Four years in a Tacoma, a frustrating experience

Detroit pumped out 10 mph "family vehicles" during gas shortages, letting Datsun/Nissan, Honda, Toyota take market share, because people loved 454 cu-in displacement. That was then. Anyone who just ignores the government edicts about performance/emissions is simply blocked from selling. This is now.

 

Not sure what point you are trying to make?

 

5.29s would have been better especially if you're towing and have larger wheels and tires. I also hate the cruise control radar lol. If I was uncomfortable driving it though I would sell the truck in a heartbeat.

 

You can not tell if it is good or not... you need to drive more (other than test drive) in order to find any issues, such as hills, off road, whatever you use it for to find the problem.

FYI: '19 and '21 have different seats meaning '19 has normal seat while '21 has electric seat.. Factory started installing electric seats in Tacomas in 2020. '19 and older can get seat jackers if this helps..

 

Never understood the seating position complaint. I'm 6'0 and the seats fit just fine. The high floor just makes the seating position car-like. Rather have that than the lowered floor on the 4Runner, which eats into belly clearance.

 

I don’t really buy that as a whole, but maybe partially. Toyota has preferred high revving v6 engines with dismal low end torque for a while now. I’m sort of convinced they just don’t care to - people buy them anyway and come in droves to defend them.

 

I won’t go through your whole list, but I can understand where you’re coming from on the seats. I’m 5’10” and they’re tolerable at best. Whenever I drive my wife’s 2019 Expedition and then get back in my Tacoma, I miss the space.

 

I enjoy helping people too much for that.

 

Funny 6-4 here 32 inseam. My head doesn’t even come close to the headliner. I think every one of these damn trucks is different even if it is built right after the one ahead of it on the assembly line. Who knows. I know I’m comfortable and have driven it over 1800 miles one way and didn’t have an issue. But then again I’m used to being crammed in Blackhawks hummers and the likes.

 

Here is what behind my seat looks like regarding recline.

 

4 years is a pretty long test drive!
I'm not sure if repeating a review of problems that have been very well documented on a Tacoma enthusiast forum is going to get you much sympathy or provide anything that hasn't been said a thousand times over. We have all heard these complaints again and again, we get it, we drive the same trucks there are solutions (although not always perfect solutions) to all of your complaints. It's not perfect, nothing ever is. Get the full size truck and we'll see you in the Tundra forum
I'm assuming there will be shortcomings of any truck you buy, you just need to figure out which of those shortcomings you are willing to live and drive with

 

Definitely sounds like you’re in the wrong truck, OP…good luck whichever direction you go.

 

Seems like you’re looking for a full sized truck and bought a Tacoma and were disappointed

 

And there you go! Individual experience almost always differs!

 

After a few yrs I think most owners find things they don't care for in a vehicle and either get something else or give it to their kids.

 

I'm not defending it, but they do see the boundaries that the regs impose, and they have always been conservative. If you are doing the long running minimal changes model that Toyota runs with, you have to prioritize the efficiency over power if you want the powertrain to run more than a 5 year life span. That's why they went with the Atkinson cycle engine. As a basic design better on fuel economy, but lacks in the power department. Same thing that makes the Telluride review all state a lack of power. It's an Atkinson cycle engine, which is a low tech/cheaper way to keep MPGs up.

With the regs applying to whole fleets, the high volume sellers have to keep the better economy numbers in order to float any models that suck fuel. That's why Ford went full tilt on the v6 turbo f150s so much sooner than other manufacturers. It's one of their higher volume vehicles, so it has to have higher numbers to shelter their thirstier but less bulk selling models. Toyota's bread and butter in the U.S. market has long been the economical sedans, selling in such numbers that they allowed the ultra thirsty 5.7 V8 of the 2nd and 2.5 Gen Tundra to have an amazing 2007-2021 model year run.

In the last few years though, bulkier less fuel efficient SUVs and crossovers have been gaining popularity. So much so that Ford dropped all their cars except the Mustang. Fiesta, Focus, Fusion... all hilarious when adding "anal" to the front (works for most Ford models), and all dropped due to lacking sales. As SUV/CUV demand rises, the ability for Toyota to float lower efficiency models with sedan sales begins to suffer. The RAV4 and Highlander just can't carry the same regulatory load that the Corolla and Camry did. Combine that with other brands using tiny displacement forced induction engines to show good numbers for regs and not be gutless (look at when they dropped the 2.4L NA Tigershark engine in the Jeep Renegade lineup in favor of a Turboed 1.3L) and you wind up having people expecting performance AND economy. Hybrids and EVs add to this burden.

All of that adds up to 6 cylinders being gutless or forced induction. There's no room for middle ground anymore, and I'd be shocked if the next decade doesn't end naturally aspirated engines in 90% of passenger vehicles in the US market. California will mandate the emissions, and no automaker will risk losing that huge slice of the auto buying pie, so the rest of the nation will only get vehicles that pass whatever CA is demanding.

 

I appreciate your narrative...priorities are listed very well.

Although, I have purchased a brake controller/not yet installed...I have not pulled a "rented" trailer. (One day, wife & I might hit the trail)

Anyhow, the seating position seems to be the biggest challenge for you. Is it a power seat or manual?

I've got a 30" inseam so leg room is not an issue for me. I'm 5' 7" so my torso does not reach the ceiling...and I keep the seat at the lowest setting.

My Sport has the OTT tune...8.0 with Gear Lock. I've tested it (without a payload) with ECT/S-Mode 5 and it produces torque unimaginable!

I've also learned to adjust the TSS *DRCC for better distance keeping to prevent drivers from cutting into my lane. (I've got aftermarket grill/garnish)

The furthest I've driven from Dover, DE is to Chincoteague, VA which is roughly 100+ miles--I had no issues w/seating position or the armrest location.

If this truck does not meet your needs, by all means get something else.

As a daily driver for someone who does not consider himself an "Off-Roader", this first NEW Toyota truck suits me just fine.

*DRCC - Dynamic Radar Cruise Control

 

No need to bail just because you drive something else. Stick around and share what the new ride is and the adventures that it brings!

 

Having Toyota trucks all my life I am used to compromises and rust. A truck (to me) is an appliance. I wanted a Ram this time but didn't want to pony up an extra 10K+ for the price of admission. My two major complaints are the seating position (which has been 100% rectified with front seat jackers) and fuel mileage. My brother averages almost 23 mpg in his 2020 Ram 5.7. I struggle to average 18 mpg. I don't whine too much about it because it is a truck, but it is baffling to me why Toyota's are so thirsty.