2016 Taco

[cjacob316]

The only change I even cared to see were the seats. For me only having a 4 way adjustable driver seat was killing me and the main reason I ditched the Tacoma. I just could not get comfortable on longer drives, I needed a height adjustment like our 4runners. So far I have not seen anything to indicate that they made this very simple change, and if they don't, the Tacoma will forever be off the table for me.

 

[NoDak]

interesting info

Fans of the Tacoma in the N. American market want a diesel engine. Here’s the final word on why they will not be getting one.

Fans of diesel trucks hoping that the 2016 Toyota Tacoma might finally be the year one comes are going to be disappointed yet again. This week at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit Toyota’s Chief engineer for the Tacoma and Tundra explained in plain English why the company does not plan to offer a Tacoma diesel.

No Diesel 2016 Tacoma

At NIAS Automobile’s Mark Nordeloos did the interview that made it all crystal clear. Interviewing Toyota’s Mark Sweers, he asked, “What is Toyota’s stance on diesel engines for the U.S. pickup truck market?” Rather than dodge the question or leave it vague so that Tacoma owners can continue to pine away for a diesel, Sweers said “The difficulty with the diesel is LEV III [emissions standards]. The difficulty is the cost-to-benefit relationship. Everybody loves diesel in trucks. The downside is the after-treatment systems can add $3,000 or more. It starts becoming cost prohibitive, especially in this segment, to pay a premium for both the engine and after-treatment system. That’s the struggle we have. We build a lot of diesel trucks, just not in this country. If I develop a diesel system for our country and I spend a huge amount of money to do that, I won’t see a return on the investment. That’s what we’ve struggled with.”

2016 Toyota Tacoma is All-New

Sweers and Nordeloos discussed the diesel topic a bit further, and we encourage our readers to click over and read this great interview. Other great questions include a contrast and comparison overview of the differences between the Tacoma and Hilux. Our favorite part of the interview is at the beginning where Sweers explains just how new this Tacoma is. Many other outlets incorrectly assume that because it looks similar to the outgoing 2015 it is not a full update. As Sweers puts it the only common part shared between the two generations are “Maybe a seatbelt bracket.”

 

[BlackWorksInc]

That makes sense about the diesel as a lot of us suspected.

As for parts commonality... I'll have to see frame drawings and specs before I believe that. I still have yet to find the "Significant Structural Increases" in the J150 Frame considering dimensionally its about 95% identical to the J120 and I could bolt a 5th gen on a 4th gen frame and vice versa according to the frame drawings.

 

[jcoleman]

I too am having a difficult time believing that statement regarding carryover parts. The cab, in particular, is way too close appearance wise to the current trucks to be a clean sheet design. Sure, there might be some minor difference warranting a new part number on the assembly line, but does anyone see any fundamental change?

 

[M1911]

That makes sense about the diesel as a lot of us suspected.

With diesel prices as high as they are now, compared to regular gas, the payback just isn't there.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

I highly doubt the prices will stay this low for too long, Wouldn't be surprised if by the end of the year they find a way to push the prices up and muscle the South Americans and other competitors a bit. Never bet against greed...

 

[zonianbrat]

Still think the grill looks like a large mouth bass. Or It's making an O face.

 

[M1911]

I highly doubt the prices will stay this low for too long, Wouldn't be surprised if by the end of the year they find a way to push the prices up and muscle the South Americans and other competitors a bit. Never bet against greed...

While I agree that fuel prices will rise, here in MA diesel has been significantly more expensive than gas for years. Even before the recent drop in prices the numbers simply didn't work for diesels.

 

[cjacob316]

While I agree that fuel prices will rise, here in MA diesel has been significantly more expensive than gas for years. Even before the recent drop in prices the numbers simply didn't work for diesels.

It has nothing to do with the fuel prices

 

[1engineer]

That makes sense about the diesel as a lot of us suspected.

As for parts commonality... I'll have to see frame drawings and specs before I believe that. I still have yet to find the "Significant Structural Increases" in the J150 Frame considering dimensionally its about 95% identical to the J120 and I could bolt a 5th gen on a 4th gen frame and vice versa according to the frame drawings.

What if it were exactly the same dimensionally but the metallurgy changed? What if it looked exactly the same but the joinery changed?
What if it looked exactly the same but the tolerances were tightened up considerably?
My point.... looks can be deceiving and improvements are sometimes invisible to the naked eye.

