My Impressions & Score your experiences with Gen 3 Tacoma

Gen 3 4wd DCSB TRD OR 3.5l, 850 mi. I'm really beginning to love this truck! I traded 13' 4wd DCSB TRD Sport 4.0l w 56k mi. So I feel my comparison is relevant.

WARNING: THIS IS GOING TO BE A BIT LONG!

Power- I really liked the low end torque the 4.0 had, but knew going in that the 3.5 was going to sacrifice quite a bit of that to achieve the intended goals of improved efficiency. When my truck finally arrived and it was time to take a test ride (ordered from dealers allotment back in late August-ordered 4wd TRD OR loaded with Prem/tech +jbl, and tonneau). I have to admit, I was surprised to see just how much bottom end the new truck was lacking compared to my 13'. On the test drive you almost have to turn ect on to even get in the same ballpark as the 4.0 when it comes to low end feel. And that is only masking the deficit with rpm. But perhaps that is exactly what is needed when initially comparing seat of the pants low end acceleration between a low rpm oriented engine like the 4.0 and a much higher revving engine such as the 3.5.
On the other hand, I remember when I took the 13' for it's initial test drive I was thinking how weak the engine felt when accelerating onto the fwy. I was transitioning from my gen 1 99' 4wd 3.4 v6 mt and while that engine was equally unimpressive, I was expecting the 4.0 to be much better than it was on that test drive. But, as it was, the metal found in the oil pan at 268k was dictating the move to the new ride. Once the 4.0 was broken in (approx 1500 mi) I noticed the power feel was improving considerably. It no longer felt like that anemic heavy truck I test drove some months prior, and with it the fuel mileage improved quite a bit as well.
The 16' TRD OR has been quite similar, in which the more time I spend in the truck, the better it is starting to feel out on the highway. The low speed pick up feels much stronger in both ECT and non ECT mode, and I find myself no longer reaching for that button when driving around town or entering the fwy as I did when the truck was new. As the 13' initially did, the 16' is coming of age by both breaking in internal engine parts (Crank and rod bearings, piston rings seating, valve seats wearing in, ect. or better, the ring and pinion in the rear end taking a set, and freeing up a bit.), but I think only has a minor effect on the actual power, but more so the engine is learning its fuel and timing mapping and learning its transmission shift points to my driving, and what were initially net zero maps for each, the ECU has made the necessary changes to improve both the output and efficiency and as such, the truck has improved in feel quite considerably. Quick note: I am running 91 octane fuel as it has been my experience in most modern engines gen 2 4.0 included, that while capable of using 87 or 89 octane, the slightest sense of knock by the engine sensors will retard the ignition timing considerably and cause a noticeable loss of power and MPG.
During the first tank-full of commuting netted 17.8mpg and my now second full tank of commuting has improved to 19.4mpg with more than likely less fuel conscious driving than the first tank and just more plain old driving. Add for comparison the 13' would regularly average between 17.5-18.5mpg year in and year out in my 100mi. per day commute.
I must also add, that I am sure me learning how this truck needs to be driven is equally responsibly for my changed opinion from that first test drive.

Engine- I am really liking the smoothness of this engine as well as its eagerness to rev, and rev without complaint like the 4.0 used to. I have to be careful when driving in 'S' mode with the stereo loud as I have more than once caught myself at 85mph in 4th with the engine singing close to 5k rpm, but never noticing any buzzing thru the floorboard or steering wheel. I am also quite impressed by the engine design as a whole after reviewing the PDF posted recently elsewhere explaining in detail all the changes to the 3.5 prior to its adoption into the Tacoma. I have yet to really wring this thing out, but the few times I have really gotten on it for a bit of spirited passing, I was VERY impressed on it's performance from 70-90mph. Firewall the pedal cruising in 6th and she'll down shift twice and move out! Like I said, she likes to rev and I think the power figures echo that sentiment.

Interior- This is one area that I am really impressed right out of the gate with this truck. The improved layout of the controls, the new gauge package with mini display, the tidy rows of switches, and entune head unit, all within comfortable reach and easily visible. The overhead control panel however is a bit hard to read while driving, so much so that it is a bit hazardous to take your eyes off the road long enough to focus in the dark and read the switches, make a change, and back again. Luckily most of the controls located in the overhead are low speed related minus the moon roof controls.
Now here goes my first actual complaint, I am getting quite a bit of annoying rattling from both my front driver and passenger windows when slightly open 1/4"-5". Hopefully it is a simply track adjustment that can be made by the dealer at her first service. In addition, I get a intermittent legitimate rattle just above the headliner at the rear of the overhead panel. Sounds like it is about 2"-3" forward of the moon roof opening. This rattle goes away when the moon roof slider is closed tightly, and typically rattles with sharp road vibrations like lane dots and such, but the subwoofer can really get it buzzing at the right frequency. It sounds to me like a wire harness is bouncing between the headliner and the roof panel itself. And finally, the rear seats buzz like crazy when playing some types of music at a moderate level (no, not wide open!)
This is a bit disappointing, as these things should not be even remotely an issue with such a new vehicle as everything should be secure and tight. And quite frankly, rattles and buzzes drive me nuts! I'll have the dealer try and hunt them down on her first service visit.

