I don’t understand the hype

[SilverSurfer]

What engine lag?
This may be a specific issue with your truck. I have a TRD OR and am impressed with the lack of any lag (I actually think the truck is quick and fun to drive/punch it).

I am wondering if your truck may have an issue that is causing engine lag, because this seems unusual.

I have to agree. The truck gets to ticket speeds quicker than I expect. I often find myself over and have to lift if I’m not watching my acceleration. Also, I easily get 22 average with 75/25 town/hwy driving. No complaints. Also agree, ignore the gas gauge when it bottoms out and do the math. 20 x 18 =360. Maybe fill up at 340.

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[AKYLEP]

The hype around Tacomas has been earned. They have been great trucks for a long time and we buy them because of it. My last one was a Gen 2.5 with 180k miles, no real issues. Drove it daily for 10 years. It took me up some amazing trails. Resale value is another reason we buy these trucks. People are paying 20-25k for a 2014 Tacoma TRD OR with some mods. Thats pretty insane if you think about it. What other truck out there can say the same? The cup holders, we asked for them. I recently took it to CO. Off road every day of the trip. When you’re out for the day, those cup holders come in handy for empty containers, easy access for things you need on the trail, trash, etc. Pack it in, pack it out. Put the truck in sport mode, mine is very responsive, way more powerful than my 2.5 Gen. It more than proved itself on the roads I took. Coming out of a truck with no CarPlay, or any of the other tech developments in the last decade, it took me a whole to figure it all out, and some I am still figuring out. But I found its me, not the truck. Storage, not much different than my last Tacoma. Plenty of room, for jumper cables, recovery gear, straps, tools. And I put molle panels in the bed for the bigger recovery gear, gas cans, etc. Gas mileage, about the same as my last one. I didn’t buy the truck for gas mileage, would be nice to have better, but it doesn’t so it is what it is.

Everyone is different, so if it doesn’t work for you, sell it, trade it and get what suits you. Life is too short to drive a truck thats not for you.

 

[Rozzi]

Just looking to see if anyone else has any of the same gripes but doesn’t seem to be so I guess it’s just me…

so first time tacoma owner, come from a long line of cars, suvs etc... my last car was luxury. very nice, vented and heated seats, great comfort great mpg but I will say. I have the trd sport and im in love.

Im about 45 days in but I love it and probably in a bit of honey moon phase so time will tell.

• acceleration is insanely fast on mine for this size of truck, so honestly I can't speak on that? unless you came from sports cars a quarter of the weight or something..
• full gas tank = only 289 miles - this I do agree with. Pretty small gas tank maybe one of my bigger gripes. Get me atleast 350 or so.
• 18 mpg not ideal - this one I 50/50. I average city around 18.4 and when in the country, mountains around 22.4 While not great, it is a truck and not a small truck or hybrid so if you want mpg and want a truck than maybe the hybrid ford maverick to get 55
• No unlock button on tailgate - yea kinda weird but not a deal breaker
• the wireless charging is slow but the wired charging is INSANELY fast being 45w or whatever.

for me my gripes I would add no locking gas tank door, kinda weird. My seats are electric and heated but its the TRD Sport.

I have had 0 software glitches, no audio issues, doors unlock very fast. I don't even keep a key fob anymore. I have the card key thing and just keep it in my wallet. I approach the door hold my hand on the handle and it unlocks.

to me the truck is very fast, love the interior, the tech and the storage. So many usb c ports and plugs (maybe too many lol)

For me the gas tank size, gas tank being open at all times is weird. I do agree all the door cubbies and storage are kinda weird and have weird approach angles but I also see the benefit for stuffing papers, tools, cords things you don't want to rattle around its perfect. I test drove a million 2024 trucks from a tiny maverick with 50 mpg to this, gmc, chevy and it depends on your lifestyle. Did some other trucks have FAR better off road options, driving mileage but the infotainment and interior looked like it came out of the early 2000s and to me I want tech, I want to enjoy my interior and newer features To some they could care less and want more of the "car" stuff. The 24 tacoma seems like a solid balance of finally adding tech as well as being able to do "truck" things.

