As a current 2021 ZR2 Colorado owner, I think Toyota still builds a great product. I’m looking forward in seeing the next Taco. This current gen just doesn’t work for me. I drove one and disliked pretty much everything from the sitting position to the drive itself. I’m sure Toyota will correct a lot of this in the next gen. So far I love the ZR2, amazing truck, and I really like how simple this truck really is. Great tires, a true 4x4 with lockers front and rear. So far no issues, I will keep it for many of years to come.
Yeah, I drove a Tacoma a few years back, I wanted to love it because I really like the styling. Once I drove it though, I was over it. Didn't really like anything about driving it, from the terrible drivetrain to the odd seating position. I then decided I didn't really need a pick up anyway, and drove a 4Runner. The 4Runner was much more comfortable and had a better seating position, and I didn't hate the engine quite as much, though 3 years later I've definitely grown to hate it lol. Toyota really needs to up their powertrain game in the next generations for sure. Honestly I'm not even a big Toyota fan, I like Jeeps and the ZR2 better, but I do appreciate the fact that in 50,000 miles of ownership I've only spent $189 in (non -maintenance) repairs for my 4Runner. The fact that I bought it with almost 80k miles on it to start with makes that even more impressive.
I had a '18 and sold it because of how bad the transmission was. I can't believe 4 years later they still haven't fixed it. How do you even screw up a 6 speed torque converter to begin with?
Nathan you are correct the tires on the Pro and Off road do suck I have a 2 wheel drive with TRD rims and mud terrain tires which is what the Pro and Off road should have
Yeah I don’t mind the diameter, but it’s becoming increasingly less common so as the years progress I feel it’ll force owners to look at 17s at least to find a good tire.
Really enjoyed this style of video with Nathan and Tommy's interior conversations synched with Roman's exterior filming. Made the whole video feel much smoother and more cohesive. Good work guys 👍
You guys sound like little girls,!!! Arguing over lip gloss shade! Man up! Nothing comes perfect Color and accents, pointless. Yall sold out a long time ago! Shush up and buy some tires .
People complain about TRD pro being over priced and no need for a pro and that the TRD Sport and Off Road are enough. Those people 😅 I have both a 2023 tacoma TRD pro in Solar Octane that I just purchased after paying off my 2022 TRD pro 4Runner lime rush. I put the Westcott designs lift on my oem fox shocks on my 4Runner. Idc what anybody has to say about the Pro models I’m not looking to build out my rigs.
My big thing about the tire is that, I’m spending 50k and then immediately having to spend another $1500 to replace tires. If I’m buying an off-roader then give it off road tires
But they know people will buy the truck and immediately replace the tires regardless. So more profit. Too bad striking or boycotting isn’t practical for such things. If the companies made relationships with more tire companies, maybe we would be able to choose tires when ordering, but idk if Toyota is letting people build and order now.
@@scotturich true, there might be a few exceptions (though I think Pro4X has a similar type AT to the Taco), but I don’t think it’s a deal breaker in the slightest for most who are shopping for a new vehicle. People interested in hardcore off-roading will ultimately be upgrading almost regardless of what they initially purchase. Almost rare to see a stock Rubicon (which is used as a Rubicon should be) on stock tires, most go for 35+” etc.
@@scotturich Agree as a ZR2 owner, but I still replaced the Duratracs before I even hit 2K miles. The OEM tires are too undersized for the scale of vehicle. Did a 1.25” level & 33s.
Everyone here is complaining while the Tacoma (especially the TRD PRO) still sells very well everywhere 🤣. And in years to come it'll still be sought out by so many people.
Not going to lie, from my personal experience the manual transmission is more fuel efficient then the auto. Also feels more peppy based on how the gearing is. (for reference Nitro Gears also backs this claim)
My 2019 TRD OR, DCSB, V6, 6AT after 26,000 miles and 3.5 years is going back in the shop to add to the long list of unscheduled maintenance visits. My example has been the worst, and yes, least reliable vehicle I’ve owned to date. It has needed to be towed twice, left me stranded. Many mechanical issues and parts replaced. Some issues remain unresolved. Many of the negative nuances I thought I could live with ended up being the most annoying in the long term. Many interior rattles, creaks and pops from the dash, headliner area. Unacceptable for a vehicle/ company that prides themselves on quality. I am no longer seeing the value and now that it is out of warranty, it time to get the boot and no longer will have a spot in my personal fleet. It’s a shame, but I ain’t getting sucked in twice. Never again will I own a 3rd generation Tacoma. Hopefully effort will be put into 4th generation to correct some of the underlaying engineering shortcomings. My first Toyota product and not impressed. Fool me once, but not getting fooled twice.
