Review of Tacoma after 2500km road trip

My girlfriend and I recently went on a 7 day road trip through the Canadian Rockies. (Pics will follow when I find time to upload them).

Off-Topic, if you live nearby, go on the trip it is amazing.

That being said we extensively used the Tacoma over all surfaces, and have some input to potential buyers or long time Taco owners.

I do have some insite on Toyota Trucks after owning a:
2001 Tacoma 4" Lift, locked on Donahoe(Icons) suspension.
1998 4Runner (OME lift)
2004 V8 4Runner (Cheap Spacer lift) and 32's.
1992 Runner on 32's.
and my currently

2011 Tacoma TRD DCSB 6 speed. OME lift, 32" tires.

I was towing my Cub Kamparoo Weekender (offroad style clamshell trailer), which is 1000-1100 pounds and maybe 250 pounds of gear in the bed.

The Tacoma performed less than stellar at anything on road.

- I averaged 13-15mpg throughout the whole trip. The only time I ever made good MPG was in between 90-100 km/h (55-60mph). Seeing as the speed limit is 100-110, it was very annoying.
- Seats felt uncomforable after long drives, and I am still in discomfort a day after my drive home.
- One of the WORST 6 speed tranny's I have ever driven(Having owned 3-6speeds and 4-5speeds). I found I was never in the power band, constantly had to down and upshift when at highway speeds going up and down mild hills.
- Power seemed less than adequare on large hills.
- Rear TSB leafs + AAL are laughable. Rear end sagged hard, even from such a light load. I am still waiting on my Dakar springs which are on order.
- BRUTAL BRAKES. Even with a standard tranny help brake, they felt small and sometimes dangerous when I needed to quickly brake for wildlife or motorists ahead.
- No heated side mirrors. Parking the trailer on cold mornings was impossible without getting out and using a cloth to wipe mirrors off.
- Loud cabin.

After coming from a 2004 v8 4runner I was amazed at how bad the Tacoma performed doing the same task. The Runner did similar trips and was a pleasure to drive at all times. TONS of power, comfy seats, comfy ride, no rear end squat, similar MPG. Fold the rear seats down (as it was only 2 of us) and we had just as much room for the gear.

The only upside the Tacoma on the road trip was the flawless reliability, which is why we all picked Toyota in the first place.

I am so unimpressed with the Tacoma overall that I have tossed around the idea of going after another V8 4Runner.

I will likely keep the Tacoma until 2015/2016, when a new engine will likely be released to accomidate the new EPA fuel standards for small/midsize pickups. If there is not a more powerful/fuel efficient engine released I will be going after another 2006+ V8 Runner.

 

Yup.

 

Not sure what to say other than, didn't you test drive before buying? IMO, 15 mpg's with32's and a 1200 lb load is pretty good, especially driving faster than 60 mph. And comparing a v6 with a v8 doesn't really make sense. Sounds to me like you bought the wrong vehicle for your needs and maybe you should have researched a bit more?

 

Agreed. V6 Tacoma not as capable of bigger, heavier, V8 4Runner?

Shocking.

 

Good honest review. Although the heated mirrors complaint seems a little bitchy.

 

Cool. Sell it.

 

As a fellow Canukistani I also lament the lack of heated mirrors. One dew soaked morning and even if you did wipe them down they just fog back up again when you drive down the road.

Very dangerous.

Seats? If they're the same as my 2007 TRD OR, they're super comfy and supportive. I've done hours and hours of highway driving (To BC and back) and I've off roaded with them. Some of the best seats I've even been in.

Power? Dunno what to say. You had the truck loaded down. What did you expect going through mountain passes? Top Gear Supercar performance?

I'd love the 4.7L V8 in the Taco, but there goes your MPGs.

 

I don't know about your road trip, but last month I did a 5,000 kilometer (3k miles) from the hills of Tennessee to Dallas/Fort Worth area. I averaged about 20 mpg, truck performed flawlessly, virtually never had to downshift with the six speed. And in Texas posted speed limit is 75 mph.

