Toyota Tundra Vs. Tacoma Reliability
The Toyota Tacoma and Toyota Tundra are powerful and solid full-size pickup trucks. Toyota intentionally chose the names of these two vehicles carefully.
For instance, the former was named after Mount Rainier in Washington, while the latter was chosen for the tundras of Alaska.
Due to the similarities between the two vehicles, it can be hard to choose between them. We break down the various features and differences between the Toyota Tacoma and the Toyota Tundra.
The article covers everything you need to know about Tundra vs Tacoma reliability and safety features.
Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
- Tundra vs Tacoma Reliability: Detailed Comparisons
- Tundra Vs. Tacoma Reliability: Which Is Better?
- Tundra Vs. Tacoma Reliability: Size
- Tundra Vs. Tacoma Reliability: Power
- Tundra Vs. Tacoma Reliability: Fuel Efficiency
- Tundra Vs. Tacoma Reliability: Interior Space
- Tundra Vs. Tacoma Reliability: Price
- Tundra Vs. Tacoma Reliability: Technology
- Tundra Vs. Tacoma Reliability: Powertrains
- Tundra Vs. Tacoma Reliability: Final Verdict
- Best Car Deals by Category
- Frequently Asked Questions
Tundra vs Tacoma Reliability: Detailed Comparisons
| Features | Toyota Tundra | Toyota Tacoma |
| Engine size | ||
| Power | ||
| Fuel efficiency | ||
| Interior space |
Tundra Vs. Tacoma Reliability: Which Is Better?
The choice between the Toyota Tacoma and the Toyota Tundra comes down to your preference. For instance, Tacoma might be the best choice if you need a truck to haul all of your toys.
On the other hand, the Toyota Tundra might be the best choice if you're a farm or job site owner.
To make an informed decision, you should read to the end.
Tundra Vs. Tacoma Reliability: Size
Toyota's midsize pickup truck, the Toyota Tacoma, comes with two engine options. The first is a 2.7-liter four-cylinder, while the second is a 3.5-liter V6.
If you prefer a more powerful engine, you can also choose to get a six-speed manual transmission.
Toyota's full-size pickup truck, the Toyota Tundra, is built to compete against Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado, and Nissan Titan. It has two engine options: a 5.7-liter V8 and a 4.6-liter V8.
It is unfair to compare both because Tacoma is a midsize truck meant to be smaller than Tundra's full-size truck.
Winner: Tundra
Tundra Vs. Tacoma Reliability: Power
Despite being smaller than a full-size truck, the Toyota Tacoma can still handle the task of towing. It can haul up to 3,500 pounds, which is more than enough for most people.
If you need more towing capacity, the Tacoma with the larger engine can tow up to 6,800 pounds. Its payload isn't that far behind the 1,620 pounds of the Toyota Tundra.
The power of the smaller engine of the Toyota Tundra is matched by the power of the larger one in the Toyota Tacoma.
With the smaller engine, you can still haul around 6,800 pounds, the same as the Tacoma's. On the other hand, the base model engine of the Toyota Tundra can tow up to 10,200 pounds.
If you're looking for a truck that can handle the task of transporting boats or off-road vehicles, the Tacoma might be the best choice.
On the other hand, the Toyota Tundra might be the best choice if you're a farm or job site owner.
Winner: Tundra
Tundra Vs. Tacoma Reliability: Fuel Efficiency
The smaller engine of the Toyota Tacoma is more fuel-efficient than the larger one in the Toyota Tundra.
The 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine of the Toyota Tacoma gets a city fuel economy of 20 miles per gallon and 23 miles per gallon on the highway.
On the other hand, the larger 3.5-liter V6 of the Toyota Tundra gets a highway fuel economy of 21 miles per gallon.
Despite being slightly less fuel-efficient due to its massive size, the Toyota Tundra is still a good choice for people looking for a full-size pickup truck.
