2018 TRD sport first impressions, 3mo. 3k miles

Hello,

Let me start off by saying I was attracted to the 3rd generation Tacoma for a couple reasons.
1) Toyota. I put a ton of miles on my 2004 Camry, and my grandfather was a brand loyalist, I was after the reliability and durability.
2) I work 43.5 miles (highway) from my home. I needed a fuel efficient truck, so full size wasn't really an option. I needed an all around Swiss army knife type vehicle that I could tow with, had a bed, and 4x4.
3) I had been burnt by two other used trucks, and new was the only option for me. I bought a 2005 Silverado with 116k miles that had brake problems, transfer case problems, as well as lights and things that didn't work right interior wise. I traded it for a 2010 tundra with 63k miles that was pretty decent other than getting 16mpg and eventually, both rear axel bearings were bad. (apparently was a TSB at about $1600 per side)

So, I did a bunch of reading on this forum, as well as test driving the TRD sport and TRD off-road, for extended drives at multiple dealerships. I eventually decided on a 2018 DCSB TRD sport, automatic 4x4. I chose the sport for two reasons, the first being I would only use the 4x4 to get to work in Virginia snow, which varies from 6-14" annually and also I liked the paint matched bumpers and trim. Also, Skewp!!

My initial thought was the automatic transmission is fine. It shifted quicker than I thought, it did seem to keep rpm low for fuel mileage. When I stepped on the throttle it really moved, not like the tundra obviously, but I've been pretty happy with it. ECT button is pretty cool, it wakes up the transmission for sure, it does hold 3rd gear for a bit to long. All of this is nit-picking now that I think about it. I'm not sure I would have really noticed had I not read all about it here on the forum. Fast forward 3 months and 3,000 miles and I can say my opinion has changed a bit. The transmission is fine 90% of the time. Sometimes depending on if I'm turning at a light and going slightly up a hill, it races to 5th gear and almost bogs down, slowing down...and I find myself thinking...wtf? And pressing harder on the throttle to which it jumps up to 3k rpm in 3rd gear. Strange for sure. It doesn't happen often but when it does i certainly notice. My only other real complaint, is at exactly 55 MPH, I hear a faint high pitched whine or howl, almost like when you blow air across a glass beer bottle opening. I presume that it is related to the TSB for the 16-17 rear differential howl. Currently my vehicle is not covered by this. I do have two other minor things that bug me but it's worth taking note of. The automatic high beams suck. I leave this feature turned off. I live in the country, where it's very rural, and I'm worried about hitting animals. The roads are narrow, so everytime I pass a mailbox reflector, it shuts off the high beams. Also when there is a car really far ahead, coming the opposite way, it turns off the high beams. Cool! The bad part is when the on-comer get about 3-5 car lenghts away (about to pass by) it turns them on again...almost as if you were flashing him because he didn't turn his lights off! I feel like a dick. Again, the automatic high beams suck. The last thing is the TSS system. The adaptive cruise control is nice. What I do NOT like is the fact that if my windshield has frost on it, of the emblem on the grill has frost it tells me that TSS is unavailable. Which is fine I get that. The problem is that the cruise control doesn't work....at all. It doesn't even revert back to old school 2017 cruise control, it just disables it all together. What the hell?

All said and done I really love the truck. It's the best option for me in the mid-size truck category. I don't regret buying it one moment. It's very comfortable, looks cool as hell, and I get complements everywhere I go on the cement color. The fuel mileage is pretty amazing. It really depends on ambient temperature. At 30-50°f I get between 19-21 mpg per tank. At 60-80°f I get much better...between 22-25mpg. I drive about 80% highway with speeds around 73mph, and it's mostly flat with some minor hills, in South Central Virginia. The picture was my commute at 83°f. Thanks for reading and I hope this helps some one on the fence about purchasing a 2018 Tacoma TRD sport

 

SKEWP!!!!!

I should have copyrighted that on Facebook.....

 

Good review, good info. Someone will definitely find this useful

 

And for those of you who are on the fence of SELLING their new taco, look into the OVTune

 

For your cruise control, just hold button in for 3 to 5 seconds and it bypasses adaptive function, works like old school cruise control.

P.S. Two months on my 18 Sport DCLB and no complaints at all.

 

Thank you very much for your write-up. Its what I was really looking for. I've never owned a Toyota before (although we bought one for my son) so its a big decision for us. The process of deciding between the OR and the Sport has been excruciating. I love the off road features, but I know full well I will never put a 40,000 truck in a situation where I need those features, plus I just love the look of the Sport. Anyway, sorry for the rambling. Thank you again for your review. Kevin.

 

You can't go wrong either way. Sport definitely has the looks but OR has the locker and crawl control. Like you I realized I would never take a new truck anywhere where I could damage it (which is anywhere where a locker is needed). Might as well get the Sport suspension and the scoop.

Even an SR5 4x4 is enough for most of us, anything more is gravy.

 

Nice review. I own a 18 sport as well but have the manual. For the howling noise at speed check if the lower control arms have the plugs installed. There was a tsb that installs plastic plugs in the control arms. Wind would blow over the holes causing the "blowing over a bottle noise" your describing. Your right about the auto headlights. It's just doesn't work well and I choose to leave the button in the off position.

 

The Sport is fine if not off roading much,but it will go. I was so accustomed to my 2000 Taco manual when I got the 2017 Sport automatic I didn’t like it off road personally. The hood “skewp” for one gets in the way and auto’s handle differently than manuals, so I traded in for a 2017 off-road automatic(because I am getting old). My orange sport going up Rocky Mountain Loop in Uwharrie last year..so yes it is capable..and my new silver Off-road..

 

Nice write up, if you change the auto headlight sensitivety in the entune you should be able to resolve your issues.

 

I think the 2018’s have the plugs, correct? Mine did along with some others on here at least. I would guess it’s the rear diff howl as 55mph is the sweet spot for it. Wouldn’t hurt to check to see if the plugs fell out though!

I agree about the auto high beams. My parents live out in the country and it doesn’t work well with an oncoming car coming off a turn. By the time it realizes a car is there it turns them off right after it passes haha Truck can only see what is coming pretty much straight ahead so can’t really blame it.

 

Yes the 18 is suppose to have the plugs but it should be checked. There are other things that can cause howling issues such as installed accessories, tire, etc. Let's not jump to the "rear end howling" and my truck is sh!t pattern.

 

I don’t think anyone is jumping to the my truck is shit pattern...?lol I was just stating what i think it most likely is based off his description of the noise, when it happens, and the year of vehicle.

 

I notice the whistle at around the same speed as OP. Approximately 55 MPH +/- 1 MPH and only when I let off the throttle or am cruising in high gear. It's not loud enough for me to complain or let it bother me but I know its there.

 

Is your SR5 an access cab, DCSB or DCLB?

Edit: On mobile and don’t see if you have that listed.

 

DCSB

 

Nice! I would have went the same route if I didn’t need the 6ft bed.

Sorry for the off topic, OP! Back on track.

Like na8rboy said above, just hold down the cruise control button a little longer and it switches to regular cruise.

Enjoy your truck!

 

Great information, thank you! I had no idea

 

I didn't see that feature, I'll have to look again and see if that remedy helps, thank you!

 

Are you a salesman for them lol. Just because you like it does not mean the rest of the world likes it. I put 4Runner wheels on mine. I don't post in every wheel thread that they should try 4Runner wheels.


Nice write up OP! Glad you like the truck. Should help.