2014 - Not what I expected

I thought I was going to pick up a new Tacoma this year when my Dealer called to let me know that they were going to be getting a Sport Access in that I might be interested in.

I figured that it was worth a look even though I never had the Sport before. But I have to say I'm really not impressed with the 2014 version of the Tacoma after seeing it in person.

It just seemed like everything was a bit crappier. The whole dash, all the switches, the rear view mirror without auto dimming, the loss of the rear console and sub-woofer, even the white gauges. It just felt cheap. The new radio might be better, and the rear view screen was nicer but that was about it.

I'm not sure the Sport is for me either, (not a fan of trading the locker for street tires and scoop) so I guess I'll be sticking with the TRD Off Road I have (my 5th Taco) for awhile yet.

Maybe I'll take another look after they do the re-vamp in 2015. What do you owners of earlier models think of the '14?

 

Just out of curiosity why are you looking to trade your 11?

 

They won't redesign the Tacoma until its sales drop!!! Also what were you excepting a Lamborghini? Its a Tacoma and it is the same quality it has been for years.

 

Same quality maybe, but some things seem to have been reduced on some trim levels... Which is odd to say the least!

 

I've had a 11 and now a 13. I'm happy with either one. I like the 13 more only because it is loaded with every option available. As for everything else, quality is the same as far as I can tell. Can't speak for the 14 but there isn't that many differences. I too wouldn't want a sport which is why I went for the OR. Mine has the Sub behind the seat but I'm not sure where they put it in a AC.

All that said I'm glad I've got a 13 due to the whole mirror fiasco. I love having the Temp / Compass / Auto dim. And I'm pleased with the JBL / Nav.

 

As an owner of a 2014, I wish they had kept the rear view mirror from the '13 and just left the backup cam screen out of it. I don't think putting the backup cam on the screen justifies removing FOUR useful features (auto-dim, homelink, compass, and temp). I can't complain too much about the compass as it's always up on the nav screen, but the other three are pretty standard features in cars nowadays.

 

Oh, you just got here... No revamp for 2015. And for what it's worth I liked the '13 better than the '14, mostly just for the temp/comp/camera/auto dimming mirror and the aesthetics of the radio. Functionally I like the radio on the 14 better, but physically the 13 was nicer.

 

Like I said, my current tacoma is my 5th. My first was an '88 2 seat 4x4 so I've seen the evolution over the years and honestly liked most of it.

I only keep the trucks for 3 or 4 years as that's how long it usually takes me to put 150 - 200,000 on them, and by then I'm ready for a new one. I didn't think the quality was there in the '14 from what I saw. The Dealer I buy from said he thought it would be all new in 2015. I don't know what he was basing that on.

I've been reading on this site since 2010 but don't post very often as I just drive the truck, I don't customize them. I was just wondering what others thought.

 

I've had a 85, 93, 11, and 13. The 11 and 13 in my opinion have the same quality interior. I personally like the gauge cluster in the 13 over the orange cluster in the 11. Not a quality issue, just personal preference. At first I didn't like the steering wheel as much in the 13, but it grew on me. It's bigger and bulkier than the 11. The stereo is way better in the 13, and I had the JBL in the 11, the 13 is just much clearer, louder, and has more bass. Truck overall is the same quality though.

Now, the 93 SR5 4WD was a beast of a truck. Everything on that thing was solid. To this day I regret selling it.

 

I own a 14, too and that homelink would have been sweet... I've had it in my last few cars and love it. As far as temp goes... I can still get that by hitting the weather app. Sure, it takes a half ounce of effort instead of looking at the mirror, but is it THAT big a deal?

 

Here comes my first post. I just purchased a 2014 DBCB 4x4 and couldn't be happier coming from a 2013 Crew Cab z71. I've owned a 89 ext cab, 96 ext cab, 99 reg cab, 05 reg cab Tacoma all 4x4 and now the 14. I'm amazed at how many people will base their decision on not liking a pickup over a home link, compass and temp. How many people NEED these features? I have a garage door opener (you can buy a home link on ebay for about $20 and run it off your interior lights power source and mount it in the headliner) I know which direction i'm headed and i've got a pretty good idea if it's cold or hot outside. And we all have smart phones with weather apps now days anyways. I purchased the tacoma in hopes of driving it until 250K to 300K miles with limited shop time in its later years. I've always like Toyota over Chevrolet and after this last Chevrolet which I traded in with 8,000 miles on it because it was getting anywhere from 10 to 12.5 mpg highway. Rated at 21?? 2 years ago I traded in an 11 Silverado on my wife's Camry. It had 4,200 miles on it. Should've learned after the first one 2 years ago to just stick to Toyota.

 

id rather have an actual sensor on the truck. i think once i do take possession of my 14.. im going to look for the mirror with homelink and everything that goes with it. i only have one garage door opener and it cant be that hard to install everything. i wouldnt be surprised if it was already pre-wired. thats kinda disappointing its no longer a feature.

 

Says the guy from socal lol

 

I'm not following. I have a '14 and it has autodim, Homelink and compass. The temp shows up on the Nav screen and I don't miss seeing it on the mirror. (I like both indoor and outdoor temp readings anyway and put in a dual mode wireless thermometer.)

 

Tacoma Limited still has those features. But the SR5 package does not. I didn't ask when buying if they were even options though.

 

now im wondering if my baja is going to come with one.

 

My only gripe about getting temp from the weather app is that my truck seems to always think I'm in a neighboring city. I mean, it gives me a good estimate, but I just don't know why Toyota switched out the whole mirror in the first place.

 

All valid points if Toyota didn't have this exact mirror in the 2014 Limited and 2013 models. I just don't like that they removed the mirror for a plain one. Not like I'm looking for shocks that change on the fly or some feature they haven't had before.

 

I have a "14" and the fact that it didn't have an ash tray was almost a deal breaker for me. What are they thinking in Japan?? And the cheap quality of everything else makes me ill at times... I should have bought a Honda pickup truck...NOT!!! Says the guy that feels everything is missing or just seems cheap...just go buy a Cadillac truck with all the bells and whistles! You'll be a happier man for sure... If you Google the 2015 Taco, you can see photo's and notice almost nadda for changes... Guess you'll just have to wait for a redesign!

Here's the link:
http://www.cadillacforums.com/cadillac-models/cadillac-escalade-ext.html

 

I have to agree. Toyota is making the Tacoma cheap and cheaper. Yeah the powertrain will last a long time but dont be too surprised when the TRD package comes standard with manual windows, door locks and mirrors. Just saying. Its funny that base model cars from other manufacture AND other, cheaper, models from Toyota come with more modern/standard options.