They are all the same these days. So, for me, why pay more for perceived quality of it is not going to be realized? Anecdotal, but I missed the lemon law window by a couple months. My Toyota dealership is located 40-45 mins away, closest. Closest Ford and GM dealer is about 15 mins. More convenient in the event I choose a product from one of those manufacturers. Right now, I’ll continue driving my 15 year old Honda sedan with zero unscheduled issues, but I know it won’t last forever as I’ve owned it since new.
One at grocery store, no start, when I was in town. Crank to no avail. “Couldn’t replicate”. Okay. Fine. 3 months later, a bit further away from home on day trip. Same crap. I was livid. This was all after its third recall, the one for the fuel pump replacement. I don’t trust it. Next issue, hard clunk downshift when slowing down the other day. Also, I’m on my second brake actuator. At stop light I have to put most pressure to keep from creeping forward on brake pedal than any vehicle I’ve ever owned. Braking issues since new, told all normal. No, reduced braking at highway speeds is unsettling. Rear howling differential, I’m on my second one and still howling. It saw gravel road camp grounds with 6mph speed limits, 99% on road commute to work. “Community” is 1.7 miles, both ways. Oh well.
The pro makes a lot of sense if you want the options. If you spec out an off road with all the bells and whistles and technology features, it's just under the price of the pro. For the fox suspension, and the headlights, and the grille, I think it's worth the difference if you wanted all the bells and whistles
I have a 2020 TRD Pro tacoma. After owning quite a few cars, trucks and suvs I can honestly say I've never had a vehicle with such an odd combination of so many great and terrible design/engineering qualities all combined into one package
@@cameronj9890 same wife traded her 4.0 lifted Tacoma finally and test drove the new one and without consideration she ended up with a cement grey 22 trd off-road 4runner and it’s already leveled with a RC kit and K&N cold air and black widow exhaust now we just need about 30k for 285s to be installed after the nittos are done
My bro has a tacoma, i hate the back seat, its made for children only, i cannot sit up staight, if i do i have to look down with the back of my head on the ceiling.
Not too many of those, especially in truck form. Then throw in midsize trucks, and its only a 2, maybe 3 if you want to separate Chevy Coloradofrom GMC Canyon. Only 3 trucks on the market come with front and rear lockers. Jeep Gladiator Rubicon, Chevy Colorado ZR2/GM Equivalent., and the Dodge Power Wagon. Besides those trucks, there are 4 suvs that come with front and rear lockers. Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, Ford Bronco Sasquatch, Mercedes G Class, and Land Rover.
Love my 19 TRD Pro MT6. Slow as molasses but it’s been my reliable worker/DD for these past years. Plus side, I didn’t pay these current ridiculous inflated prices they charge for these tacos. I thought paying 39-40k was high then. No freakin way it’s worth the current +60k price I’ve seen at my local stealers. But I guess some are paying it. 🤦…anyway, always Great content and discussion videos gentlemen!🤙
Most of these trucks will never see dirt and their owners will wine and complain about how loud the tires are or how fast they wear out. Those that regularly go off road will have an owner with a specific tire preference and application.
I sure am glad Toyota is making sure everyone is getting this press vehicle to review when paying customers are still waiting to by this truck! Literally waiting now for well over 6 months and counting! 🤬
The excuse to not air down or air up is soooo lame guys. YOURE AN OFFROAD CHANNEL so act like one and just get a dang power tank... we sell them at the shop and refill and can air up your tires in less then 2 min all the way around. Swing by once you're back I've got a few in stock.
I do like your point on the hood scoop. That's one more point in favor of the TRD Off Road b/c it doesn't have the fake scoop like the Sport or the Pro models. About the only think the Off Road lacks are the FOX Shocks, you can find all the other bells and whistles.
Pretty sure that I found in my research that the TRD Off Road doesn't have a moonroof or heated seats. Maybe I was just looking in the wrong places. *EDIT* My bad. I was talking about 4Runners so maybe the Tacomas are different regarding those options that I brought up. Peace.
I have a 2019 TRD Off Road…wonderful off road and good on road too. It’s not wonderfully comfortable like a full size truck but it fits great on small trails. I use mine as a daily driver - bought my truck new in Jan of 2019…I now have 176k trouble free miles (many in 4WD)!
