2017 Tacoma and Consumer Reports

Agreed. No problem. Peace brother !

 

@2016Tacoman your privacy settings don't allow for a conversation.

 

Thank you, A small displacement engine will not have low end torque. Torque will come at higher rpm.

 

Well, you can get lower rpm torque out of them to some extent. You just have to sacrifice high rpms and horse power. For me, that's fine. I don't drive my truck at 6000 rpms. I'll take torque over hp in a truck any day.

 

Disclaimer: I'm a 4x Ridgeline owner (2007, 2010, 2014, and 2017) who ended up joining and posting here after reading about CR placing the Tacoma last.

I used to be a huge GM fan. I've owned a lot of different cars and trucks in my life - all "domestic" brands at first. For decades, I suffered through in-warranty repairs, out-of-warranty repairs, and poor resale value believing that was normal. About 10 years ago, I bought my first Honda. In-warranty repairs have been virtually non-existant and resale value has been excellent. I've since bought 7 of them. Toyota never had anything that really appealed to me visually or suited my needs, but I respect Toyota as a reliable brand with good resale value and would certainly consider one in the future.

For me, I am the exact customer that Honda made the Ridgeline for. I never tow anything and rarely go very far off road. However, I do need something with an open bed to occasionally carry home building materials and haul away trash and recyclables without renting a truck, hassling with a trailer, or borrowing from someone else. Most of the time, it's just me in my vehicle driving to and from work. It's not practical or cost-effective to maintain two vehicles, so the Ridgeline is the one vehicle that meets and exceeds all of my needs.

I'm not here to argue whether the Tacoma is better or worse than Ridgeline - each has its strengths and weaknesses and I hope the mature among us understands and respects that. I'll be the first to admit the first-generation (2006-2014) Ridgeline's sloped bed rails were one of its worst attributes. I never really adjusted to its awkward looks, but the rest of the vehicle was useful and comfortable enough for me to overlook that most of the time. I’ll also admit that the front-end, in particular, of the 2017 Ridgeline looks very “soft” (no surprise since it’s so similar the Pilot), but that doesn’t bother me - I buy what is best for me and have no need to compensate for anything. The constant stream of criticism from “real” truck enthusiasts about the transverse engine, FWD layout, independent suspension, and minivan-with-a-bed design wasn’t enough to deter me from buying and enjoying three of the first-generation Ridgelines and now a second-generation.

I now own a 2017 Ridgeline. I read all the reviews. I heard all the criticisms. I watched all the comparisons. I evaluated and compared against other mid-size trucks. The ONLY mid-size trucks I would consider are a Ridgeline or a Tacoma. If I needed a truck for towing and off-roading (for work or fun) frequently and could live without the in-bed trunk and dual-hinged tailgate, then the Tacoma would have been my choice. In my case, I want the comfort, quietness, and features of a near-luxury car for daily driving, but with the occasional need to haul more than an SUV is capable of. Again, I have great respect the Tacoma for what it is and does, but it’s not the vehicle for me.

My brother has owned mostly cars, but recently purchased another truck and his first Toyota - a 2016 Tacoma TRD Sport 2WD Access Cab. He used to be a big Nissan fan, but recently got hooked on Hondas after discovering the reliability and resale value. Like me, he rarely hauls or tows anything. He didn’t want to copy me by buying a Ridgeline nor did he realize he could have purchased a Ridgeline for the same price he paid for his Tacoma and had a few more features he liked such as automatic climate control, remote start, automatic headlights, and HomeLink.

The day he brought it home brand new off the lot, it leaked a few drops of transmission fluid in his garage while sitting overnight. He took it to the dealer, but they were unable to locate the source of the leak. He also complained about the transmission taking several seconds to engage in reverse, harsh downshifts, and both delays and premature upshifts, and slipping. The dealer updated the transmission software per a TSB which helped, but did not eliminate the undesired transmission behavior. He had his first schedule service this week during which time they finally discovered the source of the transmission leak - the pan gasket was not properly seated. A new gasket seems to have fixed the leak. He’s also had problems since day one with the satellite radio cutting out despite no signal obstructions. His first Toyota hasn’t left the best impression on him so far.

Anything can happen to any new vehicle, but quite honestly, we were both surprised and disappointed to see these types of issues on the Tacoma. From a non-Tacoma-owner perspective, it does seems like Toyota has taken a step backward in some ways with the latest generation. Let’s hope this is a wake-up call for Toyota.

