Continuing on our car hunt and changing gears a bit, the next vehicle in line is the 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro. Once again, here are the items on my list of must-haves. I’m looking for a comfy bench 2nd row or a third row with captains chair, leather seats, and a reverse camera.
If you want to check out what cars we’ve already driven, check out these links:
2017 Toyota 4runner
2018 Toyota C-HR
2017 Toyota RAV4
2017 Mitsubishi Outlander
2017 Toyota Highlander
2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro
Let me preface this by saying, I am not a truck person. I love the capabilities trucks offer but I’ve never been drawn to them. My husband, however, has wanted a truck for years now so I told him I would be open to driving a few. The first one we had the opportunity to drive was the 2017 Toyota Tacoma. The truck arrived in one of my husband’s favorite colors, slate gray, and I thought he was going to scream in excitement.
I jumped up in the truck, yes jumped, to check it out. I was immediately greeted by a beautiful dash display. Now, this was what I was looking for in the 4runner. I enjoyed setting up the Bluetooth with my phone and playing around with all of the options. It was very easy to use and connected to my phone with no problem.
When my husband got home, we went to dinner and he was like “no way” is that what I think it is? I see a button that says “qi” and a flat spot, the size of a phone, under it. I was like, uh, what is that? Turns out, the Tacoma has a wireless charging dock built in. I have an iPhone 7 so this option wouldn’t have been something I noticed but my husband has an iPhone X so he was all overusing it. I not going to lie, I was jelly. Hands down the coolest most convenient option yet.
The interior of the Toyota Tacoma had interesting leather stitched seats. The center of the seats was a woven vinyl feel which I actually thought was kind of nice for a truck. Seems easy to wipe down if needed. The front to back cab area was pretty tight. I had to have my knees touching the dash to fit a car seat behind me comfortably.
When the truck was getting picked up I was informed that this particular truck was driven by Nascar driver Kyle Busch, for a Toyota commercial showing of the Tacoma TRD Pro capabilities. I didn’t know who he was but still pretty neat that the truck was used in the commercial!
Would I Buy the 2017 Toyota Tacoma?
In short, no, not for our family vehicle. I know that this truck is built for off-roading and many men would love to get their hands on this model but it just wasn’t for me. I enjoyed using the truck to grab some yard equipment from a home improvement store with ease but overall the truck is too small for a growing family.
I think the Tacoma is a great fit for small 4 member families without children in car seats. The durability and handling of the truck is great! Possibly 8 years from now it would be an option we would look at but in the meantime, we would have to pass as we expand our family.
My son in law is looking for a new truck. This would be perfect for his needs. As a family vehicle, it wouldn’t really be big enough but they have an SUV for that. I’ll send him your link to check it out.
Nowadays car seats are the norm and as much as you can find the car of your dreams, you end up having to picture car seats and if you will have enough space. But that is what we have to do at the end of it all. This truck is great if you don’t plan on a large family.
my friend is looking for a new truck and i think he would really enjoy this one. it is just him and his girlfriend they have no kids they do do a lot of work around the house and i know you mentioned how much you liked that.
Wow that sounds awesome. Am going to share this in my friend cricle as some of them are trying to buy a truck
This car looks like something my husband would love to drive. I have to tell him about it, it looks amazing. Thanks for sharing!
Personally love this car, my husband has a similar one! But I agree with you, not the best with kids! I’ m sure you’ ll find soon the right car for your family!
The truck looks great and reliable. It might not be a good fit with me too but I would still consider this if I get the chance.
This looks like a really great truck. I don’t drive, so I don’t know much about buying a new car/truck. I usually admire them on style and colour 😉
Louise x
I love trucks. My dad always had a truck growing up, and I am a huge fan. This sounds like a really great choice.