I do not agree with Consumer Reports

In this latest article by Consumer Reports labeled "The disappointing dozen: Cars that fail to measure up," it says that the Tacoma's low points are the "ride, handling, driving position, high step-in, low rear seat." I love my Tacoma and I do not agree with any of the negative points.

Do you as owners agree or disagree with Consumer Reports?

http://autos.yahoo.com/news/disappointing-dozen-cars-fail-measure-140000092.html

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/toyota/tacoma.htm

 

"Ride, handling, driving position, high step-in, low rear seat"

Ride - its a truck....

Handling - handles just fine

Driving position -- whats this?

High step in - Its a truck. Not a minivan

Rear low seat - cuz its for kids...

 

Take these articles with a grain of salt.

IMO, the Tacoma has been a great truck.

My truck before this one was built 14 years ago. So needless to say, the technology and comfort are very different. But I enjoyed how this truck felt and handled, compared to what was out there.

 

Consumer Reports consists of a bunch of soccer moms. Only soccer moms read it. Therefore the review they provided was probably written by a panel of them.

 

I don't base my truck decisions on what other people think. Same goes for many other things I like, buy or want.

 

dissagre. rides great. and handles great as well for a truck IMHO. I don’t baby it and deal with curvy mountain roads every day.

If i can do the speed limit for the most part on the tail of the dragon(US129, with a section 11 miles long and has 318 curves, speed limit is 35mph) if i can do that and run down/catch up to some harley’s and have them slow me down. i think it handles good.

considering most the other mid size trucks i think the v6 probably dose have a high step in without side steps. but if you plain to do any off roading thats a good thing! don’t think it has that low of a rear seat either, and i have been in the back before.

 

You have to take these reports for what they are. Those reviews are written from the standpoint of the masses. Compared to your average four door, yes this truck rides hard, and handles...well like a truck. As far as the high step up goes, I'm sure it seems high when you're used to driving a sedan where you basically fall into the car.
(Though, today I almost ended up under the truck from slipping on the ice while hopping up...lol)
The thing is, you want a truck you buy a truck. Trucks aren't perfect, they aren't meant to be like a car, they're meant to be a truck.
Personally, I love my Taco, but I did come from a pretty nice sedan. I used to drive an 06 Ford Fusion and that sat super low, handled like a dream, and was super easy to drive so obviously going from that to the Tacoma felt a little weird, but I'm a truck guy, and I don't mind the change.

Not to mention this is probably one of the nicest riding/handling trucks I've ever driven. Back in the day I had a '99 Cummins and that thing was a tank. Steering was heavier than hell, rode like crap, and handled like a brick on top of a bouncy ball.

 

Back in 2005 when I bought my Tacoma, the ratings were much higher and the only bitches that they brought up were the harsh ride of the Off Road model and the low seating position for driving.

Maybe they are comparing it to what should be possible 10 years later, that is, this design is a little long in the tooth now. Don't get me wrong, I love my truck and plan on keeping it as long as I can, but evolution isn't a bad thing.

 

LOL all their "low points" are why i bought the truck.

Ride - like a PROPER truck. It's much better than my older trucks, so it gets an 'A'
Handling - it handles great for a truck. it stays flat in corners and i don't get scared taking a corner quick. Compare with a superduty or a silverado, it handles significantly better.
Driving position - comfortable. The only thing i wish for, is that the steering wheel could "move" more. i'd like to bring it back towards me 3-4".
high-step in - it's perfect. high step in = more ground clearance.
low-rear seat - clearly they have never sat in a GMC acadia. that has the lowest rear seat in the history of mankind. i have never sat in a more uncomfortable vehicle in my life. The tacoma? i fit just fine back there, and i'm 6'4". they're delusional.

 

Kinda surprised they didn't mention excessive wind noise out on the highway.
That's the only real complaint I have about my '09 AC.

 

turn up the radio. i never notice that it is kinda laud until my mom rides in the truck, she hates laud music.

 

Truth

 

I agree on the seating position. When I drive for long periods my legs and feet start to ache.

 

I find it quiet. My dad's Envoy? THAT is loud on the highway.

 

Mine is loud but it probably cuz of my roof rack, agressive ATs, and muffler.

 

The last time I bought a recommended item that Consumer Reports rated as excellent was a vacuum. It's a piece of shit. I never go by their recommendations.

 

I can see where that might be a issue with some people. It does seat low. I personally like the seating but everyone is different so I could see the problem.

 

It's kinda funny, consumer reports use to be all about reporting the reliability and longevity of a vehicle, now they cry and complain regardless of how well something is built. Boo hoo, I have to step up a little to get into a truck. Go figure, it's a truck.

 

Car & Driver (April 2014): "Yes the mid-size truck market has withered, but still accounted for 222,000 units last year, with the old as dirt Toyota Tacoma outselling the older than dirt Nissan Frontier by almost 3 to 1".
Consumer Reports (April 2014): "The compact Tacoma has impeccable towing & hauling credentials and is a great off-roader. Unfortunately, it has a dreadful ride and handles clumsily". Predicted reliability is better than average.
Consumer Reports is 100% correct about the Tacoma's good and bad points regardless of the butt-hurt it causes the fanboys.