It’s official, the 2023 is the Tacoma to have

Surprised no one had brought that up sooner.

 

This is dejavu all over again. Are we back to summer 2015 whining about "last of great Tacomas"?

 

I like how second gen guys always try to squeeze in with the first gens. The only true classic Taco.

Except for having torque in higher RPM so you have to rev more. The 3rd gen is equal or better in every way to the 2nd gen.

Ive had both. So I know this first hand.

 

Then you are a delusional.

The 4.0L with the five speed was much better above 65mph that the six speed 3.5L. It was a much better long distance cruiser.

So not every way.

 

I’ve had it pal, I know what they’re both like. Not it wasn’t.

Save for taking a bit longer to build torque. The 3.5 is better. That’s just one aspect. Everything else is either equal or better.

 

Both blow my 1st Gen out of the water, that thing barely could go 75 comfortably on the interstate. My 3rd Gen is amazing on the interstate, cruises fine at 80, even though I like going 70. Only drive on there if I absolutely have to. Much prefer plunking along scenic bi-ways.

 

I’m comparing automatics.

 

Really think it is the cruise programing that is to blame rather than the trans. Cruise on it acts like an indecisive squirrel on crank. Off, shift’s perfectly fine, holds the proper gear.

Have been playing with it on the 100 mile round trip I have doing every Monday to the place I go riding. Cruise is terrible, get around 14-16 mpg, off acts like a normal trans, mpg jumps to 18-19. Same load, same speed.

It could be all fixed with manual trans. Shame Toyota only has it available on the upper trims, Sport since I wanted a ACLB, rather spend the extra $5000 on something else. Bit miffed it wasn’t available in the SR. Oh well, there are worse things in life. First World problems!

 

I also had an auto. 2nd gen had a slightly faster start but the 3rd gen catches up and gets better higher in the rev range.
I think the 4.0 was very nice but again, the 3.5 is very underrated.

the manual is much better than both.

 

Cruise control on my 2017 OR automatic was terrible. It was fine on my 2013 and 2015. It’s also pretty good on my 2021. I can’t wait to hear how it does at 75mph on the 2024 engines with the eight speed auto.

 

That's not saying that much, and I own one...

The "magical" 6MT that is touted on here is kind of laughable. Do I prefer it over the automatic since owning both? Well, yes, but it's a pretty damn antiquated unit.

 

the 2nd gen will always be the best gen lol

 

Outside of the Tall reverse. I have no complaints. Not being fast is not the MT fault. That’s just it being a truck.

 

This video points out some of the shortcomings of the 4th gen in relation to off-roading and overlanding. Feeling like the 3rd gen is definitely the one to stick with until the aftermarket addresses the shortcomings.

 

The dumbest response out there.

 

Very well stated.

 

But that is just it. The third gen doesn't have transmission issues as in failures or problems. That is how it drives.

 

Too much is the same. That was the problem. Even more apparent compared to the 4G. It’s like overnight the 3G turned into a dated 18 year old model.

 

Funny that they say all this torque and turbo is great for towing, but towing has been reduced to only 6000 lbs !
Keeping my 3rd gen.

 

Just turned 60K on my '19 and am more than happy to drive it indefinitely. I think a V6 Tacoma purchased in 2020 will outlast a I4 turbo Tacoma purchased in 2024, output, performance, and tech be damned.