As far as driving both of our vehicles on paved roads, the Ridgeline is unquestionably quieter, smoother, and feels more solid, but the Tacoma isn’t awful by any means and actually seems pretty good considering its solid rear axle with leaf springs. The one thing that would probably annoy me about the Tacoma is the notable resonance of the factory exhaust that sounds…well…unrefined. Although I can appreciate the rich rumble of an aftermarket exhaust on a V8, I’d rather all 4- and 6-cylinder engines just remain quiet and not call unwanted attention to themselves.

So, there you have some observations of my brother’s Tacoma from a Ridgeline owner’s perspective. No throwing of burning crosses, please.

 

welcome to TW-

 

Go drive a GMC Canyon or better yet a Ridgeline and you will find out what's wrong.

 

MY truck handles good and has a good feel for the road. Not sure what makes the Canyon or Ridgeline much better even tho I will admit I never drove one. If you are referring to the steering feeling easier to turn I guess it is just what you like.

 

You joined this forum to defend your purchase of a ridgeline? Why?

 

Why does it bother some posters that non Tacoma owners post comparing their vehicle to a Tacoma which they have driven or ridden in?

I have had 3 Tacoma's. The last was an 06. I continue to read and post some times on GMC/Toyota/Dodge/Honda/Nissan truck forums. Forums are one source of information about vehicles.

TW has threads comparing Tacoma's and other vehicles. Just like Nissan Frontier has threads discussing other mid size trucks. Posters who do comparisons are giving their opinions. The reader should take it as such. If TW was to only be about Tacoma's then their are threads that need to be closed and the site rules stating only discuss Tacoma's.

This is a good site for information on the Tacoma. Having some comparison reviews is not all bad.

 

I have an 04 and love it! One day I'll have the funds (after college) to even be able to decide on a new truck haha.

 

Agreed.

Don't get too worked up about the Tacoma world busybodies on here.

I guess they are the thought police and have to scrutinize every post on here. Not sure if they are pathetic or I should feel sorry for them.

 

IF your asking me, it doesn't "bother" me. I am just curious why someone would Join the forum and with their one and only post, defend their purchase. You don't think thats strange?

 

What exactly is a TW busybody? Is it someone who doesn't own a 3rd Gen, coming into the 3rd gen section to ?

 

No stranger than posters here defending why they purchased a Tacoma and bash some other brand.
Or posting a CR article that was not supportive of the Tacoma.

 

Nah, life is too short to let things that are trivial get to me. Besides too old to take everything so seriously.
TW is still a great site.

 

Considering the topic of this thread is about Consumer Reports' rating of the Tacoma, my primary intent was to offer another data point regarding why they may have reached their conclusion. It is not necessary to own a Tacoma to make observations and form opinions. I felt that giving some background information on as to why I purchased something other than a Tacoma helps put some perspective on my observations and opinions. Notice that my first post did NOT read, "CR is right! You all are stupid for buying a junky Tacoma! You should have bought a Ridgeline!", because that is neither my opinion nor universally true. I expected some backlash, but I'm intelligent and solid enough to take it. The moment that a Tacoma becomes a better choice for me than a Ridgeline or any other vehicle, I'll go buy one. It really is that simple. This is a Tacoma forum. This thread is about Tacomas. My first post was about Tacomas.

 

Your first post on Tacoma World was to defend you decision to buy a ridge line over a Tacoma. Your second post on Tacoma World was to defend your decision to buy a ridgeline over a Tacoma.
Why do you feel the need to create an account on Tacoma World to defend your decision?
I just don't get it.
Did the guy with the Nissan who is defending you invite you here?

 

First we have the 1st gen and 2nd gen TW members trolling the third gen section. Then we have the 3rd gen owners that wish they'd bought a ferd trolling the third gen forum. Then we have the 4Runner crowd trolling the 3rd gen section.
And now we have the Nissan and Honda crowd trolling the third gen section?
WTF is going on around here?

 

Don't worry about them zroger73, This should be a safe place for enthusiasts, people with questions and problems, owners and non owners alike. Time is the determining factor for hot headed people to be weeded out. I enjoyed reading your post and I though it was a nice objective look at your experience. Not everyone shares the same opinion. Its the internet so people of all backgrounds and stances should be able to share freely without getting ostracized.