Consumer Reports 2016 Tacoma Review

And yet the amount of bashing the new Taco gets around here is impressive. Kinda like.... My kid sucks but you better not say anything bad about my kid!

 

This is a pretty common response around here. "BUT OMG ITS A TRUCK!! WHAT DID YOU EXPECT!"

Trucks dont have to be loud crapboxes. Toyota isn't being forced to innovate and improve because of this mentality. They know their base consumers are more than happy to crawl under their truck and duct tape control arms or rip apart their dash to put dynamat to eliminate a buzzing sounds. There is also a surprising lack of tech and "standard" features--especially since its advertised as having sweet new tech. No Auto-headlights except for the top trim packages? No adaptive cruise control? No automatic tailgate lock? They only have keyless entry on the driver side--wtf? Manual seats (shit $15k sedans have electric seats).

As long as people have such low expectations, these companies will gladly meet them.

 

I expect that they will make leaps and bounds in the standard options department when the Ranger and Jeep truck hit the market.

 

Just going to reflect on the following thread by Jimsc:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...gen-owners-posting-their-problems-here.399462

 

Well the first three or four paragraphs pretty much sums up why I bought my Tacoma. It does what I need it to do, has high resale value and for the most part is, to use her words, bullet proof. I am trying to figure out what is wrong with any of that.

My TRD Sport was expensive but it most certainly will last me the rest of my life. Do I care what the author thinks of the seats....nope. My rear end is fine with them and my truck is quiet and goes more than the local speed limits with a full load so I am happy. Not a fan boy of the truck or Toyota just a guy who bought a mid size truck and is happy with it.

Take Care

Bob

 

Christ Jeep has the worst record of quality build than any other vehicle built in the US and you really think anyone cares what comes out of that division. Like really???? Ford will likely do a decent job on the Ranger but will still use weak parts that last about as long as the warranty.
The F 150 is Ford's front runner so they have little incentive to attempt to dominate the mid size market. I expect lots of sizzle but little steak just like we get from the GM twins.

Take Care

Bob

 

I don't want to buy a vehicle dealers have to discount 10-15K just to sell. My buddy bought a 2500 dodge diesel full loaded for under 50K after all the incentives from the dealer. It was an awesome truck, and drove great. How it'll hold up in the long run who knows. The tech and interior in that truck was amongst some of the best i've used outside of 6-70K eurobarges.

 

Slow off the start... yep... agree 100%, though if I really need to get ahead in the "race" I just hit the ECT button.

Loved the "damped tailgate is a breeze to lower, but a chore to raise"... so you want an auto raising tailgate? I have yet to see a truck with a tailgate that lifts itself.

 

Consumer reports or anyone else can say what they want about them, I have had no issues with mine, therefore I will be keeping mine

 

I think those criticisms are fair, especially of the 3rd gen. I sat in one at the dealer and can't even begin to describe just how awful the front seating position is. I think stock our trucks are not very exciting, however, they are great purpose driven machines and with the right parts can be super nice. Consumer reviews just looks at these trucks as the end product, not a platform like most of us here do. If I were to buy a truck and leave it 100% alone I would much rather have an F-150 than a third gen. If I was to put the time and effort in to modding something I would want it to last a long time, plus I think the Tacoma has more overall potential than something like an F-150. It's all about what you want to do.

 

Many years ago I based a lot of my buying decisions on CR reviews,after being burnt by buying crap products too many times I gave that up.They were always giving vehicles like the Chrysler minivans high ratings,how many of those did you see going down the road belching smoke,or not going down the road because they were broken down after 2 or 3 years.I put very little faith in anything they say...

 

From your responses why the hell did you buy one? And more importantly why have you not sold it? Or do you really own one?

Auto tail gate lock? Really? who gives a shit? Keyless entry on passenger side? I get in the drivers side! If I do need to get in the passenger side I just push my little unlock button. Manual seats? I agree electric would be nice but, how many times do you adjust the seat? I am a big guy and I just get in and out. My seat is already where I need it. And I find the "16" seats way more comfortable than my "15" seats.

I know better that most the 2016 truck is not perfect. But, all this "16" bashing is bullshit!
If you don't own or like Tacomas get the F... off this site. If you have a 2nd Gen you think is the cats ass well good for you! If you OWN a 3rd Gen and don't like it. SELL IT!!! And do it now before all your "16" bashing causes the resale of this truck to tank! You all just keep shooting yourself in the foot! All the while you are screwing every 3rd Gen owner.

