[version_five]

A lot of people want a pickup but don't need a full size truck. Tacoma fills this niche - probably more people that have big pickups would have all their needs met with a tacoma sized one. Though it feels like all trucks have scaled up massively over the past 20 years and a 2020 tacoma is probably as big as a 2000 F150.

[TrueSlacker0]

I have an old (2006) taco at the moment and have had it over a decade now. It's been perfect. I don't want a larger tundra, I have no need for it. In fact I wish Toyota made a smaller truck. I still need all 4 doors and 5 seats but less width and less length. Perhaps the width of a rav 4, and a even shorter 4ft bed (instead of 5 on taco and 6 on tundra). Essentially like the very old 1990s Ford rangers were, but made by the best quality car manufacturer, Toyota. I don't need to pull or hold multi thousand pounds loads, but I like my fishing poles, muddy boots or filthy buckets to be outside in the bed of the truck. Actually while I'm wishing upon a star, could it also be washed inside and out with a water hose? Can it have almost zero tech, no fucking screens!! so it will last as long as this taco has? (My fan setting physical dial recently broke and fell off, but it still works because I can spin the pin that it attached too with my thumb and finger). Also can I stop dropping my keys between the seat and the center console!?!

[projektfu]

I wonder how the Fiat Strada would do in the US.

[yurishimo]

The Hyundai Santa Cruz is pretty similar to a Strada. From what I can remember, they aren't selling particularly well, but it's been a while since I looked. The Ford Maverick on the other hand is going like hotcakes. A bit bigger, but not outrageously so.

[ctime]

Most Tacomas seem to sell with a 5’ bed these days, but otherwise yes, trucks are larger than ever.

Personally, I found it easier to move 2x4s or anything longer than approx. 5 feet (fishing poles) in my Prius because the Tacoma I had, had such a short bed. Otherwise I was sticking crap through the Tacoma window which was super jank.

Oh the irony.

[version_five]

Similarly, I had a compact sedan which could easily hold 2x10s angled from trunk to front passenger windshield area. My Tacoma had a 6' bed but I still either has to put lumber of the roof rack (of my truck cap) or just angle it out over the tailgate if going a short distance.

But I didn't buy it for hauling lumber, it was way more practical imo than an suv for camping and moving furniture and basically moving anything that isn't really long and thin. And full size pickup trucks are no better.

But yes, ironically, if the main thing you move is small quantities of 8' lumber, a sedan is better

[ethbr0]

I had an access cab w/ the standard bed (6'). Ended up putting long things in the bed, then up over the cab, then strapped down.

IMHO, with a Taco, you really need to pick an option.

Option 1: I carry people more than things, in the city. Double cab + 5ft bed (aka the common one)

Option 2: I carry things more than people, in the city. Access cab + 6ft bed

Option 3: I carry things and people, and am willing to access the turning radius and parking compromises. Double cab + 6ft bed

Honestly, for urban trucks I always liked the Honda Ridgeline (Gen 1, not sure if they still do) openable divider style. Because most long stuff isn't wide... just long. So it's fine putting it up over the center console.

[bombcar]

I’m going to go with minivan and a trailer hitch most likely as that hits so many sweet spots (and with the seats down or out you can get a sheet of plywood in some).

[dsfyu404ed]

>Tacoma fills this niche

...at roughly the same price as a full size truck which is pretty much a non-starter for anyone who cares.

The Colorado actually fills that niche at an acceptable price poiont.

The Tacoma costs what a fullsize truck does and you buy one if you don't want a half ton for image reasons but also won't buy domestic because that's what upper middle class people have been trained not to do.

>probably more people that have big pickups would have all their needs met with a tacoma sized one.

People buy full size trucks because if they did their "once a month max usage" routine with a smaller truck you would be chastising them for "being unsafe" instead.