My 23 TRD Off Road double cab has the Premium and Technology pkgs. I love the Leather, front camera like on the PRO. I would have bought the PRO, but I need a 6’ bed
2021 Cons, No glove box light, loose clock displayed on screen when display is set to off, interior light poor switched to LED, No vents for rear seat passengers , some reflection of interior molding on to side view mirrors, arm rest storage to deep optional tray required, interior bed light would be a good option, door storage side panel not long enough, The hood should have had actuators and not an old fashion rod. Hi, engine makes too much noise at idle - as if diesel truck Etc. but overall its a good truck.
You know it's funny, just as you commented this I got a notification for someone commenting on another video saying "I didn't like the preaching, that was annoying" and I read that comment first and could've let it put a damper on my day. But I didn't, because I know this is my calling and your affirmation reinforces that!
Drums on the back are probably cheaper for manufacture...save a few bucks here times a bazillion trucks sold means $$$ profit. Same goes for driver's side grab handle. 'Nuff said. Oh, I do love the vents because they are round and not rectangular. I think that rotating mechanism will last longer without breaking. The round ones can be aimed exactly (okay, I'm picky).
The gas mileage rating I found disappointing when I looked at the Tacoma. I then drove the 2.7 and it didn't do so well, so asked about the V6 and the dealer wanted $35,000 after discount, so I bough an F-150 XLT with the 5.0 that gets 26 MPG on the highway if I keep it at the speed limit . It's well equipped with the extended range 36 gal. gas tank, mirrors that self dim and deice themselves. Satellite radio, power seat, electronic locker, sprayed in bed liner, a tie down bed kit, running boards, and too much more to list. Ford may not be up with Toyota for reliability, but it is better than most of the other brands. My nephews have Ford, Chevy and Toyota and all happy with their trucks. When I went shopping I asked them which is best and they told me they all have pros and cons. When test driving them I found out they were right. The perfect truck does not exist, as they all had their high points and lows. I found out I had to look at what was most important to me and find the closest match. I even looked at a lot of F-150's before picking the one I bought. Some had options I didn't want or need and others were to work truck like, without the options to make a long drive enjoyable. One thing can be said for the Toyota, if you plan to keep it for the long haul, the dependability will save you enough to pay for the gas it uses.
It was just over $35,000 the sticker was about $46k before the package discounts which knocked about $1000 off and then factory incentives and dealer discount took off near 10k. I also looked at used Tacoma trucks, but they were high mileage and near the cost of new. Resale value is extremely good on the Toyota, but I just can't see paying near new price for a truck that has enough miles on it to have driven around the globe twice. I spent weeks negotiating the price on the F-150 and was only able to squeak by the original discount they offered by a couple hundred. I also liked the Ram and they had a great discount too, and rode better, but from reviews got the impression Ford is more dependable. Chevrolet at the time were a few thousand more as there discounts were less, but incentives change so they might be better now. I also had looked at the GMC Canyon , but early 2016 they didn't have many on the lot and didn't want to give more than a small discount like the Toyota dealer. My mom use to have a 72 Chevy 1/2 ton, bought new and had it up till the mid 90's. I loved driving it but it was a thirsty beast. I'm guessing at best maybe 14 - 16 on the highway and as low 8 - 12 in the city. So all trucks now do pretty good compared to trucks back then.
I just got a TRD pro in march of this yr. Mine does have the random shifting on the highway....so it does suck on gas going to visit my brother....back and forth to work i get about 18 miles to the gallon but its all back roads....im slowly modifying it to my needs....i dont like the only 1 usb to plug in for the radio because i use a ipod classic which somehow still compatible with the tacoma where other cars doesn't like it. So Android auto is useless or no radio....im not sirus xm person either i hate how they say they dont advertise but they advertise for other channels....the QI charger sucks not the greatest which is why i keep additional cords in the truck for faster charging...previous vehicle was a '15 Cherokee that was clunking into 5th gear....than '20 jeep Grand Cherokee was a pure electronic lemon nightmare, my boss wanted to put a lemon on it because since day of delivery had nothing but issues......onto tacoma not 1 warranty work was done....while GC was at the dealership 9 times all for faulty wiring. I love my Taco!
Great review I had A 19 Taco OR built in Mex that after extensive driving in very humid and rainy conditions would leak water into the cab directly underneath the evap core dealer tried telling me it might be my aftermarket prinzu roof rack. It finally leaked on a non rainy day. I winded up traded it in for a 21 Taco OR 4x4 Thx built! I completely agree with the fuel economy, but I also dislike how they removed the transmission dip stick and the paper cartridge motor oil filter on at least all 3 gen tacos..... making it more difficult to do simple maintenance at home.
Hmm, my 19' SR5 was built in Mex and I haven't had any leaks praise God. Maybe it depends on the trim? It may have been a one-off issue on your particular truck. Whether US or Mexico built I trust Toyota well above any other brand.
Id say the fuel economy is on par with other cars with this same engine. I have the Sienna which shares the same engine and I get 17 mpg combine 19 highway. The sienna weighs less and is actually more aerodynamic and doesn't have to send all that power thru a transfer case or rear diff. So 17 mpg on the Tacoma is acceptable and doesn't surprise me. If you want better MPG just pump 91 premium non ethanol however not worth the price premium for a few mpg increases.