I live on the side of a mountain, drive gravel roads every day of the week and this truck is great...

and I have a '11 Access cab, six cylinder, six speed, 3.73 gears.

Howard

 

- Should've gotten the 5-speed auto - same tranny as in your V8 4Runner so overbuilt for the V6 application. The 5-speed is faster on the dragstrip, gets better milage on the highway (taller top gear), and is more reliable (no throwout bearing issues).
- All the electronic aids (brake assist, EBD, etc.) worse brake feel but actually improve stopping distance. Buy a 4Runner today and the feel is probably just as bad.
- Install TRD supercharger and OME Dakar springs, still come out cheaper than a 4Runner. Supercharger also negates power loss from high altitude.

 

Toyota Tacoma DBSB 6speed Curb weight = 4130lbs
v8 4runner = 4280 lbs.

Tacoma Width = 74.6"
4Runner width = 73.8"

Tacoma Length DCSB = 208"
4Runner length = 189"

Tacoma Wheelbase = 127"
4Runner wheelbase = 109"

I dont see your point.

 

Unfortunately here in Canada we cannot get the an automatic in the short box. A long box will not fit in my underground parking spot.

I also doubt a $5000 supercharger is cheaper than buying a 2006-2009 4Runner. Then gas mileage will be worse than the V8 and I will still have the small brakes, which I would need to upgrade to Tundra brakes.

I agree with your points, but I just think Toyota missed the mark with this Gen Tacoma

 

You're right. By your numbers the Tacoma is vastly superior and the 4Runner is shit. They're identical in every regard except dimensions so there's no way they behave or drive any differently. My bad.

Good point.. ?

 

I did Test the truck, and it is decent for doing most stuff around town, but I am not pleased with it doing "truck" stuff. My trailer is about as light as it gets, and to have the rear end sag, braking issues and lack of power I experienced should be mentioned to someone looking to buy the Tacoma as a small hauler, which it is not. I just find it annoying that a family bred SUV does truck stuff better than a truck.

 

No use arguing while someone that has not driven both vehicles.

 

Sounds like a job for a tundra

 

Odd assumption and incorrect. But agreed, arguing makes as much sense as someone who bought a tow vehicle without test towing with it first.

 

2005 Tacoma DCSB, 5spd auto tranny.

Mods (sorta):
Rear suspension TSB
URD TCAI

Recently towed 1700 miles from Flagstaff AZ to Guernville CA. Here's the elevation profile of the trip (one way).


The trailer was around 3000lbs and I had another 500lbs or so from gear in the bed and bike on top of the bed cap.

Mileage was about 11mpg on average for the while trip. Kept it in 4th gear (2700RPM) most of the time. Not what I would like, but about what I expected.

I think the Tacoma did a great job! It moved when it had to, and was comfortable throughout the entire trip.

 

You have stirred the fanboy nest!

 

Not sure where you get your numbers from. Pricing disparity between 4Runner and Taco in Canada is obscene, more than the cost of the blower. And the V8 4R starts off getting 2 mpg less than the Taco. Toyota had trouble selling the V8 4R after gas prices got high in 2008. That's why a V8 isn't offered in the 2010+ 4R, even though platform is designed to accommodate one (GX460).

In Car & Driver testing, Taco stops 3 feet shorter from 70 mph than the 4R. Not surprising since the front brakes are identical but the 4R is 300 lb heavier. What you are describing is worse pedal feel. 2008+ 4Runners with Toyota's suite of electronic aids (brake assist, EBD, VSC) have similarly poor pedal feel.

 

I have a 07 OR as well and spend whole weekends offroading and I love my seats. Some of the comfiest seats on a stock truck. My GFs dad has a '10 and I drove that around for a few days and have to say the seats are not created equal. I was uncomfortable.


32" tires and loaded down on stock gears im sure you are going to notice something for sure in lack of power.