Unfortunately in this market if you want insane performance, tech, practicality you're gonna have to spend 55k plus.

if you're having CarPlay tech issues id try resetting the software on the truck

 

[SilverSurfer]

I think the best way to look at the taco’s price is to consider it a 35k truck with 4 years pandemic fueled inflation.

 

[Airborne]

First time Tacoma owner - I have the 4th gen sr5 double cab with 6 foot bed and I’m trying to love it but I hate it. So many things don’t make sense to me…

14 cup holders?

No (usable) interior storage - cubbies around gear shifter - shelf in front of passenger seat - door storage - all require tiny hands to slide in and grab anything with just fingertips - then the “secret” storage which is a aptly named because it’s a mystery to me as to what it’s for

Serious lag in acceleration - feels like it’s stuck in quicksand

full gas tank = only 289 miles

18 mpg not ideal

No unlock button on tailgate

Center console is very shallow for some reason as seems to be plenty of room to go deeper

Door lock lag - I can hit the button (indent) on door handle and sometimes locks right away, other times I’m several steps away and grabbing for the key fob before the button registers - sometimes it doesn’t lock at all

CarPlay/infotainment glitches - changes music source or turns off

Wireless charging barely keeps phone at starting battery level due to CarPlay and gps use

Manual seats on a 45k vehicle?

I know some of it is cosmetic but for the price I’m seriously disappointed in this truck. The answer I get for these things is along the lines of “new engine” or “new design” but regardless I don’t get why people love these trucks so much. Maybe it will grow on me but at just over 2,000 miles I’m ready to take the hit and get something else.
Anyone have anything to help talk me off the ledge?

So why the hell did you buy it in first place……

 

[JaKOwNz7]

Sounds like you want a Ford Maverick. But on a serious note, you pay for what you get. I have the Trailhunter which came out to 70k out the door but I 100% love this truck.

 

[diablo2112]

The music source switching is an Apple issue. If you unlock your iphone, many apps (including Facebook) will auto-switch the source to Carplay audio. Extremely annoying if you're listening to SirusXM. I've been looking for a way to disable this, but so far, haven't found one. FYI.

 

[drabon74]

The music source switching is an Apple issue. If you unlock your iphone, many apps (including Facebook) will auto-switch the source to Carplay audio. Extremely annoying if you're listening to SirusXM. I've been looking for a way to disable this, but so far, haven't found one. FYI.

This. My honda accord and 2024 wrangler do the same thing

 

[LincolnSixAlpha]

First time Tacoma owner - I have the 4th gen sr5 double cab with 6 foot bed and I’m trying to love it but I hate it. So many things don’t make sense to me…


Manual seats on a 45k vehicle?

I know some of it is cosmetic but for the price I’m seriously disappointed in this truck. The answer I get for these things is along the lines of “new engine” or “new design” but regardless I don’t get why people love these trucks so much. Maybe it will grow on me but at just over 2,000 miles I’m ready to take the hit and get something else.
Anyone have anything to help talk me off the ledge?

I think my thoughts mirror yours, I'd say that I'm a first-time Tacoma owner as well, although the last one I owned was a '98 4 Runner, so maybe new in the sense that it's been 25 years. Since then I've had a ton of different vehicles, cars, and trucks.

I have the Offroad Model, base - not the premium model and with the quality of the plastics things I could nit pick about that this truck is probably -- at most a 38K truck.

That said, I'm older, and less picky than I once was. I find that I'm very comfortable in it, it drives well, despite the fact that I dont like 4 bangers. In all, I liked the truck when new, and I'm still happy with it. Yeah, it aint no rocket like my 6.2L Silverado was, but at this point, I'm all about the gas mileage savings. I've learned to like the torque of the motor and not the HP.

I'm over 8K miles on mine, and I'm very happy with it, no true complaints except that I'd like to hear less of the 4-cylinder noise in the cabin.

 

[TrustButVerify]

First time Tacoma owner - I have the 4th gen sr5 double cab with 6 foot bed and I’m trying to love it but I hate it. So many things don’t make sense to me…

14 cup holders?

