2020 Tacoma, improved auto transmission?

I don't think it's underpowered at all. It's a better power to weight ratio than our Outback which is also tuned for good mileage and the Outback power delivery feels much better when driving non-aggressively. I bet it would be quite a bit better if the throttle position mapping was just more aggressive. You have to push the throttle so far for it to do anything it leaves the impression your really getting after it and nothing is happening, when really I think about the first 1/4 of pedal travel is only getting you about 10% of WOT (obviously picking random numbers). But it leaves the computer not really knowing what you want based on throttle input unless you are aggressive. Where as the Outback is at like 75% WOT with 1/4 pedal travel so the trans reacts much more quickly to throttle input.

The Tacoma drives much better when you put your foot down but behaves strange when attempting to drive for good mileage.

I bought mine in October as well. Mine doesn't hunt terribly. It's just that 30-40 mph range like around town. Jumps too high then bogs. It would probably be ok except nothing is flat here, so the slightest incline and it's bogging until it finally shifts aggressively. Nothing smooth about it.

 

6MT

 

I traded my MT for an AG AT.

I will say driving the MT is a hell of a lot more fun.

So far the shifting on the AT doesn't seem to bother me. It's definitely not smooth and refined.

 

I went from a 2017 to a 2019. I noticed a big improvement in the shifting at highway speeds.

 

My 2019 is fine at highway speeds. Not perfect but totally fine. My biggest complain is with light acceleration up to about 30-45 mph or trying to cruise at that speed on anything but flat ground.

 

My 2019 Sport does hunt for gears more than I would prefer. I find that using S5 locks out 6th gear and therefore prevents the transmission from rushing to get into 6th gear just for better fuel economy. On freeways I just shift to S6 to reduce the RPM. Around town I use S5 and occasionally S4 for city driving. I even use S3 if I'm starting from a stop with a hill right in front of me. This really prevents shifting between 4th and 3rd, back to 4th. I also use the Sport mode to downshift approaching a stop sign just to save brake wear. I am hoping for a TSP for the newer shift logic of the 2020 to be retroactive for 19's and older.

 

I've no real issues with my 2019 AT. The system is under powered and tweaking the transmission shift points will satisfy a few situations but in the end it's just a wimpy power train. I've gotten used to it, but I've got to say when I drive my wife's Avalon, and put it in sports mode... holy shit that sucker moves. I wish but I do realize I'll never see that in a Tacoma.

 

If I need more power, I would just used sport mode the downshift or upshift.

 

Hello, I'm looking into getting a used Tacoma with 85K miles (first timer). It had 3 owners and judging by the carfax, it's been in for "service" multiple times and one of them says it was "reprogrammed" I'm almost sure these owners were having the same tranny issues and trying to get Toyota to do something. I'm supposed to test drive it today but willing to bet, it's been re-programmed again just to make sure any potential buyers don't notice...

Now I can probably deal with some shifting issues with a pedal comando or tune because I think this truck is worth it, however is this transmission showing any other serious symptoms such has slips and bumps?

 

Right now my truck is stock. I can only imagine how the poor shifting would be magnified with a lift and heavier tires.

I will get used to it.

This truck definitely does not shift smooth.

 

It's a small engine. Tweaking the shift points helps to some extend, but you can't get 200 lbs of meat out of a 150 lb cow no matter what butchering method you use. If you're going to tow and/or spend a lot of time at 70 MPG through hilly country this Tacoma is probably not for you. Me, I drive mostly around town and offroading is not much affected by this power train, so I'm good with it. Drive and decide.

 

Price?

If you are buying used, you are better off getting a one owner vehicle.

 

Amen.

 

The problem is the 3rd gen makes shit for power at low RPM. Sure the 3rd gen makes more max torque than the 2nd gen, but the 2nd gen makes its max torque at a lower RPM than the 3rd gen. The 3rd gen auto trans likes to be kept at extremely low RPM's during normal driving which makes it feel absolutely gutless. I swear to god sometimes when I'm driving with the radio on and can't hear the engine I feel as if the engine has stalled because there's no power.

It's a damn shame Toyota has decided to go with this engine/trans combo on the Tacoma while the 4Runner kept the 4.0L.

 

I can’t believe this is still talked about. There is nothing wrong with this tranny. It feels slow because of the rpms the motor is kept in due to emissions. You could have 400 horsepower,and it wouldn’t matter.
70 miles per hour and your rpms are at 1500. This causes the motor to struggle.It is programmed to stay at the lowest possible rpm for gas mileage . In another 15 years we are all going to be driving electric self drive cars . I have a 1000 cc zx10 sport bike that will do the same thing at this rpm, and at 10,000 rpm will suck your eye sockets out of your head at full acceleration. Enjoy the truck for what is is and it will reward you with good reliability and good resale at time of resale. Or just re gear and all these problems will go bye bye

 

What it is, is a truck that has an awful shifting transmission. I'm just supposed to enjoy it? Ok, man.

 

Ive had a 2020 Pro for two weeks now. First and foremost, it’s not a sports car. I’ve driven it with ECT on and off. In S mode and not. Seems to drive and shift just fine to me. Is it the smoothest thing I’ve ever driven? No. Does it have some quirks? Yes. I’ve learned how to press down on the accelerator to get what I want when I want it.

 

Are you making this statement about a 2020 year model or previous year?

 

2020

 

Did you test drive? Have you driven previous year models? What exactly is so terrible about the 2020's shifting that has you so heated?

You seem to be the first person complaining about the 2020's drive-ability.