Test rode a '16 TRD Sport tonight... loved it... but...

I've seen all of the sports, not too interested in the scoop. I've seen the white OR a well. I'm really interested in the MGM OR though.

 

so it's better now?

 

Great explanation, makes sense. But here is where I am confused... Toyota said the Taco is NOT necessarily built to tow (low priority), so why gear it that way?

 

I just found the link to all of the other pics you took, thanks for uploads.

 

Well, mine has a Toyota factory installed "tow package". Bigger battery/alternator and a frame mounted hitch plus 7-pin electrical hookup. So yeah, they're very capable of (and made for) towing. And mine runs much better under load, whether that be a small boat/trailer or a bed full of firewood. Smoother ride, throttle response/shift points feel right on. It just feels to me like its geared with the expectation that from time to time you will be hauling/towing something. Maybe not a 32 foot horse trailer and 6 Clydesdales. But it's awesome for my boat and hauling around hunting gear (12' fishing boat, not a 32' sailboat or cabin cruiser).

I guess I'd agree with that statement though- "Not necessarily" built to tow like a gigantic ford or tundra. But it'll tow a little something if you need it to (actually, it'll tow quite a lot). But I wouldn't press my luck. Think of it as a middle ground between a car and a larger truck. I guess that's what it boils down to. It's a compromise (in several ways), and as with any compromise, there are inherent strengths and weaknesses.

 

I test drove this beauty today.. 1st and only one in north Texas so far..

I want to start by saying this truck is flipping bad ass in person.. They knocked it out park!! Sexy lines And in my opinion it looks nothing like the 2nd gen.. All the nay-Sayers are confirmed knee jerk dip shits. I was always a sport lover but this new off road looks tough.. Really like the look.

I also went from hating the quicksand color to loving it.. Beautiful color in person.

The truck drives fantastic with great handling and steering is super firm and responsive.. I didn't think there was much play in the last gen but after driving this, there definitely was.. At first I thought the truck lacked a little power at low end speeds but as i broke her in and drove it more I determined it was my imagination. I think due to the quality of the ride and quieter interior it was an illusion.

The truck feels bigger, much broader while behind the wheel and looking at it. The new tailgate, which I thought I wouldn't be crazy about, looks fantastic.. It has very Nice lines that dont pop out in photos. You really have to see this thing in person to appreciate it.

There was one thing I was dissapointed in and it was the interior. When you get in the truck the interior looks sharp but as you start messing around with everything and touching the material it feels cheap. The entire dash and center consol is cheap hard plastic. The soft touch material you hear about on the reviews are thin soft material wrapping the plastic and that's only in a few spots, the rest is just cheap hard corrolla plastic. I thought Toyota really went cheap with the interior. While the 2nd gen doesn't look as cool it feels more durable.. For example I lifted up the arm rest and shook it gently and It shook the entire middle consol and felt like it was going to break at the hinge. Not cool in a 39k vehicle..

I have more close up photos and will post later..

 

This configuration looks really good, the colors and the contrast work really well. Thanks for the pics and the honest review.

 

I just looked up the Atkinson cycle because I had no idea what it was... Why in the hell would anyone want this in their vehicle, a truck no less? I can't wait to see what the life expectancy on one of these engines is. No thanks, I'll keep my 4 liter.

 

Good post, I hope to drive one soon....

I got my face ripped off on TW for complaining when they said they were using a 3.5...... The 3.5s rev higher and don't have as much low end torque.... I thought with a newer engine and gears it would be good enough.. But I guess not...... Good thing my 10 only has 52K......

Well, I hope to test drive one at the end of the month.........

 

It can switch between atkinson and otto. if it was atkinson only it wouldn't be a great idea as you give up power density for efficiency. but since it can switch between power mode (otto) and efficiency (atkinson) on the fly it's the best of both worlds. Why wouldn't you want that?

 

Thanks for the pics and review.. love this color as well and got it because I actually thought it looked good on the TRD Tundra.. Went with a DC though.. Thnx again for the pics...

 

This technology has been around for a while now.. Not that new.. Lexus has had it for a few years now and has some of the highest reliability ratings out there. They always have..

 

The Atkinson cycle engine is a type of internal combustion engine invented by James Atkinson in 1882. The Atkinson cycleis designed to provide efficiency at the expense of power density.

I'd say it's been around some time now.

 

Toyota only uses a simulated Atkinson cycle.


2016 Tacoma does NOT use same engine from 1800s lol:

 

I've put almost 150,000 miles on a vehicle with an Atkinson cycle engine in the past 8 years. I don't see the problem.

 

That's just dirty lol

 

I know watching that really gets you excited, but try and maintain.

 

So, you are expecting a brand spanking new engine to give all of it's power?

 

The feeling you got when you let off after acceleration might be the new ECU "learning", or a sign that the new 6-speed transmission sucks.