Tacoma + Kids?

[bitflogger]

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.

In our kids raising period we moved away from a pickup truck, had a 4Runner, used trailer periodically, and also rented full-sized light trucks when needed. When our kids were growing up we also considered them in assessing back seats. All mid-sized pickups are poor for rear seat use on a regular or long-term basis.

If you honestly need a light truck as I did for haul capacity and my business, from experience I can say your kids will probably appreciate something like our chosen path or get a full-sized pickup truck.

I'm not meaning to put down the Tacoma in any way. Ours is great for my work. It would still be poor for family raising like my past pickups. In that period it was always worth it to rent a 2 axle trailer or full-sized truck when needed and have an ideal family vehicle.

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[GSPHerder]

Time for a 4 Runner.

 

[bigd9247]

Not exactly what you asked, but I think relevant anyways. I had a 2012 Tacoma double cab and it was fine when my two boys were in car seats. However we then had our third kid and there was no way to get 3 kids in car seats in the back seat (three car seats would not physically fit). We upgraded to an F150 and it was so much better as far as interior room. You don't think about buckling all those seat belts, but being able to climb into the back and buckle everyone in is so nice.

So with that said, it really depends on how many kids you plan to have in the back of the Tacoma. 1 kid or 2 kids is fine. 3 kids or more is a no go.

 

[PNWkip]

Not exactly what you asked, but I think relevant anyways. I had a 2012 Tacoma double cab and it was fine when my two boys were in car seats. However we then had our third kid and there was no way to get 3 kids in car seats in the back seat (three car seats would physically fit). We upgraded to an F150 and it was so much better as far as interior room. You don't think about buckling all those seat belts, but being able to climb into the back and buckle everyone in is so nice.

So with that said, it really depends on how many kids you plan to have in the back of the Tacoma. 1 kid or 2 kids is fine. 3 kids or more is a no go.

I'd agree with this too. We don't mind the Tacoma with 2 kids, but the F150 I had before this was like driving in a small house - could crawl back there and buckle or look for dropped toys or snacks no problem. Lots of space! It's very cozy in the Taco. I'm not crawling back there lol

 

[Kyle_Ennis]

I agree with others about getting a 4Runner. When my kids were still in the big car seats I test drove a Tacoma and brought their seats, there just was not enough room, so I went with the 4Runner. Once the kids got old enough to not have to use the larger car seats I switched to the Tacoma. Your wife will thank you too.

 

[PNWkip]

Fuck it dude. Just go full Wagoneer. You can fit hella kids in there, or even just a couple big ones and their snacks.

 

[NoSlushbox4Me]

I had a rental Wagoneer last year on a vacation. I wouldn't wish that POS on anyone I liked. Front seats horribly uncomfortable and lots of wasted space.

 

[BasedGod]

If you remove the rear seat back you can gain a good amount of clearance, at least 4-6 inches depending on your car seat. Here is my truck with a Clek Foonf or whatever tf it’s called.

this is with my wife’s seat in a comfortable position for my wife and the car seat at the 2nd most reclined position.

Obviously you need to check your car seat to see if it would be safe before driving with your kid. This car seat used rigid latches that clip onto the car seat latches instead of those straps that clip onto the latches or just a belt. I would imagine some car seats need the resistance provided by the seat back to properly tension the straps or a belt.

 

[DENNISD]

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 simple fix to this. Don't have kids and buy a sports car that matches your Tacoma. You will have a ton more money and lots of "toys" to play with and have lots of free time on your hands............................

JK, I have 4 daughters and wouldn't trade them for anything......................well almost anything, sports cars are nice.

 

[SkyTaco]

As others have said it will be tight. I have a 2024 off-road. I am 5'10" and my wife is 5'2" and we have an 8 year old and a 9 year old. The cab is a bit tight for them by modern standards but they currently have about 5" of leg room currently.

I was looking at getting a 3rd gen in 2016 just before my kids were born, but after buying a car seat to test fit it didn't make any sense so at that time I bought a 4runner.

That was the right decision for us. I chose to change vehicles to a Tacoma to tow a small camper, and as a bonus it fit in my garage. I plan on holding onto it for a couple more years before re-evaluating our families needs.

Skyler

 

[addaboy]

There’s really not a lot of room in the backseat for a car seat even with a forward facing one. Maybe if your kids have outgrown the car seat they’ll fit or f you and/or your wife/partner are on the shorter side it might work fine. Overall, the cabin space is really lacking in the backseat. I am leasing because the deal was too good to pass up, but I’d rather have a tundra with two young kids. My dog also misses my jeep that’s for sure.

 

[redlimitediforcemax]

I'm 5'7 and my wife is 5'3. I have three kids in forward facing carseats, 4 years, and twins 2 years old. I had the truck configured for rear facing for the twins for a year and my toddler forward facing and it was fine. The rear facing seats were placed behind my wife and center seat. If she was taller than 5'8 it probably wouldn't have fit her in the front seat. now they are all front facing, it has enough room for us to sit comfortably in a reclined position while allowing the kids to move their legs without being pinched or touching the back of the seats. It's all about the car seat as well. I went from a convertible to a booster type (Graco Transitions) and it really help with space in the back. If you only have one child, the rear center seat should be doable for most folks that are a little bit taller than average. When I bought my truck i brought all my carseats to test fit in the tacoma prior to purchase.

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