Tacoma 2016 -17 transmission & power review

This post sums up how I feel EXACTLY.

It is just so weird how this truck performs. I'm not gonna sit here and tell everyone on this forum I am the multi vehicle expert, HOWEVER, I have access to several comparable vehicles at work. Under comparison to all these vehicles, I feel Toyota dropped the ball with the power plant in this truck.

I laugh at the "you should of bought a sports car" apologists. We're not asking for the power diesel bros idolize stoplight to stoplight in their camouflage hat. Here's something I want everyone to read and take into consideration: In today's era of mid sized trucks a barely adequate power platform is simply unacceptable. It's not 1993 anymore....I am not driving my old XJ or Ford ranger. I payed almost 40k for something that actually is less enjoyable to drive powerwise then the two old vehicles mentioned above. Just because something has direct injection and has 2 overdrive gears doesn't give a get out of jail free card for being underpowered.

I'm saying that the platform is flawed as is. Whether it be the 15mpg issue, flawed transmission shifting, unresponsive/weird pedal, hanging shifts, etc

I'm simply not impressed with Toyota. Which is sad to me not only financially...i will lose money on this truck. But also for the fact that I have owned toyotas all my life and love the brand.

 

I had a RAM Hemi V8 before my 3rd gen and before the RAM my 2nd gen Taco. Yes my 3rd gen is no where as powerful as the RAM but I'm good with that, why? because I didn't expect the Tacoma to be fast. Toyota built the truck for daily use, hauling light loads, and for an adventure lifestyle (outdoors, off road, etc). I drive it daily and when I haul loads or need passing power I just hit the "POWER" button (ECT) for a bit of help. I bought the truck because it looks cool, I like the overall utility, its off road ability, its reliable reputation as a Toyota, and its size. I just like the truck. Its not perfect either but nothing is. More power is great but my other car in my garage is better for the skinny pedal, Taco is my daily get through all conditions vehicle

 

I stand by saying the powertrain is fine. This truck wasn't designed to move mountains and its plenty "quick" if you rev it out. Sure it doesn't hit like my WRX did, but I don't fear overtaking someone even on a country two-lane road. Granted I have the manual and its gearing really helps.

I am sure this has been mentioned, but the Tacoma seems on par with its competition. Motor Trend has the V6 Colorado 0-60 at 7.4 Seconds and the V6 Tacoma at 6.8-7.1 depending on trim.

Tacoma Article: http://www.motortrend.com/cars/toyota/tacoma/2016/2016-toyota-tacoma-v-6-first-test-review/

Colorado Article: http://www.motortrend.com/cars/chevrolet/colorado/2015/2015-chevrolet-colorado-z71-first-test/

If you are feeling really bad about yourself and choice of truck, keep your eyes peeled for any one of these 20 cars and challenge them to a race (4 Cyl. Colorado included):
http://www.motortrend.com/news/20-slowest-2015-vehicles-from-0-60-mph/

 

Exactly it has nothing to do with wanting it to be FAST. The truck's powertrain just does not feel right at all.

 

WTF? I have no need for a sports car. I bought a truck because that is what I wanted and needed. It hauls and tows just fine for what I use it for. If you're towing heavy loads or frequently maxing out the payload, you bought the wrong truck. 2nd gen or 3rd gen, it makes no difference in that regard. Would I like more low end power? Sure, who wouldn't. There's not a vehicle on the road for which that answer would not be in the affirmative (i.e., no such thing as too much power). My sports car comment was just a comparison to the 2nd gen's 4.0 V6 and the differences in how the two drive and just making the point that with the 3rd gen I got both a truck that serves its purpose very well and has the added bonus of being fun to drive. For those of you who think Toyota really screwed the pooch on the 3rd gen, that's fine, but not all of us agree. The purpose of my post was just to add a counterpoint to the complaints about the power/shifting and nothing more.

