Tacoma 2016 -17 transmission & power review

When you test drive a car there is one reality, own it there is a different reality. Few will admit after spending big money the vehicle is not perfect. Professional reviewers are always paid by someone. Show me review that says this vehicle sucks!

 

I love my 16 too and booooo to OP...

 

Yep

 

You lost all credibility when you praised the CVT.

 

I think that all depends on one's expectations; being informed bridges that gap.
Nothing 'imperfect' about my truck is unexpected.
No vehicle I have ever driven or owned is perfect at any price.

 

It's just geared way too high, doesn't 3rd gear max out in the lower 90's?

 

If you think the 3rd gen is sluggish. Then you obviously never drove the 1st or 2nd gen. 1st was so slow. 2nd gens are just as sluggish as 3rd gens.

Not sure what you were expecting.

 

I get that but no car is perfect. Every car has issues and almost everyone "wishes" whatever car they drive had more. Every BMw and Audi I owned I always wanted more power. Always. But I also knew if I wanted that I could have gotten something else.

People post that it doesn't meet their expectations but continue to drive it and take every chance to tell everyone else how horrible it is. Others say it's perfect and they like everything about it. Either side gets hated on. Very bi-polar board but seeing how I'm new to trucks I can't leave. Haha.

 

If you get past the reliability question, Having 100% power as you speed up without shifting has to be the best you can get. Yes?

 

I could go on about all the great things I like about the Tacoma but that was not the point of this thread.

 

Agree. It takes a while to get to know a car. If the clutch engagement is different or the brakes are more/less sensitive than you're used to, the test drives can be a bit less than perfect in a fine vehicle. You know you'll get the feel of it after a day or two, so you don't sweat it much.

My Tacoma is the first vehicle I've owned where we didn't get along all that much better as time went on. The awkwardness of the test drives continued. Thankfully TSB Rev 0 addressed the largest issues for me and I think I can stick with this relationship for a while.

 

In my own experience, the 2016 Tacoma transmission is always a gear or 2 too high than it should be, throttle response is very delayed especially in higher speeds, and transmission always having to abruptly downshift to accelerate or make it over a tiny slope. It cannot mantain a steady gear, as soon as I let go of the throttle the transmission will shift into a higher gear and RPMs will drop immediately.
My FJ is the complete opposite of this, even when it is loaded with steel armor, 35"s, and overlanding gear.
Just trying my best to get used to it with a heavier right foot.

 

I've found that this works pretty well, though it does take a bit to get used to.

 

Any reviews with the 6 Speed Manual instead of that Automatic?

 

The best way to describe this is "dead gas pedal"... in my wife's 4runner when you barely touch the accelerator the power is there on demand. The Tacoma does not feel this way at all.

 

Maybe the OP should have bought a Ridgeline AWD...faster-pulls up to 5000lbs-shifts good.

 

I've been happy with it. Granted, my last truck was a '95 MT Tacoma. The only reason I went with the Sport was for 6sp Manual.

 

I have some of the same issues as the OP. 2017 OR shifts constantly when I am driving up the local canyons at highway speeds, I have to use the sport gearing so I can control the shifting. I still have my 2nd gen Taco and drove it last week, it is definitely better geared for the mountain driving I have to do every day. Is there an update or upgrade to the vehicle's CPU that might help?

 

There are two TSBs, well one and then a revision to the original. See here: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/t-sb-0077-16-rev-1.457782/unread

However, fair warning that the reviews on the TSB are mixed. Experiences have been good, some have been bad, others have been mediocre. I found that initially the truck drives better after the Update but then after several thousand miles the truck "re-learns" and starts shifting poorly again.

Keep in mind this will not really fix the dead gas pedal feeling nor will it improve low end torque as that's just the way this engine/tranny combo is set up. It leaves a lot to be desired for many third gen drivers -- some just "deal with it" or don't seem to care...maybe because they came from something really old or it is their first truck.

 

My 4Runner is the same way. I've found that if I drive the Tacoma like I drive the 4Runner, I'm not happy. They have different power curves and are not at all similar in how they respond to throttle input. Adjustments have to be made to make the Tacoma come alive.