Tacoma + Kids?

[Sundrasj]

Well, I’ve reached the point in life where we are going to have kids. I am beginning to think I am going to have to get rid of the Tacoma and move on to something with more exterior space. I wanted to ask around and see if any of you have been able to fit kids and car seats comfortably in the Tacoma. For reference I am 6’2” and my wife is 5’9”, so I am thinking it isn’t going to work out. Maybe if we were shorties. But yeah, wanted to see if anyone else had experience with fitting little ones.

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[Sundrasj]

Whoops, meant to say something with more INTERIOR space

 

[tchyzzy]

I can’t speak for myself. But a friend at work test drove a gen 4 Tacoma with the family. 2 kids under 2 in car seats in the back. He left the dealer shop with a tundra. He said he was hoping to make the Tacoma work but there simpy was not enough room.

 

[PNWkip]

I've got a 6 year old and 18 year old. We are all short (5' 8" and under) but we fit fine in the Tacoma. We have fit in everything from an F150 to a Chevy Bolt, but we don't mind being cozy.
Graco Extend to fit 3 in 1 Car seat lasted my youngest her first 5 years.
Definitely not spacious in the Taco, but works depending on how much space you want from the fam.

 

[rijc99]

Newborns and the rear facing car seats most likely will not fit. The car seat base itself is already pretty big. Then you have to factor the actual seat that sits on top of the latched in base. Diaper bag and wife probably will go in back seat at least for a bit to keep eye on baby.

Also factor in lift over height for the stroller into the bed. You might want to look at a 4Runner for a few years until they transition to forward facing seats.

 

[LincolnSixAlpha]

I used a '96 Tacoma with my wife and daughter back in the day. Mine was the SR5 didn't have much space, as my '24 does. We made due with it, and in fact took family camping trips with it. My daughter would ride in her baby seat behind me in that small storage space. As for older kids, yea that would have been manageable, but with these crew cab's I could see you easily hauling kids around.

 

[PNWkip]

I used a '96 Tacoma with my wife and daughter back in the day. Mine was the SR5 didn't have much space, as my '24 does. We made due with it, and in fact took family camping trips with it. My daughter would ride in her baby seat behind me in that small storage space. As for older kids, yea that would have been manageable, but with these crew cab's I could see you easily hauling kids around.

I have a co worker who has 3 kids, 1 in a booster, 2 babies in car seats in older access cab. Pretty impressive!

 

[Leucosia]

Not my story, but my old college roommate sold his 3rd gen when his wife got pregnant and got a Lexus SUV. We've talked about this exact issue and he says but for the kids/childseats he would have kept the Tacoma. He was very close to getting a Tundra but thinks getting the Lexus was probably the right move. He said the 4 Runner was a solid option but they liked the Lexus interior more. Mind you, this was all previous gen. But i think the same is likely true for this gen as well.

 

[Benny]

Now that both kids will be in college soon, I got the Tacoma. It’s gonna be the “empty nest adventure rig”. The daughter did mention the front seat is the most comfortable of any vehicle we’ve owned - the rear seat not so much. Pick up a new 4Runner and it seem like you’re still in your Taco - get the hybrid.

 

[Will721]

I suppose it depends on how many crotch goblins your planning on tossing in there with you. I'm about 5'10" wife is 5'6" and my 13 yr old just passed her. Keep in mind there's more leg room on the passenger side, so with the wife there and my daughter behind her we fit perfectly fine. On long trips she'll stretch out across the bench, just like she does in the wifes car. Could fit a car seat on my side if we had another which ain't happening. With a Pro and iso seats? Not a chance.

That said, there's a lot of cry baby parents these days and whiney ass kids who think you need a limousine to run to the grocery store and that just isn't the case. This younger generation grew up in the age of mini vans peak popularity and they think that's what they have to have now. It's a millennial thing because they were the first generation to grow up in them. Before that though we hauled kids all over the country just fine in Vegas, gremlins, pinto, wagons, hatch backs, and pick up trucks.

My parents didn't think we needed a mini van and I rode around in the back of a variety of vehicles with my sister when we were kids. Smallest being an extended cab Ranger. My dad still owns an extended cab Dakota he bought while I was in high school. We were a bit cramped sure but kids are flexible. Infact I had an extended cab Ranger in high school as well and fit 6 sweaty ass dudes in the back to go get "beverages". Point is, a little uncomfortable for short trips is acceptable reguardless. Smart people rent or fly for road trips anyway.

