Any better driveability with the '20-'21s vs older 3rd Gens???

I've owned a couple 3rd Gens. Had a new '16 Limited, then a '19 Off Road. Currently driving an F150 and considering trading it for a new 2021 SR5 4x4 DblCab Long Bed. Of course I experienced the automatic trannys searching for gears and what-not on those Tacomas. I am wondering if Toyota has worked thru that, or atleast made some improvements, on these newer ones? If anyone that has bought a '20 or '21 that may have owned an older 3rd Gen could chime in, I'd appreciate it.

 

Yeah... I traded to a '21 6MT - gear hunting solved. I was a staunch defender of that 6AT after the initial TSB in '16, hell I've had 3 of them (long story) - but you really don't realize how bad that automatic truly is until you go back to a manual. I test drove a '21 automatic. Felt identical to the earlier model year third gens.

 

Agree, love my MT, it's much better to be in command of the gear selection.

 

I had a 2017 and now a 2020. They drive the same, especially after the latest version of the software. The 2020 still searches.

 

I just traded a 2018 OR AT for a 2020 OR AT and the driving experience is so much improved over the earlier model. Doesn't seem to lag with early acceleration, very little searching for gears at higher speeds, front end doesn't seem to dive as much when braking. Doesn't seem like the same truck, much better. I'm quite happy with it but my driving demands my be less intense than others. Mine is just a daily driver, don't tow or use for work.

 

The earlier MYs are still getting TSB tunes that bring them up to the current MY. I have 04B14 from the latest TSB on my Taco and it felt just like 04B91 from a 2020.

 

I wouldn’t go from f150 to a Tacoma unless it was an old shitty F150.

 

It's not an old shitty one. It's an '18 Super Crew 4x4 with the 2.7 loaded up with everything but leather. I just really like the Tacomas. Always have. They feel so solid on the road and feel like you can go anywhere in the thing. No rattles and fit and finish is 2nd to none. I was in the car business for 25 years and always traded often, had demos, etc. Not sure I'm gonna trade yet but I may. There's a million F150s out there for sale like mine so If I do trade and don't like it after a while, I can always go back. I'm savvy enough in the business to keep from getting burned...

 

I've never driven a 3rd gen with a manual. Like to try that maybe.

 

I've had my 18' DCLB Sport since new and at first I found it was down shifting to early and I mentioned it to them at the 2nd service and they did some update and I haven't noticed it since. I do drive pretty easy and our max speed limits here are 90km/55miles, wether or not that's makes a difference. I tow a small sailboat occasionally and a pop up camper that's around 2500lbs and I know they're there for sure but its not any great challenge by any means to pull them. I came from an 07' DCLB Sport that i had also been driving since new.

I'm not really answering your question here but I feel like everyones different driving habits may have a lot to do with how they feel their Taco is performing for them.

 

Serious question, What do you do where you can afford to get a different truck every few years? Are you just leasing them? As far as drivability if they fixed the fuel pump it'll drive 100 percent better

 

Go to your dealer and ask for a test drive. You won't be disappointed!

 

I work for myself as a Certified Real Estate Appraiser. But I was a finance mgr and/or sale mgr for 25 years in the car business. I know the lingo and I can generally trade and not really lose anything in the process. Plus I know a million people locally in the business and they know they're not gonna make anything on me when I trade. They often joke about it when we deal. And I never lease.

And fyi, the fuel pump was never the problem. It was the tranny searching for gears. The engine tranny was designed to get in the highest gear as soon as possible in my experiences. And the mpg was highly over-stated by Toyota, too. The ECT button would help the drivability but wasn't a perfect fix.

 

I went from a 2018 AT to a 2020 MT and I'm definitely not disappointed. I would find a MT in your area and take it for a good test drive. Be best if you can drive both transmissions back to back.

Edit- The best part of the manual transmission is making sure everyone knows you drive a manual transmission.

 

MT makes a world of difference, truck doesn't feel underpowered with one.

 

I'm always babying mine through the gears with S mode. The AT transmission shift points are only good for driving on flat ground.

 

Ahhh, and yet, with all these comments in a row about the transmission and engine combo, the fan boys will still say it's the way it should be. No vehicle has this abomination for gear shifting.

 

What year would be an “old shitty” F150?

 

If you want the Tacoma with automatic just prepare to get OVTune (or whatever they have rebranded to this week) and/or gears.

People complain about the F150's transmission constantly shifting because it has "so many" gears… so it's relative.

 

To be fair, there are lots of complaints about the F150 gear hunting too. I think that comes with the territory of using gearing to optimize MPG and having more gears to begin with. People also will complain that the F150 doesn't go through each gear sequentially and will skip certain gears. Well, an unloaded semi also skips gears because they aren't always necessary. My basic point is, I think it's just a symptom of where technology is going.