why all the lukewarm reviews.

Hi all,

Newb here. Have a deposit down on a 2014 TRD offroad and can't wait. Idle hands make idle minds and I've been reading and watching reviews from large publications like C and D and others. I've been alarmed by the consensus that the Tacoma is now outdated, rough riding, and uncomfortable compared to its newer full size brethren. They also knock it's gas mileage.

While this won't convince me to not buy my silver dream Tacoma, it is concerning that what was largely considered one of the beat trucks ever is now seen as needing an update! Thoughts on the large mwsia bias pushing for updates and the criticisms people like road and track have??

Pic included.

 

Because they're bitches.

 

Welcome aboard

A lot of times critics and people who write reviews focus on the down side of things.

As far as the rough ride is concerned, that's how trucks are built, and have been built for a long time. I personally like the rougher ride, feels more genuine. It may be outdated but that's not necessarily a bad thing.
And on the subject of gas mileage, trucks have never been known to get the best mileage. That's to be expected.
I'm definitely not an expert and I'm sure there are guys on here that can tell you a whole lot more than me, and they'll be chiming in soon.
Hope this helped, and good luck on your Taco!

 

All I've had are Nissans dodges and Chevy's. Tacoma rides 100% better !

 

Love this answer!!! I thought long and hard. I wanted all the 4wd capability, towing, and comfort. I drove a jeep wrangler sport, so to be honest a TRD taco will be like a Cadillac!!! The wrangler got combined 15mpg, I am not shitting you (jeep lies about fuel economy), so 18mpg seems like a huge upgrade.

I just get so stumped by modern media wanting a rubicon like offroad experience with a car like onroad experience. Talk about cake and eat it too.

Anyway, its great to be coming over to a new community! The wrangler community is pretty tight so good to see the Taco community is too.

 

Unfortunately most of their criticisms are justified.
The Tacoma has been pretty much unchanged in the past ten years and the engine choices are underpowered and hard on gas when compared to vehicles with newer technologies.

Don't get me wrong, I would only buy a Tacoma but it seems like Toyota took their great sales for granted. They got lazy and stopped any innovation.

 

Exactly. Made my answer look stupid, thanks a lot

 

I've never understood all the complaining. The tacoma is a worthy off road vehicle and has decent towing and hauling capabilities. Highway I get 21 mpg, even with my duratracs. Personally I think it rides great, and I feel the interior is just fine.

The one thing I would change is going back to a manual lever 4wd over the electronic switch. Ive never had any problems, but electronics lead to more problems.

Thats the other reason I feel the tacoma interior is great. Just enough stuff without too much to go wrong.

 

This is a great discussion. Only for discussion sake, if you compare against only the comparable, so Taco TRD Off road with rear lockers, A-track, the weight to HP/torque ratio (which is important when comparing full size to medium size) etc. etc. the comparable are:
Ford FX4, I've owned one and they are close: 14/19, FX2 15/21
Ram with pentastar (NOT hemi): 20/28, which is better but nobody can argue that Toyota's build quality >>>>> Ram, 5.7L V8 = 15/17.
Chevy: 4.3 V6 (not standard with 4x4) is 18/24, 5.3 V8 (which I personally feel is more comparable given the increased size of the chevy) - 16/23.
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon - 17/22

I don't think its fair to compare the base V6 model F150, 1500, or ram to the taco. The weight to power ratio is way different. Also, look at the packages you have to upgrade to get locking diff's, "LSD", etc and the gas mileage comparisons are very close. For a 10yr old, bulletproof engine that my local dealership will guarantee for LIFE I say take that any day!!! Just my bias.