Driving experience- Overall I am extremely happy with the improved ride smoothness and the interior feel and quietness of the cabin while at speed. I think the overall ride offroad has improved considerably as well. It was interesting when I picked the truck up, jumping in and setting up the seat for the first time, how much higher the seat felt compared to the 13', and also the seat felt a tad wider. And finally, with the addition of the moon roof, my headroom of what was about 2 1/2" in the 13' has diminished to a mere ~1" or so(I'm 6'1" 33 Inseam BTW).

Towing- I used to tow a 17' Panther Travel Trailer sort of regularly with the old truck and am really looking forward to learning if the 16' has the capability to tow in an equal fashion as the 13'. The trailer is 3600lb dry and my loaded trip weight is ~5600lb including/520lb TW using Load leveling hitch w/sway control. Current lack of trailer brake options or even pig tail info for my old controller in new truck is the only thing holding me back from testing it out this weekend, as I will be over the magic 1000mi. required by the manual before towing. I am a bit disappointed that Toyota still has no OEM trailer brake solution, but judging the size and location of the pocket next to the left hand side of the wheel, they must have something in the works. At least I hope so!

Score:
Engine: 8.5
Interior: 9
Fit and Finish: 6 (this would be a 9.5 except for the few buzzes and rattles in the cabin)
Exterior: 8.5 (would be a 9.5 except for the fat lip front bumper)
Performance: 8 (I do wish it had more grunt. Same top end, just more grunt)
Brakes: 8
Ride Quality: 9.5
Overall driving experience: 9.5 (even with the less power down low, now that I am used to the truck, I really enjoy driving this truck!)
Towing: ??

General overall impression, LOVE LOVE LOVE the new truck!

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Feel free to cut and paste this score card and post your personal scores in the posts below!
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PS. High Altitude does not now nor ever has improved fuel mileage. It has been argued in this forum that high altitude driving improves your fuel mileage, and while their argument of lower air density requiring less fuel per volume to complete combustion is accurate, they are mistakenly leaving out the facts that A. Less dense air compresses less at a set compression ratio than at sea level, and B. An engine at high altitude, to perform the same work (output) as sea level will require a much larger throttle input. More so than the fuel savings afforded by less oxygen and less compression. Therefore any savings to be had by a vehicle operating at high altitude are negated and actually a deficit is achieved which will cost a proportional amount of MPG's.

 

The Tacome will get a trailer brake controller. They have the design already standard on the tundra and if you find pictures, the space to the left of steering wheel is the perfect size for the Tundra part. My guess is this will become standard eqpt with the towing package for 2017 Tacomas. Thanks for sharing your thorough review. Enjoyed reading it.

 

How the hell does ECT affect low end power? It changes the shift points of the transmission to a higher rpm. It holds the gear longer. You're still getting the same power at lower rpms.

It's stuff like this that makes me believe that this whole feels slow, no low-end power, is all psychological.

 

Is that all the ECT button does? Mine feels more responsive with the gas pedal off the line which has nothing to do with the shift point. I thought I read that it adjusts the throttle as well.

 

I too was under the impression that throttle input mapping was also changed via ECT.

Excellent review OP!
I am very interested to hear how towing works out for you as you in the upper range of ratings.

 

FYI, manual says no towing for the first 500 miles, not 1k. Nice review.

My only other comment: how the hell do you commute 100 miles a day and maintain sanity?!

 

Good review. I've got about 1200 miles on my '16 and really like it. I don't agree with your last statement though. Higher altitude absolutely improves MPG. I track my mpg very closely and take many motorcycle trips to Colorado. My best mpg for each motorcycle always happen at higher altitude. No doubt the engine is making less power also.

 

Thanks for all the props! I'll be sure to update as soon as the travel trailer mystery is solved and I get my brake controller mounted up.

Geez, no one wants to play the rating game? I figured that would be an interesting way to see how each person felt about all the different categories. Oh well! lol


Oh yeah, one more thing... Any one else notice that this truck is way more affected by strong cross winds than the gen 2?