Never ceases to amaze me how people get conditioned to the overcharging of vehicles. 50k is ridiculous and please spare me with any replies that have you thinking you're going to change my mind. All you need is a capable ladder frame, good gearing, tires and a bit of the lift to be a capable off-roader. These items alone do not cost $50,000. Many of the options that come with this truck are for those who don't know how to drive off-road.
It should also have disc brakes in back, a fully boxed frame, a decent interior, an 8-10sp trans, etc etc. Which the other mid size trucks all have. This truck is just showing its age.
@@Stuka87 no disc's in the back was almost a deal breaker for me. If it wasn't for the manual transmission option I would have gotten a Ford ranger or Colorado instead
@@RagingBad Ok dude. The Tacoma is a 20 year old platform that offers nothing over the competition. If you like it, thats fine. But every other midsize out does it in every way.
That power trane is the most reliable on the market period. Superchargers are available for more power. Complaining about an "outdated" but reliable motor and trans makes no sense.
@@JMunn55 mpg 19 wow my f150 fx4 v8 gets 26mpg on the hwy shes stupid fast and can tow a tacoma on top of a trailer tacoma can't tow that much and 50k usd absolutely useless
Hello, I own a 2021 TRD Pro in Lunar Rock. I was debating wether to get a tune on the truck like the OV tune etc. Instead I purchased the sprint booster and hooked it up. The truck now drives like what I consider to be normal. I have it in the sport mode at level 7. I used to own a 2003 Tundra with the 4.7 litre motor. The Tacoma with the sprint booster drives just like the Tundra used to. To me it feels like it has plenty of power. The shift points are on par. No more gear hunting. I really like the sprint booster. It works great. Maybe you guys should do a video on the Tacoma with the Sprint Booster and express your opinion.
You guys forgot to mention the $20k+ markups that dealers are adding to these right now. Here in Flagstaff, you can still pick up a TRD OR (when they have them) with zero markup.
@@mattbrew11 I have driven there, I know the terrain... the point is you can't complain about lack of traction if you don't air down appropriately first...
Look -for + $50K and the “top of the line” trim, the tires are lame and just a cost savings / profit increasing choice by Toyota, especially at the end of the product line for this particular generation of this truck.
Toyota is the king of hybrid. It really baffles me why they don't do a hybrid version of this. You get all that instant torque of an electric motor with the fuel efficiency and range of the four-cylinder without range anxiety. It seems like everybody is killing theirselves to build an all-electric vehicle with a 5000 lb battery without truly exploring the benefits of a hybrid
Yezz. On the money. Hybrids are the future. No way at ALLL that solar or plug in power will be enough for all to use. After all, cities are powered by coal. " fossil fuels" are going to be used a long time by developing and developed countries.
I had to laugh when you said on highway at 80mph it wasn't that efficient at only 19mpg 🤣 its a sad day when we are complaining about 19mpg in a truck going excessive speeds. Ill take that any day of rhe week.
Especially with lift and larger tires. Wind drag plus taller tire equal less efficient fuel mileage. I’ll take that any day for a trusty, reliable, year round, 4x4 daily driver. I had an 18’ Ram 1500 2door 4x4 short bed and it was awesome for the interior room. And while it had great interior storage, I don’t think it comes close to Toyota reliability driving reasonably. The 5.7 hemi with the 8 speed in the ram did net more fuel efficiency than the Toyota at highway speeds but combined driving the Toyota nets better at 19 Mpg vs 17. And I’m talking grandpa driving. As soon as you want to have fun dodge loses. Sure, 385 hp but for how long. As a package deal I’m glad I purchased a Toyota.
Truth. We bought a 22 pro for my wife and she will not take it off-road. We do take several trips to the snow and fire roads each year but no real off-roading. We got a really good deal on the pro but we were initially looking for a off-road
@@DUNEATV Major issues? Hmmm. In my 2021 SR5 Trail model I havent noticed any gear hunting issues yet at all. Runs pretty normal to me. I know Toyota released a software update for the transmission around 2019/2020. Maybe that helped. On a couple recent road trips I managed 25mpg with bed cover on. The cover added maybe 1 mpg. Not bad for a truck.
@@derekenz4185 That’s great actually. Glad you’re having a good experience. I still like the Tacoma even with it shortcomings but I just couldn’t get past the seating position. But I still secretly want one lol.
My bro has a tacoma, i hate the back seat, its made for children only, i cannot sit up staight, if i do i have to look down with the back of my head on the ceiling
I traded in my 2016 TRD off road inferno for a 2022 TRD Pro just for the electric lime. Price didn't love the toyota brand have had many issues with the engine or trans except when halling my trailer for camping and racing. It's the only truck I will buy, and with the changes I hear are coming in the Gen 4 I will be holding onto this one as long as possible.
