Ford Raptor blows the doors off Tacoma TRD PRO

@Hogleg918

If you're mortgage free, it means you likely do make enough money to buy a G4, but are wise enough to know better.

 

Think the full-size truck market customers are loyal to the domestics.

Tundra was created for Toyota customers who want/need a bigger truck than the Tacoma. Don’t think Toyota wants the best selling full-size overall, just wanting to keep loyal customers within the brand. I look at it like this, Ford is a truck company that makes cars, Toyota is a car company that makes a handful of trucks.

My next might be a 1 Ton, would be nice to stay with Toyota, but since they don’t make one.

 

Agreed, except for Ram lol.
https://www.theautopian.com/ram-truck-owners-have-wandering-eyes/

 

Lol!

Well, I have been looking at Fords and Chevys. Sure do like how Ford does their rear storage over the Tundra.

My totes and gear bags would fit better in the Ford.



Tundra looks about useless and annoying.

 

That flat floor is amazing.

 

Not sure why they don’t all do that. Some guys are concerned about all out power, and I am looking at how much shit can I fit in the cab and how easily… lol! Why I was a little upset seeing the AC going away. Oh well, just buy something else next go around. Not like it will effect a juggernaut like Toyota.

 

As a contractor who uses a Tacoma for a work truck, I love the storage solutions and payload numbers. I guess I should focus more on places to put my unused tow straps and fishing pole instead...

I was crushed they did away with the doors an the AC/XC. Completely rules that out for me unfortunately. I have a DC, so no biggie to get another, but I would prefer the AC for a work truck, but I need a door man.

 

Mirroring mabeprobably’s comments about some issues and auto reviewer sentiment, also that it’s objectively last in value compared to Ford and GM and pretty hideous looking without a lift. Not sure what Toyota is trying to achieve at this point. I’ve always accepted you get less from Toyota for a bit more. But Ford is leading the segment and has the pedal to the metal still. There’s only so many Toyota die hards to sustain their prices because they aren’t growing customer base with what they sell.

already seeing 6-8k markdowns on the Capstone. Expecting smaller discounts on the lower models by the end of the year.

 

Toyota really needs to migrate the Sequoia nose over to the Tundra ASAP and take a Mulligan. Lifted Tundras do look good, but that nose is Buzz's girlfriend.

 

Pretty clear that Toyota wanted to forget sales volume & push Tundra upmarket. Only so many they can build anyway, so fatten up the per truck margins. The Limited seems like it’s the entry level truck now with Platinum, Pro & Capstone. None of them look particularly good or seem worth the money. I’m gonna miss the big, dumb, reliable Tundra that was cheaper than the domestics and came w a honking V8.

I don’t see Gen4 Tacoma following that path. Showing tons of trims for all wallets, and two full factories ready to crank out Tacos around the clock. People should be much more worried about Toyota’s distributors & dealers jacking them up rather than the actual sticker price.

 

I drive an SR5 2WD It takes me everywhere I need to go and I am always on time. Raptor and TRD PRO look cool but I don't need 1.

 

Tundra is almost in a weird place, Toyota engineered a truck for a segment that the domestics fulfill, but aren't designed for. Luxury 1/2 tons. I'd put the Ram 1500 closer in comparison to the Tundra than GM and Ford.

Both Tundra and Ram 1500(excluding classic) don't offer a regular cab configuration, and even the base trim of both of those trucks are not built like tradional work trucks. GM & Ford 1/2 tons are still based on more conventional BOF truck designs, and get optioned up from there. Both GM and Ford sell a lot of those fluffed up 1/2 tons. GM, Ford, and Ram sell a lot of fluffed up HD trucks too. There's definitely a market for luxury trucks.

Despite being completely different vehicles, Tundra, and I'll include Ram 1500 in here but I'm really talking about the Tundra. The Tundra is more closely related to a Ridgeline than a 1/2 ton truck. Look at the stark difference between 2nd and 3rd gen Tundra for example. Not just the drive train and rear suspension the two trucks are very different by design.

The Tundra and Ram are almost in a different class of vehicle. They're definitely trucks but lean more towards a CUV or sedan in design. I don't say that as a slight, they are engineered that way. Both manufacturers see the market moving that direction.

Is the market moving in that direction is my question? Looks that way to me. Ram 1500 sales have gone down since it's introduction. Tundra sales have grown since 22, it's still not a big seller. I think Toyota knows what they are trying to do with the truck. There's a market for these softer 1/2 tons but if the sales aren't there what does that say?

Rivian, Lightning, GM electric, and Ram Revolution are also softer 1/2 ton trucks.

Manufacturers are also throwing out these new gen midsizes that are more capable, and offroad like. These are more like trucks by design than those softer 1/2 tons.

The Tundra probably could not have been engineered better to suit Toyota's interpretation of the American fullsize truck market. Will the market stay the course on Toyota's interpretation?

 

I take it that "market adjustments" aren't a thing when it comes to Tundras.

 

They are here.

 

This is a pretty good take and could very well true. Just something so bad about the aesthetics how the entire vehicle looks slapped together makes me think the design and implementation was a lot less orchestrated.

 

No one talks about this because it isn't an issue. On the iForce MAX Tundras the turbocharged motor can supply sufficient power to keep the battery from depleting, so it's always able to achieve peak torque. It also avoids fully charging the battery to maximize its lifespan. The hybrid powertrain in these trucks isn't the same design as a Prius'.

As someone with an electric car I think an electric motor to supplement is a great idea. Electric motors shine by providing instant torque; it makes driving my EV feel like I'm in a rocket.

 

$100k …… and combined with the absurd interest rates on nowadays.

They must be competing for the AMG , BMW M , and Italian Supercar manufacturers customers.

 

They can’t keep them on the lot. Cash laden West coasters moving here.

 

@kikoman

Great insights.

 

That's insane.