2023 Toyota Tacoma vs. 2023 Toyota Tundra
Toyota trucks are legendary across the globe for being able to take a beating and keep on working. The latest generation of trucks, the 2023 Toyota Tacoma and 2023 Toyota Tundra, keep this going. But which one is the right fit? Is it the recently-redesigned, full-sized Tundra or the smaller, efficient, maneuverable Tacoma? Let’s take a closer look!
With the recent redesign, Toyota has stepped back to let buyers get a good look at the 2023 Toyota Tundra without any updates for the 2023 model year. This year’s version retains the two powertrain options – buyers choose from the 389-horsepower twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 engine offering 479 lb-ft of torque, or the mild hybrid i-FORCE MAX that balances electric motors and the 3.5-liter engine to generate 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque. Both run through a smart 10-speed automatic transmission to your choice of rear- or four-wheel drive. Depending on how you equip it, the Tundra can tow up to 12,000 pounds.
A truck that Kelley Blue Book calls the Midsize Truck Best Buy of 2023, the smaller Tacoma features two efficient engine options. The base 2.7-liter four-cylinder puts out 159 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque and offers a commute-friendly 21 MPG combined. If you’re just looking for a light, flexible truck, it’s perfect. But if you want some towing and hauling, you’ll want to step up to the optional 3.5-liter V6 engine that unit turns out 270 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque, and tows up to 6800 pounds when properly equipped. This V6 Tacoma is the only manual pickup left on the market, with an optional six-speed manual transmission.
If off-roading is your thing, both the Tacoma and Tundra are available with TRD Off-Road goodies to improve rough-country capabilities. This includes skid plates for protection, off-road-tuned Bilstein shocks and suspension lifting for a better ride, Multi-Terrain Select (MTS) and Crawl Control (CRAWL) for fine-tuning of the truck’s performance to match the surface, and much more!
Design & Comfort
You can get a cab to match your needs on either the 2023 Toyota Tacoma or the 2023 Toyota Tundra. Both trucks offer the Double Cab, with seating for five including adult-friendly second-row seats. The alternate cab for the Tacoma is a smaller four-passenger Access Cab version, with rear seats that are a bit small for adults but fine for children. On the other hand, the Tundra goes bigger with the spacious CrewMax Cab, one of the largest cabins in the class!
That being said, the overall size of the two vehicles is a big consideration. Of course, there are different bed sizes to start. The 2023 Toyota Tacoma provides the choice of a five-foot or a six-foot bed, and the shortest version is only 212 inches in length. The Tundra gets larger bed sizes, offering a 5.5-foot bed with the crew cab, or the choice of a 6.5- or 8.1-foot bed with the Double Cab. While this makes the Tundra a great choice for work and hauling, it also means the shortest overall length of 233.6 inches, 21 inches can have a big impact in tight urban work and driving!
Inside these trucks, there are plenty of comforts and conveniences on offer. Both have durable, easy-cleaning fabric upholstery as standard, and both offer upgraded leather-trimmed seats. TRD-badged models get unique upholstery and interior badging. The Tacoma leans into the off-roading territory with multiple TRD models, depending on how far you want to push into the wilderness. On the flip side, the Tundra offers luxury-minded trims like the western-themed 1794 trim with unique walnut wood-grain interior trim and special 1794 Edition floor mats and badging. Dual-zone automatic climate control along with heated and ventilated front seats are available in both trucks.
Your smartphone will be happy in either the 2023 Tacoma or the 2023 Tundra, as Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration is provided through their console touch screens. The Tacoma features a seven-inch touchscreen – upgradable to an eight-inch screen version – while the Tundra has a base eight-inch version and an available, massive 14-inch touchscreen. Both vehicles offer available Qi-compatible wireless charging, and both offer numerous media and charging USB ports. The sound system in the Tacoma is equipped with six speakers, but the Tundra offers the availability of a premium JBL® audio system with 12 speakers including a subwoofer and amplifier.
The Toyota Safety Sense suite of driver assist systems that include forward collision warning, lane departure warning, pedestrian detection, and adaptive cruise control is standard on every 2023 Toyota Tundra or 2023 Toyota Tacoma model. A rearview camera is also standard across both line-ups, and a Panoramic View Monitor is optional on both. Advanced driver assistance features including blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear parking sensors are also offered on both.
In the end, the choice between the 2023 Toyota Tacoma and the 2023 Toyota Tundra just comes down to what your needs are. Both offer excellent durability, come with a reputation for the ability to tackle pretty much everything, and feature the latest tech and safety at varying trim levels. The Tacoma will fit the needs of the urbanite, or the commuter just looking to haul a little bit on the weekends. If you need more power and more hauling potential, the Tundra might be the better choice. But you can’t go wrong either way! You can schedule a test drive of both and choose the perfect Truck for you at Lancaster Toyota in East Petersburg, PA!