I've seen numerous videos where these trucks always lose oil pressure while on steeper inclines, and that is VERY concerning to me! It seems like a rather bad engine design in the oil pump and/or the oil pickup and/or oil sump/pan, if it does that regularly on steeper hills, because that's mostly what you encounter when doing REAL OFF roading like many of these trails in Utah! I've even seen more than one instance where the engine actually blew a hole in one or more cylinders, (usually the rear one first), when climbing really steep inclines, supposedly because oil then runs down into the actual piston cylinder somehow and builds up until engine failure... NOT good IMO! Whatever part(s) of the engine design that causes the low oil pressure AND/OR the oil in the cylinder when at/on steep inclines REALLY needs to be addressed and redesigned and fixed, because needless to say, having your engine lose oil pressure or even worse, is NEVER a good thing while driving anywhere, especially since on many of these kinds of off road trails you're literally many, MANY miles from help, and usually any cell service too!
Ha! So glad you noted how it performs going down. That’s what many owners don’t understand... gearing is to help slow the descent, just as much as help climb. And these Tacoma’s have atrocious gear ratios from factory for serious off-road use. They used to come off the lot geared to 4.88, now they’re geared to 3.73 (man), 4.30 (auto) - same as a Sienna! Also, these doggies have press-in ball joints, press-in-only wheel bearings ... very little is field repairable. Don’t even get me started on the exhaust routing, the rear leaf hangers, and the open-C chassis... The Tacoma platform is dead. I know, because I’m remodeling one right now and am horrified at how far Toyota has fallen since the days that formed their legend.
Last month I got a OR 6MT for under 40K, I still can't justify Toyota selling it at that 50k price. I have like 95% of what the TRD Pro has... I really Love Mine, I just keep looking at it.
I had a 2013 and really liked the great qualities but hated the bad. Any Tacoma owner will know. I would really like to get one again but it needs more power. Hopefully the next gen will have more power and a better transmission.
Then you'll want to look at the Hilux, because Toyota is never going to do that with the Tacoma. Just look what they doing with the tundra and sequoia. i'll be surprised if they keep the manual trans for the next gen.
A TRD-Offroad / Pro should be coming stock with some proper A/T tires, not street oriented tires. Up to 35” tires , a 16” rim is preferred. More side wall and better when airing down.
Ok kids, I said gallons per mile... Noting that this in entirely being funny. But real mpg I get around town is near 11. That isn't being funny that's being exact.
Im more interested in the powerplant. If it’s a good turbo motor with low end torque (new 2.4T mill?) then a well programmed 6 speed will be just fine but yeah I suspect it’ll have the 10 being I think it’ll be based on the same frame platform as Tundra and following the recipe Ford has for its F-150 and Ranger.
@@zachsteele6964 I think engine and overall tuning are the more important factors. OEMs want to tune for maximum efficiency when driving normal, so on engines that need to rev to get good torque values, it means the transmission will be shifting more often to balance steady state and power situations. Not so much of an issue with turbocharged engines being they can build boost at low rpm to make shifts a little less necessary. But yeah more ratios with smaller spacing will result in the ECU being more ready to shift in order to get to whatever sweet spot it thinks it needs.
Just bought a TRD Pro Off Road for 42k and its awesome. I personally like the tires for better fuel economy. each to his own. The Green color is very nice! Toyota should add more colors erotic like jeep has. Paint sells vehicles
Loved everything about mine but the powertrain. It was absolutely gutless unless I drove it like I stole it. Traded it for a full size truck with a V8 and get more fuel economy with much quicker and effortless acceleration.
Yeah, I drove one and knew there's no way I'd be able to deal with that powertrain. I ended up with a 4Runner, which is only marginally better. The four liter may be reliable, but the power delivery and torque curve is terrible, and the 3.5 is worse.
