Test Drove 3 2018s - My Impressions

Afternoon all

Update 11/1/18

Test drove another 2019 DC OR for an extended drive. It was again, much better than the 2018s. I actually enjoyed driving it mostly and thought I could actually own this. Now, the transmission still was jumpy at times but I found it was decently powered and decently smooth without ETC on. Once or twice I again felt the "dead zone" where it felt limp but generally the acceleration curve was good and smooth.

I also paid attention to other areas and realized how quiet the truck is on the inside, which made me happy.

No rear-diff whine although maybe that develops over time?

EnTune still is not as good as the UCONNECT but it did pick up my nav verbal commands with 100% accuracy.

I like that the bed is composite, one less thing to worry about rusting here in CT.

I figured "ok so let's see the numbers" but they were disappointing with only 4.5% off MSRP. I again didn't haggle because they didnt have the exact car I was looking for (top of the line OR with the dark grey graphite) and the manager showed me that were literally zero in the country currently available and I would have to order it and wait until January. I dont want to order.

Therefore at this point Im going to keep shopping and thinking about it. However, I am at the point where I do like the truck and would own it


Update: I just test drove a 2019 Sport - it feels much, much better. Not perfect, it still "jumps" when I hit the gas too much because of an uneven curve - but I felt it being much better and I actually enjoyed driving it.

Owned a Tundra 8 years, Ram 1500, currently drive a Dodge Challenger Scat. Looking to go back to a truck as I'm just too practical. Have done a ton of research online (especially here, thank you so much!)

I went a test drove a Limited in Quicksand, TRD Pro in White and a TRD Off Road in Graphite (love this color) all 2018s.

Good:

1. Cabin seemed quieter than I expected.
2. Legendary Toyota durability and resale value.
3. I found the seats comfy (lot of complaints online) and the leather was high quality.
4. Hard glass covering for Nav unit, the UCONNECT (in Dodge and RAMs) is soft which I don't like.
5. Rear seatroom was fine
6. Auto UP windows, not just Auto down, nice!
7. Good styling.
8. 1001 ways to mod/customize the truck

Bad:

1. What I have read about is unfortunately true - there is basically zero power. Without ECT on it is literally pitiful I'm so sorry to say! It felt hard to even drive 65 mph on the highway! Then when I would give it gas it would finally decide to wake up a little and jerk forward as it downshifted. In ECT it was a little better but still, it was very underpowered. Do you know my lifetime MPG with a 485HP 6.4L V8 Challenger is almost 18 and I drive in sport mode and backroads (ie non-highway) the majority of the time? The Challenger and Tacoma weigh almost identically too. I don't expect a muscle-car experience but this was so weak. This was the same phenomena for all three of the models I drove. I read about an update to the computer/transmission shifting but I wasn't going to see if their cars were updated or not. Soapbox: I hate when manufacturers fuck with stuff for better gas mileage. This aint a Prius.
2. I found the Nav unit old and outdated. It's virtually identical to the one in the old Honda CRV my ex-wife had and I hated that. I'm spoiled with my UCONNECT as it's large, responsive, colorful, etc. I could overlook this if the car wasn't so weak in it's power.

I asked them to run the #s on the Graphite TRD Off Road. Now, I didnt negotiate and didn't want to waste their time, but the first numbers I got were so far off from competitive. 4k less for my trade than it should have been, only 5% off MSRP (this is a 2018 AND it's the end of the month) and of course, they tried to add in the scam "VIN Etching" for $998 lol!

I asked if I would be able to get an extended test drive and they said "sure" so I may go and live with it for a day or two. I may also test drive a 2019 at a different dealer and see if the transmission shifting is any more responsive.

Im not giving up on the Tacoma just yet.

 

Move along, nothing to see here!

 

Which engine did you have in your RAM? It seems to me you are comparing 3 big V8s to a baby V6 and deducing the baby engine doesn't grunt like the big boy. Water is also wet.

Can you fix it if you love the truck? Of course just regear the rear. You'll sacrifice a MPG or two and get a torque curve that feels a little more like your V8s.

Pricing was interesting. Typically they like to start high like that so they can start the BS back and forth for 3 hours nonsense to wear you down. But I would also think dealers will discount everything else on the lot before the Tacoma just based on prior experience.

In my truck I've figured out the drivability. How much gas pedal movement is required to get what I want smoothly. The electric brake motor in the OR and Pro takes some practice as well.

Thanks for the write up.

