2016 AC I4 SR review

My dealer got a AC I4 SR 2wd (prerunner) 2.7L 6 speed auto in stock today. As a previous owner of a 2.7l 5-speed 4x4, and test driven a 2015 2.7l 4-speed auto prerunner two months prior to this, I had a general idea on what to use as a benchmark. In all honesty, Toyota hit this one out of the park! The difference between the old auto 4 speed and new 6 speed is night and day. 0-45mph throttle response is so much better the new trans and 4.30 rearend always seems to be in the right gear at those speeds. At 70mph the engine is cruising at 2.5k instead of 2k rpm with the old 4 speed, which could be the reason why 2wd 2.7L autos loss 1mpg hwy compared to last years 2gen 4-speed prerunners. I think the auto 6-speed will supersede the 5 speed in every aspect since it includes one extra gear, better gear spacing, sport/manual shift-gear hold mode, and 4.3 rear vs the 5 speed's 3.90 rear. I can't think of any reason to buy the 5MT over the 6AT unless you absolutely have to row your own gears.

 

Very cool pictures. This is the first time I have seen the other instrument display. Thanks for the write up and share.

 

A. Great candidate for Asshole Parking thread.
B. Great color (for not being Blazing Blue).
C. Great review.

Thanks!

 

Thanks OP, sincerely. I think I might be looking at my next truck in your pics here; only in a few years and in a different color with 4x4. Best news for me to come out of a 3rd Gen thread yet.

 

Hahahaha!

I didn't park it there, the sales guy did, and we all know they're assholes!

 

Best grill so far..

 

The lowest model of the Tacoma line gets the best grille

 

It would appear so.

 

Will the four cylinder be available in four wheel driver and four doors?

 

4x4 Access cab only. Which is technically 4 doors

 

SR is the poor/cheap man's TRD sport with color match bumpers, grill, and mirrors. Hell, for $435 more you can option in 16" black alloy wheels.

 

This is the price for the same truck in 4x4 plus a few options.

 

That is great news. For those who were dissing the use of the 2.7, I had always said the 6 speed might be a completely transformative transmission in making it's performance more relevant and more useful then the previous 4 speed and even the manual. It would be interesting to see how much is lost in the 4 wd. Great news though with this truck !!! 2.7 lovers will and should be content with the news too.

One thing...compared to trucks with over fenders...the side looks ugly...yuck. They should be standard.

 

The fenders don't have any holes were the overfenders would be. Does that mean you could just snap on some overfenders, or would it need drilling?

 

I don't have anymore pics, its the same interior as this truck

http://www.cars.com/vehicledetail/detail/647085213/overview/

Basically the plastic pieces are black on all trims levels. The seats are comparable to the 2 gen base trim gray seats.

 

Thanks for sharing info on the SR line. I really like the lower trim models because there isn't much to them; A truck should be bare bones in my opinion. I wish the SR had a option for a AC V6 4x4.. Guess I'll hold out and see if that changes in the future..

 

No problem!

Here's my pro/con on the SR.

Pros:
6 speed
Heated mirrors
Power mirrors
Color match everything (no ugly chrome)
Bluetooth audio streaming from my phone. Pandora, Spotify, mp3, and phone calls work flawlessly.
Audio and bluetooth controls on the steering wheel
Tailgate lock
Dampened tailgate
World's most expensive GoPro mount
The interior
Back up camera
A real outside temp gauge compared the 2015s "local weather" displayed on the radio
Much Quieter cabin.

Con's:
Drivers sun viser does not have a mirror. This could be a deal breaker for some wifes/Girlfriends. Easy mod once we get the part number from SR5/TRD sun visers
Same crappy 2 speed wiper stalk from the 2 gen.
AC doors still make the "tinny" sound when you close the main doors.

 

what package would add intermittent wipers, and what "has" to come with it? If you know...

 

Go for it. You would fit right in with the rest of us.....