@@trailrunnah8886 everyone I know dumped their 4.0 for the newer motor and instantly regretted it and if they didn’t the moment they lifted and went to 33s they did Everyone lost money dumping them back for 4Runners or tundras and jeeps and now everyone is running back to smaller truck but the frontier because it’s a pure v6 with amazing interior the only problem now is nobody wants to design lift kits for Nissan so you have about 55k truck owners sitting in a pro4x model and nobody makes a decent lift kit for frontier or Titan besides RC and they won’t swear it fits a pro4x
@@jshapiro34 I was shopping for another Tacoma after I rolled my 2011 in Moab and totaled it. I was so close to getting a third Gen and had an appointment at the dealer for a test drive. BUT i just couldn’t settle for a down grade in engine when I already had no issues with my 4.0 from before. So I instead picked up a 2013 Trd Sport and re did do whole suspension to my liking after I broke it four times in one year. So far I got rid of all the weak links with all after market parts and Mickey Thompson Baja Boss 35’s. Now I just couldn’t be happier with it. Now I have a collection of three 4Runners, a Tacoma and my 1980 Toyota Pickup 4 linked in the front with a solid axle, Fox 18” travel 2.5’s and Chevy 63’s in the rear. I can’t stop buying and building Toyotas!!💪💪
I rented a Tacoma TRD recently in Salt Lake City and hated it! The ergonomics for a six footer are horrible; with the seat adjusted for legroom, I couldn’t reach the steering wheel which only had maybe two inches of telescoping travel. I found the brakes difficult to modulate - they’re either on or off. The transmission hunted between gears like crazy and the fuel economy was not at all impressive. To top it off, the truck had less than 8K miles on it and the rear differential already had a whine in it under light throttle! I don’t understand why they are so popular - I wouldn’t own one if it was given to me! 😖
It's not the engine it's the transmission. 5th and 6th gear are overdrive gears for mpg. If you get it tuned correctly it becomes a whole new driving experience. Amazing truck.
I’ve had my 2022 lunar rock manual transmission Tacoma for a week now and I love it. The manual does 80mph easy on the 5th and 6th gear, less than 2500rpms. I live in utah so 80mph is the limit, but I try to stay at 70 on the slow lane to conserve some gas money. So far I’ve done 18.8 in the city and 21 on the highway. Not great but considering I work from home, I’m really only driving on the weekends.
First off you guys are incredible, informative, funny just an incredible job doing this show! Second, I am soooooo glad you guys are finally mic’d up, now the camera can move around without losing audio!! You guys knock each video out of the park… sorry for the rant just super impressed and important I thought you should know!! Keep up the incredible work!👍
Seems they never got the power train right for the midsize Tacoma. My 2004 had the same issues. Always hunting for a gear, cruise control was useless unless on flat ground because the swing up and down speed was 12+15 mph depending on the steepness of a grade. It was a pig just like the newer models. Best I ever did was 20 mpg but I was driving at 60mph the whole time for about a 600 mile trip. Usually it was 17-18 mpg. If you need a smaller pickup it makes some sense but you give up so much normal truck capability and get worse mpg than so many far more capable trucks. It would be nice if they do right by the power train with a new Tacoma but I'm not holding my breath.
If Toyota went back to their old manual hubs, they could gain between 2 to 3 mpg. I once had a 92 4Runner, which had that shift on the fly using a vacuum actuator in the axle to engage the left and right front axle to each other. It was tricky to get into 4 Hi, since the actuator had to first be engaged, before you could mess up w/the transfer case. You had to almost come to a complete stop before the transfer case would engage. Since Toyota's still had the old hubs on them, you could put on Manual Hubs, which helped w/the fuel mileage, since the axle wasn't turning w/them disengaged. You could also permanently lock in the Vacuum Actuator, so that the front axle was just like a regular solid one, such that w/the Hubs locked in, the axle is now turning, and so shifting in and out of 4 Hi could be done at highway speeds and was smooth in doing so w/no issues. I also gained a good 2-3 mpg w/the manual hubs locked out, since the axle wasn't turning anymore when disengaged. Oh, I now own a 2020 Tacoma TRD 4x4 Sport, w/a rare Manual Transmission, as well as the rare Extended Cab. I didn't want an automatic, nor the Crew Cab. I've gotten as much as 24 mpg doing 70 on the highway w/it.
-Tires -Engine -Transmission -Brakes -Infotainment -Seating position -Capability to tow/haul The Taco has a LOT of work to do to be competitive in the real world. They sell them on brand recognition alone to people who are terrible consumers.
I feel like now is the wrong time to buy a midsize truck The Frontier is alright but you have to max it out to pro4x for it to look half-decent And by 2024 we'll be looking at new a Tacoma, Ranger, Colorado, and Ridgeline Hoping each manufacturer addresses their model's major weak points
O-60 in 10 seconds is unacceptable in any vehicle by today's standards. I just can't pay 50k for something that slow. I would have to immediately sink another 10k into it for a supercharger. Ridiculous.
