Initial Impressions: Picked up-2016 Silver Double cab Offroad

Thought it is not the same, you can manual shift the AT if desired. I had the 5 speed MT on my 06 and don't miss it at all.

 

I spend a lot of my time off road mountain biking. I do some serious **** too. You say that isn't real hard wheeling!?! Wow.

Just goes to show me that I won't need to upgrade my truck at all.

 

I too spend a lot of time on a MTB and some of that is tough tuff but it's not like the seriously ape shit stuff you see guys doing in Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Utah (Moab ... ouch!). I've raced all over CO and UT and ridden Moab dozens of times - those boys are nuts. This ... this looks like fun!

 

Don't. The AT is a little uninspiring. It shifts to get the best fuel economy and feels laggy unless you step on it. I don't want the truck telling me when is the best time to shift.

I know it has the slap shift feature. I'd be using that constantly if I bought an auto, so why not save the money and just buy the manual? Save the manual!

 

Nice pictures of some saguaros and Sedona. Pretty damn nice truck, too.

 

I was pretty torn because I've always driven a stick, but I sprung for the AT. I figured it's a truck, not a sports car so I don't really need a stick. Plus it does let you choose the gear if you need to. This is the only vehicle I'd buy an AT.

 

I hear a lot of blasphemy in this thread!


<--- MT only as long as all limbs functional and in place.

 

Would love to see a first person hands-on 'demo' video on how to use MTS and Crawl Control, what it looks like from inside the truck (what displays on screen), how to engage (truck needs to be in neutral? 4H? 4L? etc). Does locker have to be off? A hands on demo video might be something cool to add if you get bored one of these days. Unless someone has seen something like this already out there on YouTube

 

You totally had that.... It looks great flexed up on the rocks!

 

you could buy one and figure it out yourself. Hands on learning leads to mastery faster and more completely

 

You first

 

I'm not asking about it, you are

 

Cheaper for me / less cost risk involved in inviting someone else to demonstrate first

 

Truck looks damn sharp! I just bought a 2013 for fun and fell in love with it. Think I will drive it another 3 years before upgrading to a 2018/19 model.

 

TEST drive a 2016 Tacoma TRD Sports yesterday for about 20-30 minutes, it did not seem as powerful as I expected ; maybe I was light on gas pedal. Will drive test it again.
Thanks for information. Good looking truck.

 

I think they re-mapped the automatic transmission to up shift way too soon because I notice the same thing. With the ECT mode turned on it is significantly better.

 

I agree. ECT made huge difference.

 

I had this same experience with our Tacoma on the way back from the dealership in Austin. I was driving at roughly 85 mph and every so often there was this sound from the passenger side window. I need to take our Tacoma in to the dealership to see if this is something that can be fixed.

 

Few observations and my top 3 things I like from top best to last.

1) Tons New Technology (Key-less fucking entry, GPS, Blue Tooth Good Full Integration[Text,Call Hands Free] Voice Activation "Play XM Rock Stations" Weather Channel, Pandora, Live Traffic, Apps, Heated Seats, Rear Cam, Climate Control FINALLY)
2) The dash displays and the small digital display show status in between gauges (Shows current road and road MPH, tire pressures, GPS, Mile range left, and much more status's) ,
3) New exterior design and color. (I owned Silver Mica 2nd Gen, new silver is awesome.)
4) Safety Features (sonar rear backup warning, blind spot side mirror alert lights, mirror turn signals)
5) Tailgate design sturdy and beefy and has the gas shock lowering device and lock! Finally!

I was lucky enough to find the truck in Silver spec'd with the Premium Package. The Silver is my favor color. I went from 2nd Gen Manual to 3rd Gen Auto. Driving wise, the tone of the engine is different now, more car engine sounding then the 4.0. But I felt the same or more power. The ECT button enabled made a huge difference, which in most cars and trucks in the past I have driven it did not. 1/3 of the trucks are to be delivered with bed cover by default so was happy to get this as I don't have to clear the snow out of my bed now and can lock stuff up. I had the premium JBL/Subwoofer electronics (electric seat heaters and climate control.. wifey and i love this) and tow with bed cover said to increase the MPG. We'll see?? For the money this is a no brainer in my opinion. The JBL sound is amazing. It will distort at max, but honestly half volume was more then I could handle and super crisp studio sound. You will have to turn down the bass when you have people riding in the rear. The sub woofer is right behind the rear seats and rattled my kids a little. If you are a techie like me, all the technology is worth buying the 2016 alone in comparison to the 2nd Gen. Interior is quiet as my wife's Lexus LX570. The suspension is plush when needed and ridged around corners with little body roll compared to other trucks and my previous truck. Very happy with the ride. I went over a longer speed bump that bucks you at little speed, and the truck soaked it up like a champ.

I purchased the extended warranty to 75k and service to 55k. There is 2 large required service before 55k. So basically I will get the service half price by purchasing up front. I hate extended warranty's but I felt is was worth it because in the end just because the amount of technology added to this truck and not able to really fix something on my own anymore also create exposures to an expensive computer or ECU going out and costing $2000 parts and repair. Yes it's that expensive if this happens. The other factor is I will be holding on to the truck at least 7 years or longer and this is a first year release so some risk there as well.

Below was me messing around in the driveway show a little articulation. Seems very similar to 2nd Gen which was to be expected with independent front suspension which honestly never had any issue off-roading and cleared and completed same trails as my friends with built rigs.

I am going to drive the truck as is for a year, but will eventually add clear bra, lift 2-3 and put 285 inch tires on it and maybe different wheels.

 

Love the review - but your forgot the sunroof!

Truck looks badass.

Let me say, that if you plan on a clear bra, go do it now before you get any stone chips!!