When will the Taco get a "Drive Mode Select" feature?!!

I'm Team Pocket Sand

Sha Sha Sha

 

Baby steps, let's start with the light bulb in the glove compartment first

 

I guess I'm just trying to voice my opinion on how Toyota can improve an already awesome machine......and doing this feature would tweak it for the better in my opinion and maybe at a very reasonable cost increase. My 2014 GS350 F-Sport had tons of power with the 3.5L motor but it had a 8 speed auto trans.

I'm still not sure why the engineers detuned this motor for the Taco??….

Here's a comparison:
(2019 Lexus GS350 / Curb weight 3,726 to 3,891 lbs) "The GS350 raises the bar with an aggressive 3.5-liter V6 that generates 311 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque"

(2019 Taco / Curb weight 3,980 to 4,480 lbs) "Tacoma’s available 3.5-liter DOHC V6 direct-injection Atkinson-cycle engine gives you more of everything you want. It’s got 278 hp and 265 lb.-ft. of torque,"

Shouldn't a heavier midsize off road truck have more HP and torque then a midsize car???!!

Maybe it's not exactly the same motor but why not add a feature that let's the user determine how the motor reacts and let the driver choose which mode to drive it in? This would hopefully allow FULL USE of the existing power band....there's nothing wrong with the motor IMO but it just needs to be "tuned" better for more low end torque (for towing) and hold the gears longer (for going up and down hills) so it doesn't shift all the time....

 

LOL....now you're asking for too much and that's waaaay over the line!!….

 

I agree with your sentiment, but you are also comparing it to an F-sport.

 

The base GS350 has the same motor trans as the GS350 F-Sport.....the F-Sport models add the following:

FSPORT MODELS
Take any model to the next level with more assertive styling, a more dynamic FSPORT–tuned suspension, and additional performance enhancements such as 19-inch, staggeredwidth alloy wheels (RWD).3 Available with Rioja Red leathertrimmed interior, TORSEN® limited-slip rear differential,4 and Lexus Dynamic Handling with Dynamic Rear Steering.

The GS also comes in a GS300 version with a 241-horsepower1 2.0-liter twin-scroll-turbocharged engine......which I believe also has the "drive mode select feature"

 

Stupid question here, but what about using the shift "S" feature in the auto trans.? I've played with it a little but my last 2007 Taco had such terrible vibrations while 40 mph and under that I constantly had to take it out of OD and use D (4th) while in town. Once I hit the highway I would shift back to OD. Really got tired of having to remember to shift back to OD when not paying attention to rpm's and the radio being up too loud to hear the over revving..

 

Market segmentation for one thing.

Ask the question another way. Why not make a Lexus truck using a Tacoma platform? Think Chevy/GMC, but with mechanical/electronic things like you want.

They don't want to.

Contrary to what members here may think, it's very unlikely any significant design decisions are made based on threads in an 'enthusiast' forum that represents such a small slice of their sales.

Look around at the thousands of Tacomas rolling in 'work form' (businesses) and soccer dad form (all stock, or poseur-ed up, but never to be off road). Those are the bread and butter sales, and Lexus drive line integration is not required.

 

I suppose and yes it all makes sense to me but I'm just trying to be optimistic and hopeful that this feature will be considered for a future update for the Taco.....seems like such an easy way to appeal to more buyers and keep everyone happy!....Until then I'm just happy with my 2015 TRD PRO Inferno.....but I'm excited to see the new 2020 Taco!!….and yes, I'd get one with the current motor/tranny combo.....I'm not a 3rd gen basher in the least.....hell, I'm just a Taco fan and have loved everyone I've owned!!…..I had a 1982 Toy P/U long bed with the 22re, a 1992 Toy P/U extracab, a 2004 TRD OR 2wd, a 2008 TRD OR 2wd, a 2013 TRD OR 2wd, a 2015 TRD OR 2wd that I bought brand new, a 2017 TRD OR 2wd that I also bought brand new, back to a 2004 TRD OR 2wd and now my current 2015 TRD PRO....it's been cool seeing how each one gets better and better as technology improves.....and damn, I just realized I've had 10 Toyotas (plus 2 more 4runners.....a 1985 and a 1986 as well as a 2014 GS350 F-Sport and my current 2015 RCF)…..so needless to say I'm not jumping ship from Toyota anytime soon!