Thinking of trading in my 18 Taco for a full-size

I just need a truck with more ability than my Taco can provide. So I started shopping around and taking test drives and comparing online. I am looking at:

• Ford F-150 Lariat FX4 3.5L
• GMC Sierra AT4 (although could only test drive the SLT) 6.2L
• Ram Rebel12 5.7L
• Toyota Tundra TRD Pro

All of them were with the largest crew cabs offered with shortest bed. Payload/towing/fuel economy were rated by comparing numbers from the trucks' respective websites.

I thought I was gonna like the Tundra but I turned out to be severely disappointed. Here's some of my notes:

1. The Tundra, while still looking good albeit outdated compared to the rest, really feels old and outdated. There's no way to get the truck sans-chrome unless you get the Pro. But with the Pro, it would seem you're only paying for the suspension. There's no heated seats, no leather wrapped steering wheel, no push-button start, or other options that offered (or even standard) in even the most basic cars. Also, Toyota's EnTune is atrocious as compared to the competition. The gas mileage is the worst by far as is the towing and payload (even when side-shopping the limited trim.
2. The F-150 is still a nice truck. From the looks department, it's better than Tundra but fell behind the Ram and GMC. Probably because it's a year older on the refresh? But Ford has always had conservative-styling, I think. The interior feels nice and modern. The shifter feels natural. But I was really impressed with the 3.5L EcoTech. The motor was smooth and powerful. It even sounded great!
3. I thought I was going to like the GMC the best but was kind of surprised by some things. First the column shifter: it's weird. It doesn't feel right. There's a short movement from N to D that felt EXTREMELY clunky. Also, the interior is confusing. The buttons and features aren't intuitive in the slightest. The tailgate (while cool with that multifuction feature) is super super heavy. It takes some muscle to fold it up and put it back. The motor feels beefy but it's a gas hog, even with the cylinder shut off.
4. The Ram was the biggest surprise for me. The interior feels and looks great. The 12" touchscreen is amazing and the UConnect system is, by far IMHO, the best in the industry so far. The 5.7, while not as fuel efficient as I would like, still pulls and feels good. The mild-hybrid version didn't seem worth it as it only gives you the extra torque off the line and only bumps your fuel economy by 1mpg on average. Also, of the four trucks I tested, there were more rebates and savings opportunities for this truck. The air ride suspension is great, too. Especially when used for load leveling. Most will say that is because it's not worth the money, but with all the features and capabilities, it's a pretty big value in my book.

I posted my ratings below. Each truck was ranked 1st, 2nd, 3rd, or 4th in each category. Lowest score wins.

I'm curious as to other's thoughts and/or experiences. I would ask people keep a neutral mindset and not just flame on the others because they aren't a Toyota.

TIA

 

I thought the TRD pro Tundra has heated seats? The switch is just poorly located? Regardless, Tundra Pro all day long! Proven and Reliable. That's my next truck. Funny I was just pricing them. And I prefer simple layout & less technology in my cabin.

 

The things you mentioned the TRD Pro are lacking is true of the 2019, but all things that are added in the 2020 model.

 

I drove em all before I got the Tundra. Sounds like you don't care as much about performance, reliability and durability as much as looks and doodads. I drive a lot so I need bombproof. The Tundra is better than others in that respect.
Good luck.

 

I have had two ram1500 SLT as a company vehicles since 2012 and I was considering the eco diesel before buying the taco.
The 2012 had 38 miles and I ran it up to 210k in a few years with no major issues at all. Unfortunately my company pulled it from the fleet because of the high mileage.
They put me in a 2011 with only 90k miles and the transmission shit the bed the day I picked it up. The transmissions are definitely a weak point for the ram. The company mechanic changed the transmission and now I'm at 165k. The 2500 cummins diesel is a nice looking truck!


I went with the taco because didn't want a full size for a personal, really like the looks and was hoping for better mileage than the ram, ford or gmc.
Also when I was putting together what I wanted in the others they were well over 50k with similar options as the trd-or.
The eco diesel kind of scared me because I didn't want to get some tweaked out motor that would get 5 mpg more

 

How about the Honda Ridgeline.

The users group meetings are always great fun.

 

I recently went on a golf trip and rode around a few days in 2019 Ram V8 that my buddy just bought. It was very nice! Ride was like a Cadillac. LED lights everywhere (interior, bedlights, cargo, headlights, etc). It had lots of power and better MPG than my Tacoma. Huge touchscreen. I was impressed by the truck.

Also my father in law just bought a 2019 Chevy Silverado V8. The tailgate is aluminum and super light. Plus the tailgate has an auto open with the key fob. This truck also gets better gas mileage than me. And has LED headlights, bedlights, interior lights, etc.

Is it just me or are all of the full size trucks starting to look alike? And the same shape/design?

I agree that the new 2020 Tundra should have all the new features like the rest. And it will probably be shaped like the rest of them too. And have LEDs everywhere.

 

Don’t expect that 3.5 eco boost to last without significant post warranty work to keep it running. I’d go with the Ram. Best interior and proven power train.

 

I test drove Tundra, Ram and the outgoing GMC Sierra. I agree with your rankings.

For some reason, the Sierra didn’t like to turn. It felt just like an old Cadillac: supremely quiet, smooth, and powerful in a straight line.

I really liked Tundra’s rear power sliding window. But agree, it looks and feels outdated inside. Pricing, even for a TRD Pro is pretty good. But yeah fuel economy is just atrocious.

