Motortrend's findings on the Tacoma engine/transmission combo.

[Redsoxx1918]

Have you seen the latest Motortrend where they compare the Tacoma with the Chevy Colorado, Ford Ranger, and Honda Ridgeline? If not, check it out. Spoiler alert.....the Tacoma finished DEAD LAST! One of its biggest issues? The engine/transmission combo. They hated it! It was the slowest in acceleration. Aside from the cramped cabin and grabby breaks, they said that the engine and transmission work in tandem about as well as a team of untrained mules.

I'm loving the 4.0/5 speed these days since installing my sprint booster and running on sport 9. Hoping they figure something out for the next gen 4runner. I doubt they will keep the 4.0 to use just in the 4runner.

 

[Kunimatsu]

My only comment is this, I recently spent a few days driving a new 2019 Ranger XLT Sport 4x4 and it’s the worst vehicle I’ve driven in a long time. Id almost take a mini van over one. Obnoxious technology, jerky transmission, zero back seat room and rides super rough. Id rather push a Taco than drive a Ford.

 

[Redsoxx1918]

My only comment is this, I recently spent a few days driving a new 2019 Ranger XLT Sport 4x4 and it’s the worst vehicle I’ve driven in a long time. Id almost take a mini van over one. Obnoxious technology, jerky transmission, zero back seat room and rides super rough. Id rather push a Taco than drive a Ford.

They didn't care for the Ranger much as well. The Chevy got glowing remarks though.

 

[Tejas]

They didn't care for the Ranger much as well. The Chevy got glowing remarks though.

Funny, I found the diesel ZR2 scary slow, unrefined, and by far the worst interior of the bunch, typical GM fit/finish and crap plastics. All of these trucks have horrid back seat space but that somewhat to be expected.

 

[Lostmanifesto]

I don’t doubt it. Toyota dropped the ball with that 3.5 liter. Let’s hope it doesn’t land in the 4R next.

 

[zw470]

Before I bought my 4Runner I was shopping for a 3G Taco. I probably could have lived with the funky driving position, but the throttle response and power delivery were just atrocious.

 

[4RunnerAquasport]

I drove a Sienna rental w the 3.5 and a transaxle of course. That thing had a bunch of low end grunt with good throttle response. I had seven adults crammed in there at one point, and it would still plant you back in your seat. I believe the Taco tuning for the engine and trans was a complete miss on Toyota's part. The platform is capable of so much more, but with the need for good mpg numbers, this is what they came up with unfortunately. My buddies 17' is a nice truck and in Sport mode it's tolerable but still lacking a little in throttle response. On the plus side, all those w 2nd gen Tacos in good condition will continue to get good resale.

 

[borfoo3]

The 4.0 should be matched with the 6 speed auto. That's the combo to have. Slightly lower 1st and higher 6th ratios should see better acceleration and highway mileage.

That's what Toyota currently runs in the LC Prado as well as the v6 version of the LC200.

 

[Crocket]

I drove a Sienna rental w the 3.5 and a transaxle of course. That thing had a bunch of low end grunt with good throttle response. I had seven adults crammed in there at one point, and it would still plant you back in your seat. ...

Word! I have a Sienna rental right now and damn if that thing isn't a modern day hot-rod. Floor the GO pedal and it pulls pretty hard with a nice exhaust rumble (8 speed transaxle probably helps there). Anyway, very strange feeling coming from a minivan, but it did pleasantly surprise me and put a stupid/confused grin on my face :biggrin2:

 

[IanB]

I haven't driven the 3.5 yet, but if it's anything like the 4.0 in the 4Runner it could stand to benefit in a big way from a sprint booster or pedal commander. Everything works better with the DBW calibration fixed, transmission shift points, throttle response, being in the powerband when you want to go, just a vastly nicer vehicle to drive.

 

[Jetboy]

I drove a Sienna rental w the 3.5 and a transaxle of course. That thing had a bunch of low end grunt with good throttle response. I had seven adults crammed in there at one point, and it would still plant you back in your seat. I believe the Taco tuning for the engine and trans was a complete miss on Toyota's part. The platform is capable of so much more, but with the need for good mpg numbers, this is what they came up with unfortunately. My buddies 17' is a nice truck and in Sport mode it's tolerable but still lacking a little in throttle response. On the plus side, all those w 2nd gen Tacos in good condition will continue to get good resale.

