Toyota Needs to Step Up!

I like the basic Tacomas less tech is my preference. I also like the TRD Pro line up, I'd like to see less tech on those. I also like the Raptor, Bronco, RAM TRX, Rebel, and Power Wagon. The GM AT trucks, The ZR2. Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator is cool, I like the Rubicon trim overall.

I still like less tech, especially the frivolous nonsense that you don't need to operate a vehicle.

I'd still like to see some offroad oriented Lexus offerings SUV and pick up. I know the market probably isn't there, but I want to see a Lexus badged Hilux, Lexus LH F-Sport Off Road Edition. That could be the icing on the TRD Pro cake.

 

I'd like to see a Tacoma with factory lockers front and rear. and less tech stuff. I searched until I could find the most basic TRD OR 4x4.

 

Gimme a bigger engine and a bigger screen on the stereo and I’m good.

 

why has nobody mentioned the 2020 Nissan Titan Pro4x? Yes it's a full size truck but it starts at the same price as a new trd offroad.

 

Toyota doesn't need to do a damn thing, people are paying 2020 prices for 2016s right now.

 

You never did. Everyone’s panties in a bunch because you want more options than trim and some basic suspension upgrades. The forum is for opinions too. Everyone should relax

I don’t think they need to “step up” as they are crushing sales. But as far as options on trim and models and differences. I wouldn’t mind seeing more options. They have our money. They can afford the R&D

 

Or just give us the option of the Toyota made 1GD-FTV turbo diesel that comes in the 2015+ Hilux! 2020 variant is 201hp and 370 lb ft tq!

 

The real travesty is not one person has mentioned that you can't fit a quadruple gulp drink in any of these so called "cup holders". Worst road trip vehicle ever. Nor can you fit a weeks worth of empty calories into the poor excuse for a center console storage bin. We can get to V8 engines and front lockers later. Let's address the real issues first.

 

lolol -- my 6 speed manual has 2 cup holders up front at least. But yeah. No big Gulps

 

I think I seen one the other day. F-150 gets my vote over the Titan. I do want to see how the new Frontier looks.

 

Need to find a donor Highlander and swap the interior. The center console on that bad boy holds enough 5-Guys to feed a family of four, with room left over for some Dairy Queen Blizzards. JD Power voted it the choice vehicle for people wanting that 15,000 calorie a day diet.

 

This is what the people demand. and we all know how reliable JD Power is

 

I get what you’re saying, OP, and I agree with you — I’d love to see Toyota dress up their Tacoma lineup with additional trim levels. Trim levels that were more unidirectional than their one-size-fits-all trims of today. I’d actually like to see an even LOWER trim level to the SR, too. Manual everything, including transmission. Call the lower trim the Cheap Bastard, or Peasant Trim. I’d be for it.

However, I believe that while Toyota is going to “innovate” with their next Tacoma, it’s going to be in a direction that many of us won’t agree with, at least at first. We’ll probably see a turbo 4 cylinder as the only engine option, then a year or two after that we’ll get a hybrid variant. More gears in the automatic transmission, etc.

We’ll see different trim levels, but the differences won’t be anything game-changing.

I think this debate we’re all having, right now, will be more relevant in the next 5-10 years. After the domestics have offered all manner of options and accessories for their little trucks, Toyota will still count on their consumers to modify their own vehicles for their individual needs/wants. I fully believe that we will see FEWER options. On paper it’ll look like more, but in practice not so much. We’ll see Toyota introduce a little CUV based pickup before we see them go hard in the paint in the off road world.

I don’t even think that Toyota would do any drastic redesign of the Tacoma if their market dominance dropped off the map. They would change their strategy, sure, but they’re not going to chase the other manufacturers by offering similar trinkets, gimmicks, or even genuine off-road items like front lockers.

We’re living in the golden era of trucks for our generation. At least I think so. Could be wrong. But I don’t imagine there will ever be a time when it’s easier to modify our trucks. I understand that’s not your point, OP, and I’m with you on that — but Toyota would have to change so much to make it happen and I don’t see that being their corporate culture. It’s a shame, but that’s where we’re at.

 

While we are at it how about up/down volume control on steering wheel instead of side-to-side. Wtf engineer thought that made sense.

 

I often wondered about that. The only reasoning I can think of is that the button matches the graphics seen on the radio - volume has a horizontal bar while tracks have "up/down" visuals. But that asks the question of why didnt they just program the visuals to match a button...

 

Very much agree with you on a super basic taco. Like white single cab manuals. Ext too

 

All good thinking. All certainly very plausible. I will say this -- given Toyota's history of striving for reliability and market dominance (it is in their DNA!), there has to be a group at Toyota sitting in their business offices absolutely freaking out about this chart. Yes, they outsold the Ranger 2 to 1. Yes, they probably sold it at higher margin. But they are not ignoring the fact that for all of its bumps and bruises, the Ranger sold half the amount they did in the same period. Yes, I would still rather be Toyota. But that can't have gone unnoticed.

 

That was the first thing I noticed when I tried using the steering wheel controls. I thought it was quite strange. But not as aggravating as where they placed the clock in the 1st Gen Tacoma where no one could see the damn thing without leaning over to the right.

 

as you mentioned, the button matches the horizontal bar of the volume on the screen. Plus the up down is for the station list which is vertical. Makes sense to me

 

Makes sense to me
It's switching tracks that should left and right, not up and down.