Auto vs 6 speed: Help Me Decide!

I will say that I was very unhappy with the auto in my '18, and figured I just didn't like 3rd gens (my previous truck was an '09 regular cab, MT). I've recently gotten into a '19 MT, and I am loving it. Any grumbles I had about the 3rd gens from my experience with the '18 were immediately wiped away by getting back into a manual. Having a blast with it.

 

Without question go with the MTX.

 

I think it all comes down to your ankle, if it starts to hurt, manual will not be fun for you anymore.

Like others have stated, this gearbox is fine for traffic. Nice and low first gear lets you crawl without stalling. You get a lower ratio rear diff as well, better low end torque.

Overall, MT is very smooth and easy to drive. Sometimes the shifts are not perfect, especially downshifting before a big hill, i think due to clutch accumulator. I actually get 1-2 mpgs better then advertised mpgs and i dont always drive like a grandma.

Regarding the auto, it works just fine. There mightve been issues in 16s, 17s tacomas but i drove 2019 auto and its great. My buddy got 2019 trd OR auto and its a beast. People who say its slow/underpowered, must be comparing to R32 or something. That thing goes!

Most of cars/trucks nowdays are programmed for fuel efficiency so thats why it might feel sluggish for some people. There is ECT button and S Mode that can be used for quicker response.

For me it was a no brainer, i only wanted MT.
Both trannies are just fine, dont listen to this BS that auto shifts funny or its underpowered.

I might be a bit biased, but if you can deal with your ankle get a MT !!! Very fun to drive

Good luck man!

 

+2

I'll add the MT models costs approximately $800-$1000 less than an auto.

 

Good neutral assessment

 

Haha! Thanks man!

 

i have a 16 i run my auto tran in s5 shifts great 84000 miles no problems had stick before love this auto

 

wrong my auto has key 16 sr5

 

Recently bought my 19 with MT, my second MT Tacoma. Love it, but I've always preferred shifting over auto. My wife did have a CVT in a Hybrid Highlander, which is the first auto that I really liked. Suffered an ankle injury two weeks ago, but the 19 clutch is so light it has not been an issue in my case.

 

Don't internet, test drive.
I like my auto, manual transmissions are a thing of the past to me.

 

The 3.5 V6 has an Atkinson Cycle design that maximizes fuel efficiency and delivers max power at high rpm and is thus a bit low on power at low rpm. The AT also is tuned for maximizing fuel efficiency.

With the MT if you shift early, around 2-2500rpm and stay in that range, then you will maximize fuel efficiency. But the MT gives you they option of running the engine up to 3-4000rpm or higher and having the power come on with strong throttle response and higher gas bills.

In steady slow traffic you can leave it in 1st gear and idle along at 1 or 2 mph without needing much throttle and no lugging or stalling. In stop and go traffic, the clutch peddle is fairly light to depress when taking out of gear at a full stop and then releasing the peddle (something that you should always do when stopped).

 

I cant tell you what you want .I prefer a stick but there are certain vehicles I want or need that dont make sense to me in a stick . I've owned a 64 and a 70 Cadillac coupe deville ( wouldn't want to shift a boat like that) and a couple trucks that where automatic . I don't want to shift in a truck . To me that's reserved for motorcycles or sporty cars .
My only manual right this sec is my golf R.

 

To add to this:
The MT also comes with 4.30 gearing (as opposed to the auto's 3.9 or 3.7 something gearing). This basically means you'll be sitting at somewhat higher RPM's compared to the auto which should equate to somewhat better torque delivery, though at the cost of slightly worse mpg's especially on the highway.
The MT also excludes Crawl Control but comes with ATRAC. I know people rant and rave about Crawl Control. I have both (ATRAC and Crawl Control) on a 4runner. The Crawl Control is neat gimmick you'll try out once or twice and then never touch...ATRAC is great in that it basically replicates the functionality of a front mechanical locker (using brakes instead of a diff locker). If you plan to offroad, I would go with ATRAC over Crawl Control any day of the week...though Toyota should have included both for the auto and the MT.

MT is the way to to go...I'm not in love with the 3.5l v6. It has great top-end horsepower, but the low-end torque isn't all that impressive. The MT helps mitigate a lot of that.

 

New Tacoma owner here: if I had known how shitty this automatic transmission would end up being, I’d have never bought the truck.

My Tacoma will probably last 100 years...because it’s always parked in the garage.

 

Yes. That was my experience during the test drive. The shifter is pretty slick, too.

I think there are drivers who never mind a stick shift, even in traffic.

The question for the OP is: is he one of them? If not...he won’t like the manual shifting in light or in heavy traffic.

 

I own a SRT4 Caliber with a stage 4 racing clutch heavy as shit! I spent on average 1-2hrs each way on my commute 5 days a week to and from work. I did this drive in my caliber for 3 years and finally had enough and knew being in a city I knew I couldn’t do MT anymore. I do wish I had got the MT over 50% of the time. My auto drives awesome and I have no problems with my auto minus I do miss throwing shifts. BUT when I’m sitting in stop and go traffic for 2 hours a day I remember I made the right choice.. plus I always knew deep down I will be getting a MT FJ soon anyways lol!!! You wrote out some solid pros and cons just give it some time think it over drive both and let yourself make the right choice for you and your family. Good luck and hope it works out.

 

MT more control!

 

When I decided to let my '02 Taco go, I was 99% convinced I had to have a manual. After all; 50 years driving my 3 speed FJ40. 14 years during my 5 speed '02 Tacoma, 15 years driving Prelude and Accord manuals. 5 Years driving a 22 ton flatbed truck, god knows how many other vehicles. I'd never owned an automatic.
Then I bought my 3rd gen Off Road. Auto. And LEARNED how to drive it.
I'll defend my preference for the auto all day.
Which is better for you? Bob? Mary? No idea. But the auto is my preference and I'm 100% content with it.
But then I ALSO said I'd never want to end a career flying. Then I did. Man, am I glad.
Good luck fighting off the wolves!!!

 

do you like this behavior? how it's weak like it's muted, then comes on artificially and suddenly strong? it's not by hardware design. it's the programming, and it misses its mark. it provides neither consistently usable power nor efficiency. but the motor is capable by hardware and design.

 

Depends on how dead... a completely flat battery will not supply voltage to the field coil of your alternator, therefore it cannot produce power = no "push start".

These slushbox vs M/T threads are always amusing, in that some people will vehemently defend their purchase of one or the other. Who cares? You like it, great. Some others may not, and that's their opinion. Doesn't mean they're wrong or crazy lol.

I didn't like some of the quirks my M/T had from the factory, but with the accumulator delete and TSB/OVtune, it's almost there - IN MY OPINION.