9000 Mile Review

Sort of a weird mileage for a review, but what the heck. I'm going on a road trip next week that will push me past 10K.... LOVE my truck. 2023 SR5 CC V6 4X4 A/T with tech package (which I didn't think mattered that much to me at the time, but does now.....). Truck was built in Feb of this year and I took delivery on 22 March.

Major issues: NONE

Maintenance and gas mileage so far..... Three oil changes with Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 0W-20 and OEM filters. Before I get flamed, it's my truck and I'll maintain it how I want to! In my defense, I make MANY very short trips around the base once I'm a work. I do take it on a longer run every few weeks. My 10 miles commute to work is largely at 45mph with very little traffic and only a few stoplights. I haven't seen less than 20MPG and normally hit around 21.5MPG when I fill up (calculated the ONLY correct way - manually. The computer is around .5 to 1MPG optimistic). I rotated the tires at 5K miles. So oil changes and the tire rotation wrap up the maintenance part for now. I DO intend to drain/fill the front and rear diffs around 10K based on what I've heard here and watched on Youtube.

Disappointments: None. Well, I've never been overjoyed with what feels like very minor pulsating up front when coming to a gentle stop. I had the rotors and brakes checked - they're perfect. I chalk it up to a hyperactive brake booster because I've been reading quite a bit about that with gen 3's.

I do wish there was about 1" more travel on the telescoping steering wheel. I'm 6' 180 lbs and I guess my dimensions are a bit different than most. I may look into the seat jackers to see if maybe that helps. It's not uncomfortable, but I find myself frequently thinking it would be nice if the wheel came out just a tad more.

The things folks generally complain about....engine noise and the transmission. I find them just fine because I knew about this from driving a friend's gen 3 while he was on deployment. I smile when thinking the engine is in it's tantrum (diesel/loud) mode because I know that's a major reason I'll likely not have issues with gunk buildup. I also know the transmission, while some find the shifting subpar, is rock solid if not mistreated and maintained properly. No issues with either thing for me.

VERY PLEASANT surprises.... GAS mileage. I drive like an old man, because, well, I'm getting there.

LOVE LOVE LOVE the manual e-brake. I use it all the time when shutting down on a grade so I don't stress the drive train out or the parking pawl on the transmission.

The cabin is shockingly quiet to me. The insulation is incredible. Interior noise I put on par with my 2012 GMC Sierra crew cab V8 4X4, which I find incredibly quiet going down the road. I suspect it has to do with my stock tires and this being an SR5....

Tech package goodies. Color keyed bumpers - love 'em. Puddle lights.... I was like "whatever" when I saw those on the sticker and the salesman described them, but they're cool. Rear seat USB power ports....awesome. Turn indicators on the mirrors, keyless entry (this is really a V6 standard in 2023), etc.

The ventilation system. The AC will freeze my ass out and it's shockingly cold on max. The heat is WONDERFUL. I particularly like the new style vents that you can twist/adjust any way you want.

Nanny devices. I appreciate them all, but I also appreciate that Toyota has given me switches to turn off what I don't want, and I don't have to do that every time I start the truck.

Power sliding rear window. I didn't think that was a big deal, but I do now. I use it frequently.

NO STOP START! That would have been a non-starter from the git-go and I wouldn't have bought it. But I'm very thankful I don't have it and don't have to deal with turning it off each time I start the truck.

VERY happy with this Taco. I had a 4 banger prerunner in the late 90's and this is FAR superior in every sense.

Totally stock so far, save putting better halogen bulbs in the headlights.

I did the interior light/license plate light LED conversion like most folks do (big improvements), put in Rough Country neoprene seat covers (highly recommended and lower price than most), steering wheel cover, bed lights (most people don't realize you can do this for about $30 because ALL Tacomas already have the wiring harness from the rear tail lights....plug and play), OEM Toyota bed matt (also highly recommended), a Tonneau cover, blackouts for the chrome crap (V6, 4X4, etc....) on the outside, and that kind of stuff. Nothing with the engine, suspension, exhaust, etc...

Cheers!

 

What a Friday post ! You’re a day late, but given that you get over 20mpgs that makes sense

 

Damn! I forget to put ... at the end.... "waiting for "must be Friday", "Total it", etc... comments!

 

Glad you are another satisfied customer. Agreed on the handbrake, power rear window and no stop/start. I don't care about the other stuff. You are about due for another oil change or 2. Happy Saturday.

 

Definitely get the seat jackers. For me it made the seats much more comfortable.

 

Nice review. Agree on the stop/start: my wife’s Jeep has it- it’s an annoyance that I’m happy I don’t have.

Can’t help but notice that people are now paying extra get to get mirror side markers & power sliders on their ‘24’s, so you’re ahead of the game. Enjoy yours for a very long time!

 

I just passed 50K miles on my 2021 SR5 4x4 and it’s a fantastic truck. I have also had zero issues; driven it all over North America.

 

Factory puddle lights? Curious.
Were these dealer add ons?

 

I think so, but by southeast Toyota distributors. They come on when the truck senses the FOB or when unlocked. Pretty bright too.

 

I can't get the memo of people doing under 100K reviews

 

Yeah I agree, these trucks should be problem free until well over 100K with just minimal maintenance. It’s probably safe to say the same for over 200K in most cases depending on how the truck is used.

Thats when I start to get interested in hearing about repairs needed for the 3rd gen. At 9,000 miles you aren’t even due for the first oil change yet.

 

nice post , if you would have complained you definitely would of got flamed thats for sure

 

That's one of the little convenient features my previous truck had that I miss. But I don't miss it enough to go through the work of installing the MESO ones.

 

My only complaint/annoyance is the droning sound from the tranny or rear diff.


I usually ignore it but there are times it really resonates in my ears.

great truck overall. I’m not getting the MPG like the OP but maybe I’m heavy on the gas pedal. Either way, it moves my kayak around with zero issues.

 

same

 

I still drive my 2006tacoma. That thing is road noise central. The 23 feels tranquil by comparison.

 

No stop start for the win! One of the reasons I ran away from the ford truck I was considering before the Tacoma.

 

For those not wanting to read the OP's 40 page manifesto, here is the Readers Digest condensed version:

After driving his truck for 9,000 miles, OP still likes his truck.

Carry on!

 

85k miles in 12 months 14 days. Love my truck. It’s been all over North America, Central America, and now South America. No issues.