17 TRD Sprt - Acceleration or Transmission Brain

New guy here, never joined a forum before so, I apologize for not researching previous topics that will most likely parallel this post. Long story short, I am looking for technical advice, Im not a mechanic or have a mechanics instincts when it comes to diagnosing issues.
This is my second Taco, my first was a 98 TRD and I loved it. I just recently purchased a used 2017 Sport 4x4(40k/6-cyl), Ive had it for 2 months and I am not impressed, especially surrounding the acceleration/gas pedal reaction and the shifting.
This 17 is an automatic and it continually wants to 'up-shift' causing the engine to TAC at low RPM's when I'm expecting it to maintain higher RPMs. I can give the gas pedal a good inch before it decides that you want to accelerate and the engine will actually bog down, then down shift and speed up. I will hold the pedal in place, wanting to maintain the RPM's and it will up-shift again for no reason causing the RPMs to decrease, causing the truck to slow down and lose momentum. I use 87 octane, I read that that is the recommended octane. Or is it? I actually get better MPG driving country roads vs. highway.
Looking for advice to remedy the situation or if I have a lemon. Flash ECM? Technical Service Bulletins? Drive it with the ECT engaged? I do like the truck, but I find it hard to believe that Toyota would sell a truck that performs like this. Willing to communicate offline rather than have you guys/gals watch a rerun. Thanks

 

Have had my 18 sport rd for a few months.

I think it would help if the the ECT mode had a couple of levels. I am an old guy so i don't really have the need for speed so to speak. I did put the transmission in S mode and try it like that on the way to the dump today.

I tried the ECT mode and thought the down shifting was a little aggressive but I think that is what that mode is for.

A ECT mode that was more like City and got you going and shifting up a little later seems like it would be a good compromise

 

Tune up , clean throttle plates, clean maf , air filter all the normal stuff. Maybe even disconnect battery for a while so it has to relearn to your driving style. If that don’t work maybe it’s due for tranny tsb /reprogram

 

What is this learning driving style? I show something about it but never found a real thread

 

@trucknh - We may live close enough, Im near the NH border, Plaistow/Haverhill area...you can take it for a test drive. The manual shifting is another topic of discussion, but I have tried that as well.

 

I am ok with the truck so far, just experimenting

 

I have a '17 off road and mine constantly jumps gears near 80 mph. Thing is the speed limit is 80 mph on the highway here. I drive it often and getting sick and tired of driving 50 to 70 miles with my engine constantly at 32 to 3400 rpm