My test drive experience yesterday

I think the driver just gets used to it! I drove my '16 for over 5,000 miles before the dealer flashed all the 'learning' and we started from scratch (transmission issues, and this was part of the fix handed down to the dealership directly from Toyota corporate) and I have to say I really didn't notice a perceivable difference in the way the truck responded as far as any 'learning', etc. I just think it's like anything that's new to you...at first it's foreign and feels strange, but over time you get used to it and it becomes the new normal.

As others have stated, if you aren't bashful with the throttle the truck scoots, but it does have a sort of wind-up car feel as there is a second of hesitation before the truck 'engages' and goes.

 

Power is up high in the rpm range. More gears to keep engine in said power range. Gotta rev it like a race bike. Always nice in a truck.

 

Maybe someday Toyota will upgrade the Tundra's engines, thereby freeing the 310hp@5600/327 torque@3400 4.6L V8 for use in the Tacoma. The 4.6 is rated at 15/19 mpg in a 5100lb Tundra. Probably bump that up 2 mpg in a 4400lb Tacoma mostly because you don't have the skinny pedal as close to the firewall in real world situations unlike the 3.5. I'm a big fan of torquey engines, they get you moving with less skinny pedal and keep you moving with less.

The way things are looking with the 3.5 people don't like the poor torque provided with the Atkinson cycle and end up hitting the accelerator more to get it out of Atkinson. Which negates any mpg gains Atkinson provides on paper.

I guess I'm disappointed Toyota didn't put a real engine into their flagship truck to distance themselves from the competition.

 

How much does ECT impact mpg?

 

Toyota could have added dual variable valve timing to the 4.0 engine in the previous Tacoma and then adding the 6 speed auto would have gotten another 2-3 mpg over the previous 4.0 and had the same hp at the new 3.5 engine. I guess they just wanted something that looked technology advanced on paper to impress.

 

It doesn't seem to make a huge difference. From what I've noticed the truck just holds its rpms higher before it shifts to the overdrive gears giving you better acceleration

 

If you haven't bought one yet , I would find a low mileage 2015 . I hate my
2016 double cab limited 4x4 !
Mine is getting traded in June 25.
I bought it on New Year's Eve , and wish It would get stolen or totaled .

 

So are you saying that you dislike your truck a little? Lol

 

Ha ha I wish it was just a little ,
Mine has been in the shop several times over the past 8000 miles . With no fix in sight , I ordered a trd pro 4Runner and it's on a boat leaving JAPAN next week .
This Mexican made garbage Tacoma will be gone soon enough

 

Are you pursuing a lemon law claim?

 

I am , I should know by June 10 what the result will be. As of right now I'm eating $5000 to dump this truck

 

Yikes. Good luck on that. You might have a better chance since you're staying with a Toyota and the loss on your truck will be minimized and they'll keep you as a customer.

 

Fingers are crossed but I don't think they will do much for me , but I don't plan to keep quiet about the issues if they tell me to deal with it .

If it weren't for the trd pro 4 runner being available right now , this would have been my last Toyota .
And I've had 8 so far

 

Is it the same issue? What's up with your truck?

 

Mine is a long list,
1. It follows every rut or groove in the road like a worn out jeep
2. Erratic transmission shifting , even after checking full fluid level.
3. The trans temp warning has come on 3 times now because of the excessive shifting .
4. I'm getting 16-17 mpg pretty consistently on the highway , and I'm pretty easy on the throttle most of the time
5. The kazoo sound from the control arms / mixed with excessive wind noise from the drivers door .

I'm sure there are other things I forgot to mention but these are the main issues