Used Tacoma or Used Tundra: What's the Right Truck for You?
Investing in a quality pre-owned truck is a smart move for many people. When you go with a used truck that’s been well taken care of, you can save a lot of money compared to a brand new truck with similar capabilities. Along with a big selection of new trucks, we also have a selection of used Toyota trucks and other makes that you should consider.
The Tundra and Tacoma are the two pickups that make up the backbone of the Toyota vehicle lineup. For years, these two trucks have slowly been making up ground on Ford, Chevy, and Ram, and are now serious competitors in the domestic pickup market. The Tacoma and Tundra are two very different trucks, though, so we put together a quick guide to help you choose between a used Toyota Tundra and a used Toyota Tacoma.
Tundra or Tacoma - What’s the Right Used Truck for Me?
Before making a decision on a truck, first make a list of the main things you plan to do with it. If you’re looking for a serious work truck for towing and hauling, the bigger and more powerful Tundra is probably the right truck for you. If you’re looking more for a truck to tow your boat to the lake and doing a little off-roading on the way to the cottage, the Tacoma will suit you just fine.
Engine and Fuel Economy
Generally speaking, the bigger an engine is the less fuel efficient it will be. Toyota is known for producing incredibly efficient engines, and it shows on both of these trucks. As an example, a 2010 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport uses 13.3L/100km in the city and 9.8L/100km on the highway. In comparison, a 2008 Toyota Tundra Off Road 4X4 uses 16.6L/100km in the city and 11.9L on the highway. While both numbers are impressive for capable trucks, the Tundra will cost most for gas in the long run.
Capability
There is a reason for the Tundra to use more fuel, it has a larger engine. While the 2008 Tundra has a 4.7L V8 that produces 276 hp and 313 lb.-ft. of torque, the Tacoma has a 4.0L V6 putting out 236 hp and 266 lb.-ft. of torque. Depending on your main reasons for buying a truck, this can be an important difference. If you’re planning on towing big loads for work, perhaps crushed rock to a job site, the Tacoma has a maximum tow rating of 6,500 lbs (2,949 kg) when equipped with a tow package, the Tundra can tow a full 2,000 lbs more with a max. tow rating of 8,500 lbs (3,856 kg).
These are just a few key areas the capable Toyota Tacoma and Toyota Tundra differ. Both are versatile trucks with different capabilities. We just scratched the surface in this blog, but if you have questions or would like to know more about these two pickups, feel free to contact us anytime.
