offers a 14-inch display and a 12-speaker premium stereo. The Tundra also offers two 120-volt household power outlets.
Many of the same safety features are also offered in both trucks. These include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. You can add a surround-view parking camera to make the job of maneuvering into a parking spot a whole lot easier.
Tacoma vs. Tundra: Trims and Pricing
There’s a big price difference between the base Tundra and Tacoma models. If you’re buying a truck on a modest budget, the Tacoma’s MSRP of $28,250 will be more attractive than the $38,965 for the Tundra. On the other hand, the Tundra offers much more capability when it comes to hauling heavier loads, as we’ve outlined above.
You can choose from seven trims in the Tacoma: the SR, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited, Trail Special Edition, and TRD Pro. The TRD Sport is the first trim to offer the V-6 as the standard engine, while the lower two trims have it as an optional upgrade. The Limited trim adds real luxury to the cabin with heated front seats and leather upholstery, while the TRD Pro gets an off-roading suspension and multi-terrain monitor.
The Tundra also has seven trims: the SR, SR5, Limited, Platinum, 1794 Edition, TRD Pro, and Capstone. The Limited trim is the first one available with the more powerful engine, which you can add with the Crew cab as an optional upgrade. The Platinum trim gets genuine leather upholstery, heated and ventilated seats, and a heated steering wheel. The TRD Pro has just about everything you could want for off-roading, including all-terrain tires, an off-roading suspension, skid plates, and a forward-facing camera.
Want To Shop for a 2023 Tundra or Tacoma in Prosper, Texas?
We hope that this guide has helped you decide whether the Tundra or Tacoma is right for you. The Tundra is a great choice for a work truck or someone who needs to pull the heaviest loads. The Tacoma offers plenty of capabilities for most recreational towing needs and is easier to handle on the road. If you have further questions or would like to arrange a test drive in Prosper, Texas, don’t hesitate to contact us here at Longo Toyota. One of our pickup sales experts will be happy to help you get the purchase process started.
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