new tacoma not impressed, turbo, and battery

Oh for sure, there’s a niche for it. But the Tacoma isn’t that niche, and changing the Tacoma to be more maverick-like would be met with no end of howling and crying (probably even worse than third gen owners now, if that’s possible)


I should have said “we who buy Tacomas don’t want 30mpg trucks”

 

Most Disappointing: 2024 Toyota Tacoma
Let's couch this right here: The best-selling Toyota Tacoma is the way it is because Toyota really, really gets its customers. Those folks just can't get enough of a brand-new truck that feels 15 or 20 years old, so Toyota keeps building Tacomas that way. I knew this going into my first drives in the latest Tacoma, the first truly all-new, clean-sheet model in the pickup's last two decades. Yet still I was disappointed (along with most judges at the 2025 Truck of the Year). There is so much promise in that newness, that Toyota might finally take the opportunity presented by an all new frame, new turbocharged and hybridized engines, new transmissions, and even a new coil-sprung rear axle on most trim levels to revitalize its midsize truck for the modern era. I was wrong. It's as if Toyota took all these components that, typically, might elevate a vehicle's refinement, and threw sand in them all—for that just-right new-old Toyota truck gristle. The hybrid powertrain is buzzy and vibrates oddly, while the truck rides like, well, an old truck instead of with tight body control and a supple ride like the newest Ranger or Colorado. And why is the back seat still so, so small? I'll give Toyota credit for the interior styling; the dashboard's real (and big) knobs are usable by gloved hands, and the overall look is different and cool, especially given how bland most of the competition's innards are. Hey, maybe the next Taco will get me there... —Alexander Stoklosa

Motortrend.com

 

Motor trend also praised the s-10 over the Tacoma when the Tacoma first dropped. Which one is a legend and which is in the dustbin of history? They gave TOTY to the 2015 Colorado. How many people want that over a 3G taco today?

Also, in previous reviews, MT simultaneously listed the old feeling as a pro while calling it dated as a con. Heck, this exact author previously praised the smoothness of the hybrid drivetrain and that it lets you know you’re still in a truck: “there is enough gristle to the turbo engine to remind you you’re in a truck, without coming off unrefined or loud. This is just a slick, muscular engine, period”

https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2024-toyota-tacoma-limited-i-force-max-hybrid-first-drive-review/


Simply put, there’s not enough drama in auto manufacturing to support the magazine business model, so they have to manufacture it

 

Typical journalist with a pitiful opinion. Getting worse with these mainstream media organizations.

 

As the 4th gen has been out for a bit, I've become more disappointed in it.

Ironically for this thread, the turbo is the only part of the truck that really would make me consider trading in my 3rd gen. Though IMO the output is a bit lackluster compared to the GM and Ford (option) 2.7s.

I think the shared frame architecture might have hindered this gen and leads to my main beefs.

1. Turning radius. We used to make fun of the Frontier's turn radius. The Tacoma's is worse than that now.
2. 18 gallon fuel tank. The Tacoma and midsized trucks aren't really tow vehicles, but a small gas tank really slams the door on the thought.
3. The truck is a bit wider, but the cab isn't. According to Sheldon I can open the doors in my garage as before. Truck is still wider with zero benefit to me.
4. The payload still sucks. It's better than before, but you can get over 1500 lbs in the Ford and GM offroad trims.

The only thing that would put me in a 4th gen is the manual trans option. Otherwise it wouldn't even be a consideration. And total opinion, the styling isn't going to age well.

 

Have you driven one?

 

Salesmen probably let him go to the closest intersection and do a u turn

 

I've only driven a coworkers SR5 a bit. Would driving one for 100,000 miles enlarge the gas tank or improve its turn radius?

FYI, I'm not trying to shit on your guys trucks. Im sure it's overall better than my POS. Just felt like throwing my thoughts into the void and containing them to an already negative thread.

 

Wow, with 10 pages of thread on this post so far, only 8 of us are 24 Taco owners...

 

Well...

Pickup turning radiuses:

Mid-size:
Tacoma: 21'
Colorado/Canyon: 19.7'
Ford Ranger: 19.6'
Jeep Gladiator: 20.8'
Nissan Frontier: 21.7'

Full size:
GMC Sierra: 23.5'
Ford F150: 24'
Dodge Ram: 24.4'

There's not a lot of difference in the turning capabilities of mid-sized trucks.

 

The turning radius is a non issue in the city. I am not having issues parking. It’s hardly noticeable compared to my previous 2021 OR. I could see it being an issue at Black Bear.

I do wish it had a larger tank. I’m only averaging 18mpg in my heavy footed city driving. Filling up after 15-16 gallons isn’t ideal. I would rather have a 21+ gallon tank and be filling at 19 gallons.

I fill up again tomorrow as I hit 3000 miles.

https://www.fuelly.com/car/toyota/tacoma/2024

 

Where did you find those? None of them match what I found for the current gen midsizes. I'll try digging them up again.

 

Good old Google.

 

Good to hear about the turning. I never full locked on my little drive. I drive narrow switchbacks out west quite a bit. I hate having to two point turns.

 

I have a 4Runner for that.

The truck is for stinky truck stuff.

 

Gladiator: 22.25'
24 Tacoma: 22.9'
23 Tacoma: 20.3'
24 Ranger: 21.25'
24 GM twins: 20.75'
24 Frontier: 21.65'

 

Put your eye in the sky, and imagine those radiuses from above. There isn't much difference.

 

You have issues if you believe anything scotty Kilmer says, he's a washed-up clown....

 

Every time I pull out of my garage I have to k turn to leave my driveway. I definitely notice it is harder to get that done with my 4G. That said I like my new truck