2017 Tacoma 4 cyl Automatic Review

ok any more inputs/updates on the 2.7 w auto tranny. I live here in the Colorado mountains and want a reliable truck I can keep forever. I test drove one for a couple days and was mildly surprised at how it drove even at 8500 ft where I live. I do a lot of running back to KS/MO for hunting and fishing and was wondering about the tranny issues ive heard about. 6 cylinder only or does the 4 cylinder tranny downshift a lot too? I told dealer I would let em know Monday. They quoted me 24380 for access cab 4x4 auto with utility pkg.

 

I have not driven one but I have read and been told that the 4 cylinder SR with either the convenience or utility package (irrelevant to your question) have excellent shift patterns that match up well with the transmission.

You will not be able to race anyone or pass anyone on the freeway but it drives and feels like it should.

 

I can't comment on how it'll act on Colorado hills (pretty level where I am), but can say I test drove the v6, and the 4 cyl doesn't doesn't jump around the way it did. Take a 6 out for a test drive. Make the comparison.

 

I bought my 2017 Tacoma 4cyl 4x4 in April. I agree you wont break speed records with the 2.7 but I know from experience that it is very reliable. Traded in a 2007 Tacoma 2wd with 241,000 miles on it.

 

I think the tacoma OEM bed mat is a must for these composite beds. Probably the best accessory i've bought for the vehicle.

 

Amen to that!

After that get a set of those Mopar Van d-rings and put them in between your wheel wells under the frame bolts. Best tie down locations for my needs.

 

Good price. I just paid $27000 for the same configuration.

 

Any updates. How did you like the 4 cylinder auto?

 

Never got the truck. I had a 2017 4x4 auto access cab all lined up to buy from a dealer for 24999. I was all set to put the deposit on it on a Saturday and pick it up on the next Mon. I checked my email before calling the dealer and had a email from another dealer that said they could order me one for 24380. Because I still have a 2016 F150 I decided I would order one which would give me time to sell my truck. The dealer said I had up until Xmas to order that one at that 24380 price. I emailed him a couple weeks before Xmas and told him to email me the purchase order I would sign and then give deposit. He emailed back and said he was so sorry he quoted me a two wheel drive price. The 24999 truck sold in the mean time and I lost out on truck. I told the guy I was looking out of state for one so did he intentionally misquote so I would lose out on other truck? I emailed him several times asking if that was the right price for the 4x4 access auto and was told yes each time. I guess ill just keep the FORD now. I did test drive a used 2017 4x4 auto 2.7 here in mtns at 8500 and was surprised at its performance. Not a speed demon but adequate for my needs

 

I just paid 29k with tax title and reg for 2.7 utility auto here in ct.(remote starter with remote door locks included) they found me a gray one.00 % finance for 72 months.650 miles so far and loving the smell of a new truck!! 4k down 352 a month.i had to take it.got the auto so my wife could drive it also. Give the little monster some gas and it gets to 80 mph like nothing. haven't tried to push it but I'm sure it will give more .I cant tell on wind noise or tranny shifting.i had a 1st gen or a short bit but found cab to tight.thank god I didn't have to go buy a chevy.ps thing corners like a sports car!!

 

Great information, thank you OP. I am looking into the 2018 2.7l AT 4x4. There are a lot of opinions on 2.7 auto and a lot of it is subjective as our perceptions of performance can vary wildly.

 

Perception is huge. I liked it from day one, and with more miles on it, I can safely say i wouldn't change a thing. Well.. except the dam sealed tranny.

But, I would bet if you lived in a mountain area, it would bounce out of 6th alot. Even into fourth if you are accelerating up hill.

 

I test drove a 4cyl access cab with the auto last night. Its a nice looking truck, the engine well mated with the 6 sp AT. I currently have a 2008 single cab 2.7. and also had a 2012 v6 AT DCSB before.

Thinking about upgrading to the 4 cyl soon access cab with SR package. I just need to tow a single jetski/trailer about 1300lbs and weekend home depot stuff. I have a smaller car to I drive to work.

 

Great review! Thanks so much for the info. Im a Toyota fan from the past. The old 22R engines of the day were bullet proof. So anyway, I had a Ford Ranger for a few months last year that only had 13000 miles on it. What a nightmare money pit!!! I should have known better!. After $1500 in fixes; the timing BELTS (yes, plural) tensioners decided to let go. Mechanic said at least 2 grand to fix. (Engine has to be removed to get to the rear tensioners). Put it on Craigslist for $1500 and sold the first day. Dumb rookie mistake on my part. But good riddance! Ive always heard the jokes about Ford and always avoided them. So I took my lumps and told my wife Im getting a new Toyota. Im looking at the SR model 4 cylinder 4x4. I was considering the 5 speed manual, but then I read this thread. Im a senior and my left hip is always bothering me anyway. I dont go crazy 4 wheeling any more these days. I just need something to pull my quad and get us around town dependably. Wife has a Forester we use in case were going on long trips. (not that the tacoma couldnt do that) We live in the woods of Oregon on a dirt road and need 2 cars for snow season. (As long as the quad and plow keep working.) Thanks again for the detailed review! That totally made my decision much more easy to plan. Now if my local dealer will make me a deal well under 30K. Ill let you know if it all works out. Keeping my fingers crossed. Thanks again!