The smaller 4.6-liter V8 of the Toyota Tundra gets a city fuel economy of 15 miles per gallon and 19 miles per gallon on the highway.
On the other hand, the larger 5.7-liter V8 of the Toyota Tundra gets a highway fuel economy of 17 miles per gallon.
Winner: Tacoma
Tundra Vs. Tacoma Reliability: Interior Space
Both the Toyota Tacoma and the Toyota Tundra come in two cab sizes. The former offers a double cab and an access cab.
Although both feature seats, the access cab is better suited for small pets or children. On the other hand, the double cab offers more legroom for adults.
Like the Tacoma, the Toyota Tundra also offers a double cab option. If you're looking for a truck that can accommodate adults in the back, the Crewmax cab might be the better choice.
Both the Toyota Tacoma and the Toyota Tundra come with different bed sizes. For instance, the Tacoma can accommodate a 5-foot-6-inch or 5.5-foot bed.
On the other hand, the double-cab Toyota Tundra can accommodate an 8.1-foot bed.
Winner: Tundra
Tundra Vs. Tacoma Reliability: Price
The base model of the Toyota Tacoma starts at $26,400, while the Toyota Tundra costs around $34,000.
Although the base model might have some upsides, it's important to note that the prices don't include the additional features that come with the model.
A used Toyota Tacoma might be a good option if you're not planning on buying a new vehicle but still need some extra cash.
It can be as low as $17,100 if you're in the market for a used Tacoma. The used models with the TRD sport trim level start at $30,600.
The used Toyota Tundra can be purchased for as low as $24,200, which is about $10,000 less than the new models. Some models with higher trim levels can also be used for around $40,000.
Winner: Both
Tundra Vs. Tacoma Reliability: Technology
Toyota's Safety Sense P is standard on all Tacoma models, including various safety features such as lane departure warning, pedestrian detection, and high-speed radar cruise control.
The company's Star Safety System is also standard on the pickup truck. In addition, the Entune audio system comes with a seven-inch touch screen, while other features, such as a rear-mounted audio system, are available on upper-trim models.
The Toyota Tundra also comes with Star Safety and the Safety Sense P. However, the rear cross-traffic alert is only available in the TRD Pro model.
The infotainment system and the TouchPad kit are similar to the Tacoma. The Entune system is the default option, while Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are standard on the upper trim levels.
In terms of infotainment technology, both the Toyota Tacoma and the Toyota Tundra are relatively similar. However, the latter features 12 speakers, more than the eight in Tacoma.
Winner: Tundra
Tundra Vs. Tacoma Reliability: Powertrains
The Toyota Tacoma comes with two engines, a 2.7L four-cylinder engine that produces 159 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of power and a 3.5L V6 that produces 278 horses and 265 lb-ft of power.
The four-pot is only available with the automatic transmission on the higher-trim models.
Toyota has discontinued the 4.6-liter V8 engine in its popular Toyota Tundra pickup truck. The Japanese manufacturer only offers the 5.7-liter V8 engine, which produces 381 horsepower.
Unlike the other models, the Toyota Tundra truck doesn't have advanced fuel-saving technologies or turbochargers. Buyers can choose between four- and six-speed automatic transmissions.
Tundra Vs. Tacoma Reliability: Final Verdict
The Toyota Tacoma and the Toyota Tundra have various features and options. Some of these include the TRD Off-Road and Pro models, designed for drivers who want to go off-road.
Despite being similar in features and appearance, the Toyota Tacoma and the Toyota Tundra have significant physical differences. These include their overall capabilities and physical traits.
When choosing a new pickup truck, the first thing drivers need to consider is their driving style.
For instance, will the Toyota Tacoma or the Toyota Tundra be able to handle heavy loads, or will it be able to stay in town for occasional camping trips?
Knowing the answers to these questions will help you make an informed decision. The Tundra is better suited to heavier workloads, while the Tacoma is better suited to everyday driving.
