Here is my thoughts after 2 months owning a 2017 TRD Off Rd Dble Cab

Yes but at 2800 I'm dumping fuel on the ground .(basically)

 

I drove mine yesterday mostly interstate 2hrs one way. Got 19mpg with cruise set at 75.

 

The transmission should be changing gears more often than your 2013. That's not a flaw - that's the transmission using the extra gear over your 2013 to optimize gas mileage.

The 3rd Gen definitely has more power than your 2013, but the pedal feel is also definitely very different. You're probably mistaking the different throttle pedal response for a lack of power, which isn't true. The 3rd gen beats the 2nd gen in magazine tests like the 1/4-mile and also in non-scientific tests like TFLT's towing gauntlet. It really is a faster, more powerful, more efficient engine, but the throttle pedal calibration, higher RPMs, and extra gear in the transmission can trick some people in to thinking it's somehow slower or less powerful. This is especially true if you're coming from a 2nd gen and expecting the throttle pedal response to feel the same. Fortunately, it's easy enough to just press the pedal farther and unlock the extra power of the 3rd gen. If you just can't get over the feeling, for whatever reason, then you may want to look at something like the Colorado Diesel. It's actually substantially slower and less powerful than the Tacoma, but the low-end torque and reduced shifting makes it feel more traditionally truck-luck for those who want that sort of drivetrain.

 

Every time I start feeling as if I'm "learning" as you say, or getting used to the way the 3rd Gen performs (shifting/powerband etc) it seems like I end up having to drive the wife's ride (2016 4Runner) and then I'm quickly reminded what it feels like to have low end torque and power on demand with a decisive transmission shift pattern.

 

The learning is probably more on the driver's side than the ECU's. If you jump in the truck and expect the transmission and pedal to feel a certain way but get something different, you're going to think something is off. Over time, your brain learns to work with the throttle pedal to get the truck to do what you expect. Once that learning happens, the truck feels just fine.

 

I tested about 6 or 7 gen 3's to try and convince myself I could live with the 3.5/auto combo. The gen 3 manuals I tested were great but I couldn't get over the sluggish auto. I ended up getting a gen 2 DCLB with 24,000 miles on it and used the money I saved for new KO2's, topper, seat covers, etc.
The 4.0 has crappy gas mileage but it is about the same as the gen 1 2002 I had before so I can live with it. Low end power is good. Wish I had the interior and tech of the gen 3 but so far I like my gen 2 DCLB. Hope people like their gen 3's too. We all like our trucks for different reasons.

 

Jason my stating this is just the contrary to those who are overtly dismissive of owners experiencing some fairly significant 3rd gen issues.

 

I'm curious if this is your first taco or not. I'm on my 5th, and this is by far the worst, and last I will own. I won't go into details, just my extensive experience with Taco's screaming at me to jump ship.

 

Wait. What? You did a test drive on the turd gen, decided you did not like the way it performed and decided not to buy it? Wow, what a concept

 

I promise you it's not that. It was the difference between driving like shit for 3600 miles and then one day not. It wasn't a progressive getting used to it. I parked it and drove it the next day and the throttle mapping and shift points are different

 

I feel you on that. My 2011 is currently garaged at home. Been running a 2016 Highlander on vacation in Arizona. Like night and day compared to my Taco. Not sure about low end torque on Highlander but POD is there on the Highlander. Feels like I am always in the right gear, doesn't have the dreaded spark knock, and is quite as can be.

I know when I go back home and jump in the Taco I am going back to the raw, clumsy, and unrefined powertrain Toyota slammed into my truck. I still love my truck but come on Toyota.

On side note not all vehicles immune to small defects. Looked what I woke up to on a $41K plus vehicle (luckily not my $41K :

 

You know the thing is, I noticed the lack of performance and sluggish transmission when I test drove several 2016s as well. Don't discount the common consumer misnomer that there's a "break in period" that the vehicle driving/performance dynamic will be subject to over time. I see it here on the forums all of the time... "oh the MPGs really improve once she's broken in" or after some imaginary mile marker 10k, 20k, etc "the engine really opened up and she drives better!"

Also consumer judgment is often clouded in the heat of the moment, test driving a new vehicle, the salesperson yapping your ear off, etc. Test driving a vehicle for 20 minutes or even 2 hours pales in comparison to vehicle ownership of 2 months or 2 years.

 

I only have about 700 miles on my 17 TRDOR DCLB 4x4 but I am completely satisfied with it. I'm coming from an identical '11 but just with a short bed. There is not as much power at low speeds but I just give it a bit more throttle. I have to turn off cruise in hilly areas and into stiff headwinds but I had to do that with my '11. Transmission is just fine. When temps were in 20's last week the first couple of shifts were a little jerky but then smoothed. I have no interest in the Entune system so can't comment on that. The JBL radio is great. Even better than the Bose in the 911 and the Macan. I have OPOR sliders in the garage waiting for the weekend to install and they look to be a nightmare in waiting because of the brake line routing.
I think maybe some members just expect too much from a car...or are just automobile hypochondriacs.

 

This is my first Tacoma but not my first car. I've owned over 40 cars and trucks and I am a professional motorcycle rider. I'd like to think I have a decent understanding of how a vehicle should mechanically feel to the operator. I have not one bad thing to say about the Tacoma thus far

 

Fwiw. I almost bought a gen 3 but after a test drive I couldn't do it. The trans is a deal breaker. There is no software update that will fix it. It will help some, but it is not well matched to the engine, and engine is no gem either. I had similar trans issues with my 16 acura tlx w/ 8 speed. After 8 trips to the dealer for trans it still isn't much better. Keep in mind this is with the proven 3.5 that is one of the best v6 engines around. The trans ruined that car. The older tl had the same 3.5 but with a 6 speed and performed great minus fuel mileage. I really like the new tacoma and yes it will have new model issues but the drivetrain is a lame duck. Go drive a 4runner or a highlander

 

My point is...you don't see things like I have how the decline in quality has progressed while the price shoots through the stars. Most first time Taco owners are so happy with their truck...don't understand these little complaints building, all while increasing the premium price. Of course you owned lots of vehicles...most of us have lol. I also see you have the 2017...might be the same, but my 2016 annoys me lol.

 

Waiting for the "If you wanted a race car you should have bought a XXXXX car" or "If you wanted a V8 you should have bought a full size" comments....

 

Me too....how about that.

 

My other car is a part-time track car. My V6 Tacoma feels plenty powerful and responsive for me, and I switch between the two vehicles frequently.