So Toyota is wussing out on the Engine, dang it. 270HP but add gearing

CAFE gets stricter every year though, so companies are trying to stay ahead by making every model more fuel efficient. A 4.0 L Dual VVT Tacoma with an 8 speed transmission still wouldn't touch the numbers this Atkinson cycle engine will. At the end of the day CAFE is a factor in what engine was selected for the Tacoma. The 3.5 L engine size is a more efficient cylinder size, as has been mentioned several times, than the 4.0 L plus the 3.5 L will have a much more advance form of VVT than the 4.0 L.

You are right about the 5.7 L dragging Toyota down. I can't figure out why Toyota hasn't dumped that engine for something in the 5.0-5.4 L size with the same technology as the new 3.5 L. Probably because the Tundra is barely profitable at it's production level already and any more development cost would make it a lost cause.

Why are people still crying about the 4.0 L? It's over, done. I'd be very surprised if the 4Runner keeps the 4.0 L for much longer too. Just let it go.

 

Toyota has more wiggle room than most. They are overall an efficient company. Probably one of the reasons the 5.7 is still alive. The Tundra is long in the tooth but it is still a very good value if you are looking for a big truck and MPG isn't a huge concern. Lots of people get them as their "2nd" car/weekend toy hauler.

 

Yup, Toyota leads the pack in being ahead of CAFE. I'm sure part of their decision to retain the "old skool" Tundra is because they don't need to update it to keep the same sales levels. It's not like they have enough truck capacity to compete with any of the big three anyways. Yes, other than MPG, the Tundra is a nice truck. It is a bit funky though, like how it doesn't come with a factory equipped brake controller which is a great option on other full sized trucks, but reliable. That MPG just kills it though for people like me. IRL mileage 15-30% worse than everyone else .

Not to mention that price tag. If you're going to trade up every 2-3 years the retained value is nice, but the Tundra doesn't hold it's value around here as well as the Tacoma and by year 4 to 6 you may as well of bought a big three truck.

 

They should just dump the Tundra altogether. They tested the waters with it...found out they can't compete with the American 1/2 tons...they should cut their losses.

 

I don't think Toyota ever envisioned overtaking the big 3, but that does mean the Tundra has been a failure? Hardly. They are all over the road. They are selling a decent amount now. Almost a decade into the Gen 2.

 

I see your Navy Insignia says "SWO". Yet you call people dick? Good job representing!

 

At 100,000 units a year Toyota isn't even close to getting the economics of scale the big three have. I think that's what the other poster meant. I wouldn't go as far as to say the Tundra is a failure, but I do wonder why Toyota wastes there time with it if they aren't going to invest in making it as good a truck all around as the competitions offerings.

 

I kinda disagree. Tundra is a good truck. Tundra needs to be redone altogether, not just a silly body panel re-stamp. Tacoma is getting the same thing. They need to offer the Crew Max Tundra with the option of a 6'6" box which all the other full size trucks offer, including Nissan. The next thing of course is some newer more fuel efficient engines that compete with the big 3. Their interiors are also well behind the big 3. Tundra needs to go back to the drawing board, and quite frankly, so does the 10 year refresh Tacoma.

 

Not a complete failure...but have they even go back their R&D dollars? Failure in: what was their ROI on the Tundra? Was it even worth it?

Granted they upsized, then soon the market crashed, fuel prices went through the roof...it could be bad timing.

Toyota has always been a little quirky compared to the Big 3, perhaps they should of offered a 1/2 ton that was completely different that what the other's offer, than trying to copy them. Like a hybrid...or hybrid diesel. You could make an insane amount of torque with electric motors all available from 0 rpm, while increasing fuel economy.

 

The reason it does not get redesigned frequently is because of just that. It does not sell enough to offset R&D. The Tacoma sold a lot but had no competition, so there was no need to redesign it frequently.

 

I do think it is a great truck...but just more of the same of what is already out there..why sales are "ok" and not stellar. Between all of the choices of the basically the same thing, I would go with a Ford.

I agree with you, they should start with a clean sheet design as I alluded in my post above.

 

I liked the gen 1 Tundra and how they marched to their own drummer. A modest full sized truck not trying to be overtly macho and dumb. They caved to that ideology with the Gen 2.

 

If I were in the market for a full size, I would go with a domestic probably. MPG being the big reason.

 

Toyota is laughing at us thinking we know why they are doing what their doing

 

OK yeah, I thought the CAFE formula had a displacement requirement by footprint. So let's see if I have it correct this time.

CAFE is for overall corporate average, but heavier GVWR vehicles get a little relaxed standard.
http://www.caranddriver.com/features/how-automakers-will-meet-2016-cafe-standards

You're saying the tradeoff option with CAFE is because the Tundra and Landcruiser pigs are weighing the scale down. The Tacoma pays the price for those two pigs.

I can believe that. The Tacoma has always been the indentured servant to the royalty line of Toyota haulers. Always hand-me-downs.

 

True, but they probably get some decent feedback on these forums, save for BlueT.

 

Well...the only reason the Tacoma is successful is they basically don't have any competition. Easy to win races if you're really only racing against yourself. The choices are crap...and worse crap. Sooo...

GM's attempt back into the market is rather lack luster, they should of hit the floor running and had the diesel available first thing. That and kept the World market frame they had, instead of giving us the watered down version...and just tossed on a different body for American tastes.

 

Toyota does what it does based on the market, there is a reason why Toyota is worlds largest auto maker

 

Me too...I liked the 1st Gen Tundy...it was nice when they went against the norm...now it everything like a slightly different version of the other guy's.

If the Tacoma & Tundra never grew in size we might be looking at the Taco getting into the 30's and the Tundra mid 20's for mileage. But here it is half way through 2015 and the Tundra might get 15 mpg on a good day. We haven't come too far from the 70's and 80's.

 

Can you imagine the Tacoma if Toyota designed it to BlueT standards?