Thinking of switching from a Tacoma to a Tundra… what’s it like?

Seeking Advice
1

Looking for advice on moving from a Tacoma to a Tundra. I’ve had my Tacoma (2nd Gen, TRD, access cab, 4WD) for 5 years, and it’s been great. I bought it with 145K miles, and now it’s at 210K. Super reliable overall, just had some AC problems and an exhaust crack due to rust.

The issue is space. With a car seat, there’s no room for a passenger in the access cab. I also need an 8-foot bed for construction materials. I tried finding a double cab Tacoma with an 8-foot bed and 4WD, but they’re almost impossible to find.

So, I started looking at Tundras. I’ve found a few nearby with the features I want—double cab, 8-foot bed, and 4WD—but I’m hesitant because it seems like Tundras have lower resale value than Tacomas.

I’d love to hear about your experience with Tundras. How reliable are they? What do you like or dislike? Are there any known issues with certain generations I should watch out for?

Thanks, everyone!

2

Used Tundras are tough to buy right now. A well-maintained 5.7 model will cost you a good bit.

I have a 2018 Limited with 108K miles, and while I’d love to trade it in, I’m still not sure about trusting the newer models just yet.

3

I went from a double cab Tacoma to a CrewMax Tundra. My Tacoma had 140K miles and was an amazing off-road truck. But honestly, I couldn’t be happier with the Tundra.

There’s way more room for the kids, it’s much more comfortable, and it tows my camper effortlessly. The power and ride are a big upgrade, and I’ve been happy with the tech too. I loved my Tacoma, but I’m sticking with the Tundra now.

The only downsides are that U-turns are tougher, it’s less capable off-road (mostly because of the larger size), and parking in tight downtown spaces can be tricky. Still, I should’ve switched sooner.

4

I have both a Tacoma and a Tundra.

The Tacoma is my hunting and work truck. The Tundra is the family ride.

5

I’ve got a 2010 Tundra. No big reliability issues—this truck runs great. The only things I’ve dealt with are some interior plastic panels on the door handles breaking off, which I had to glue back.

The only other challenge was getting used to the size. Compared to a Tacoma, it’s a lot bigger, so tight parking spaces can be tricky.

6

I don’t think you can get an 8-foot bed with AWD in a Tundra. They don’t offer that setup in Gen 3 models.

7

Swift said:
I don’t think you can get an 8-foot bed with AWD in a Tundra. They don’t offer that setup in Gen 3 models.

They’ve never made a Tundra or Tacoma with an 8-foot bed and AWD. You can get a double cab with an 8-foot bed and 4WD in Gen 3. If you want a single cab with an 8-foot bed, you’d need to look at early Gen 2 models.