Four years in a Tacoma, a frustrating experience

OP - I'd maybe avoid the Tundra since it is still so new. (Also not as impressive as the F150 in any aspect)

In my apples to oranges comparisons between a family member's high mileage 2012 Ram HEMI and many 3rd gens, the old Ram is just a more pleasant vehicle to drive. (Meaning the new generation is that much better) It corners with hardly any body roll, it rides softer and more refined, it has gobs of power, and the old 6 speed is programmed better.

 

OP rehashes some well-known and thoroughly discussed pros and cons. Sorry, but there's nothing new here. Would owning a Colorado, Canyon, Frontier, Ranger or Maverick (assuming you can get one) be any less of a "frustrating experience?" How about a new 70 K new Tundra? I doubt it. All these trucks have their strengths and weaknesses, but for some reason, Tacos are the most sought after, are historically very reliable, have the highest resale, and are the most popular.

Frustrations arise from unrealistic expectations. Were yours?

 

You make some good points, but as a former Ford guy, I'll quibble on a couple of them.

CAFE regulations have always drawn a distinction between car and truck fleets. So economical sedan numbers don't offset gas guzzling trucks at all. Cars have one CAFE number and trucks another. Now it's even further broken down by vehicle footprint.

Ford went all-in on turbos early across the board when it became clear in the early 2000s that CAFE numbers were going to escalate quickly. They knew from their experience with turbos in '80s that they're great for gaming fuel economy numbers. They can make good fuel economy when driven gently (as on an EPA test cycle) but still make good power (at the expense of economy) when driven harder.

V8 power was a cash cow for both the Mustang and the F150 and economical turbo models were the only way they could keep making them and make CAFE numbers. Along the way they've been able to shift some buyers in that direction which is a win but it wasn't without some bumps along the way.

But give Ford credit for reading the writing on the wall sooner than most.

Ford's car sales weren't bad, they just suffered from the same steady decline as everything in the car market as buyers shifted toward CUVs. Dropping cars was less about sales and more about profitability. Regardless of sales, a compact CUV is more profitable for them than than a compact car. So they wanted to double down in the CUV space and there was no way in their manufacturing paradigm to add more CUVs and maintain their car lineup. Especially when faced with regulations that were going to force them to add electric production at the same time.

Ford has gone through this truck/SUV obsession phase multiple times over the years. The accountants take over and everything goes to hell. Every time they do it, their buyers get older and when the market shifts again they lose market share. I think that history is going to repeat itself after this cycle.

Credit where it's due, bringing back the Ranger and the Bronco were big wins. Well duh, that should have been done long ago. Ditto the Maverick. A small pickup like the Maverick should have been obvious for Toyota long before Ford.

 

If you don’t have a smile on your face when you exit any vehicle get the fuck rid of it

 

Bang on right. Love getting in my cozy Tacoma (while recognizing its limitations). Ditto my '15 Mazda6 (now my son's) that I steal for weekend errands. Love that vehicle.

 

im 6' and have a shorter torso... I figured that out when getting fit multiple times for hiking backpacks... size med lol... with the electric seats my taco not even all the way down I have a lot of extra head room... luckily I fit... I have been looking at the previous gen tundra double cab (not the crew max) for more shoulder space front and rear inside the cab. but 20-23 mpg hwy is nice with the taco and

 

No towing power? This truck will do what you ask it to if you ask it nicely and realize, it's gonna do it in it's own way.

 

There are more factors then just “you should have test driven the truck”. I knew right from the start I was going to have a love/hate relationship with this truck but it was the best truck I could afford at the time. For me it’s a stepping stone. There’s a lot I don’t like about this truck, but I know it’s going to have the best resale value and reliability during ownership. Eventually I’ll trade up to a full size. Personally I agree with OP on the majority of the dislikes and I think Toyota just missed the mark on this gen Tacoma. In the meantime, I enjoy it for it is, but I look forward to moving on.

 

Considering Toyota altered the design of the truck in subsequent model years, I do not believe my expectations of comfort and a predictable powertrain are unrealistic.