 

If you are boosting about 0 to 60 mph times and 1/4 mile times... you bought your truck for different reasons than me. I took the truck out for a 3 hr tour and in the end felt that Toyota really screwed it up. My wife's 2016 Sienna with the 2GR-FE has way better bottom end torque than the new Tacoma. On top of that I felt the transmission was very... I have no words. It's like it's their first automatic transmission. Maybe it was just the one I test drove but it was a deal breaker for me. Too bad, I like everything else.

 

Tacoma is a tad faster in the quarter and shy 0.2 sec in 0-60. Big deal IMO.
And the only thing you are hauling is groceries.

 

I ask myself why a 6 speed over the traditional 4 speed of yesteryear?

The answer is better access to powerband, increased fuel mileage, better drivability, etc.

The Tacoma exhibits none of these. The transmission is a quite negative aspect of the truck.

I do recall my time driving a Lexus isF where Toyota experimented with a quite different transmission in the 8 speed. It had its falls....seemed like it was just continuous shifting....however the motor was powerful enough to work with the design.

 

OP nailed it mine is the same way.

 

Colorado is going to 8 speed.
And you cant get a Hemi either.
New times.

 

Engines are built in different ways to generate horsepower. Most car engines are about the same, generating max torque around 4-5,000 RPM and max hp sits at or close to the red line. The new Tacoma design is not much different but they seem to be trying to take advantage of the Atkinson Cycle feature of this engine, that is to keep the RPM at a lower level. Efficiency I guess will go up and if you drive like my grandmother you might see the higher MPG they advertise.

Take your foot off the gas and notice your in 6th gear, like double overdrive.

I wrote the Thread to expose the reality of how this vehicle's power and transmission feels. Many of you have agreed with me. I do not believe any of us bought a truck thinking it was a sports car.

The truck performance reminds me of that fleet vehicle that has the small engine option, you know, you have seen it, 1.8L vs 2.4L for an extra $1,500. There is only one size here but I can still fantasize what if there was a 4L 325Hp option? They would have beat all the competition hands down, I would have been happy to sacrifice a couple MPG's.

I was at the dealer today getting the TBS revision done to see if the transmission will preform better, more later. But I was watching as a trailer full of Tacomas was unloaded, thinking they are selling a s**t load of these trucks.

I still love my truck for a whole lot of reasons, just not for its performance.

 

I pulled the trigger on a 2017 DCSB OR a week ago. I test drove both he 16 and 17 a bit. I thought I would go with a 15' after driving my 06' OR to 300K+ and still kicking. I like the 5 speed transmission paired with the 4.0. However, I like the efficiency of the newer engine/transmission. I can get 24 mpg driving the truck on the hwy at reasonable speeds. My 06' downshifted a lot too when running up hills or while towing, so not much different to me other than an extra downshift at times (6 spd vs 5 spd).

If you do not like the shifting use the ECM or go to the manual shift mode. I have yet to use the later of the two, but will probably try it out at some point. The interior is a significant improvement, body is very similar less some aerodynamic improvements. My only concern or question is will I get my 300K with just basic maintenance and maybe a u-joint or other minor repair? Both are great trucks IMO. If the Gen 3 is anywhere close to the reliability of my 06' I'll be a happy camper! Time will tell...

 

I hope someone sees the humor in this....i have the privilege of somedays using a rzr 900 as my work vehicle... I feel exactly the same about my Tacoma as you... just for the hell of it the other day, after a 85 mile day on the rzr, I figured out the fuel mileage...after whooping on that thing all day, it averaged 17.3 mpg... my Tacoma got 16.1 on the way to work... adds insult to injury if you ask me

 

Same feeling I got after averaging 18mpg in the chevy workvan driving it with no gas worries in my head.

 

But question is would they have met CAFE requirements ?
They keep getting tighter every year.

 

Hahaha you are comparing a utv's mpg to a truck?? gtfo

 

Its very possible that a larger displacement engine with low end torque could meet CAFE as it would not have to work near as hard.

 

My old Cirrus Airplane got about 17 MPG but at 180Kts

 

That one crazy tier 1 Spec-Ops guy from that weird argument thread gets 25mpg with cold air intake

 

manual transmission ftfw