I say the same thing about our RX350. It is almost identical to the Tacoma 3.5/6AT in terms of transmission and engine (different layout, but roughly the same internals in the transmission). Feels like it has more power than you'd ever want and instant throttle response. The Tacoma in ECT mode is better. But still not good. I think the critical difference is that the RX has much deeper 4.39 diff gear ratio. And the tune.l 0-60 times are nearly identical. So it's not *actually* faster. It just feels much better.

My dad has a 19 Tacoma TRD OR Premium. It's a nice little truck. But what I noticed was that I think the shift learning has actually gotten worse with time. It felt better day 1 than it does after a few months. It may be that he drives like a grandpa - (he is one and drives like it) and it's learned to run that way. Or that it just drifts toward that operation regardless of driving style as it learns. I'm not sure.

 

[4RunnerAquasport]

Word! I have a Sienna rental right now and damn if that thing isn't a modern day hot-rod. Floor the GO pedal and it pulls pretty hard with a nice exhaust rumble (8 speed transaxle probably helps there). Anyway, very strange feeling coming from a minivan, but it did pleasantly surprise me and put a stupid/confused grin on my face :biggrin2:

Lol yea I was surprised as well. Everyone test driving Tacomas right now should take the sales manager and service manager on a comparison drive between the Sienna and the Taco and then say WTF!! Toyota needs to listen to the buying public. It's ridiculous really. 8 speed would be nice for sure. I've heard but have no proof, but if you complain enough and your under warranty, the service dept. can change the tuning and shift points w Techstream free of charge. Of course your mileage will suffer. My 5th gen is tolerable with the performance upgrades I've done, but I also spent a lot of money. Too much really.

 

[4RunnerAquasport]

I say the same thing about our RX350. It is almost identical to the Tacoma 3.5/6AT in terms of transmission and engine (different layout, but roughly the same internals in the transmission). Feels like it has more power than you'd ever want and instant throttle response. The Tacoma in ECT mode is better. But still not good. I think the critical difference is that the RX has much deeper 4.39 diff gear ratio. And the tune.l 0-60 times are nearly identical. So it's not *actually* faster. It just feels much better.

My dad has a 19 Tacoma TRD OR Premium. It's a nice little truck. But what I noticed was that I think the shift learning has actually gotten worse with time. It felt better day 1 than it does after a few months. It may be that he drives like a grandpa - (he is one and drives like it) and it's learned to run that way. Or that it just drifts toward that operation regardless of driving style as it learns. I'm not sure.

The other thing with the Sienna is the front wheel drive can be tuned more aggressively. If the Taco had all the power that is available, there would be dozens of smoking tire Taco gone wrong videos on YouTube because of the lack of weight back there. And yes on the ECU learning IMHO. Drop a rental in sport mode the first day you drive it and it will relearn shift points and timing advance.

 

[tacoyota]

Yep, even with the tranny flash tune...the 3.5 6 speed combo still sucks compared to 4.0 5 speed. X2 on the 4.0 6 speed please! the crappy motor/tranny combo is the reason i came out of the dealership with a 4runner instead of Tacoma lol!

 

[Mutant138]

I had a '16 for about half a year. Auto transmission constantly gear hunts it's trash. Engine was ight I mean what do you expect from a 3.5l?

I rather liked the interior. Wish we had a back headliner that grey is so outdated. " BU bU BuT iT MaKEs It SeEm MORe roOMy!" F*ck that noise the tacoma blacked out interior is cozy af and I loved that.

I'm 6'5 and the tacoma steering wheel simply did NOT telescope enough.

Out of every full size truck I have sat in the T4R was honestly the most comfortable.... But still I wish it came out a few more inches. Every 4x4 seating position is a f*cking compromise for me. Plenty of sedans and sports cars have steering wheels that telescope out enough. Why the f*ck do all the big boy vehicles not consider actual big boys!? F*ck my back and or my legs I guess.

I wouldn't mind having another Tacoma, but I would get the manual trans all day. Possibly hire someone to engineer a stock steering wheel spacer and harness extension (if possible with airbag sensors).

T4R is better in most measurable ways. Just wish I had a black headliner/plastics and the desert sand color.

 

[Hans Moleman]

This is why I still own my 2006 Tacoma 4.0L. I test drove a 3rd Tacoma a few years ago and the drivability was awful. I really like the interior though.