Manual peeps chime in

https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/...anual-first-test-the-last-stick-shift-pickup/
What da ya all think? agree disagree

 

At first look I am like


A mid size truck with no 2nd row space.....your're kidding???? Also a pro of showroom fresh old school truck then a con of a new truck that feels old......What does that even mean! I think the guy might need to stick to writing about Miatas.

 

Motortrend has a 4G Tacoma troll on the payroll... Lol

 

Generally agree regarding MT characteristics and NVH - it's certainly not a sports car or unibody-feeling vehicle. With that said - the 6MT gives the truck character and soul that is missing in most vehicles. The Turbo 4 isn't an I6 - and it will never be. If you understand what you are buying - a BOF, capable 4x4 with a stick - you will be pleased. I certainly am.

 

Yeah, I don't get it either. It's true that the Tacoma has a bit less rear legroom than other trucks in the segment, but it's far from unusable. The complaint about the ride is weird considering that it's a truck. It shouldn't feel like a car. Frankly, that's one of the things that turned me off about the Colorado; it drives like larger version of a midsize GM car, which is not really a complement. If you bought a body-n-frame truck and expect it to ride like a car, well, you made your purchase based on bad expectations. It's a little like buying a tub of Rocky Road and complaining it's got nuts in it. Further, I can't say I noticed any of the issues they complained about with the ride. Maybe their tester was broken or something. And what the heck is "new truck that feels old?" They never actually address that in the article.

I will admit that the motor in the Tacoma doesn't really sound the part. It does, however, work a treat. And your point about it not being a sports car is true. If you want a manual transmission, I6, sports car, they exist. I have one. It does drive much better than the Tacoma. If you don't mind that it doesn't fit people. Or stuff. Or is particularly comfortable on long drives. Or that you have to be on your driving A-game all the time lest it punish you for not timing a shift quite right or missing a small pot hole or other road imperfection. But I don't drive that car to relax. I can use my Tacoma for actual stuff and not feel stressed about it.

 

My only contention about the article is their statement that the clutch is imprecise. it feels fairly similar to the third gen clutch to me, and both third and fourth gen clutches remind me of a BMW. You may not like BMW clutches, but that is the feel you get with this fourth gen. I like it.

EDIT: I also disagree with the article about first gear being too short.

EDIT 2: They don't mention the electronic parking brake, but I find it annoying instead of a manual e-brake lever.

 

The Tacoma is the newest midsize truck design available, same as the Tundra is the newest fullsize design. I can't count the Cyber Truck in any category. Did the guy not see the all digital gauge cluster and other other tech things I don't particularly car for? How can the Tacoma feel like an old truck? What is he comparing it to?

 

How it drives ≠ how it looks

It drives like a substantial body on frame vehicle - more typical of a bygone era

 

They complain because they have to I guess. I think it's a great update to an "older tech" truck. At least the headlight controls aren't hidden in a menu (looking at you GM!).

 

If i can only find one in canada id love to see how it shifts compared to my 87 and 97 manual tacos they did everything i need 4cyl and v6

 

Without reading the article, my 2024 trd off road manual transmission is a great truck. I like the 6 speed, the power of the 4cyl. I dont care what an article says, and show me another manual transmission truck being manufactured that one can purchase.

 

I get that, it's a Truck! and I can see that it's going to drive like a truck. There are options out there that are unibody Ridgeline, Maverick, and Santa Cruz so the comparison can be made. I'm sure that's the author's driving impression of the Tacoma, and wanted to express this to people cross shopping non BOF vehicles as well.

 

I've owned quite a few manuals over the years, including three trucks: a 1989 Isuzu Spacecab LS 4x4, a 2000 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab SE-V6 4x2, and now the Taco. The Taco is by far the worst manual transmission I've ever owned, car or truck, for all the reasons that have already been covered.

But I knew that going in and it's not like I had any other choices.

 

I am on my 6th Tacoma and this is my first manual. I have got 24k km on the truck and having really been enjoying the manual.