New Truck Review

My 2019 Tacoma TRD OF in quicksand was the first new truck that I've owned since 2010 when I bought a new F-150 4x4 SuperCrew Platinum Ed. I purchased my Tacoma on 11/26/18 after 5.4L V8 in the Ford threw a rod at 124,643 miles. Completely disappointing! I maintained this truck to the fullest with oil changes averaging 3,500 with synthetic blend from the dealership. I had nearly traded my F-150 in on a Tacoma the year prior when the heat went out in my truck and they wanted $1,300 to fix it. I had last owned a Tacoma in college I had a 1993 single cab 5 sp 4x4 in red with 33s and aftermarket wheels. I LOVED THAT TRUCK! I also had a buddy in high school who had a 1983 4x4 in white that he used to let me borrower a lot.

Pros and Cons of my Tacoma:
Pro, I love the looks and paint color, especially the front view. My only mod so far is a Leonard paint matched camper shell.
Pro, I like the reputation of the truck and service warranty, my last truck only had a 3/36 bumper to bumper and a 6/60 drive train
Pro, I like how the suspension is smooth over the bumps...I've only off road the truck once but it really handled the bumps well

Con, I have been experiencing odd rough idle situations that have no predictability. Now that I just hit 7,000 miles it does finally seem to start leveling out.
Con, given the engine specs and HP rating and truck overall size and weight I don't feel like this should be a problem so I blame it on the trans....the truck feels really weak to me on the left side of the tach....of course is screams north of 3,500 rpms but who is really driving north of 3,500 rpms that often....I don't know its like the truck hits a huge dead spot after it shifts out of 1st there is then nothing under the pedal...feels real weak and anemic to me...I drive it in Sport mode some which helps but so far I am really not happy with the gearing in the truck...it really needs another gear stuck in there
Con, I'm really not experiencing very good gas mileage at all...I thought if it is this weak at least my mileage should be good
Con, although I do like the ride it has too much nose dive and body roll

All in all and I can't really believe I am saying this and maybe she will grow on me but I can only give her like a 6.5 out of 10 at this point which really leaves me somewhat second guessing this purchase....and I have always loved the Tacoma so I am not sure where it all went wrong....Any advice?

 

Start looking for a new truck?

 

When you say your last truck "only" had 3/36 and 6/60 warranty, the Tacoma has 3/36 and 5/60, how does that fall under A Pro?

 

Research is best done before purchase. Those are common issues with multiple threads. There are 45,000 replies to a Tune thread. That should have raised some eyebrows regarding the 3rd gen. The apologists should be here soon to set you straight and/ or make fun of you or Ford.

Some will say it has to "learn" your driving style. I didn't experience that. I too was disappointed with the third gen and sold it. But I still think Toyota makes a great truck.....or will the next redesign in 2025 as they seem to do a redesign every ten years. I look forward to seeing what Toyota does next with the Tacoma. I cannot see how it cannot be improved. Especially the drive train.

All in all, you won't lose much if you dump it. The great resale does have its benefits. If you are not happy today, I don't see where that will be changed with time. Didn't for me anyway.

 

If it upsets you that much I'd definitely be looking for something else. Especially on a vehicle with such high re sale value.

 

At least on the Tacoma you won’t have to packed the valve train full of grease like you have to do on a Ford after the warranty expires!

 

OV Tune it - that’s my advice.

Pros - you will like your truck.

Cons - $699
Cons - may void warranty.

 

It grows on you, like a fungus

Long story short , the only reason I bought this truck is because it’s the only truck my employer would agree to reimburse me for. Without going into detail of personal finances, my company pays for gas, and maintenance along with a stipend toward your vehicle payment. So they have some say so in what you buy. They took one look at the tundra ( they partner with a Toyota dealer) MPG and said not a snowballs chance in hell they are going to pick up that gas tab. The Tacoma was the compromise.
With that said, I was pretty underwhelmed at first. I really couldn’t believe how underpowered and hapless this truck was.
I’ve now come to really appreciate this truck. I wouldn’t say love it, but it does a lot of stuff right if you give it a chance. The 3.5 gets better. You get used to it, and “learn” how to drive it in the power band. It still could be worlds better, but it still cruises at 70-75. It still hauls everything I put behind it, and pulls every load I’ve put in it.
The weight distribution hitch and the Timbrens I bought for it were an excellent upgrade. I love all the aftermarket support and customization options, reminds me of my Jeep TJ in that arena.
If I were giving advice, I’d tell you don’t make reactive decisions. Commit in your head to driving it for 5000-6000 miles for a few months , then see how you feel. Do not read all the negative BS about the truck but just drive it and make up your own mind. The truck isnt going to lose hardly any value with another 5000 on the ODO, then you can make a much more informed decision

