New generation Toyota truck in 2021?

Much as everyone would like a turbo with a 3.5L, the only reasons to add it are more speed or more power. Most truck buyers are not really into speed, and anyone who wants more power will go with a full-size truck. So I think the idea of a >300 HP Tacoma is just wishful thinking.

 

If Toyota puts a turbo under the hood and at least an 8 speed transmission, I will be inclined to purchase it. If it offers good fuel economy as well which is a given on a turbo. The weakest link on a (3rd gen) Tacoma is a drivetrain as far as I'm concerned.

But I won't be an early adopter again That's for sure. the 2016 was a major disappointment for me.

 

I think you're wrong on that. I paid far more for the Ranger then I would have for an F-150 with a $10,000 discount. I have no use for full size pickup truck. I like to park in my garage and be able to walk around them. I also don't care for all the drama with the small parking spaces that seemed to be so common.

No one who buys a midsize wants a full size. I could have bought a full size and saved money but I don't want a full-size truck. The power of the Ranger is more than enough and it's capable of over 300 horsepower easily

300HP is doable if Toyota decides its best for their market. Because they know they'll sell every truck they make no matter what they put under the hood

 

One of the main criticisms of the Tacoma is its powertrain. The fact that its competition is easily making those numbers, IMO, makes a >300 HP Tacoma very likely. Remember, most buyers don’t know much about their vehicles past the sticker.

 

That’s certainly true, but most people aren’t that sophisticated.

When I got my RV, diesel was quite a bit cheaper relative to gas, so it was a no-brainer. At the time, used diesel RV’s held their value, whereas petrol depreciated much faster. Not sure if that’s still true, but I would still prefer diesel for an RV.

My friend who has a BMW 535d did the same calculation and decided that diesel was the way to go.

 

I think the Colorado LT or ZT1 gets 309 HP, but I also think it costs more for a similar setup to the Tacoma. Same 0-60 and same towing capacity as the Tacoma, plus no manual transmission.

Toyota could possibly crank another 10% out of the engine through engineering mods, as Mazda did with the Miata. Or go with a 4L engine. But again I think the market among truck buyers for an additional 30-plus HP just for bragging rights is very very small.

 

I believe the Colorado hits 60 in around 6 seconds.

 

Apparently so re’ the LT. I was looking at info for the ZR2. That’s pretty speedy for a truck. But 7 seconds for the Tacoma isn’t bad compared to vehicles just a few years ago.

Would anyone on this site buy a Colorado LT over a Tacoma just because it had more HP and was 1 second speedier 0-60?

I admit there’s some competition in this segment, and that’s a good thing. I doubt Toyota is going to try to outpower the Colorado with their next update, I think they will just update the tech and styling and probably the auto transmission. I could be wrong of course.

 

How much time do you think is needed for Toyota to figure out turbos? A low pressure turbo like in my '93 MR2 turbo which I have owned for close to 20 years has not given me any problems, neither did a '88 Celica Altrac that I once owned. I also own a '91 Dodge Cummins and use to own a '06 Volvo XC70 with a low pressure turbo, again with no turbo problems. Toyota has also sold earlier gen turbo Supras and turbo Tacomas.

 

When did they sell a factory off the lot twin turbo Tacoma? Not a turbo diesel and not a single turbo on a little sports car. If it's so easy, beneficial and profitable, then yes, good question why it's not already in production.

They are nice, my wife owned a '13 Hyundai Sonata with a 2.0T and it was quite zippy.

 

I thought Toyota offered a TRD turbo, but perhaps it was a supercharger, at one time. Anyways, my point is that low pressure turbos are reliable and efficient but that isn't necessarily a reason for Toyota to offer a turbo. Besides, Toyota is known for doing odd stuff that sometimes doesn't make sense...so you never know turbo or no in the future Taco.

 

What? My taco’s cabin is huge compared to my 84 that it replaced

 

Yeah specially considering the partnerships Toyota has had with Subaru who happens to know a few things about Turbo Engineering, albeit on horizontally-opposed motors. I agree the first year may not be the best for a plethora of reasons but to say Toyota can't turbo a vehicle is silly considering the knowledge they likely have industry wide.

The rest of the industry has relied on turbos to increase MPG while Toyota has relied on hybrid tech and I would not be surprised if we see more of a hybrid model for Tacoma and maybe Turbo V6 for Tundra.

 

Hybrid really seems like a likely solution to our problems.

I dont see the Tacoma going turbo V6 when the Tundra is as well and they're gonna be sharing more parts. That just adds cost across the board and muddies the waters between the two. If you want power: Tundra

Electric motivation works for both trucks, can help us get the down south torque we clamor for, is something Toyota has a lot of experience and reputation with, and offers the most benefits.

If Toyota exercises the potential benefits you could get with Hybrid power, rather than simply sandwiching an electric motor between the engine and transmission, we'll have a winner.

If the Tacoma does go turbo, it'll be with a four cylinder. Gas 4's will give us the same or more power and have been getting closer and closer to diesels. This will also give us the torque some crave while likely pairing with efficiency and good road manners. I think a Turbo I4 Taco would be well received.

 

Everyone needs a OV Tune twin turbo V6 I think.

 

With the new Tundra coming out, it might be hard to resist a 6.5ft box. Most likely better fuel mileage than the current Tacoma and more power.

Sure do like driving and parking my Tacoma compared to my Crewmax though

 

Agreed! The Tacoma footprint is worth a lot of weight in that equation.

 

I agree with you, very unlikely that the Tacoma does a turbo V6. A turbo I4 like the Ranger is way more likely for the Tacoma and would probably be exactly what is needed. Toyota does have a lot of experience with turbos overseas (yes, mostly in diesel) they just haven't used them until very recently in America. Toyota is committed to electrification but what I see happening is that the turbo I4 would be the standard powertrain and a hybrid or plug in hybrid would be available if you wished to spring for it.

 

The more that I think about it, though, the more hybrid + 3.5 V6 seems more likely.

Toyota is not one to be bold, they like playing it safe and going with tech that they know will be reliable. Side note: The 3.5TT Tundra is bold, though it can afford to be since it's far from leading it's market and Ford has already done the heavy lifting in convincing truck buyers that a TT V6 is viable. I don't see them going new engine + new truck + hybrid with the Tacoma, so it'll most likely be a new truck with a hybrid 3.5, since Hybrid systems and the 3.5 V6 are known entities.

Toyota just doesn't have any turbocharged four cylinders (that they developed) and certainly nothing that could be adapted for a body on frame application to their standards. They've also shown a habit with the rest of their product lines keeping the 3.5 V6 while their competitors move to turbo 4's. The current Camry and even the new Highlander retains a V6 in the face of downsizing competition across their segments.

 

By 2025, Toyota plans on offering a hybrid option in every model vehicle in its fleet iirc