I too am having a difficult time believing that statement regarding carryover parts. The cab, in particular, is way too close appearance wise to the current trucks to be a clean sheet design. Sure, there might be some minor difference warranting a new part number on the assembly line, but does anyone see any fundamental change?

How many different ways can you design a pickup truck? They could have put the bed in the front and the windows down low I suppose. Maybe put each passenger at the corners of the truck and the bed in the middle...

My point is there is an accepted design for a pickup truck. They are all the same basically. The differences are sometimes not apparent.

 

[jcoleman]

How many different ways can you design a pickup truck? They could have put the bed in the front and the windows down low I suppose. Maybe put each passenger at the corners of the truck and the bed in the middle...

My point is there is an accepted design for a pickup truck. They are all the same basically. The differences are sometimes not apparent.

Fair enough and agreed. The point I was trying to make is that the cab sheet metal appears cosmetically identical to the current model. Doesn't bother me either way, but if that's the case, then it makes Mark Sweer's comments regarding carry over parts disingenuous.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

What if it were exactly the same dimensionally but the metallurgy changed? What if it looked exactly the same but the joinery changed?
What if it looked exactly the same but the tolerances were tightened up considerably?
My point.... looks can be deceiving and improvements are sometimes invisible to the naked eye.
/QUOTE]

I agree with that a 100% and it is mainly why I give the J150 platform the benefit of the doubt when it comes to being its own different platform. But unfortunately Toyota hasn't given anyone (Civilian side, Technician Side, FST, ect.) any real information on WHAT the significant changes in J150 platform are beyond a vague descriptor. Which when combined with the near identical dimensions, shape, and constructions; leads me to believe that the J150 frame component is probably not all that different.

Now I am more than willing to believe its mainly metallurgical (as I suspect), but even more proof is shown in the FJ & Tacoma which didn't change drastically as they silently transitioned from the J120 to the J150 platforms. Hell you'd barely notice the difference if it wasn't for the fact that the Prado went from the Prado 120 to the Prado 150 and the 5th Gen 4Runner is built exclusively on the J150 platform.

Its more of an annoyance to me than anything serious, but it makes statements like "redesigned frame, all new, ect." hard to believe when its nearly identical dimensionally to the old frame; unless the J120 is such a perfect frame that it doesn't need anything changed beyond new metallurgy (highly doubtful.)

Plus, I am very curious what platform the new Tacoma is built on as it may drive the direction of the new Prado and its relatives; not to mention how similar the new frame is to the old one from a fabrication standpoint. As it stands now, if you design something for a J120 platform, it needs little to no modification to fit into a J150 platform. So if the trend continues to keep dimensions and major structures the same, that means a very easy platform to build/design products for that will cover a very wide ranges of vehicles. Which in turn means lower production costs and wider possible audience for products with minimal retooling/need for re-engineering significantly.

 

[T.Rock]

The new Taco is very telling for the 6th gen 4Runner. We now know the engine & transmission for the 6th gen. 3.5L Atkinson cycle V6 with both direct and port injection. 6-speed automatic is okay, but I wish they went with a ZF 8-speed instead, but anything is better than the ancient 5-speed that the 4Runner has been using for more than 10 years.

Push-button ignition? Check. Projector headlights? Check. Gone are the days where Toyota reserves projectors for the facelifted model, three years later.

Now only if they make the styling nice again, I'll be in for a 2017 or 2018 model.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

The new Taco is very telling for the 6th gen 4Runner. We now know the engine & transmission for the 6th gen. 3.5L Atkinson cycle V6 with both direct and port injection. 6-speed automatic is okay, but I wish they went with a ZF 8-speed instead, but anything is better than the ancient 5-speed that the 4Runner has been using for more than 10 years.

Push-button ignition? Check. Projector headlights? Check. Gone are the days where Toyota reserves projectors for the facelifted model, three years later.

Now only if they make the styling nice again, I'll be in for a 2017 or 2018 model.

I never understand people's obsession with those 8spds... they are not very reliable at the moment and they just can't gear them right. Almost every vehicle I have driven or heard about using the 8spd+ gear boxes always seems like it has an extra gear or two that it has no idea to deal with; or it just hunts gears all the time because they aren't ratio'd properly.

I'd rather have a good 6spd vs. a poorly ratio'd 8spd with queestionable reliability any day.

 

[3rdGenRunnr]

Opinions

A few weeks back I posted regarding a potential switch from my current 2012 Sequoia (heavily modified and awesome, just a beast to drive at times), to a 4Runner. The trick was the 2 convertible car seats plus one booster seat. So I will set the scene for all you Tacoma folks out there to weigh in and hopefully not crush my dream car which is a Toyota pickup with manual transmission.