 

It's a very different driving truck for sure. I definitely like it but don't love it.
I also think when the next gen comes out with only hybrid or EV options, people will be like, damn, the 3rd Gens were the last of the good trucks, haha
I leased mine for 2 years so I'm not too worried about it right now. If they work a few kinks out and put an 8 speed tranny in that works good, I'll trade later.
For me, can't afford a Tundra not do I need that much truck so Tacoma it is, what other option is there really???

 

The dealership gave me a lifetime drive train warranty + I have 3 years of oil changes and tire rotation for free.

 

oh yeah, almost forgot. Fat chicks and mother in laws slow the Tacoma way down. Avoid hauling them around at all cost

 

Well to better explain one of my Pros, I do feel confident that this truck will never leave me or my kid stranded....My Ford did breakdown on a trip to Disney and left us stranded which really sucked, it also snapped a strut the day before Christmas when I was planning a drive home for Christmas and I couldn't get a rental for over a day, and of course when the motor blew I was of course stranded then too.......so it did screw me over a good bit but man I really did LOVE that truck....I do think the Tacoma could grow on me over time.

 

My GF is Vietnamese so her and both of her kids = maybe one normal sized American

 

With TWO recalls on the Ranger ALREADY for some major issues all I have to say is good freaking luck on the FORD.
Wait til the warranty runs out and get back to us.
Instead of wasting time in here (for whatever in the world reason) posting I would be reading up on repair methods for the Ford. Time better spent. You'll need it.
Still trying to decide which one is uglier, Ranger or Ridgeline. I would have bought the Honda long before the Ford actually.

 

Not sure if this is a pro or a con exactly but I am also having to get used to the new spacial restraints....We had a lot more room in my F150....however at this point in my life the full sized truck did feel like overkill....I used to have a boat that I towed with the truck...no longer have a need to do that so I don't need to tow with the Tacoma....I really got screwed with the motor blew in the Ford....I had to come out of pocket and put a new motor in it...was going to "keep the truck forever" after then....3 weeks into the new motor and the come home from Myrtle Beach and there is a huge trans fluid puddle under the truck....AAAAHHHHHH.....I'm pretty sure none of this is going to happen to my Tacoma at 124,643 miles....I will be 46 in Dec and honestly I wanted to drive this truck to my own funeral...and I still want to do that....I guess it's just going to take some getting used to.

 

I really need to drive the AT. I say trade it in for a MT or OV Tune.

 

I watched LeMans, which makes me think that hybrids could make everyone say that all previous Gens sucked. That or mileage obsessed drive trains will make us wish for leaded gas and big blocks.

 

OP, I enjoyed reading your review. I need to put more miles on my new ‘19 TRDOR before I can fully contribute my own thoughts based on my last new PU being a 95 F350 crew cab Dually with the Powerstroke. So far they are positive. I just sold a 98 ranger which has served well over the last 10 years I owned it. I really think I have a more favorable view of my new toy. As my first FWD I totally accept the suspension performance as is. If I wanted more street sporty feel, I would have test drove a TRD sport (which I did not do). I’m an odd-ball I guess in that I like the engine and auto trans. I’m good with a little smooth and lazy feel when I don’t mash the throttle and also OK which the response when the peddle is matted. I don’t drive in sport mode or ECT unless towing. What I wish was different is that my truck isn’t smaller, like the old ranger. I like the compact truck and Off-Road, it would seem an advantage. I even feel like the Toyota hood was designed to give the driver a “manly big truck” experience. After two F350s, I’m really over it.

My kids are growed up en I got me a new dog. My new Toy is really nice.

 

As for the "rough idle", its probably normal. There's a lot of things going on in these new engines, and they are much more efficient than engines designed even 10 years ago. Dual injectors, atkinson & otto cycle, high pressure fuel pumps, etc. Result is it makes a lot of interesting noises, and may not be as buttery smooth. On the other hand you get better fuel economy and almost double the power of the old 90's yota engines.

Honestly though, sounds like you're not happy with the truck. Use the resale value to your advantage and find something you like better.

 

Oh, I'm for it, loving driving our new Prius!