Discussion: What Features Do You Think Are Missing From The Tacoma?

[chounder]

My Taco is on order and should arrive towards the end of next month. From all the articles I’ve read I’m surprised a lot of stuff is missing from a nearly $60k truck that has $9000 in options!
-Full LED headlights with sequential turn signals
-Memory seats/mirrors
-More Soft Touch surfaces
-Mediocre JBL sound system (The Ranger Raptor has a Bang & Olufsen system which was stellar in my Audi)

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[CurryBob]

Wow - so some hybrids actually get that mileage? I have never topped 17.2 mpg @600 miles. I would be happy just to get your 23-24.

Well, like anything, if you drive like you are racing and put over sized tires than no. I drive normal but not like an old man either and that is my average.

My wife's Lexus RX350 Hybrid is a good size SUV and I can get 39-42 but she averages around 32-34. She has a heavy foot and waits till the last second to start breaking. Lol, women...

 

[hadelson]

I've had my Trail Hunter 6 weeks. Here is my list

1. Pull handle Drivers side - Currently does not have one
2. JBL Sound System is week. Upgrade
3. Rain Sensing wipers
4. Larger Gas tank
5. Increase rear Leg Room at least three inches.
6. Side View Mirrors that Pivot down when backing in reverse for better view (Similar to Tundra)
7. Rear Air vent system similar to Tundra
8. Full sliding glass Window (Up/Down) similar to Tundra
9. Memory Seat settings

 

[Duck Amuck]

It makes you wonder why they make some of these reasonings. Like is there some law or regulation with Transport Canada up here against digital rear view mirrors, or a power assisted tailgate? It would probably cost them no more if more trucks coming off the line were the same?

Canadian Tundras get the power tailgate, so it's not a regulatory thing.

I'm waiting for someone to order the rearview mirror from a US truck and see if getting the digital mirror is as easy as swapping parts.

 

[hoodouken]

Memory seats. Having a 100 adjustments in the seat, plus mirrors and steering wheel with a 5' 0" wife that sometimes drives is a pain. Our 2021 Outback we just get in and it has facial recognition and adjusts everything automatically. I don't need that, but a position 1 and position 2 would not have been too tough for them to add.

 

[TacoFreak]

Well, like anything, if you drive like you are racing and put over sized tires than no. I drive normal but not like an old man either and that is my average.

I am not driving my truck hard at all since it is still in the break-in period. That last 17.2 mpg was just 1/4 mile on streets, one freeway ramp, 15 miles of steady 70-75 interstate and then 1/2 mile of city streets to my house. Stock tires and no racing, so I am wondering if there is something wrong with my truck to be getting 6-7 mpg less than the EPA number.

BTW - that is how my wife drives too. I told her she would get more regen recovery with slower braking and not last minute, hard braking. Not sure if it worked and I am not dumb enough to ask. lol

 

[CurryBob]

I am not driving my truck hard at all since it is still in the break-in period. That last 17.2 mpg was just 1/4 mile on streets, one freeway ramp, 15 miles of steady 70-75 interstate and then 1/2 mile of city streets to my house. Stock tires and no racing, so I am wondering if there is something wrong with my truck to be getting 6-7 mpg less than the EPA number.

BTW - that is how my wife drives too. I told her she would get more regen recovery with slower braking and not last minute, hard braking. Not sure if it worked and I am not dumb enough to ask. lol

If yours is a hybrid that there is something not correct for sure. I don't think I could make mine get 17 mpg if I tried... Mine just turned over 1,000 miles so not even broke in yet.

The lowest I have had was 22 mpg and that was due to a bunch of short trips over a couple of weeks where the engine would barley get warm before I was back home (getting take out food).

Have you checked tire pressure? Do you have it set on ECO? Does the Pro have a different rear end ratio? Also doesn't the Pro come with larger off road type tires?

 

[bresna]

What's missing? How about an ECO gauge that actually shows how economically you're driving? The stupid thing has the logic reversed as delivered. You floor the truck and the green bar goes full. Duh.