I have an old 2006 Honda CR-V on all terrains, a 2019 Honda Pilot, and a 2016 CX-5. I only have issues with the Tacoma. It’s by far the worst seating position of all my vehicles. The cruise control is simply nonfunctional. The transmission shifts around like crazy. The floor height is higher than in small crossovers. It’s bizarre.

It’s because I have other vehicles that I realize how much the Tacoma bothers me. The Pilot has a 3.5 engine and 6 speed transmission and doesn’t have nearly the same power delivery issues. Its seats are way, way more comfortable. My friend’s modified Ranger Tremor and Wranger Rubicon both drive substantially more predictably with better seating positions.

It is just the Tacoma. Like I said, there are things I like about it. It is better off road than a Ranger Tremor, for one.

 

Ha ha! I had a 2019 ranger, and it sucked. SUCKED! Seats were terrible in it. Cushion wore out in less than 20,000 miles, and it felt like you were sitting in a bucket . Tacoma seats are way,way better. I'm 6" 200 lbs, and the ranger was uncomfortable for anything over a 20 minute drive. It sucked in so many other ways too. Endless trips to dealer for warranty issues. Virtually no floor heat. Terrible shifting trans. Absolutely the worst brakes of any vehicle I have ever driven or owned. I could go on, but you get the picture.The Tacoma is better, in my opinion,in nearly every way than the ranger.

 

Wow! so no test drive before you bought it? Did you just grow overnight?

I'm 6.0ft and have never had any issues with my 2020. I did do a 90 minute test drive, so I knew I liked it before I bought it.

Sounds like you need an F150.

 

i agree with most of what the OP posted. i may try seat jackers to see if that improves the comfort on longer drives. i'm six foot one hundred ninety pounds with a thirty three inch inseam, and two hours is about all i can take before i need a break and to get out of the truck.

there's no question the power band of the engine is odd, as many have said starting when this gen was first introduced. the MT helps somewhat.

if there was a choice between the 4.0 and 3.5, the vast majority would choose the 4.0. that's telling right there.

while i understand there are many things you cannot determine from a test drive, engine power is not one of them. the power should not be a surprise to anyone that buys this truck. i find it adequate and what i expected, no surprises there. in stock form, the fuel mileage is also acceptable.

my biggest complaint is the materials and poor assembly. the squeaks, rattles, and lack of rigidity really came to light after the first few thousand miles. i fixed some of them but this truck is a pos when it comes to materials and assembly. without question one of the worst vehicles i have owned that includes many other BOF trucks.

i think these trucks are over-rated for everyday use but understand their appeal especially to those that off-road a lot.

i'm grateful for the re-sale value and look forward to moving on when the time is right.

 

Huh. I’m 6’2 and 190lbs. My head is nowhere near the headliner, and I sit in a relatively upright position. Also, sometimes with the seat all the way back, I’ll feel like sliding ahead a notch or two.
I don’t have the V6, just the l’il 4 banger. I live in NE VT and have plenty of hills (read mountains) to travel daily. I don’t really feel too much gear hunting with the auto transmission, I just know it’s time to kick it down a gear.

 

Made me laugh.
Maybe the OP needs to go full-size…..

 

I love that blue.

 

Not a thing in this lifetime is perfect. Guys buy trucks, then wish it was fast like a sports car. Guys buy sports cars, then wish it can do the weekly Home Depot run. Nothing checks all the boxes. (Except for our beloved little pups.) One caveat is , that if you maintain these lousy Tacomas, and don't butcher them. You will get back a lot when you sell it.

 

I’m 6’1” also and haven’t experienced the uncomfortable seating. Wondering if now that you put this thought in my head I’ll start feeling the great disdain. You know how new things pop up for our trucks on here and we don’t even know what they are for- but we want it and get anyways?!

 

I never said the Ranger was a higher quality truck. But you’re comparing your ‘22 Tacoma which has different seats and tune from a 2019 Tacoma.

Please read the disclaimer.

They changed the seat design after 2019.

 

It's still weird.

 

OP what you want doesn't exist. Just like there is no perfect tool for every job. I have a 2016 OR and never had any of these issues. Oh and im 6'5". I dream about jumping in my rig every time. Modded heavily yes, blood, sweat, tears of course. But its the way I like it.

EXPECTATIONS > REALITY