I am about to order a 2023 Access Cab 4cyl 4wd (thoughts)

I am about to order a new 2023 4 cylinder 4wd. I am getting the striped down model. just looking for an inexpensive, dependable light duty work truck. I am not expecting much from the 4 banger but would like some feedback. I am new here but longtime forum user. TIA

 

Keep in mind you don't actually order a Toyota. You put in a request, the dealer gets an allocation of trucks and tries to match your request up to their allocation as best they can. The more specific you are about a particular color or equipment package, most likely the longer you will have to wait. If you want a particular vehicle your best bet is to expand your search area. You'll have a better chance of getting what you want.

 

That was my test drive in 2020 when i went shopping for a new tacoma. Dealers in the area had no 3.5 access cabs on their lot to try so i took a drive in a 4 cylinder sr. I wasn't impressed. It felt way unpowered for the trucks mass. I had to scream its guts out just to stay with traffic when going uphill back to the dealer. The salesman sitting next to me appeared to cringe.
I guess it comes down to your expectations, and what your use to. I came from a 2001 v8 tundra that weighed just a couple hundred lbs. more, so driving that 4 cylinder wasn't for me. If you tow anything the 4 may not be what you want either, as its only rated to tow a little over half what the 6 can do.

 

X2. I had to go out of state to a larger regional dealer to find mine which still needed to be built. You are required to take some options in these tech package's you may not want in order to get what you do. Its just the way toyota builds their trucks.

 

Yeah, I'll co-sign what's already been said. You don't really order one, but the 4cyl is a bullet proof engine. You'll hear thousands of stories about guys who drove theirs for 300 - 400k miles just by doing regular maintenance (oil changes, tuneups, fluid flushes, etc..).

Enjoy your new truck when you get it and welcome to the club!

 

I remember, when full sized 4x4 trucks had 6 cylinders with less than 100hp., the 4 banger will do just fine.

 

I have a 2017 SR Utility Package 4 banger. The 2.7 liter is not a small engine. Great vehicle. Mine is a 5 speed manual, which is an added plus, although the auto version is also a great vehicle.

Here’s an example of its ability: I just drove through a severe downpour, with some minor flooding on an interstate. The truck performed beautifully.
Just another routine day in the life of this workhorse.

 

As long as you live somewhere flat, the 2.7L is fine. It sucks donkey balls at elevation and on inclines though, such as Colorado.

 

I bought a 21 2.7l 4x4. I love the thing. But do note it is a slow truck but it’ll last you for ever and get you anywhere. I drove mostly flat land at 70mph and motor has no issue. Even in the mountains it puts in work. One of the best most reliable configs.

 

I had a 2.7 4cyl in 18 and I put larger good year duratracs on and it did use a fair bit of power to get it up to speed and I was at 14l per 100... I have only had my trd pro for a few weeks and seem to be around 9l per 100

 

I had a 1999 Tacoma with a 4 cylinder and a 2009 Suzuki Equator (a Nissan Frontier with some differences) also having a 4 cylinder. Both keep up with normal flatland traffic. Both pulled a jetski fine. I needed extra power to keep up speed on hills when towing heavier trailers.
Keep in mind that a 4 cylinder will make your truck sell for thousands less whether new or used. The 6 cylinder is like money in the bank that gives you a lot more power while using the same amount of gas.

 

had a '17 2.7. Awesome little truck, you'll love it

 

As always when a question is asked, there are always multiple and sundry answers. Rarely do you get an 80/20 split which would really help. Normally, it's more like 50/50 which doesn't really help. A 3.5 is the better way to go for a # of reasons mentioned. However, the 4 is also a good engine, depending on your use and how much you can spend. Not sure how much more $$ the 3.5 is than the 4, but it seems if you can, go for the 3.5.

 

Do you want an Access Cab with or without rear seats? I fold up my rear seats and built a dog platform similar to post #1 on this link. Give that some thought as to what would be best for your work truck.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/access-cab-dog-platform-udpate-pics.72761/

 

It is a small engine, my supercharger has almost as much displacement as it.

It is a capable and reliable engine though when treated properly and used with knowledge that it won't perform like a full size truck.

 

What a shame you can’t get that truck with a manual transmission.

 

x2 on this. This should be your deal breaker

 

Some of the stuff in this video is kind of stupid (like the drag race and the towing MPG comparison), but it does raise some good points. If towing capacity and/or max payload are a concern then the 2.7L might not be the best choice.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFSCkrx6RT0

 

4cyl access cab is still the best Taco if you don't want to tow anything but maybe a small utility trailer. Exactly what I wanted in 2018-19. Then when I finally went to purchase one in 2021 they no longer offered it in a manual and based on my test drives the 4cyl was more enjoyable without the auto. I've been happy with the V6 auto though so YMMV.

https://youtu.be/ei5yC4IdDhs?t=1140

4cyl is basically bulletproof.

 

I dont find it to be all that bad, it just revs higher. I came out of 3.4 and so far the worst MPG I have gotten with the 2.7 is about equal to the best I got with the 3.4. At altitude is requires a down shift but it aint the end of the world. Someone above said it screams its gut out to keep up with traffic, honestly the red line is too low for it to scream its guts out.