Thinking of getting back in a Taco ..

But ... I did previously own one with a 4 cylinder and 4x4. The truck was a pig. Im wondering how the currently offered 4 cylinder performance behaves. I going to test drive .. but you know how 20 minute test drives are .. dont really give you a good idea about REAL performance.

 

People say it's best performing Tacoma ever and it very well could be 8spd transmission and I think the highest hp and tq numbers if you get SR5 and up. The truck isn't light for one thing and how many CUV with a similar size 4 turbo do you see really getting it on the road? I'd imagine the turbo 4 feels slow compared to a twin turbo six and even a V8 paired to a 10spd auto.

 

I had a 4G SR5 DCLB, but several first model year issues pushed me into a 3G. However, I really miss the engine in that truck. The 4G engine's performance is like a small diesel in some regards. Peak torque around 1700 rpm if I remember correctly. I have a hill on my daily commute that is a 45 mph speed limit, one mile long stretch of highway, and the 4G would just lug up the hill at 1300 rpm and not downshift. My 3G is in ETC mode and closer to 2700-3100 rpms and downshifts at least once, if not twice depending on the speed of surrounding traffic. Interesting, my fuel economy is about the same between the 4G and the 3G at around 20 mpg in mixed driving.
The engine in the 4G makes some interesting diesel-like noises too. The transmission was the biggest issue in my 4G truck. The 8 speed is nice as it always left the truck in a good gear, but mine fell under the TSB for the early '24s and starting having issues with around 8k miles on the truck. Based on what I see on TW, I wouldn't be afraid of buying one of the '25s or wait until '26s come available. Someday I hope to get back into a 4G, but I'm waiting to see if Toyota will offer the hybrid in a DCLB configuration w/o having to buy the TrailHunter trim.

 

I had a ‘17 SR 2.7 long bed. Bought new. Just bought a new ‘25 SR5 long bed. (Traded the ‘17 for a ‘20 SR5 3.5 short bed) (traded the ‘20 for the ‘25).
The two four cylinders are night and day different. I haven’t towed anything yet with the new one so I can’t add anything there. The ‘17 would tow but did not like hills. Heck, I like the 2.4t better than the 3.5. It really is a great truck. I’m just a week and a half in on the new one so I can’t say much more.