But hey. I'm just a dumb ass because I am selling my 2nd gen "15" and keeping my 3rd get "16".

 

>Trucks dont have to be loud crapboxes
which truck are you talking about?

I bought my truck to tow and haul things. I personally don't care if it lacks power seats or keyless entry.
it has the reputation of reliability and high resale value.
I don't go to the Porsche forum and trash the 911 because it wont tow a 20 foot trailer or carry a pallet of bricks.
that just wouldn't make sense.

>As long as people have such low expectations, these companies will gladly meet them
so what do you drive?

 

Okay so I see that you are new here, and you haven't learned to appreciate the Tacoma yet. But it sounds like you have severe buyers remorse and had no idea what you were getting into when you bought a Tacoma. To quote the movie office space.'no man, shit no, I reckon you'd get your ass kicked for saying something like that'

Let me fill you in on the 2016 Tacoma through the eyes of the rest of us who have been around the tacoma a minute or two

So the consumer reports guy nailed it on the head... But that's why I and many others love the Tacoma. It beats the shit out of you while you are beating the shit out of it. The only issue I have personally is that it drives more like a truck than previous generations. (Lumbers around)

Electric seats? F*ck electric seats. Im 6'2 my wife is 5'. Waiting for a tiny motor to move seat positions piss me off.

Moon roof? Got one.

Howl at 60 mph? Crank some Crosby Stills and Nash

Off-road handling? Hell yeah!

If I wanted something fast i'd go be 17 again and get a car

The people above saying 'typical fan boy' response. Hell yeah. It's a not so little secret that we are essentially a cult based around this bad ass piece of machinery handed down from God herself. And forged in the fires of hell that is San Antonio, TX/Baja. If you don't like the Tacoma then fuck you lol (my fanboy response)

 

Trolling? I've been a member of this forum a lot longer than you have BlackOhio. What I'm upset about is that we Tacoma owners waited 10 years for a new Tacoma and we get a truck that is not as good in many ways as the truck it replaced! If all you fanboys keep buying them anyway Toyota will never make a Tacoma the way it should be made (rear disc brakes). I won't even consider buying a new Tacoma until they fix these issues. All you people buying 3rd gens and trying to convince everyone how great it is are just making it easier for Toyota to keep selling them!

 

if they made it to your specifications a different guy would bitch and moan about it not being 'what they wanted' the 3rd gens have their issues. Much like the 2005-2007 did and the first few years of the first gen. They put the technology in the truck to keep up with the times. The utilitarian aspects are the same. Because it's a nasty and gritty truck. They always have been. I do wish they made some other changes but overall I love it and so do others. If you don't want one don't get one... If you have one and don't like it... Sucks to suck

 

Yup I do. Jeep has a very loyal following even with their god awful reliability record. It will be a typical Chrysler, the styling will be cool (in a jeep way) and that is what will attract people and keep them in business. I do expect that the ranger will be the most successful out of any mid size from the big 3 though.

 

My take coming from a 2001 Dakota...seats are very comfy,plenty of room inside, controls feel solid and easy to use. Entune is a little buggy but the touch screen is very responsive. Bluetooth works perfect and calls are crystal clear(iPhone6). I haven't messed with navigation much..its ok but google maps is way better so far. Plenty of cargo room in back seats. Mine has some minor vibes when shifting but my hands and feet aren't falling off like some others are reporting. It's a little bouncy on some roads but nothing to worry about. Has plenty of power when I need it. The engine seems a little loud when idling. When shifting from P to D immediately on a cold start there is a short delay. If I just wait 10-15 seconds its smooth. Really my biggest gripe is I wish the steering wheel came out another few inches lol...

 

I waited 10 years to upgrade (06 to 16), and I'd say that my new truck is better in every single way than my old one.

 

This truck doesn't need disc. You want them because you think they're cheap. I'm ok with them because they're cheap and do their job since most of the braking comes from the front. Unloaded the rear locks easy already.

As for how long you've been here. Irrelevant. When a bulk of your posts are bullshit hate. You waiting ten years to be unhappy. If they kept the same motor you'd bitch it was old and got shit mileage.

You seem to think each generation of anything is 100% better than the previous. When you stop bitching someone else will start. It's a good truck and it does so much well. Unlike me you've got zero vested interest in the long term reliability of the truck. I test drove lists of trucks from lots of manufacturers and the Tacoma was the best balance of pros and cons.