2020 Tacoma... 6 speed or auto

New here. First post and looking for some advice. I've done some reading on the site, but there are a few 100+ page threads that I just won't be able to read.

Never owned a Tacoma, but friends and family have so I've driven a few over the years. Considering getting a new 2020 or 2019 if I feel the seat is acceptable vs that fancy new power seat.

My question is, are there any driveability problems with the 6 speed manual in the 2020 model? I've seen a few previous discussions on an ECU reflash for the 6MT guys. Has Toyota sorted all this out? I drove a 2020 v6 offroad 4x4 with 6 speed manual and the throttle response was pretty dull and lacking.

I drove the auto 2020 v6 offroad 4x4 and was happy with it until I stepped on the skinny pedal for a downshift while merging... there was a LONG delay, it downshifted, then a few moments later downshifted again, engine screaming and not really going anywhere any faster. So have they not ironed out the shifting issues with the auto hunting gears?

Could someone tell me if there's any TSB open for the 2020 6MT or 6A trucks?

I like the idea of selecting my own gears with the 6MT, but they cut quite a few features... you give up touch lock/unlock door handles, push button start, MTS, and crawl control.

 

6MT FTW \Thread?

 

MT

 

Do you drive lots of traffic auto does the job. You don’t mind stop and go MT is the only way to go. I got myself an auto because I spend 1-2hrs traffic a day. If I didn’t have to do this much traffic it wouldn’t have been an auto 100%. MT will be worth more if you need to sell. MT FTMFW.

 

6MT even with traffic.

 

My 2019 trd off-road is perfect, so I would say the 2020 should be the same or better

 

Drive both and see what you like better. Personally I don’t like MT. Don’t like the way the clutch engages and position. Also thought it was clunky and not smooth. Everyone is going to have different thoughts and opinions. It’s all personal preference.

 

IMO there is nothing wrong with the auto. I think people's expectations are unrealistic. The auto is rated very high and has 2 overdrive gears. If you are in 6th at 65mph you are turning probably 1600-1700rpms. If you smash the pedal it's going to to downshift twice for 4th gear to accelerate comfortably. It won't take off in 5th either because 5th has a 0.69 ratio and would still be turning around 1900-2000rpms at 65mph. Just let the auto Trans do its thing and don't try to baby sit it is my understanding.

 

My 18 is a flying machine.

No but really, its quick and its a pleasure rowing gears in that smooth tranny.

Big vote for MT. Best thing is all v6 MTs come with 4.3 rear end.

 

If they made a DCLB with a Manual I’d have gotten that in a heartbeat! MT is the way to go unless your hand is forced into an AT

 

I actually did drive both. I liked the MT clutch and actually thought it was smooth. Shift lever felt good with positive throws, too. I did NOT like the throttle response or lack thereof. I noticed immediately after getting into the auto that a light touch on the accelerator gave me more throttle response. However, that crazy laggy downshift and then downshift again a moment later without any real acceleration really turned me off.

I am thinking I can improve the throttle response on the 6MT with a pedal commander or OV tune... and could do the same with auto, but auto would just be better off re-geared.

Anyone know of any TSB for the 2019/2020 6MT dead spot/surge around 3k rpms such as previous years had? I read briefly about this or something similar.

 

So basically the AT hasn't changed that much then.

 

If that’s the case get the MT.

And to think Toyota actually did something about the complaints after 4 models years...

 

I'm with you on this. I was doing probably 50 mph give or take, and needed to accelerate. No idea what gear it was in before I mashed on it. I was surprised by the lag and then the downshift, then more lag time and another downshift. I just didn't feel like my foot was connected to anything that was happening in that moment.

 

Yes sir! The gearing is definitely something I noticed and liked. That's a plus for 6MT.

 

Well MT it is, I guess we're done here.

https://youtu.be/OQ4orsyPbAc?t=218

 

Random side topic, anyone running a pedal commander on their 6MT?

 

It seems like re gearing the axles is about the only way to make it shift "right," but I have no real experience with this specific truck. Only the internet and videos from Nitro gear who obviously are biased. I'd buy it, tho.

 

No long bed 6MTs built, is that the deal?

 

Which trans?