3rd Gen 2022 Tacoma 2.7 - don't believe the hype

This post is for anyone considering a 2.7 Tacoma.

I purchased a 2022 Tacoma SR 2.7 4x4 with SX package access cab in June 2022. As of today, 11-3-2022, I have 5870 miles and here is my take. I did a ton of research before my purchase primarily focused on the 2.7 solely for reliability and almost skipped this vehicle based on all of the the negative reviews on the 2.7 engine performance. If you don't want to read entire post; don't believe the hype - I love this truck and it meets my needs.

My previous truck was a F150 Lariat V8 4x4 with tow package several years ago. Based on that experience I knew I did not need a heavy tow vehicle. I needed a truck for moving kids to/from colleges and basic home maintenance; mulch, landscaping, lumber, etc and maybe some light towing such as a mower on a trailer.

The 2.7 has numerous negative posts on several forums for being grossly underpowered, slow, and no tow ability. These posts made me strongly consider skipping this truck. So I test drove a 2.7 and drove it home the same day. What I realized on the test drive; Is this truck going to win any races, no. Can it tow like a full size, no. Does it ride like a truck, yes. Does the adaptive cruise control suck, yes. Is this a very reliable medium size truck that isn't that slow and meets all of my needs, YES.

I have moved several full truckloads moving my kids, loaded a full pallet of wet mulch, loaded it with pavers and it handles and performs fine. On a really heavy load I used the select shifter in S4 (turning off the 2 overdrive gears) and I had zero issues on large hills. As a daily driver for work I have no issues merging or getting up to speed on freeways; not slow at all. Used ECT button a few times which really makes you accelerate if you have to go in a hurry. I have not towed anything yet but rarely tow anything. The adaptive cruise control is flat out terrible in the 2.7 on hills or break aways in traffic by downshifting constantly and going to high RPMs to maintain speed. Do not believe the horrible reviews regarding slow speed as this truck is not bad at all.

The biggest selling point for me was all of my research showed the 2.7 as one of the most reliable engines in any mid size truck. Glowing reviews from Toyota mechanics who say they rarely seem them except for a valve cover gasket or water pump after hitting high mileage. I had the dealer do the 1st oil change at 1200 miles and I did the 2nd one myself this week at 5800. This truck is VERY easy to change the oil yourself; plenty of room to get to oil filter. Planning on going 4k-5k between changes. Toyota frame rust issues are a concern so I just had the truck fluid filmed.

In closing, if you need a reliable truck with light towing capabilities don't pass on the 2.7 until you test drive it.

 

Hmm, other than a lack of power, I don’t recall reading about any issues

 

Neither engine is a powerhouse, if your in it for speed your looking at the wrong trucks.

 

Glad you like it and it meets your needs. Thats all that matters.

No matter how good something might be, you know there are those out there who will find a way to bash it.

 

Agree 100%

 

Bingo. And if you look at the high mileage threads they are mostly the 2.7. I love my OR but if I didn’t need the DC I would have gotten the access cab, 2.7 with the SX package all day long.

 

"Based on that experience I knew I did not need a heavy tow vehicle. I needed a truck for moving kids to/from colleges and basic home maintenance; mulch, landscaping, lumber, etc and maybe some light towing such as a mower on a trailer."

^^^THIS^^^

Folks get so caught up in ideas like "I might need to move 20 bags of cement" (and is condo dweller) they lose sight of what they actually do.

My 3 season daily was a 4 cylinder 2wd Ranger for several years -- no, I didn't move any 20 bags of cement with it but I did use it for a ton of day to day jobs, much more than you listed above, it did them all easily and thrifty too.

 

I would have bought a 2.7 off road manual trans. It would have been a nice setup.

 

Such a shame they got rid of 2.7 stick. I had 427k on my 01 before hitting 3 deer. My 2.5 gen I ended at 327k before trading in.

 

I't be awesome to buy a short bed, reg/access cab, 4 cylinder stick prerunner style truck or 4x4, but I think that combo was last sold back in 2012? I'm a big fan of the 4 cyl truck engine though because its so iconic.

 

2015 was the last year the Tacoma was available in its highest form of enlightenment: regular cab, 4 cylinder, 4 wheel drive, 5 speed manual.

 

Since this is a forum where conspicuous consumption is frequently rewarded, the 2.7 doesn't get praised enough for its inexpensive value. You get a lot for your dollar--you have to be someone who values that to appreciate it fairly.

 

I have a 2009 2wd reg cab 5 speed....Love the truck- has plenty of power and gets 24mpg. Far exceeds any other small pickup available.

 

I like them and they are nice trucks. Toyota wants a lot of money for them. I can't say they aren't worth buying, but for a few grand more you can get the V6, and now for 23 you can get the SR5 with the SX package, MSRP is around 38k. TRD OR is like 40k MSRP.

I still like the SR SX pkg over the SR5. If Toyota could get the price down, and if I could find one at the dealer with out a mark up. Well maybe.

 

The regular cab was discontinued after the 2014 model year.

 

This engine isn't even offered at all in Canada, it seems.

 

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I swear my local dealer has many brand new offroad stick shifts on their lot... not sure if they are left overs from 2022 or what but i have seen a few ....

 

Not with a 2.7l. If you want a 6ft bed it will have to be a sport to get a stick