Who are these customers he is talking about???

Stick an old style transmission in one that shifts from the valve body, not software, so we can tell how good the V6 is.

 

I traded in a 15 Cherokee Trailhawk that had the ZF 9 speed auto for my Taco, and after having driven that vehicle for roughly 4 years, the 6 speed in the Tacoma seems a lot less searchy and jerky to me.

The Ranger being equipped with a 10 speed auto was one major consideration that steered me towards the Tacoma, though it could very well end up being a superior tranny than the ZF 9 speed.