 

[TacoFreak]

If yours is a hybrid that there is something not correct for sure. I don't think I could make mine get 17 mpg if I tried... Mine just turned over 1,000 miles so not even broke in yet.

My truck is included in the transmission TSB and in another thread someone was asked about any unusual behavior he saw before his transmission failed. He said that consistently lower fuel mileage compared to a friend's similar truck was all he had seen.

So when you mentioned your mileage on your hybrid it made me wonder why mine is so much lower than yours - maybe an early sign that my transmission is dying. No crazy driving on my part and although the Pros come with larger tires, they have the same EPA rating. I have used the different driving modes, but they are all about the same. It started at around 14 mpg and has slowly climbed to 17.2 @600 miles.

So back to the purpose of the thread - a feature that seems to be missing on the 4th gen is reliability, something I have always counted on in my Tacomas.

 

[YourOnlineHero]

My truck is included in the transmission TSB and in another thread someone was asked about any unusual behavior he saw before his transmission failed. He said that consistently lower fuel mileage compared to a friend's similar truck was all he had seen.

So when you mentioned your mileage on your hybrid it made me wonder why mine is so much lower than yours - maybe an early sign that my transmission is dying. No crazy driving on my part and although the Pros come with larger tires, they have the same EPA rating. I have used the different driving modes, but they are all about the same. It started at around 14 mpg and has slowly climbed to 17.2 @600 miles.

So back to the purpose of the thread - a feature that seems to be missing on the 4th gen is reliability, something I have always counted on in my Tacomas.

If it makes you feel better, my PRO was also included in the new TSB and is struggling with gas mileage. After 1700 miles, my best MPG is 18.4, which is comparable to my last 2007 Toyota Tacoma Pre-Runner as far as MPG goes. I’m definitely disappointed at the MPG as I bought truck this to have better gas mileage… not the same at my 17+ year old taco.

Your theory (or someone’s theory) about the MPG’s being low is an early sign of a dying transmission is plausible in my mind and 100% makes.

I went on a 300+ mile trip with 95% highway driving between 55-65 MPH when my MPG topped out at 18.4. I still have rough shifts on gears 1-3 on cold starts. Dealer reported the tech experienced no issues whenever I took the truck in two weeks ago. Not surprised. Toyota sent me a survey about my vehicle purchase and I made sure to include how concerned I was about the TSB that was announced, as the TSB included my VIN # and I had already reported to my dealer prior to the TSB that I had rough shifts in low gears.

 

[CurryBob]

My truck is included in the transmission TSB and in another thread someone was asked about any unusual behavior he saw before his transmission failed. He said that consistently lower fuel mileage compared to a friend's similar truck was all he had seen.

So when you mentioned your mileage on your hybrid it made me wonder why mine is so much lower than yours - maybe an early sign that my transmission is dying. No crazy driving on my part and although the Pros come with larger tires, they have the same EPA rating. I have used the different driving modes, but they are all about the same. It started at around 14 mpg and has slowly climbed to 17.2 @600 miles.

So back to the purpose of the thread - a feature that seems to be missing on the 4th gen is reliability, something I have always counted on in my Tacomas.

Lol, yeah best one I've heard yet!

I think Toyota will make it right but is still a pain to the customer!

I cannot get over the MPGs you and Jason are getting.

Jason
That trip you got, I would have gotten over 24 MPG, closer to 25. Now mine is a Limited so I dont know the rear end gears and have all season tires. But still, I would have to be towing something to get that kind of MPG.

Got to love the torque in these hybrids though!

 

[HoptownBob]

I got a premium TRD sport. It has about everything I can think of except for an acceptable stereo. The JBL system is quite terrible.

If there was a way to turn the center channel down so we could actually hear the music from the other speakers that would be great. More options adjusting the sound.

 

[TacoFreak]

I cannot get over the MPGs you and Jason are getting.

Yep - wish us luck. That seems to be common among doomed transmissions.

 

[HoptownBob]

I would like to have automatic locking doors when you walk past the key detection distance.

 

[HoptownBob]

I’d like to be able to install a locking gas cap door with a release inside. I’d even add it now if possible.

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