we have a Highlander and a Tesla Model 3 in our household. But the Highlander is a pass down from my parents, and sometime (not often) they will need to use it. Wife and I are deciding buying another vehicle, we have two elementary school age kids. Wife and I really like the Tacoma, especially in TRD Sport package for the following reasons:

1. we love gardening, so we take trips to nurseries and Home Depot a lot, a midsize pickup fills the void in our household
2. I'm a huge fan of Toyota truck based vehicles: 4Runner, Tacoma, Tundra, old and new. they retain their values extremely well, and they're super reliable.
3. Tacoma will only be used to haul the kids on occasions where my parents need to use the Highlander, so ride comfort for kids isn't a deal breaker here.

We're budgeting upward of 45K for this, for the same money we can get another 3 row SUV or Sienna/Odyssey. We really want the Tacoma, but this most likely will be the last new vehicle we purchase for a long time, just hope we won't regret our decision.

 

While I personally don't care for the Tacoma's cheap interior materials, for the needs of your family, yes, it would be an ideal new vehicle, and very useful. Go for it....and good luck.

Ordinarily I'd say check out the Colorado/Canyon twins from GM before going with a Tacoma (they are more pleasant inside and on the road)......but their reliability has been somewhat inconsistent, and that might be an issue with you.

 

We went with the Ranger Lariat over the Taco, mainly due to its seating position. We bought our truck for the same reasons as you and it's working out great for us.

Congrats on the purchase!

 

Congrats! Have you considered the Ranger EcoBoost Power Pack Performance Calibration Kit from Ford? It's 50-state legal, and boosts power from 270hp / 310lb-ft to 320hp and 355lb-ft, for only $825 last I checked.

 

You won't regret your decision. The Taco is extremely well liked, for exactly the reasons you already listed. Snag one up and enjoy its service for the longhaul.

 

we have not bought it yet, but most likely will grab one before the summer. thanks for the input, with my luck of buying new cars, as soon as i drive off the lot, next gen Tacoma will be all over the internet.

 

Not that I'm really needing more power, but if I did go with that it would reduce the powertrain warranty to 3/36, from 5/60.

 

honestly man, don't buy anything without testing a gmc sierra 1500 first. that's my recommendation. For $45k you can get a full size truck with a v8, vs a camry engine midsize truck. it just doesnt make sense to buy a tacoma anymore. and this is not a bottom trim sierra, were talking midtrim here. it has a much nicer interior. please check one out before you buy.

 

Have they done anything recently to improve the Silverado/Sierra twins interiors (MY21)? I was in a 2019 Silverado recently and it's no bueno. The Ram 1500 and F-150 still have better interiors

 

if you want resale, you cannot go wrong with a tacoma. if it suits your needs well then that's all that matters.

i actually find the interiors of domestic makes a little drab and numb but they do drive a bit nicer and are generally more comfortable for wide open road trips.

 

Yes, the 2021 interior is the same as 2019 and 2020. The new updated interior is coming for 2022 and I do believe OP should wait for that. I just like the gmc, chevy interior over the yota interior, but I agree its no bueno. (thats personal opinion stuff) OP should definitely wait to see the new interior for the gmc sierra, (not silverado screw that). for $45k you get new interior, v8, double cab. but the tacoma is you know just ol'reliable. Magnuson also makes a supercharger for it now, so that could be the move.

 

Keep in mind any new physical update is going to be met with higher demand and less discount. So while you may get the latest by waiting, you will likely have to pay more for it.
The way I look at it is these are still trucks. Having a truckish interior is not a bad thing.

 

A strong recommendation from me! I absolutely LOVE my Tacoma. Just make sure you opt for the LED headlights, I'm so glad I got them. The stock halogens really suck.

 

Tacos are always near and dear to my heart. Definitely take a decent test drive, the seating position isn't everyone's cup of tea, although the new power seat with height adjustability does mitigate it somewhat.

Dare I say the Ridgeline is pretty phenomenal for Home Depot runs and family duty (bigger and more flexible rear seating area). I know you said the family part isn't super important, but I wouldn't count it out unless you need to tow significantly/frequently.