No (usable) interior storage - cubbies around gear shifter - shelf in front of passenger seat - door storage - all require tiny hands to slide in and grab anything with just fingertips - then the “secret” storage which is a aptly named because it’s a mystery to me as to what it’s for

Serious lag in acceleration - feels like it’s stuck in quicksand

full gas tank = only 289 miles

18 mpg not ideal

No unlock button on tailgate

Center console is very shallow for some reason as seems to be plenty of room to go deeper

Door lock lag - I can hit the button (indent) on door handle and sometimes locks right away, other times I’m several steps away and grabbing for the key fob before the button registers - sometimes it doesn’t lock at all

CarPlay/infotainment glitches - changes music source or turns off

Wireless charging barely keeps phone at starting battery level due to CarPlay and gps use

Manual seats on a 45k vehicle?

I know some of it is cosmetic but for the price I’m seriously disappointed in this truck. The answer I get for these things is along the lines of “new engine” or “new design” but regardless I don’t get why people love these trucks so much. Maybe it will grow on me but at just over 2,000 miles I’m ready to take the hit and get something else.
Anyone have anything to help talk me off the ledge?

No. This was pretty much my thought process too. Loved the smell of the sizzle. But the bite of steak was not tasty.

 

[hart24601]

This is your first Tacoma @TacoScott, but is it your first truck?

The hype for the new generation Tacoma has brought in a lot of first time truck buyers. There are several vehicles that look like trucks on today's market, but are actually small SUVs with beds, like the Maverick. Those trucks drive and are equipped like the SUVs they were derived from. They tend to be quieter, smoother and have more features than the average midsize truck.

The Tacoma is a different beast and that is why many of us love them. It is still a real body on frame truck, just not huge like the current full sized trucks. As a truck it has a more direct ride and feel and although the amenities are increased over earlier gen Tacos they are not what we expect in an SUV today. Some other real trucks have become more car like, and they don't interest me personally, but might better fill your expectations. Have you looked at a Ridgeline?

So what you see as Tacoma drawbacks, are what makes a lot of us love them. They are still trucks and so they are tools to do a job, not a cushy SUV with a bed. The 4th gen Tacoma is about as car like as a truck can get and still keep me interested.

I think you just bought the wrong vehicle Scott. You should consider trading it on something that better meets your expectations, rather than keeping it and hating it.

Trucks are not for everyone, but for those of us who love them, the Taco is still the class act of the midsize truck market.

That’s me! Haha. Been many years since had a truck (terrible dodge ram - 7 transmissions in 30k miles). Never really even knew about tacomas before this year - just didn’t care honestly. But decided I wanted a mid size truck that would last a long time and tested the ‘24s and ended up buying one, even if it was over 60k by time it was on road. The cost really isn’t an issue for me right now, I just liked it more than anything else. No hype influenced me, nor brand history besides it being a Toyota.

Not for everyone which is fine. I’m not a one for brand loyalty. The 24’ limited was just impressive to me vs the other options around and I have no desire for full-size even if was same price.

I bought my wife a Subaru forester as our main kid transport car and will admit that has a better bang for the buck, very impressive for around 30k, but it’s not nearly as robust.

I find the truck to be surprisingly peppy, but I have the hybrid, still am impressed by a truck that gets 23mpg and has that torque. It’s not like my GTR of course, but it still has left me satisfied.

People need to get what they like and be happy. I have bought vehicles before that I didn’t like and swapped them, it happens. Life moves on. Too short to live not happy.

 

[Duck Amuck]

I dont consider the Ridgeline a real truck. They are goofy.

The Ridgeline is an SUV with an open bed. Once you acknowledge that, and accept that it is what probably 90% of midsize truck buyers actually need, you'll stop debating whether it's a "real truck" or not. It does all the "real truck" stuff most people use any other midsize truck for. My dad had four or five of them over the years, they're great at what they are. The trunk and tailgate are features I wish the Tacoma had.

I prefer the Tacoma in almost all aspects, but calling the Ridgeline not a "real truck" is gatekeeping nonesense.

 

[TacoFreak]

I prefer the Tacoma in almost all aspects, but calling the Ridgeline not a "real truck" is gatekeeping nonsense.

I agree that for many people any crossover based truck is all they probably need. They also have the advantage of feeling more like the cars/crossovers that people might be coming from, so they meet expectations.

