From my experience, generally the stuff that is stored in the rear for the kid, usually involved getting out and getting it from the back anyways. Between our 4runner and the tacoma, the tacoma wins easily as the better family car, even when the 4runner was a stocker, granted it's an older 4runner but the general SUVness is still there. We usually have the stuff that we need for Jack, either next to him on the seat or on the floorboard between the front and rear seats. Easy to grab and hand stuff to him on those long trips. When packing for a trip, the most important stuff that we would need to grab was between us and him, next (diapers, etc..) were on the rear floorboard by a door, next (more diapers, wipes, etc..) went near the very rear window. It was easier to roll down the rear window and grab stuff, than to pack it near the front of the cargo area and reach over the seat to grab it. If it is just April driving him around, his diaper bag and stuff go on the front passenger seat incase she needs to grab something. We also have a shell on the back for the dog and our luggage, etc...(your dogs are smaller and would have plenty of room inside the cab)Originally Posted by Robinhood4x4
For some reason, I thought the rear seating area on the taco was bigger than the 4runner, but I was just comparing the specs, and they are very close. Either one will work great as a family car, and what you are looking to do with it. ONe of my reasons for not going with the 4runner, was I could get pretty much exactly what I wanted with the tacoma (shell, TRD, etc...) for about what the 4runners start at. Also, with little kids, you won't be sleeping in the 4runner like you are able to now in your 4runner, so that wasn't a concern for me either. I'm not trying to talk you out of the 4runner, just giving you another option. Without a shell or similar for the bed, it wouldn't make much sense as a family car though.
Our first big camping trip in the taco will be the June Lake trip, so I will let you know how that goes. Also, sometime in January, I will be able to let you know what it is like with two carseats in there.