Atkinson Engine

Hey all, I had a 2017 Tacoma that I sold in 2020 when moving across the country because of how disappointed I was int the tuning on the Atkinson engine. I'm in the market again for a new truck, has Toyota figured out the Atkinson engine yet with the newer 22 models, or still the same shift point issues that plagued it when the 3rd Gens came out?

 

They drive virtually the same, the factory driveability updates have stopped and only aftermarket solutions can make the experience better.

I will say they don't rapidly downshift like your 17 did, but its still not perfect.

The issue is the power band and need for more gears to work with it.

 

Just take one for a test drive and figure out yourself. Everyone has different opinion on the matter . Doing so will prevent you from having another buyers remorse . Only a tune can make it a lot better .

 

If you buy one, tune and re-gear.
Good luck.

 

Buy a manual and then you don't have shift point problems, you can pick your own.

 

I have no experience with how re gearing effects the drive-ability, but after my OTT tune the truck drives like it should have from the factory. Highly recommend as it fixed all the shift point issues and added better MPG

 

KDMax tune for the win!

 

True, although then with the direct connection to the rear wheels you then feel the effects of Toyota's crappy engine tune.

 

I had a new 3rd gen in 2016 and now a 2022 model. They drive exactly the same.

 

I have been quite happy with mine... but then I did come from a Corolla XRS 6MT with the 2ZZ-GE 1.8L. You want to feel a weak tune... drive one of those for 8 years. The Tacoma is awesome in comparison.

 

Mine has no issues whatsoever with shifting... oh wait, mine is a manual and only shifts when I want it to.

 

Dang, I can't imagine much worse than this without literal stalling and backfiring. Mine reminds me of old two stroke engines when they were about to foul plugs

 

Tune and regear

 

I drove a 2018 OR DCLB for 30,000 miles before it got wrecked. I've been driving my 2022 OR DCLB for 6,100 miles. Shifting is vastly improved, as are RPMs, they are much lower when accelerating while passing another vehicle.

 

My 21 shifts just like a 21 ford v8 f-series with a 6 speed auto. Almost identical on the same roads/conditions I drive daily. The v6 just has less power and is more noticeable. YMMV. I have no complaints.

 

2018 here and KDMAX Pro tune here and its a blast to drive and a completely different driving truck. Tune it and enjoy it.

 

My 22 is fine, and I haven’t experienced the issues others refer to.

 

Interesting. My 2017 and my 2020 were noticeably different in how they drove. Enough to fix all of the problems? No, but still a major improvement in my opinion.

 

AMEN! It works for me...

 

My 2018 sucked, my 2020 is perfect, relative to shifting / gear hunting. Not sure why.