If you are out exploring new or used trucks at your local Toyota dealer, you’re going to run across two amazing options: the Tacoma and the Tundra. It’s not an easy decision. Both offer a rich history of reliability, excellent performance specs, and unbeatable style.

With two incredible used trucks from which to choose, it’s worth exploring how these pre-owned picks compare.

What You Need To Know: Toyota Tacoma

The Tacoma hit the road in 1995 and was the replacement for the obviously named Toyota Pickup. The Tacoma became the go-to midsize truck for Toyota shoppers.

The Tacoma comes with two solid engine options:

• A standard 2.7-liter four-cylinder (159 horsepower: 180 lb-ft of torque))
• An available 3.5-liter V6 (278 hp: 265 lb-ft of torque)

You can grab this truck with either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic transmission. It has a max towing capacity of 6,800 pounds, depending on which configuration you choose. Payload maxes out at 1,440 pounds.

What You Need To Know: Toyota Tundra

The Tundra came on the scene in 1999. It was the first full-size truck in the United States to come from a Japanese auto manufacturer. Toyota wanted to compete with the big players, like the Ford F-150, Ram 1500, and Chevy Silverado.

The Tundra also comes with several engine options:

• A standard i-Force 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 (389 horsepower: 470 lb-ft of torque)
• An available i-Force 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 hybrid (437 hp: 583 lb-ft of torque)

Both engines connect to a ten-speed automatic transmission. This pickup can handle up to 12,000 pounds of towing capacity and 1,940 pounds of payload.

How Are They The Same?

Both of these marvels of design are manufactured in Texas and come with Toyota’s dedication to excellence. They both can be equipped with two or four-wheel drive and offer multiple bed and cabin sizes.

Both of these pickups come with the same infotainment system, driver-assist features, and trim level options. That means deciding which of these options, whether you’re shopping for new or used trucks, comes down to how they differ and what you need from your pickup.

What’s The Difference

Besides some obvious differences in performance specs and size, the Tacoma has a lower starting price and higher fuel economy ratings. Drivers who want a solid mix of utility, practicality, and a more eco-friendly truck love this rig.

On the other hand, the Tundra is a large beast of a truck with excellent performance and towing abilities. With the i-Force twin-turbo engine, you’re going to get some jealous looks when you’re cruising down the road. These perks come at a higher price but are well worth it for drivers who need that kind of power.

The best way to see how these two trucks compare is to stop by your favorite place to shop for new and used trucks. Take each one for a spin and see how it feels. The good news is that you won’t be disappointed with either choice.