But I do see clear differences between body on frame trucks and everything else. The fact that the Tacoma is a classic truck is what makes me love them.

I considered a Santa Cruz because it is basically a Tuscon with a smooth ride and car like handling and the price is right. The Santa Cruz, Ridgeline and Maverick are nice to drive and give you the advantage of a bed, which is more useful for some things. I drove a Santa Cruz and a Ridgeline and the next time I drove my Tundra I realized that I have been driving trucks so long that I prefer them over cars, which is what crossovers really are. I think the 4th gen is special because it rides well, has modern tech and yet still feels and looks like a truck.

I think it is cool that there are so many alternatives and something out there for just about any buyer.

 

[Tacohunter2024]

First time Tacoma owner - I have the 4th gen sr5 double cab with 6 foot bed and I’m trying to love it but I hate it. So many things don’t make sense to me…

14 cup holders?

No (usable) interior storage - cubbies around gear shifter - shelf in front of passenger seat - door storage - all require tiny hands to slide in and grab anything with just fingertips - then the “secret” storage which is a aptly named because it’s a mystery to me as to what it’s for

Serious lag in acceleration - feels like it’s stuck in quicksand

full gas tank = only 289 miles

18 mpg not ideal

No unlock button on tailgate

Center console is very shallow for some reason as seems to be plenty of room to go deeper

Door lock lag - I can hit the button (indent) on door handle and sometimes locks right away, other times I’m several steps away and grabbing for the key fob before the button registers - sometimes it doesn’t lock at all

CarPlay/infotainment glitches - changes music source or turns off

Wireless charging barely keeps phone at starting battery level due to CarPlay and gps use

Manual seats on a 45k vehicle?

I know some of it is cosmetic but for the price I’m seriously disappointed in this truck. The answer I get for these things is along the lines of “new engine” or “new design” but regardless I don’t get why people love these trucks so much. Maybe it will grow on me but at just over 2,000 miles I’m ready to take the hit and get something else.
Anyone have anything to help talk me off the ledge?

I would say you've given it a good shot for 2,000 miles. If it hasn't grown on you, take advantage of year end deals to lighten the blow, but move on. I understand some of the things you're saying, but some issues sounds like a higher trim might have served you better. Check out a GMC Canyon? They have their issues too but that's my plan B.

 

[mixe760]

First time Tacoma owner - I have the 4th gen sr5 double cab with 6 foot bed and I’m trying to love it but I hate it. So many things don’t make sense to me…

14 cup holders?

No (usable) interior storage - cubbies around gear shifter - shelf in front of passenger seat - door storage - all require tiny hands to slide in and grab anything with just fingertips - then the “secret” storage which is a aptly named because it’s a mystery to me as to what it’s for

Serious lag in acceleration - feels like it’s stuck in quicksand

full gas tank = only 289 miles

18 mpg not ideal

No unlock button on tailgate

Center console is very shallow for some reason as seems to be plenty of room to go deeper

Door lock lag - I can hit the button (indent) on door handle and sometimes locks right away, other times I’m several steps away and grabbing for the key fob before the button registers - sometimes it doesn’t lock at all

CarPlay/infotainment glitches - changes music source or turns off

Wireless charging barely keeps phone at starting battery level due to CarPlay and gps use

Manual seats on a 45k vehicle?

I know some of it is cosmetic but for the price I’m seriously disappointed in this truck. The answer I get for these things is along the lines of “new engine” or “new design” but regardless I don’t get why people love these trucks so much. Maybe it will grow on me but at just over 2,000 miles I’m ready to take the hit and get something else.
Anyone have anything to help talk me off the ledge?

Wow sorry to hear about the lemon.

My acceleration on my 24 sport is phenomenal on normal and even quicker on sport
Cup holders are for people that carry 4-5 people in a vehicle, standard
My infotainment has been 99% except for the one fix they need for apple carplay but that seems to be apple's fault
My wireless charger keeps my phone at 100% and I use apple carplay and gps always
Lock lag is a weird one for any vehicle
I agree that every single vehicle at that level should have powered seats.
18mpg is ridiculous, I am closer to 23-24 overall.
Sounds like that truck has some issues. Good luck. I absolutely love mine

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