 

[BearTacos]

Well, I’ve reached the point in life where we are going to have kids. I am beginning to think I am going to have to get rid of the Tacoma and move on to something with more exterior space. I wanted to ask around and see if any of you have been able to fit kids and car seats comfortably in the Tacoma. For reference I am 6’2” and my wife is 5’9”, so I am thinking it isn’t going to work out. Maybe if we were shorties. But yeah, wanted to see if anyone else had experience with fitting little ones.

I have a 25' TRD Pro and my kids are 6/8. It just absolutely does not work. I even tried lower profile or smaller footprint car seats and it doesn't work. My nephew has a 25 SE and it " could" work for a few yrs die to it not having the Pro suspension seats but its going to be a fight. If its a hybrid its even worse, no under seat storage. I'd look at a Tubdra if married to Toyota abd a pickup. If not just get a land cruiser. I absolutely l9ve my expedition tremor. Room for everything, great vehicle and will still go where a normal suv / truck wont.


Edited as I love my 25' TRD PRO, best cross continent hunting rig on the market. Ive had it all over the US and into Canada mainly bear hunting / hiking in national parks. Ibe honestly debated on a Tundra pro but its just not going to be the same. I dont want a DD diesel and the issues associated with them or the 9mpg of a 7.3 gasser

 

[PNWkip]

I suppose it depends on how many crotch goblins your planning on tossing in there with you. I'm about 5'10" wife is 5'6" and my 13 yr old just passed her. Keep in mind there's more leg room on the passenger side, so with the wife there and my daughter behind her we fit perfectly fine. On long trips she'll stretch out across the bench, just like she does in the wifes car. Could fit a car seat on my side if we had another which ain't happening. With a Pro and iso seats? Not a chance.

That said, there's a lot of cry baby parents these days and whiney ass kids who think you need a limousine to run to the grocery store and that just isn't the case. This younger generation grew up in the age of mini vans peak popularity and they think that's what they have to have now. It's a millennial thing because they were the first generation to grow up in them. Before that though we hauled kids all over the country just fine in Vegas, gremlins, pinto, wagons, hatch backs, and pick up trucks.

My parents didn't think we needed a mini van and I rode around in the back of a variety of vehicles with my sister when we were kids. Smallest being an extended cab Ranger. My dad still owns an extended cab Dakota he bought while I was in high school. We were a bit cramped sure but kids are flexible. Infact I had an extended cab Ranger in high school as well and fit 6 sweaty ass dudes in the back to go get "beverages". Point is, a little uncomfortable for short trips is acceptable reguardless. Smart people rent or fly for road trips anyway.

I think you're spot on here. Everybody is soft and you can't blame them; there's never been a time in history when life has been so cushy and convenient. Americans especially have this expectation of spacious living and traveling which we pass on to the kids who run our lives. From the 4,000 sq ft house to the new Wagoneer. Comfort and excess, baby!

 

[BearTacos]

I think you're spot on here. Everybody is soft and you can't blame them; there's never been a time in history when life has been so cushy and convenient. Americans especially have this expectation of spacious living and traveling which we pass on to the kids who run our lives. From the 4,000 sq ft house to the new Wagoneer. Comfort and excess, baby!

I believe that you should really think about safety. As someone who has extracted or attempted to multiple individuals from crashes that extra room really helps. I wont go into details but having your legs pinned into a seat with a semi crinkled door and vehicle thats engulfed or individual is in dire need of medical assistance is not good. That's why my kids dont ride in the Pro, its a 2 seater with storage for me.

Also I find the extra room convenient for me as well. I dont have an expedition max or suburban but in reality theyre only 12-18" longer than a Yukon or reg expedition. Its much more convenient as a parent / adult. I can throw 3 guys and all our golf clubs, fishing gear, rifles, gear etc for weekend trip and no bitching.

 

[PNWkip]

I believe that you should really think about safety. As someone who has extracted or attempted to multiple individuals from crashes that extra room really helps. I

That's what I do for a living too brother !

 

[TacoTime]

Midsize trucks are really tricky, especially with car seats rear and front facing. It’s best to actually try a rear facing car seat yourself to see. This is what kept me out of midsize in general. If it must be a midsize truck…ridgeline may surprise you.

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