HATE the 3.5 motor set up in my 2016

I’d say take a look at ridgeline. No complaints about drivetrain, also used in suv and minivans without issues. I know I’ll get flamed for it but I’ll be taking it out for test drive when shopping for tacoma. Not a fan of looks of the ridgeline but I’d rather deal with the looks of it rather than deal with the way the tacoma drives.

 

The Ridgeline is sluggish at take off, but it does come up to speed and holds gears better. The Black Edition is not that bad looking and you get android auto/apple carplay. If you do not intend to go off road ever, the RL is plenty of vehicle for what most users need, although they are afraid to admit it. The RL also has a trans. dipstick and height adjustable driver seat.

 

Agree. Tacoma has the looks and off-road guts. Ridgeline has everything else.

 

...^^^... I had 1 Ridgeline in the past and maybe a dozen Toyota trucks.

The RL is not a truck in my definition, but it has better QC IMO.

Good thing Honda did not built a real pickup, cause Toyota would be in trouble ... and the Honda dealer was excellent too.

If I had a family and did not go off road, liked a softer ride, and wanted a 4WD vehicle (like a Subaru) for rain and snow, the RL is perfect.

The RL's ride was just too soft and car like for me.

 

Do you said source of that rumor? I think the Atkinson cycle engine with a supercharger is a Miller cycle engine and possibly patented. Mazda stuck one in their old Millenia a few years back. Toyota might have to pay $$$ for rights to add a supercharger. I really hope you’re correct. I’m holding onto my 2nd gen until Toyota improves the power plant or maybe see what Ford has to offer with the new Ranger coming out.

 

Improve the power plant? Why give it Tundra power when you have a Tundra to choose from? Taco is the bottom rung truck, the current power plant is to draw the line in the sand to bump people up the next rung.

 

Because I and many others don’t want a full size truck. The Tundra is too big for the roads I off-road on , for the stuff I carry, fitting in the garage, and ease of parking. That’s why I’m looking at all brands of mid-size trucks. I didn’t buy a Tacoma because I cheaped out. Price is important but I can afford either one just fine.

 

Toyota isnt going to build a new truck to suit that small niche asking for more power or an S/C, you'll have to wait for a bolt on or programming solution from the aftermarket.

For every guy like you that they lose, 5 more get in line to buy the current version.

Not much difference in size anymore, my DCLB is possibly longer than a Tundra Access cab and maybe even longer than the DCSB Tundra. They're just wider now.

Good luck with the other brands, may as well add the Jeep truck, Frontier along with the Ford to the mix.

 

Why reinvent the wheel if you don't have to, right?

 

Ridgeline tow ratings are way over rated amongst other things. Look at the independent reviews on the stated load they can haul. They said it was terrible. ie they overrate their specs.
Ridgeline is not as great as you or shebudgets thinks it is. Sales figures show that for a fact.
IMO once again they will stop production due to pathetic non sustainable sales.

As I have said before 3rd gen is just as quick 0-60 as 2nd gen and beats 2nd gen in towing gauntlet test by 45 seconds. Bottom line.

 

if you had lets say any truck and it did not have the power it should and you took it to a mechanic and he advised you that the intake valve is staying open during the first part of the compression stroke and you have a major problem and is the cause of the lack of power. toyota calls that "Atkinson Cycle"..

 

Everyones needs are different. I don’t tow. Pretty sure not a lot of guys tow 6, 6500k with Tacoma’s. I’ve been driving Toyota’s for 18 years. I have had a lot of 4runners;2nd gen with a Chevy 350. Few 3rd gens. 1 4th gen with v8. A new 2016 Ltd. 1 fj with trd supercharger and now a current stock fj with 151k. Will be buying soon. Just have to make sure I take long test drives with tacoma as people on board say.

 

Given a long enough stretch the 3rd Gen will beat a 2nd Gen cause all the power is way up in the rev band but for day to day use the Low End of the 2nd Gen feels much better.

 

I said I was waiting to see what’s happening with all options. I’m in no hurry. I’m fine with a bolt on supercharger option by Toyota or a 3rd party vendor. I also never said I wouldn’t consider a 3rd generation. I’m just not blindly loyal to a brand for the names sakes. Jeep is owned by Fiat and has a horrible reliability/resale problem. Nissan is in bed with Renault and has gone downhill ever since. Fiat and Renault have been very poor quality for decades. Contrary to some opinions here, Ford quality is getting better even though I’m waiting to see how these Ecoboost engines are holding up after 200k miles. The Ridgeline is held together pretty well and has a purpose but being a unibody isn’t tough enough for the way I use a truck. I consider a true truck to have a real ladder frame.

 

Off the line when pulling a trailer you feel the torque for the first 2 seconds, but then have a 3 hour run when you need the power.
Which one you want ?
I'll take the higher hp rather than a need for a rush from feeling torque for the first 2 seconds.
3rd gen puts you back in the seat amazingly, 18% more hp, when you need it when you are moving which is 99% of the time. 3rd gen feels better IMO, and I had a 2nd.
First time I floored it at 35 after I broke it in I was like WTF ?
That's why it tows faster than 2nd.

 

LOL you just keep on believing that. Interesting how my RL tows my TT forward AND backwards better like uphill into a camping spot that my Taco tried but couldn't do. Has close to 500lbs more payload capacity which I have used.

This opinion is not based on some "independent review" but my own experiences with both.

Overrated specs? Ya, the Taco definitely has them.

"pathetic non sustainable sales" --Honda sells everyone they CHOOSE to make; approximately 35,000 units per year.

 

I have owned 1-1st Gen, 2-2nd Gens, and my current 3rd Gen so I feel I can give you a pretty accurate assessment. I live in an area with lots of steep hills and the low end of the 2nd Gen was more useful in everyday driving, I rarely ever had to downshift as the 4.0 pulled most hills in 6th gear, this truck requires a running start at a chance to make it up the same hills without downshifting. I am not bashing on my truck in any way as I have just changed my driving style, but just prefer the feel of low end grunt of the 2nd Gens.

 

This one's better.

 

There will be a few cross shoppers between the Taco and the RL. But for the most part they cater to different crowds. So comparing them usually proves counter productive IMO. Does nothing but stir up shit here.....and no doubt on "Ridgeline World"....or "Soccer Dad's World".....or whatever it's called.