2025 Tacomas

It's coming from a third-gen guy. Again.

 

I'm plenty critical of the 3rd gen...

Just because you bought a new truck, don't assume it’s without its shortcomings and feel a need to over justify it on here.

 

Was told by my dealer that 25's will be released same time as new 4runner and expect a 750.00 to 1000.00 price increase

 

When is the 4 runner due ?

 

Said sometime in Feb.

 

Justifying why I bought a new truck here? To a bunch of people I don't know? WTF?

I got a good look at the build quality of this generation when I attempted to relocate the rear-facing cameras from the third brake light–it's quite involved. I was quite struck by the quality.

I haven't seen any difference in the quality of any of the generations of Tacomas, and I've had them all.

 

You are correct here, but you cannot say a new platform is unreliable. We will find out in 5 years or so.

 

Ignore him, he wont listen to any opinion outside how much better the 4th gen is and dismisses anyone who doesnt own one, not much critical thinking going on.

 

I finally test drove a 4th gen last night. I didn't like it. I think the 3rd gens are better.

 

Good thing you have one. I’ve had two and I won’t know if your assertion is true for a few more years.

 

The 5th gen 4Runner beats them both. I wish I would have kept my black 2020 trd or premium 4Runner.

 

I have a 2024 4Runner Offroad Premium in Nautical Blue. I have no plans to ever sell it.

 

Pre TNGA-F vehicles I’d always contemplated trading in my 5th Gen whenever I replaced it. Not gonna happen anymore. I don’t trust the new TNGA-F vehicles yet, except maybe the Land Cruiser. Somehow that is seemingly escaping the issues so far, despite having the same transmission as the Tacoma. I’m not here to start a Japan vs USA vs Mexico made debate, the transmission comes from Japan for both vehicles. It’s also been proven with the 3rd gen taco and 2nd gen Tundra that all plants regardless can make a reliable vehicle. I’m wondering if the Land Cruiser had a higher budget, that seemed to be my impression upon initial fit and finish in the 1958 edition I test drove.

 

Magic 8 Ball sez "not likely". But, like you, I hold out hope as well. A Sport 4X4 long bed would fit me fine.

 

As much as I would have liked a Land Cruiser or Lexus GX 550, a few months ago they were way too expensive. My 4Runner was $49,000 out the door. Can't touch a Land Cruiser for that around here. Those vehicles were north of $70,000.

 

That's where I'm at. Not getting my hopes up. If they made a LB Max or LB MT, I'd be pumped, even an Extended Cab LB MT would have me over the moon. Maybe my consumerism is getting the best of me.

 

We had a few 1958s at MSRP for 63k, quickly discounted to 58-60k. I never paid attention to the Land Cruiser grade nor first edition just because I knew they were completely out of my price range, and then I found out my wife isn’t a fan of the Land Cruiser, so that took it out of the running entirely lol.

 

We had the choice of both models at two dealers. One Land Cruiser arrived same day our Tacoma did. If you looked close you could see the sorts of imperfections that bother some with both. More important though is the Land Cruisers were all arriving and getting ramped up later so likely why they don't have the transmission TSB just like our made later Tacoma.

From our testing so much and having had prior generation Toyota 4x4s, same V6 families and the prior 6 speed automatic it is really simple. All were and are good but a lot of the 4th gen bashing is inane or parochial behavior. As good as the earlier models are, the 4th gen Tacoma is steps or leaps better in significant ways. It achieves top safety pick earlier and competing models lack. The driving position and comfort are improved and it is very quiet. Mine being work and utility oriented keeps showing the torque and gearing as a good improvement.

There's a 186 mi single leg trip I've done often for decades thus many different vehicles including rentals and others. It's twisty hilly backroads, freeway, in town, better two lane and a gravel road short cut option. The 4th gen Tacoma stands out for the comfort or lack of fatigue, holding speed limit when the prior V6 screams in pain, and good fuel economy. That with the top safety pick make it a worthy risk.

W've had other Toyotas first year for a generation or mid gen updates that were significant. There were naysayers and hiccups where issues were covered by Toyota. Years later those vehicles all proved great and what the arm chair directors said would be horrible were highly desirable used vehicles.

Superior headlights and great night driving too.