Toyota Tacoma vs Toyota Tundra

By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-05 · Specs from the manufacturers and fueleconomy.gov · Prices paid from CarWhere verified deals

The short answer

The Tacoma is the midsize choice: it starts at $32,545 versus $42,890, tows up to 6,500 lb and offers 5- and 6-ft beds. The full-size Tundra tows up to 12,000 lb, makes up to 437 hp from its hybrid V6, and offers 5.5-, 6.5- and 8-ft beds. Buy the Tundra for heavy trailers, the Tacoma for everything else.

Key differences

  • The Toyota Tacoma starts $10,345 lower (base MSRP $32,545 vs $42,890, before destination).
  • The Tundra is 20.6 in longer (213 vs 233.6 in).
  • The Tundra tows up to 12,000 lb, 5,500 lb more.
  • Best combined fuel-economy rating: 23 vs 20 mpg (Toyota Tacoma leads).
  • Most powerful version: 326 hp (Toyota Tacoma) vs 437 hp (Tundra).

Tacoma vs Tundra specs side by side

Toyota Tacoma vs Toyota Tundra specifications
Toyota TacomaToyota Tundra
Model year compared20262027
Base MSRP range (excl. destination)$32,545–$64,750$42,890–$82,925
Powertrains (hp / torque)i-FORCE 2.4L turbo 4-cylinder (SR): 228 hp / 243 lb-ft · i-FORCE 2.4L turbo 4-cylinder: 278 hp / 317 lb-ft · i-FORCE 2.4L turbo 4-cylinder (manual): 270 hp / 310 lb-ft · i-FORCE MAX 2.4L turbo 4-cylinder hybrid: 326 hp / 465 lb-fti-FORCE 3.4L twin-turbo V6 (SR): 358 hp / 406 lb-ft · i-FORCE 3.4L twin-turbo V6: 389 hp / 479 lb-ft · i-FORCE MAX 3.4L twin-turbo V6 hybrid: 437 hp / 583 lb-ft
Fuel economy (city/hwy/combined)i-FORCE 228 hp 4x2 (SR): 20/26/23 mpg · i-FORCE 228 hp 4x4 (SR): 19/24/21 mpg · i-FORCE 4x2 (SR5): 21/26/23 mpg · i-FORCE 4x2 (TRD PreRunner/TRD Sport): 20/24/22 mpg · i-FORCE 4x4 (SR5): 19/24/21 mpg · i-FORCE 4x4 (TRD Sport/TRD Off-Road): 19/23/21 mpg · i-FORCE 6-speed manual 4x4: 18/23/20 mpg · i-FORCE MAX 4x4: 22/24/23 mpgi-FORCE V6 4x2: 18/23/20 mpg · i-FORCE V6 4x4: 17/22/19 mpg · i-FORCE MAX 4x4: 19/22/20 mpg · i-FORCE MAX 4x4 (TRD Pro): 18/20/19 mpg
Seating2–55
Bed lengths5 ft, 6 ft5.5 ft, 6.5 ft, 8 ft
Max towing6,500 lb12,000 lb
AWD / 4WDAvailableAvailable
Length213 in233.6 in
Width76.9 in80.2 in
Height74 in78 in
Wheelbase131.9 inNot published
Ground clearanceNot published9.3 in
  • Toyota Tacoma: 2026 is the newest Tacoma on toyota.com. Base MSRPs as currently listed on toyota.com (the Nov 2025 release quoted a $32,145 start). Destination not stated as a dollar amount on the pages used, so null. Base dimensions are SR XtraCab 4x2 long bed; Double Cab long bed 226.2 in long on a 145.1 in wheelbase; width up to 79.9 in and height up to 75.8 in (TRD Pro/Trailhunter). Toyota lists running clearance (9.9-11.5 in by configuration) rather than ground clearance, so null. Inside bed length 60.3 in (5-ft) or 73.5 in (6-ft). XtraCab (SR, SR5, TRD PreRunner) seats 2; Double Cab seats 5. Towing 6,500 lb max (SR 3,500; i-FORCE MAX 5,950-6,000). Trailhunter rated 323 hp; Limited i-FORCE MAX 23/24/23 mpg. MPG figures are Toyota-published estimates.
  • Tundra: 2027 specs and base MSRPs as listed on toyota.com. Destination not stated as a dollar amount on the pages used, so null. Toyota.com does not list wheelbase for the 2027 Tundra, so null. Length 233.6, 245.6 or 252.5 in depending on cab/bed configuration (base shown); inside bed length 65.6, 77.6-77.7 or 96.5 in (bedLengthsFt converted from inches). Minimum ground clearance 8.5-9.4 in by grade (SR shown). Towing up to 12,000 lb (SR5 4x2); most configurations 10,290-11,400 lb, SR 8,300 lb. Trailhunter is an available package for 2027, not a separate grade. MPG figures are Toyota-published estimates.

What buyers actually paid

Median discount off MSRP from CarWhere's verified, buyer-submitted deal sheets for new Tacoma and Tundra purchases. Each model is matched exactly, so no other nameplate is mixed in. Use the median as a target discount when you negotiate.

Toyota Tacoma

6.9% off MSRP (median)

Middle half of buyers: 5.4% to 9% off · 1.3% paid over MSRP

76 verified deals · model years 2025–2027

Toyota Tundra

7.5% off MSRP (median)

Middle half of buyers: 5.9% to 9.3% off · 0% paid over MSRP

36 verified deals · model years 2025–2026

Snapshot 2026-11-05. Approved, de-duplicated deals only; shown when each side has at least 5 deals. % off MSRP is before rebates. Methodology

Reliability and known issues

More on each model

FAQ

Which is better, the Toyota Tacoma or the Tundra?

The Tacoma is the midsize choice: it starts at $32,545 versus $42,890, tows up to 6,500 lb and offers 5- and 6-ft beds. The full-size Tundra tows up to 12,000 lb, makes up to 437 hp from its hybrid V6, and offers 5.5-, 6.5- and 8-ft beds. Buy the Tundra for heavy trailers, the Tacoma for everything else.

Is the Toyota Tacoma cheaper than the Tundra?

The Toyota Tacoma has the lower starting price: the 2026 Toyota Tacoma starts at $32,545 and tops out at $64,750, and the 2027 Tundra starts at $42,890 and tops out at $82,925. Those are base MSRPs before destination, from the manufacturers.

Is the Toyota Tacoma bigger than the Tundra?

The Toyota Tacoma is 213 in long on a 131.9-in wheelbase; the Tundra is 233.6 in. Seating: 2–5 vs 5.

Which tows more, the Toyota Tacoma or the Tundra?

The Tundra: up to 12,000 lb vs 6,500 lb, properly equipped, per the manufacturers.

Which gets better gas mileage?

Combined ratings: 20–23 mpg for the Toyota Tacoma and 19–20 mpg for the Tundra, depending on powertrain and drivetrain. Figures are EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov, or the manufacturer's estimate where the EPA has not yet listed the new model year (see notes under the table).

How much off MSRP are buyers getting on the Toyota Tacoma and Tundra?

In CarWhere's verified deals, the median Toyota Tacoma buyer paid 6.9% below MSRP (76 deals) and the median Tundra buyer paid 7.5% below MSRP (36 deals). Use those as a target discount when you negotiate; results vary by trim, region and month.

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Sources

"Not published" means the manufacturer has not released that figure for this model year; CarWhere does not estimate missing specs.

Cite this page: CarWhere Research, "Toyota Tacoma vs Toyota Tundra," carwhere.com/car-comparisons/toyota-tacoma-vs-toyota-tundra.