 

Thanks, what is the electric break motor? I had the 5.7 Hemi. I recognize I am used to "power" but I also drove my ex-wife's 4 cylinder CRV and my girlfriend's 4 cylinder 10 year old Subaru and Im sorry to say they have more zip! Yes, Im shocked too.

Just found this, same thing I experienced - seems like every other post is about poor transmission/no power.
https://www.edmunds.com/toyota/tacoma/2018/consumer-reviews/

 

Seems like Tacoma is not a perfect match for you. Save yourself headaches and frustration in the future and look for something else, but for most of us it’s been fine, not perfect but fine. My 2017 Tacoma has almost 17000 miles and it’s waaaaay better than was new. Loving it everyday.

 

my 4cyl crv was fast too. because it was super light. you have a 3.5L v6 in this heavy frame of a taco. yes those 4cyls are gonna have more zip because they are suv's. although this is not meant to be super fast, either. if you want to go fast keep your scat, and get this truck for offroading, fishing, hunting, work truck.. blah blah. just don't expect it to be fast.

 

Yeah, unless that Sub engine is FA, you’re really exaggerating. I had a Sub 2.5 right before this and the Tacoma is much more powerful. That Sub couldn’t get out of its own way.

On the same note, the Tacoma engine is an N/A V6. No regear, intake, exhaust or any other bolt on will satisfy your need for power nor make it remotely close to the feel of those big powerhouses. It’s ridiculous people buy these things for power. Since when has the Tacoma led the segment in power?

If you don’t like it now, you never will. You will become one of those that constantly complains on here about what the Tacoma was never meant to be anyway.

I mean this in all sincerity. Do yourself a favor and get another Tundra or another V8/V6TT truck. Tacoma is not for you.

 

The 3.5 has way less torque where you need it.
The 3.5 is a good base engine they just need another engine option or refresh the 4.0.
They could have a V8 4.6 and still get the same MPG...

 

Great write up and mostly spot on...I mostly love my truck but the engine/transmission thing is pitiful...Come on Toyota, do something!

 

It would be interesting to see what you decide to purchase. I think the power was proportionate to my expectations, but would have sprung for more power if it had been available,
The Entune is the worst "premium radio" offered in any pickup for sure, but I also greatly dislike the UCONNECT.

I like what some of the new Rams have to offer, but its a bigger truck, and I don't really care for Dodge as a brand. Replacing the shifter with a dial is the craziest thing I have ever seen. That decision was in contrast to some of the good work the engineers did on the RAM.

 

I currently have a long term rental F-150 Crew 4x4 with the NA 3.3 V-6 with the 6-Speed Auto. It has plenty of power and gets 22mpg with my heavy heavy right foot. For a heavy truck with a small V-6 it's pretty damn quick. I'm in the market for another 3rd gen this time with a V-6 and CC. I plan to do a long test drive as well. Enterprise has a few SR V-6 CC Taco's I was going to try and swap out for this F-150 and see how it goes.

I was hoping to hear the Engine and Trans tuning was improved for the 18' Tacos

 

buy a Dodge

 

Yawn....another day another taco shaming thread.

 

Probably, but who knows for sure...

Wow, why are you here asking us? What could anyone possibly say if that is your impression of this truck?

So many options out there, really. Find something that knocks your socks off and get it

Good luck.

 

485hp 6.4 V8 vs a 278hp 3.5 V6. I would say avoid the mid size trucks altogether and go find the biggest, most powerful full size V8 you can find. Your previous trucks were full size and you’re used to V8s and it won’t feel like you’re sacrificing so much in the engine department. You already have a major complaint about the Tacoma and it’s not going to change, no matter how many miles you put on it. A different tune may help, but you’re still going to run into the limitations of the hardware.

 

Taco 0-60 times look the same 2016 on as they did before if not a tad better.
Passing times are better as well as towing times in 3rd gen.


https://www.zeroto60times.com/vehicle-make/toyota-0-60-mph-times/

 

I appreciate the responses. Im going to test drive a 2019 and see if anything changes.

 

They are required to have a fleet average fuel economy above a certain limit (don’t remember what it is). Not sure I’d say they are “fucking with stuff”. They either a.) have to by law or b.) more customers want something than customers who don’t.

I’m not trying to defend Toyota or the 3rd gen Tacoma. Just pointing out that engineers aren’t sitting around waiting for the opportunity to “fuck with shit” to increase fuel economy by making the truck drive like a turd.

(Sorry my inner new product development engineer got butt hurt by this).

 

try a manual transmission?