Consumer Reports new car ratings

I just read the 2018 new car ratings issue, and CR trashed the third gen Tacoma? Reliability rating of 28/100, and overall performance of 42/100. Worst small truck reviewed by far! Only issues identified are transmission and drive train. Hard to believe because the Toyota brand is still the best overall.

Are any of you experiencing these problems?
I am now thinking if it might be better to buy a low mileage 2nd gen?

Thoughts, suggestions?

 

That subject has been discussed at nauseam here, they have a funky scoring system that does not benefit the Tacoma. Do you really want some Sandal wearing, Granola eating guys at that magazine that think Ridgelines are best deciding what truck you should buy?

 

He doesn't. I am pretty sure he drives a Colorado and comes in here for his jollys.

 

You should definitely get a 2nd Gen or Colorado or Ridgeline. CR rates the Ridgeline the best.

 

I can't actually comment on the 3rd gen as I don't own one.

However:

Consumer Reports - "Hatin' on Tacomas since 1995" should be their slogan.

 

Op - Welcome to TW!

Your question has been asked before...actually just within the last few day and many of us are fresh on the topic. I strongly recommend you spent the time to read through the last thread on said topic.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/second-thoughts.535684/

IF CR told you the sky isn't blue, it's purple...would you agree? The Tacoma is a good truck.

 

Thank you. You had me at "Sandal wearing, Granola eating guys"...

 

Glad that you linked the source of some of your material, and it's suggestive of issues. You just have to figure out what they were complaining about. Sometimes it's actual performance/maintenance, sometimes it's just 'I don't like how they did X, Y, Z and I'm going to complain about it. Also, the Tacoma outsold the Colorado in 2016 by a ratio of 1.76:1, in US sales. That still doesn't totally normalize the complaints, but gets it much closer. 2017???? I got nuthin'. 3 complaints is pretty darn good when the prior year was 63.

 

Haven’t seen a ridgeine in the wild in months...a colorado/canyon in weeks.
But if I look out my window, three of my neighbors have 3rd gens, 2 more have 2nd gens. That doesn’t include mine, and there are only 12 houses in my Cul-de-sac.
Fuck what some tired ass websites say, the tacoma is the people’s champ.

 

Consumer reports is by far the WORST reviewing organization for enthusiast vehicles. They review cars like they would a washing machine. If you're object is to buy an A-B car to haul your family around then by all means take their advice. If you use your vehicle in greater than standard ways then don't even bother.

 

Just unusual to talk shit about the main product of an enthusiast's group, especially since you don't own one.
I can challenge you that for every bad review you can find, i can find two that talks about how good the Tacoma is.

There are two things you truly should look at that will tell you what the customers think:
1. Residual value after three years. Tacoma is number one of all vehicles.
2. Sales. Are sales decreasing or increasing? That is a simple metric.

One metric that is un measurable: Passion. A lot of truck owners are passionate about their ride. Jeeps and Tacomas are two that come to mind.

Truly, is a Ridgeline a better day to day vehicle solution for the majority of truck owners? Probably. Yet truly how much passion does anyone feel when you look at a Ridgeline in the driveway?

Lastly, take a look at all the vehicles that rate low. Some deserve it, such as the Jeep Compass. Some are just because the reviewer does not understand the passion.

 

I dont know why people look into CR. Why don't ya'll just do an indept scoring/research of your own? Not asked on a forum that will be biased...

Most of CR doesnt even fully understand the Atkinson engine (which is why it feels underpowered). Honestly, its laughable that they even mention Ridgeline as the best. The things some of us do will not even think twice in owning a Ridgeline. I guess for driving around the mall in Ridgeline would be better, than a truck designed and tailored for the offroad market.

 

Well, I was one of those who drove both and decided to purchase a 2014 DCSB 4x4 with 4800 miles on it. I paid quite a bit though it is also Toyota Certified, To me, the 3rd gen has nice features but its an unproven motor, unproven transmission and really unproven resale despite the crazy asking prices for used 16 and 17 models. They are discounting the LEFTOVER 17 tacomas that have not sold. They feel incredibly cheaply made. Fenders are paper thin, and the interior is claustrophobic despite the exterior being insanely long. The front looks like its sucking a lemon or its having an allergic reaction and its EXPENSIVE. I will take tried and true 2nd gen any day. Just my .02. If you love your 3rd gen then thats cool, more power to you. Its still hella ugly.

 

I am a CR subscriber. Now we can say what we want about their ratings / rankings but think about this for a second. Come to TW and read all the crap about the motor trans in the 3rd gen. Read all the TW members and their complaints about quality slipping. Read how everyone says look at the Ranger-raptor or the ZR2 and how this should get Toyota to up their game.

Step back a second and think long and hard about all the complaints of the 3rd gen by Tacoma owners and enthusiasts right here on TW. Now go back and complain CR has got it wrong. I have read first hand the CR reports of the Tacoma and can’t say I nessecarily agree with their conclusions but you can’t flame them for their report and ignore the reporting from actual owners on this site.

Pot meet kettle.

 

CR bashes trucks for a harsh ride, and Jeep wranglers for being loud... I mean come on now it’s a vehicle for a different purpose, though I’m guessing their subscribers mostly take trucks to the local Whole Foods, not into the backcountry.

I have a 2017 Off-Road and previously a 2010 Off-road. I like the new one better personally.

-Yota


Of course I also drive a 78 FJ40, so the 2017 feels like a ROCKETSHIP to me.

 

@YOTA 4X4

Better delete the first paragraph. Could be ban worthy these days.

Just lookin' out for you

 

***edited***



Everyone gets a trophy

 

Might want to clean that one up too.

 

No idea if you are being serious or not... guess I can’t hear sarcasm on the internet either.... but edited because I like it here and I don’t wanna get the boot.