 

I own an '09 5-speed manual, and have driven '15 (35k miles) and '17 (17k miles) autos extensively for work, all 2.7l 2tr-fe, and I've gotta disagree a bit about the six-speed auto. I much preferred the 4-speed in the second gen. It was much more intuitive and I felt like I had a lot more control over which gear it was in by feathering the throttle. With the six-speed, if I let up off the gas in an effort to get it to shift into a higher gear, it won't respond- it'll stay stuck in whatever gear it's in and hang at 3500+ rpm- really annoying. Seriously, the new auto is a big downgrade from the second gen auto, and they both suck compared to the 5-speed stick, but that's personal preference.

 

Nice review...I'll def look into the A/C drain...I have 8200 miles on my white 17 2.7 SR AC...love it!

 

I've got a 2016 SR5 4 cyl and I love everything about this truck. I bailed out of my 2001 Ford Ranger that was starting to grenade into a money pit after 147,000 miles of gentle low mileage/year driving.

Using my Ford 6 cylinder as a comparison:

The Tacoma 4 cylinder has the same horsepower as my Ranger 6 cylinder, however the Tacoma has better "pick up". The Ranger always had a slight lag time between pushing the gas pedal and waiting for the power to kick in. The Taco does not suffer from this. The Taco's power is essentially "on demand" in this regard. Also the Ranger would make a "gurgling/rattling" noise when going uphill, this Tacoma doesn't do this. Ranger had an overdrive on/off button so it wouldn't shift all over the place going uphill.

I don't want to overstate things but it seems as if these modern Toyota 4 cylinder engines are comparable to displacement and horsepower found in the older 6 cylinder engines from 15-20 years ago. Also they get better gas mileage than the 6 cylinder engines of yesteryear.

I did go on a 4,000 mile trip (2,000 miles each way) last year and I had no issues with keeping up and passing traffic. In fact at one point on the trip a dude in a Ford Raptor pulled up next to me and was going the same speed for longer than comfort dictates, so I punched the gas and took off. He changed into my lane and tried to catch up but never did. The point of this is that at interstate cruising speeds there is room to go faster quickly. Maybe the correct way to say this is "the power in the upper bands (registry?) is great."

I feel fortunate to have found my 4 banger Taco when I did. This same configuration hasn't been offered at any of my local dealerships since I bought mine. So if you happen to see a 4 cylinder SR5 in the color you want at a dealership near you, then the time to get it is in the "now" and not later.

 

Well; Ive had my 2018 Tacoma SR for 2 weeks now. I honestly feel I made the right choice going for the base model SR with the 4 cylinder and automatic. It has plenty of power for everyday cruising. All I'll ever tow is my quad, or a load to the dump of pine needles. Im totally impressed with the quality of the truck. And at just over 25K, I feel i really got what I wanted for the price. 36K for an SR5 is just too big of a jump. I bought new 16 inch wheels, and kept the stock tires. I bought a bull bar with LED strip for fogs. (installing on Thursday. Full black front end was ugly at first, but its growing on me. So far so good!

 

Hey guys, This is my first tacoma I have owned..
i have a 16 utility 4x4 with the 2.7 and manual transmission. I have a little lift and bigger tires/rims as well. I have 25K on it so far, and it has been flawless really minus a few small things. I think I got it for a steal, 23,219$$ sticker when I bought it, came all the way from across country, it was hard to find.
Is it true that this configuration of the manual 5 speed 2.7 is no longer available? If so thats a shame.

I am urging a friend of mine to buy the 2.7 automatic soon.

My complaints with my truck are noises - sounds like there is a loose nut in the rear AC door.
Pass side speaker cover where it meets the dash has been noisy.
Traction control, I hate it. It seems to dig and shake/stutter the whole truck when it kicks in, seems to do the same when traction control button is pushed off also. I'm speaking from experience of driving in the snow.
Shift from 1st to 2nd has been notchy. You have to really let the rpms come down during shifting... (probably not an issue at all with the AT anyways.)

I would still recommend the truck though, I think it is the best bang for your buck in a new truck nowadays.

 

Correct, 2018 didn't have the manual 4 cyl.

If you remove the a pillar cover, and put some fabric tape where the oem foam tape is, it takes care of the rattle. Between the cover and the dash. Be sure to disconnect the battery given the side air bag is under there.

There's a couple of stages to it. Pressing it once doesn't disable it fully. While stopped, press and hold the trac control button for a few seconds, until the the gauge says TRAC OFF. 100% off now.

Completely agree!