AAA Short Review of the '19

https://www.colorado.aaa.com/stories/mayjune-2019/road-review-favorite-mid-size-truck-toyota-tacoma

 

"It’s a truck best for practical consumers who don’t need the bulk of a full-sized pickup and don’t care much about design, but simply want a very capable truck that’s also versatile and fun to drive. "

Really? Its by far the best looking truck out there imo. The interior technology is admittedly a bit dated, but it looks like a truck at least which is more than a lot of competitors can say... rant over.

 

The stupid website wants a Colorado Zip code to proceed.

Could you share on here a local Zip code for those of us not familiar with CO to be able to read the article?

 

80021

 

Great thanks!

 

Seems pretty accurate, down to the unimpressive seats LOL

 

haha your in the same zip code as me

 

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Toyota isn't known to be an early adopter for any technology. Their innovation philosophy and business model has serve them well for decades. It's unlikely to change. I don't think any Toyota since the Supra and MR2 gardner industry attention for breakthroughs maybe for the exception of the FRS/BRZ. We'll see how they do with the new Supra.

Toyota thrive by volume not breakthroughs.

 

Very true.

Although some would say that as the pace of innovation speeds up, Toyota and Honda are finding it increasingly difficult to keep up.

 

They really aren't though. Toyota especially, they spend more on R&D for a single brand than anyone, VW spends more outright but spreads it across like 8 brands. If they wanted to be first to market in any new tech they could do so, and with more ease than anyone else. But just like Honda, they don't. Because their calculus is based on a longer term than companies like Kia/Hyundai/Ford.

Look what happened when Nissan rushed to mass adopt CVTs... they now have a terrible reputation for unreliable transmissions.

Look what happened when Ford rushed to be the first to mass adopt infotainment on the lower market... Sync was so bad it dragged their entire brand's reliability scores down.

Look what happened when Kia/Hyundai rushed to be the first economy cars to adopt direct injection... they fucked up and are now replacing engines by the hundreds of thousands because they're clogged with carbon buildup by like 80k miles.

Toyota and Honda have a reputation to protect so they CHOOSE to not be early adopters until they're confident it won't hurt their image. Everyone started going turbo years ago, Honda is just getting there and Toyota STILL hasn't gone down that road... and I think thats smart, 5 years from now Toyota will still have a bulletproof rep while Honda going all turbo I think is gonna hurt them a little.

 

How tall/heavy are you if you don't mind my asking? If you do mind tell me to mind my own bees wax and I will. I've noticed a lot of people talk bad about the seats but I find them pretty comfy. Better than my dad's '15 Canyon with leather. I've just got the basic cloth seats. I'm 6'1" and 240 pounds.

 

Sure: I’m 6’0” and 185 lbs. But then there’s also the question of how long our limbs are relative to our torso.

I am getting somewhat used to the arms-and-legs stretched-out seating position. But I was paying attention to the seat as I drove yesterday. Part of my problem is lack of overall support: the bottom cushion is relatively flat; the side boosters on the backrest are too far apart to hold me in place, so I find myself having to tense up to stay in place on turns. And the bottom cushion feels a bit short to provide adequate thigh support.

This is the 32nd vehicle I’ve owned and first one where I have seat issues like this.

None of this should be rocket science for a top automaker like Toyota IMO.

 

I used to live there, beautiful country no doubt about it! I miss it sometimes!

 

While everything you say is true, and Toyota and Honda remain the two most esteemed auto brands in North America, the fact is that they have lost the overwhelming lead they used to enjoy over everyone else.

Of the two, I think Toyota is going about it more intelligently: like you say, Toyota refused to adopt CVTs; it also kept the V6 in Camry. I find Honda many times allows compromises ruled by manufacturing efficiencies to drive product decisions, and then expects consumers to get used to them.

Where I think Honda has an advantage over Toyota is in design: it tends to put out cleaner, less confused designs more consistently. Having said that, I wouldn’t categorize either automaker as a style leader. Fortunately, they have other strengths to rely on.

 

Makes sense on the limbs to torso ratio. I'm a good 2 or 3 inches taller than my dad but we have the same inseam. Maybe they just feel comfortable to me since I've been driving sports cars that are too small for me for the last 10 years. Those things were uncomfortable. Had an '06 Miata for 5 years then an '09 370z that I traded for the truck. The truck is a much better fit in all honesty. Maybe when the new wears off I'll see what everyone else sees but I hope not.

 

I too owned a Mazda Miata: a 2001. I couldn’t fit in it with the top up!

My 2018 Fiat Spider, which shares interior with the current Mazda MX-5, is 100 X more comfortable than that old Miata! —and puts those Tacoma seats to shame. Then again, those Abarth seats hold me in place in a way the Tacoma seats don’t.

 

Lol I barely fit in mine with the top up and couldn't even wear a ball cap. I miss it but it had too many problems. Trading for the Z was the best move financially for me. Wanted the new Miata RF but needed the truck to haul my dirt bike around.

 

Yes, they make excellent second vehicles.

If you ever drove the new MX-5/Spider you would be impressed. Mazda and Fiat did a bang-up job.

I test drove both and the Spider spoke to me the most: it looks, feels and sounds more fun and special that the Mazda. I’m very happy with it.