2017 vs 2023 drivability

Currently driving a '17 OR and love everything about it. Except the way it drives. I got OV tune a couple of years ago and it helped a little but I'm thinking about a new '23. I realize it's the same motor/trans but for those that have upgraded to a newer truck, do they drive better? Meaning less gear hunting and all that.

And related to this, I can't keep up with all the tune threads, are the newer tunes improved that much over OV from a couple of years ago? Maybe that's all I need?

 

I believe little to nothing has changed on the mechanical side of the 2017 vs the 2023 Tacoma. The main creature comforts that would change the drivability are the Toyota safety sense features like auto emergency braking and adaptive cruise control if you're into that sort of thing.

I got the OTT tune towards the end of last year and it has greatly improved the drivability of my truck.

If you got your tune a few years back, there might be a more updated revision that you could get. Reach out to your local tuner.

Additionally, get some seat jackets if you don't have them already. They don't change the drivability but they do make the driving position more comfortable.

 

I drive a 2022, bought it with 80 miles on the clock, currently at 21k miles. No experience with older 3rd gens but I've never experienced the gear hunting so many people complain about. I don't know if Toyota changed some programming in the later years and never told anyone?

Only suggestion is test drive a 23 and see what it's like

 

I had a Tacoma for a demo from the Dealership where I use to work. I would get a different one every 6 months from 2016 until 2022. All of them seemed to be about the same when it comes to drivability. I left that Dealership last year and bought a 2023. The 2023 seems to be a good bit better when it comes to gear hunting, but it is still there. Mainly on the interstate, it just does not have the torque to hold 6th gear up the slightest of hills. Around town it seems to be much better.

 

I concur, I got a 2021 off the lot brand new. You can't drive these things herky-jerky and expect smooth sailing.
I ease up to speed, turn off the $(#*$* radio and listen to your vehicle - you'll sense gear changes and work the pedal accordingly.
Break it in easy - I wonder if the drive-it-like-you-stole-it-drivers experience more herky-jerky results than folks who ease up to speed.

Whatever you do, I would advise anyone to give it a good 5,000 miles before you consider a 'tune'.

 

They all seem the same to me..I still like the Trans in my 2009 better

 

The automatic 3rd gens didn't get any mechanical changes, but they did come from the factory with a bunch of software tweaks to help the driveability. IIRC you can go to a dealership and get those software updates for your older truck.

 

I had a 2018 OR DCLB and drove it 30,000 miles before it got totaled in a wreck. I replaced it with a 2022 OR DCLB. The 2018 needed a few thousand miles before it started shifting better. It would often hit 4,500-5,000 rpm and would hang onto a lower gear far too long. The 2022 is very good regarding gear-hunting and is very happy cruising in most gears at 2,000-2,200 rpm. I don't think I've hit 4,500 rpm even while passing cars at 80 mph. The interior also is quieter compared to the 2018.

 

same Mid/high torque range, heavy, un aerodynamic truck,,, power seats and SOS button isn't going to change that.
I love my truck, and understand the transmission shifting based on needed power, is just part of it.

 

I think there were some changes to the comfort aspect like the glass changing, power seats etc. but the mechanical aspects remained the same. Bias rec would be to get a manual, makes the driving experience a lot better.

 

Yeah some of the safety features would actually be nice, I lost vision in my right eye a couple of years ago and have an *actual* blind spot.

Got the seat jackers and they help but it's mostly the gear hunting that bothers me. Did a road trip from Seattle to Utah a couple of years ago and some of the long hills were aggravating.

Gonna have to go drive one and find out.

 

Hmmm. That's an idea I hadn't really given any thought to. I don't commute any more so a manual might just work. Years of racing and track coaching has me pretty comfortable with manuals but just seems weird in a truck.

 

Test drive one and see how you like it. It makes the driving experience a lot better. If the Tacoma only came in auto I would probably have a 4Runner or Tundra.

 

I’ve had a ‘16 that had KDMaxx, then a ‘17 with OTT, I’m now on a stock ‘23 and have to agree with other users that the shift points are better than the other years (prior to their tunes) but not great and I will still get a tune once I get some other things done first.

 

I'm out in Colorado and the gear hunting on the mountain passes was unbearable. The OTT tune was a huge improvement for me. Plus it makes the truck so much more pleasurable to drive.

It looks like the latest revision is OTT 9.0. Depending on when you got your OV tune, an update may help.

 

same motor, trans, not going to change much but, a new lower mileage auto, and a more deflated wallet, with higher interest rate, for payment. Ski

 

So, just to level-set, does the 6MT in the Tacoma "snick-snick-snick" shift like an S20000 or Miata? Hell no. Is driving a 6MT Tacoma hugely more satisfying than driving an automatic equipped Tacoma? Hell yeah.

 

Interesting, I drive a 6MT, and here in New Hamster we have lots of hills; I cannot think of a time when I needed to downshift from 6th to be able to maintain freeway speeds. I wonder why the automatic is so eager to downshift when it isn't necessary.

 

Went from a 2017 OR with 30k miles to a brand new 2023 OR and it may just be me but the whole drive feels a tad bit more refined.

 

The 16 and 17 trucks were terrible from the factory for drivability. The TSB’s to get the ECU updated to 04b04 have only slightly improved it. Adding a tune (any of the 3 available) will be a significant improvement in drivability. It is the best improvement for the money. Going from the Ovtune tune to one of the new tunes is also a big improvement in drivability.
Even with the 2023 Tacomas, a tune is worth the money for the improvements to drivability.