The 2016 Tacoma IS the Gen 3 Tacoma

Says the guy with the 3.slow engine lol

 

As stated before, I think the 1st gen to 2nd gen was a total redesign. This new truck has the same frame, just "different" metal, same suspension, same rear end, same front diff, same cab- just modified, same brakes, rear drum even, same bed just modified. Could go on and on, yes there is a lot new, interior, sheet metal. I like the new truck. But is it a new gen truck? No.
2.5 gen IMO.

 

You should read the third gen portion. It say says the 3rd gen model years will be from 2016-onward and it will be in production starting 2015

 

Toyota changes engines and transmissions all the time within the same generation, it doesn't make it a new generation. What engine is in the truck has so little to do with what generation it that it's not even worth mentioning. I think the only thing that will determine the generation is what the chassis code is, and we won't know that for a little while still.

Jeff

 

So when Bill Fay during the reveal this past Jan calls the 2016 the next generation Tacoma and mentions the the previous generation Tacoma that doesn,t tell you that as far as Toyota is concerned this the Gen 3 Tacoma? Really? Why? You saying Bill Fay doesn,t speak for Toyota. It is OK to say you don,t think the new Tacoma deserves to be called the Gen 3 Tacoma but Toyota has already called this the next generation Tacoma. Some of you guys have got to be kidding me.

 

I just don't understand what people expect from a 'new' generation. The engine & trans has changed. I'm petty sure they're not using the exact same frame (God, lets hope not). Same suspension? Yea...IT WORKS so why change it?? If you want something bigger, get a Tundra. If you want something smaller, get a Subaru Baja.
We're already talking about a $40K truck. If they spent anymore time researching, redesigning, and retooling - the truck would cost upwards of $50K.

Be Thankful they've kept it a TRUCK. The way society is going these days...... It'd have a selfie stick mounted to the front bumper....

 

The (rear) suspension surely did NOT work! The rear springs were way under sized for the bigger 2nd gen Tacoma.

 

Toyota has said it in marketing yes, but in their internal documents they refer to it as an update to the existing model, not a new model.

What it comes down to is what do you consider a new generation, really. Internally, it is not a new model, but rather an update to an existing model, that is what Toyota and Toyota owners/enthusiasts have long considered NOT a new generation. They are marketing it as a new generation in their speeches, but by all other standards that all other previous Toyotas have gone by, it isn't.

It can be called a new generation, but doing so is basically completely redefining what "generation" means and is considered for Toyota vehicles. And maybe that is the future for Toyota, who knows, maybe they're going to keep using the old structural dimensions and designs and just sticking on new sheetmetal, changing some components and adding some reinforcements to the frame to make it a new generation.

Jeff

 

I agree enough has changed to make it a 3rd gen, but because the body looks about the same as the second gen, nobody thinks there is any difference. Sometimes you can't judge a book by its cover!

 

So why then did Toyota not have a big reveal in 2014...2013 or 2012 because in all those years they made improvements/update to an existing model. This is the first big reveal for the Tacoma in 10 years and they don,t consider this their next generation Tacoma? Which is what they called it. I doubt very much Bill Fay would go out in a big planned reveal for Toyota and talk about this new generation Tacoma if Toyota didn,t consider this there next generation Tacoma. Makes no sense. Doesn,t matter what your parts numbers say it is as everything else Toyota is saying screams next generation Tacoma.

 

New sheetmetal and some components is all you see as new. Ahhh...what about the new engine and trans available. Crawl control.completely new dash etc.

 

What does it really matter if its Tacoma 2.5 or Tacoma 3.0? Toyota has done some changes (frame, tweeking suspension, new motor, new transmission, interior changes, etc). It will be a 2016 model. Some will like it. Some will not.

I am looking forward to purchasing one when there has been some on the road for awhile. (late 2016-early 2017).

 

Toyota changes engine and trans within the same generation all the time, I don't think the engine/trans has much to do with whether it's a new generation or not (2010 Camry got the 2.5L engine and new 6-speed trans, 2007 Sienna got the 3.5L engine and new trans). Crawl control is mostly electronic and has been added to other vehicles without nearly as much change as was done to the Tacoma (2013 FJ Cruiser). Toyota/Lexus has also done the same sort of interior changes within the same generation as well (2011 Avalon, 2013 LS460).

Yes, they did a lot of changes to the existing truck in one go, but that's not really the same thing as a full model change.

For example:

These two trucks are the same generation:



These two trucks are the same generation:



These two cars are the same generation:



Jeff

 

So when Bill Fay and Mike Sweers( who speak for Toyota by the way)call the 2016 Tacoma the next generation Tacoma and then follow up that by mentioning the last generation Tacoma they don,t really mean what they said. Can you explain that. You also didn,t address the big reveal in Detriot this year about the Tacoma. Haven,t done one for the Tacoma in ten years. That also meant nothing I suppose. Can you explain that then?

From a Motortrend article about what Bill Fay said at Tacoma reveal in Detriot.

With that, Fay proudly boasted that at the end of the current generation's 10-year life cycle, the pickup managed to outsell its closest competitor 2 to 1

Watch the reveal video if you want to hear this and more confirming that Toyota is saying we are now in the next generation of the Tacoma. Not sure how you and other can say as far as Toyota is concerned that the 2016 is not the beginning of the next generation of the Tacoma. The Gen 3 Tacoma as far as Toyota is concerned. Remember Toyota put Bill Fay out there for the reveal to speak for them. As them.

 

Thank you, finally someone to help me argue my point.

 

My only guess would be that marketing sells cars (or trucks). They're looking to compete with the brand new GM twins, and maintain sales momentum. It's a major upgrade to the truck, there's no doubt about it, and apparently the marketing guys seem to think it's worth calling it a new generation.

Interestingly, Toyota USA also considers the 2014 update to the K5# series Tundra to be the 3rd generation (in some of their sales/marketing info, such as here.), but it is the same frame, same cab, same engines. Same chassis codes, same suspension, same box sizes.

So I guess that's a thing they're doing now, sure, let's call it a new generation of truck.

Still, even if we are going to call it a 3rd generation Tacoma, we need to be clear that the 3rd generation is an upgraded 2nd generation and not a new design/full model change.

Jeff

 

It's all about marketing and selling trucks. When you call something all-new and a new generation tacoma you have people going out trading in there now "old generation" tacomas for new ones, you sell more trucks. Its like iphones, besides people in this forum, most people always have to have the latest and greatest to keep up with the jones. Saying its an update implies its not as big of a change, when you say all new and new generation you convince people its better and they need to upgrade.

 

With that, Fay proudly boasted that at the end of the current generation's 10-year life cycle, the pickup managed to outsell its closest competitor 2 to 1

 

Wow, logic in this forum, crazy.

 

Again they can say whatever they want, you have to realize they are in the business of SALES. Im not trying to assume or beat you up but it seems you dont have experience in sales or marketing, the goal is to convince consumers they need to buy the product, ways of describing things and saying things helps do this. Again wait till the parts and chassis codes come out, as someone else mentioned in another thread, internally I bet they are the same or updated versions of the current generation.