Honest Discussion: Do You Regret Moving to The 4th Gen?

I don't disagree, I think many people don't care about the equipment or want to pay for it and can live with out it. That won't change the price, what I'm saying is they are not buying a,new truck based solely on equipment content.

 

People absolutely are buying their vehicles based on the equipment.

It’s why ORs and sports DRASTICALLY outsell SRs to non-fleet customers. people want nicer trims

 

The looks are growing on me but I really feel like they went backwards with the front end. I hate the black teardrop things on the headlights like the 4runners have. It just looks not aggressive to me. And that air dam or whatever below the grille. Still a good

I'm not buying the inflation excuse. The cost of manufacturing had to decrease otherwise they wouldn't move them all to Mexico. So they are getting a way bigger margin with the higher price. I wouldn't say the "improvements" are worth the price. The interior is just updated, but a bigger screen doesn't justify the increase. You must be lucky to get that price, because everything I've seen is around $50k. Not trying to be a 4th gen hater but there's no way the prices are justified.

 

Yes, the 2025's already come with some stuff I had to add as options to my 2017 build such as autodimming rear view mirror, in-bed lighting, powerlocking tailgate, and more. Not to mention all the new Safety Sense stuff that didn't exist back t hen, and same for the connected services including remote start/lock/unlock.

And to get into the details - my prior #'s were high level. I didn't mention the $39700 was the before dealer fee & TTL negotiated price - the MSRP was $42937 before negotiation when I bought it in Sept 2016.

Similar config MSRP today is $52454 doing a mock build on Toyota.com.

Whether you "buy the inflation" or not doesn't make the actual inflation any less real.

2017 TRD OR AT base MSRP was $35655 in September 2017 (per my sales sheet), or $47,475 in 2025 dollars.
2025 TRD OR AT base MSRP is $44985 today, so about a 5.2% lower price today vs then when adjusted for inflation.

 

Looks are subjective but I think the 4g front end looks more aggressive.




Manufacturing costs may be less but engineering costs and the improvements add cost. Given the strong sales numbers, buyers think the improvements are worth the price. The interior is "just updated"? It's 100% new.

 

You should keep that 2021.

 

I'm talking about saftey sense, dual zone climate, auto start stop. They might like that stuff and think they want it. I can't believe that's their motivation to buy new vehicles.

 

I don't see how the overhead of engineering costs can justify the price point. It's still a midsize pickup that's built on an already existing frame. It depends on what you consider an improvement to be. I won't consider the powertrain an improvement until its proven its reliability (i'm sure it will but we don't know that).

What are the sales numbers? Because as I understand it the sales numbers were down when this gen hit the market, which would explain why used 3rd gen prices are up. It's more likely that buyers aren't going to buy a junk ford or chevy midsize and have no other good option. My theory is that most Americans are just making the payments for trucks and have just accepted they'll get raked over the coals anyways lol. The interior doesn't seem like anything special in my opinion. It's not that much different from the 3rd gen functionally, just more plastic and a bigger screen. I've heard the seating position is better though.

Also, are we looking at the same trims in your photo? You're right though it is very subjective. What bothers me more is the back of the cab. Something about it..

 

I'm driving it until it won't, then I'm gonna drive it some more

 

Sales of the 4g were only down during initial ramp-up, as are the sales of literally every new generation of vehicle

 

a few things:

Tacomas were already being built in Mexico, so averaging down the labor won’t be as effective as moving the labor entirely from one place to another. Also, Mexico factory labor is fairly well-paid.

to add, every trim level has major improvements over the previous truck, so for the same inflation-adjusted price, you’re getting more. If you want to capture the lower prices, move down in trim to more closely match the equipment of the 3g.

 

As for 3rd gen used prices being up - all prices are up. Inflation's driven prices up by 25% in the past five years.

and when I was looking in August 2016, the prices for used 2nd gen were also pretty high relative to a new 3rd gen. Seeing about the same situation now.

Here are the sales figures. 2025's seem to be doing just fine.

Toyota Tacoma Sales Figures | US Car Sales Figure

 

Toyota has had the T24A in Lexus since 2021 and they put it in one of their best selling vehicles and their flagship Land Cruiser. A decision I'm sure they didn't take lightly.

3rd gen prices are up?


Interior not much different? The steering wheel, dash, and door panels on a '21 Pro are the same as most Tacomas. 4g Pro gets model specific trim. And they're all 100% plastic. Step up to a Lexus if you want some other material (leather dash).



Here is the same trim for better comparison. Taller, wider, more aggressive flares, Raptor cut fenders, grille light, different rear bumper. Not as aggressive?

 

I suppose my argument is that the improvements aren't major enough, but that's just me. Like another guy said he bought a '23 OR for $40k. They are now at $50k.

Honest question: do you think the new PROs are worth $65k?

 

the ‘25 OR starts at $43k, not $50k. You’d need to actually compare by equipment instead of trim level name, because they’re very different.

not to me, which is why I bought an OR-Premium, which is more comparable to the 3G pro (but improved). Since they sell every pro they build, it seems it’s worth the price to buyers

 

What can you do with that interior that you can't do with a 3rd gen? It's different but it's just cosmetics. It deserved the update, but I don't see how it should make the price what it is.

 

Honest question: are you just here to troll?

 

What can you do with the interior of your truck that you can’t do with my first gen?

 

Yes.

 

He just bought his '21 less than a month ago and has to justify his purchase.