Currently we own a 2015 Sienna just upgraded from the 2012. Used as THE primary kid hauler.
My wife has her daily driver, a bmw 4 series hardtop convertible.
And I have my 2012 sequoia with significant modifications.

On any given day I drive 2 of the 3 kids to school. But, the sequoia is always prepared to haul the whole family. The reality is that for the next 1.5 years, the Sequoia will only be hauling 1-2 kids on a daily basis. After that time, all 3 will be in elementary school together, which is a very short drive away (1 convertible seat, 1 booster with a back, 1 backless booster). The setup until then would be booster with a back plus 2 convertible seats. Keep in mind, the van would be the go to vehicle when needing to drive all 3, but I'd love the option to drive the taco.
I'd spec it out as follows: trd off road 6 speed manual double cab. Majority of my driving is city driving and the SQ is just a monster to drive. Not a bad thing, but it can become not so fun very quickly and very labor intensive to park etc.

I'm excited about what Toyota has done to this latest generation, and the opportunity to be back behind the wheel of a real truck with a transmission that puts you in control.

thanks for any input.

 

[M1911]

I never understand people's obsession with those 8spds... they are not very reliable at the moment and they just can't gear them right. Almost every vehicle I have driven or heard about using the 8spd+ gear boxes always seems like it has an extra gear or two that it has no idea to deal with; or it just hunts gears all the time because they aren't ratio'd properly.

I'd rather have a good 6spd vs. a poorly ratio'd 8spd with queestionable reliability any day.

My wife's Mercedes c300 has a 7-speed. The transmission has been reliable and it never hunts gears.

 

[Thai]

I never understand people's obsession with those 8spds... they are not very reliable at the moment and they just can't gear them right. Almost every vehicle I have driven or heard about using the 8spd+ gear boxes always seems like it has an extra gear or two that it has no idea to deal with; or it just hunts gears all the time because they aren't ratio'd properly.

I'd rather have a good 6spd vs. a poorly ratio'd 8spd with queestionable reliability any day.

Is the Lexus 8 speed unreliable? Have you driven 8-speed auto in Lexus?

8-speed...all about close ratio with good low 1st gear (crawl ratio and acceleration) and high last few gears for fuel economy. If they do it right, then i am all for it!

Hey, 8-speed is way better than CVT!

 

[Whiplash Willy]

Now that the Detroit Auto Show is over, I wounder when Toyota will release more details on the new Taco, specifically details on the engine.

 

[M1911]

Now that the Detroit Auto Show is over, I wounder when Toyota will release more details on the new Taco, specifically details on the engine.

I'd guess not until summer.

 

[cjacob316]

A few weeks back I posted regarding a potential switch from my current 2012 Sequoia (heavily modified and awesome, just a beast to drive at times), to a 4Runner. The trick was the 2 convertible car seats plus one booster seat. So I will set the scene for all you Tacoma folks out there to weigh in and hopefully not crush my dream car which is a Toyota pickup with manual transmission.

Currently we own a 2015 Sienna just upgraded from the 2012. Used as THE primary kid hauler.
My wife has her daily driver, a bmw 4 series hardtop convertible.
And I have my 2012 sequoia with significant modifications.

On any given day I drive 2 of the 3 kids to school. But, the sequoia is always prepared to haul the whole family. The reality is that for the next 1.5 years, the Sequoia will only be hauling 1-2 kids on a daily basis. After that time, all 3 will be in elementary school together, which is a very short drive away (1 convertible seat, 1 booster with a back, 1 backless booster). The setup until then would be booster with a back plus 2 convertible seats. Keep in mind, the van would be the go to vehicle when needing to drive all 3, but I'd love the option to drive the taco.
I'd spec it out as follows: trd off road 6 speed manual double cab. Majority of my driving is city driving and the SQ is just a monster to drive. Not a bad thing, but it can become not so fun very quickly and very labor intensive to park etc.

I'm excited about what Toyota has done to this latest generation, and the opportunity to be back behind the wheel of a real truck with a transmission that puts you in control.

thanks for any input.

I have never personally seen a Manual Double Cab TRD off road. According to Toyota, all but one TRD off road package is listed as "not available" one says "available as part of an option package" but since all the other option packages say not available, my guess is that's not available either.

Also, the one thing I hated most about the Tacoma is still going to be an issue going forward. They will still have the same crappy mechanical 4-way adjustable driver seat with lumber.