Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro - Not impressed

[MLRey]

Last week I ended up with a Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro as a rental to go to the airport. The driving was all in town and on the freeway so no off road. At least on the road I was not impressed with the Tacoma. The main thing that disappointed me was the engine. As soon as I left the rental place and took off I had to give it a lot of throttle to get any meaningful acceleration. It also seemed rather noisy and rough compared to other vehicles with V-6 engines I've driven. My 94 Ranger with the 4.0 V-6 was smoother. On the freeway to the airport there are several hills and I was surprised at how often the Tacoma had to downshift one or two gears just to keep up. The Tacoma/4Runner may be super reliable but it desperately needs a new engine.

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[mtclimb3r]

This is all well known. The engine in the Tacoma is the same as the Toyota Camry. Peak torque is at like 3000 rpm and peak HP is like 4500 or something. I had a manual and it was better than the automatic but just not fun to drive. I sold it and have the money waiting for a Bronco. I also am a skeptic about reliability. WHY is it more reliable? Is the frame thicker? Are the components over built? Nobody seems to know the details, only word of mouth that it’s ‘more reliable’. I had an 03 Tacoma and it required the same maintenance as every other vehicle (new CV boots, ignition coils, ball joints, wheel bearings). The Tacoma is nearly last in every meaningful spec compared to other midsized trucks except for the mythical ‘reliability’.

 

[AZ_Liberty]

The engine is old, and the transmission is notoriously bad for hunting gears.

As for reliability, if it breaks down 30% less, but the parts cost 50% more, I'm not sure that's a win.

 

[MNBigfoot]

I've owned 3 toyota's, around 500,000 miles combined, and have replaced 3 sets of brake pads a blower fan ($60), and a door cable (warrentied). My F150s has been in the shop about 15 times. If Toyota would've introduced a Gen2 FJ45, I'd be driving that.

 

[NC_Pinz]

The power band in the Tacomas are higher than I'd like and the stock transmission shifting is tuned for efficiency. Downshifting on a hill, not surprized.

Oh, sorry if I doubt but I doubt it was a TRD Pro for a rental. Maybe a TRD Offroad or Sport. The Pro as a rental? Not very likely. Not that it matters much because it is the same engine and transmission.

 

[nhmountainman]

Thanks for the laugh. I’d drive a Tacoma, 4Runner, Landcruiser around the world and not worry…worried about driving a bronco to the next state. That engine or platform may not be exciting to you, but the machine is one you can trust and proven many times over.

 

[Itchysquatch]

Fr

This is all well known. The engine in the Tacoma is the same as the Toyota Camry. Peak torque is at like 3000 rpm and peak HP is like 4500 or something. I had a manual and it was better than the automatic but just not fun to drive. I sold it and have the money waiting for a Bronco. I also am a skeptic about reliability. WHY is it more reliable? Is the frame thicker? Are the components over built? Nobody seems to know the details, only word of mouth that it’s ‘more reliable’. I had an 03 Tacoma and it required the same maintenance as every other vehicle (new CV boots, ignition coils, ball joints, wheel bearings). The Tacoma is nearly last in every meaningful spec compared to other midsized trucks except for the mythical ‘reliability’.

My understanding is that it is the manufacturing tolerances, qc, and procedures that make for Toyotas reliability. I’ve had multiple Toyota trucks, with hundreds of thousands of miles, and the reliability thing is real. That said, I’m driving a bronco now. Thats all toyota had going for it. Out dated and ugly designs, severely underpowered, poor mpgs, lack of options, and expensive parts… not that you’ll need many. I love old toyota trucks, but I wanted something fun. So far I’m more than happy with my choice.

 

[TheMostToysWins]

Thanks for the laugh. I’d drive a Tacoma, 4Runner, Landcruiser around the world and not worry…worried about driving a bronco to the next state. That engine or platform may not be exciting to you, but the machine is one you can trust and proven many times over.

Amen. I towed an Rv for years with my 2018 Trd off road. Thousands of miles without any issue at all. So what if the trans has trouble finding the right gear, it managed just fine in the mountains of Tn.

 

[BigFootie]

One of my kids has two RAV4 TRD’s. Nothing to look at and uninspiring to drive but they have 100 miles per day to drive and put several hundred thousand miles on their vehicle’s before the next ones. They seem to get great mileage as long as you don’t try to tow with them. They do them and I do me. It’s their money and choice.

 

[JBlanco]

I had the same experience with a Tacoma rental earlier this year in Bentonville AR. At one point I had to lift the hood to confirm it had the V6 and not the I4. Also felt the interior was tiny for how big the exterior is. It may be reliable but there is no way I would buy one.

 

[JBlanco]

One of my kids has two RAV4 TRD’s. Nothing to look at and uninspiring to drive but they have 100 miles per day to drive and put several hundred thousand miles on their vehicle’s before the next ones. They seem to get great mileage as long as you don’t try to tow with them. They do them and I do me. It’s their money and choice.

I was in a RAV4 XLE this week flying back from DFW and really enjoyed the ride, smooth and quiet. Have no complaints about the Camry either, it doesn't pretend to be more than what it is, simple reliable and comfortable transportation.

 

[KABQ]

I came from a 30 year old 4Runner that never had any issues. With 1300 miles on my Bronco I had a complete and total brake failure, and I'm not the only one. Reliability isn't something mystical or nebulous, it's real.
https://www.bronco6g.com/forum/threads/brake-failure-christmas-tree-and-check-brake-system.59063/

 

[stonerdoom]

Agreed. I rented one not too long ago and I was excited to drive this thing for a day and a half because it could have been a Bronco escape plan (850+ days waiting so far). Well, I'm not that big of a car guy/engine nerd but I found this truck to be "squishy" off the line. I don't know if that is the right adjective but that is the word that came to my mind driving this thing. Beyond that, the truck was very nice. But it was squishy. Had no pep in it's step.

 

[WuNgUn]

Thanks for the laugh. I’d drive a Tacoma, 4Runner, Landcruiser around the world and not worry…worried about driving a bronco to the next state. That engine or platform may not be exciting to you, but the machine is one you can trust and proven many times over.

But... They rust in half....literally.
How can they be so reliable when they can't even forsee frame corrosion/breakage from poor design?
Gutless, inefficient engine, 5 speed automatic transmission, TRD sticker package (because c'mon, TRD doesn't mean shit).
I'll be looking forward to seeing the next gen truck, but I'm tired of waiting (not that I'm interested at all.... I'm not)

 

[DrewBronc21]

If Toyota made a proper land cruiser or 4Runner again with a removable top and manual transmission, I wouldn’t be here.

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