Well, just got back from a Tacoma test drive.

I have not driven a Tacoma since roughly 2007 and I believe it was a 2006 model. Don't remember much about the test drive. For sake of comparison, I have been driving v-8 half tons for years now. My current truck is a GMC regular cab short bed 4x4 with the 5.3 v-8. I am used to having 300 or more hp and 325 or more pound feet of torque at easy disposal. Keep that in mind. I specifically asked for an extended test drive in a 2019 4 cylinder automatic SR 4x4 access cab with the utility option as this is the model I am most likely to buy. The one I drove also had the dealer installed cruise control. I was mostly interested in seeing how lethargic the 4 banger with the automatic was going to be. I am actually surprised that it was not nearly as bad as I had thought it would be. From a dead stop with the ECT off and driving like my mother, it is lethargic up to 2nd or 3rd gear. However it was just fine if you push the accelerator a bit more and/or turn the ECT on. I think the fault is the transmission programming that insists on shifting to a higher gear sooner than would be optimal. It's obviously for a higher MPG rating. It had no issues with getting up to 65mph and cruising at that speed (max speed limit around here is 70) which was 10 over the limit on the roads we drove. Passing was no problem as well. If I accepted the fact that it just needed a bit more throttle input, the darn thing accelerated and drove just fine. I am pleasantly surprised. No it isn't a rocket but I'm not sure a work oriented pickup needs to be. Should be just fine for my needs.

 

For 2018 the Dynamic Response Cruise Control is standard equipment - no way a dealer could add on.

My 2.7 was initially sluggish as you noticed on yours. Just rolled over 17,000 and a totally different truck. It takes about 3-5,000 miles to "learn" your driving style. The SR is my favorite - I added intermittent wipers ($135) and keyless entry ($120) using Toyota parts - both were plug and play.

Add wheels and tires and you have a very capable machine:

 

The base model AC 2.7 SRs are cool trucks. Are you going 4X4 or is that an option on the SR?

 

It gets out of it's own way pretty well if you drive it like you want it to move. Still true in the V6 on 35s with stock gears.

 

I was only going by what the dealer said. I was surprised to see the cruise control on the SR and said something to the effect of "huh I see it's got cruise". To which the salesman (otherwise known as liars) replied "it's a dealer installed option here".

I've been thinking about the test drive. The best way I can sum it up is that it was like going back to the 1980's and early 90's when most of the GM pickups around where I grew up had 305's. No, not 350's but 305's. Those old pickups drove, hauled hay/seed/feed, and pulled farm equipment just fine. You just didn't do it fast.

 

4x4. White or silver.

 

That’s back when you could get right inside the engine bay to work in your 305. There was so much room under the hood of a fullsize truck with a small block.

 

Nice! Silver is my choice, but I’m partial.

 

Don’t know enough about the 4 Banger,
From what I hear, people say to get the V-6.
The mpg is about the same?
Just curious if there is enough difference
in price to warrant the extra torque
and performance in the V-6. I am happy with my V-6 and I have no tranny problems.

 

The only thing that stands out right now that I did NOT like was the flimsy hood. Yes I popped the hood to take a look much to the salesman's surprise. The hood has A LOT of flex to it. And yes I'm aware some gen 3 Tacoma's have hood 'flutter' issues. This one did not flutter at highway speed. It was just flimsy when I opened it and closed it.

 

I want the simplicity, history of reliability, and ease of maintenance of the 4 cylinder. I'm sure the v-6 is fine but it does not have the long history of the 4 cylinder.

 

That’s Cool, I was just wondering.

Good luck and nice choice.

 

Check out my thread. I have a 19 sr5 2.7. Love it. Came from a 2015 GMC 1500 all terrain Sierra .
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/300-mile-long-trip-review-2-7-ac-2019-4x4.583728/#post-19437939

 

Many can't even imagine what you are referring to, sitting in the engine compartment.
Those were the days.

 

The only thing I dislike about the SR is that front bumper cover. It just doesn't look right IMHO.

If it were me, I'd have to do something about that. Options range from fitting one from an SR5, painting that one, or replacing with an aftermarket unit. I'd likely shop for an SR5 one off a truck someone put an aftermarket bit on. Weight.

Interested in the cruise. Was it adaptive like factory, or a 'traditional' unit. If traditional, maybe the salesman was correct?

No intermittent wipers, right? Those are a PnP upgrade for about 10 minutes of your time.

I dig 'basic'. Although I'll admit I'd be lured by the power rear window of an SR5.

Since I have no need for 4wd or more load capacity, I find my 5 lug 2.7 meets my needs perfectly. Excellent in town, fully adequate on the interstate at legal speeds.

 

One of the very best post I've seen on here JNG (OP). Someone that actually took the 4 cylinder truck for an extended test drive before buying.... especially after driving a V8 and also for having realistic expectations of what it could do. My 4 cylinder works just fine -for what I need it for....daily driver, good in the snow and some light hauling.

 

I had a '59 Apache 3/4 ton with a straight 6, floor starter pedal, manual choke and a 4 spd with a granny 1st and a 4:76 rear.

Enough room under the hood for 2 people to take shelter from a storm.

 

X2

 

Similar story... I had already decided on the 4-cly utility pack prior to a test drive, so I was just hoping it wasn't going to be dangerously slow. It was sluggish, but had plenty of power to get out of it's own way, even in NY metro traffic. The auto trans is very well matched to the engine as well. The engine really opens up after several thousand miles, my theory is there's some sort of break-in tune, because the difference is so substantial.

Please contribute to the "Bearded Tacoma" utility pack thread when you get the truck!
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/utility-package-tacomas-the-bearded-toy.466501/

 

I was surprised my '19 SR 4X2 w/utility package had a cruise control in it. The '16 did not have with the utility package.