I liked Ram’s interior, ride and handling. And the 5.7 HEMI is sweet. I agree, the eTorque hybrid is not worth it. Every review I’ve read says it doesn’t deliver any significant fuel savings. But the price on those trucks, like every other FCA product these days, is insane. I didn’t particularly care for the 12” screen. It is a gimmick; the standard center console with hard buttons does the same for less money, and you don’t have to go searching for the controls on a screen. The other thing I didn't like is that every single thing is an option, driving the price through the roof. The only way I’d take one is if they offered at least $20,000 off MSRP.

Good luck.

 

My son’s Silverado crapped it’s tranny at just under 80K miles. All easy hi way miles, no towing. I had a Dodge Dakota that crapped it’s tranny at 75K miles. Auto transmissions seem to be the weak link of most brands, go manual.

 

Seen a few mention 2020 Tundra updates, 2021 is the redesign and rumors of twin turbo hybrid V6, new suspension, interior and exterior update, 6 lug now, etc.

As far as buying right now. Tundra is the reliable one but the most dated, least bang for your buck on the content, MPG and design. But again proven reliablity (million mile tundra).

The new Ram's are gorgeous inside and out, and filled with content, plus usually are always decently incentivized.

Sierra also looks really cool exterior wise especially in the AT4 trim, I would consider a Silverado Trail Boss just that its basically the same as the Sierra AT4 but significantly cheaper in price point, GM is having a hard time selling the new twins so should also be some great deals there. Problem is the interior looks almost exactly as the 2014 one I had, not to mention GM resale...however the 5.3L is a proven powertrain, the rest of the sh*t will break first, rust out, but that engine will keep ticking.

F150 is slated for a refresh either this year, 2020 or next, I'd wait as thats gonna kill your resale as well. Dad has had a few, last 2 Raptors, all reliable and handsome trucks, but that design is getting old and the interior looks like a damn space ship with buttons out the wazzoo.

Good luck either way, but I agree, you can get a fullsize for similar price point as a Tacoma and get same or more content, same or better MPG and better towing / payload capacity. If you'll use it or need it, its the way to go. I think alot of people just jumped into a Taco because of the name without really doing their homework.

 

I wouldnt bet on that. Sure 200k+ but the 3.5L ecoboost has been going for 120k without issues for plenty of owners, my brother in law included. I agree in theory, turbos lifespan is limited, but these seem to be holding up to higher mileage.

 

What people don't realize about fuel economy is it's all about your driving habits. If you live in a city and most of your miles are around town, the Ford will win hands down.
If your driving habits are like mine and 90% interstate, all of the trucks will be pretty much equal.
You see, everybody's engines are about equal efficiency. The trucks weigh roughly the same. If they go the same speed on highway they will use the same horsepower, which means the same fuel consumption.
On my Tundra I get about 18 mpg at 73 mph. That is right in line with everyone else at that speed and weight.
Physics man. Simple physics.

 

Well, Ford got you fooled, which is their goal. The engine sound on the 3.5L F150s is fake, and piped into the cab via the stereo to simulate the sound of a V8 from a boosted V6

https://www.roadandtrack.com/new-ca...d-f-150-pumps-v8-engine-noise-into-v6-trucks/

That aside, I believe you only have two choices. F150 or Ram. Ram carries more risk, but arguably it is a truck line that is “on the rise” and is offering great value for good quality.

I drive new F150s for work. We have a fleet of them including 3.5EB, 2.7EB and NA V8s . The 3.5Ls have had engine troubles under warranty, the 2.7L have been troublefree and, counterintuitively, also have way more oomph off the line, but I suppose less maximum towing.

The fuel economy of the F150 2.7EB for what it is, and it’s strong performance, is insane. The 3.5L EBs are still gas-guzzlers, and the NA V8s are languid dogs to drive, especially when compared to the boosted V6s. The 10 speed tranny is a pleasure to drive.

If I was faced with your choices the only full size option I would go with would be a 2.7L EB F150. I think it’s the greatest version of the iconic truck yet. I would not touch a Tundra or a GM with a barge pole.

 

Get what YOU LIKE.

But out of those choices I'd pick the rebel all day every day and twice on Sunday.

I'm not a fan of how the tundra looks at all. Besides the Raptor, and possibly the Bronco coming back out soon, i wouldn't drive any Ford. Id pick a Silverado over a GMC if i was looking at the twins... But I'd still choose the rebel over Either of the Gmc/chevy twins.

The rebel is badass though. I've drove one. The inside is also excellent. Resale value would be crap though compared to your Toyota.

 

Drive my Tundra on a 1K road trip. You will change your mind lol.

 

I'd stay away from the Ford for sure. I have a buddy at work that has had nothing but problems shortly after the warranty ran out. Mostly with the turbos ( his is twin turbskees)

 

I couldn’t afford it! I am glad you can. I’m sure it’s very nice, and reliable, I’m just too cheap (poor?) to fuel it.

 

I guarantee that, using same configuration of trucks, on same interstate at 70 mph, every engine option from every manufacturer will get within one mpg from another. Why? Because they will take the same power to go 70 mph. Where the turbo or smaller engines will win is city driving.

 

So you're saying weight, aerodynamics, tire size, gearing, tuning, and the hundred other contributing factors to fuel economy don't matter at all at 70mph?

Rhetorical question....