Wow, almost a year and a half later... It feels like longer because I've reviewed so much and experienced so much life. Hey little Isaac, that Tacoma video that "almost had 10,000 views" now has 150k views, and a little later in the video, you say "Someday I hope to review other trucks". Well Isaac you made it, God has blessed you beyond belief.
Where does the time go? It's been 4 years of car reviews and you just got your first press car last week. Yes, Toyota sent me a vehicle directly to my house! Isn't that wild? I bet you never imagined that could ever happen. That original video hasn't moved a ton in the last 2 and a half years, it sits at a little over 173,000 views now. Even though the videos views haven't changed much, my life has. I graduated college in the fall, I'm starting at OneLife tomorrow, and I'm slowing down production on the videos for a little while to breathe and focus on the Lord. I used to think I hadn't really changed much, but looking back at this it's so obvious to see how much I've grown, not just in production quality but as a human, and a believer.
Not sure if this is still true with latest engines, a little bit more fuel runs slightly rich thus lowering the burn temperature, provides lubrication to cylinder walls ultimately increases engine life and reliability. Maybe why Toyota still uses this tried and true method. Still tho this is not a reason for them slack on fuel saving innovation....
I have a 13 model and no cons. Ever (70k). The deal breaker is that, for 2016 and newer, is direct injection. That's a big maintenance issue down the road to 80k or 90k.
Man, i just installed my replacement bumpers to get rid of the chrome. $120 for both, painted silver sky metallic. Completely changes the look of the truck. Took about an hour to install both
Absolutely changes the look I love mine! It was $180 to do mine, I have a video on my channel where I install them, it only took me about 25 minutes all said and done! Excellent!
Alpha Shark Pictures just watched, yeah those bumpershellz are a good option! I meant to order that but actually ordered the replacements. So i had to remove the chrome bumper and replace it with a new one. A little more involved. I was thinking you’re one bad man to replace them in 25 minutes lol. Great content! I love your videos
SR bumpers are body color unless you get the stripped down work truck (utility pkg) which are bare black plastic front and back as well as the door handles and mirrors. i thought the trd OR was also body color and only the SR5 had chrome color back bumper. 90% of the braking, especially in a pickup, is done by the front disks. tundra brakes can also fit the taco if you really want more braking but only a complainer even notices there are drums in the back. it's just something to complain about. you will also probably never have to replace those rear drums and, if you ever do replace them next century, you will be thankful they are drums and not disks. also, disks are more exposed than drums so having drums in the back is helpful if the disks get soaked or covered in anything. again, anyone who complains about the drums is a complainer. it's not about the drums. it's about them. also, i have never heard of anyone getting mpg as bad as you in a 3rd gen V6. there is a fuelly app and others like it where you can enter your mpg and i think you would be the worst out of the hundreds of thousands entered so far.
I am 5'9" and I understand that for anyone even a few inches taller it could definitely be cramped. I like that it's cozy at my height, but understand your frustration.
I've always dreamed of getting a Tacoma ever since my dad brought home his 97. Now I'm an adult I drove one and hated it. I guess it's TRUE never meet your heros. Lol
I totally agree with you on the grab handle being taken away. Now that my leg is permanently injured, I have to grab on to the groove on the roof to pull myself in. Good job on your videos. God bless
Toyota discussed the drum brakes with TFL. They stated that it is cheaper for the customer in the long run and obviously most of the stopping is done with the front brakes anyway. The advantages of disks is that they cool better and shed water better. However, drums stop just as well under normal conditions (not constant hard braking) and is better for keeping mud off of the brake pads themselves. Not to mention they're cheaper to change, although I suspect that'll change eventually.
You don't need a grab handle on the driver's side on something that low to the ground that also has dumbass sidesteps!!!! You have steering wheel to - and when you're driving your hands should be on it.
@@AlphaShark I am getting an 2023 SR5 Trail Edition in March if it ever comes in. I think putting a bronze/tan insert like your truck would have been nice to go along with Tan stitching. I hope I like my truck as much as you do yours. Your videos helped push the Tacoma over the Ranger and of course the ridiculous residual value that Tacomas hold. I hope the EV lobby and the governments don’t kill my resale.
I have a 1994 Toyota 4x4 I love the rear drum brakes have never had a problem stopping, I even pull a small tent trailer in the mountains of colorado. My truck has 220 thousand on it and the rear brakes are original, the fronts have been changed once and still have half the pad left. Also have the grab handle on driver side but, hardly use it seems like I always grab the steering wheel wheen getting in. If you do mostly city driving, the two wheel drive would probably get 5 miles per gallon better. My old truck has the 22R when it was new it got 22 city and 29 highway but, it lacks on power for towing.
Ask, any full time mechanic about rear drum vs. disc brakes on any truck that is actually used as a truck especially, one that is 4-5 years or more years old. Likes or dislikes (not Hates) of any standard equipment before purchasing our trucks, should be part of the overall decision before buying. B.T.W. on my first tank which was hilly country driving, included many quick runs up thru the RPM range then back off to the speed limit (My researched thought's and experience on break in), resulted in a hand calculated 21.38 mpg. on the V6. Keep up the good work/ reviews !
305ssmonte Wtf. I expected much better from a V6 engine , this is the truck i want to get next . Might aswell go all out and have the extra power with the V8 Tundra if the fuel economy is already trash.
Hey Issac! Can I pick your brain on your thoughts of them moving the production of the Tacoma to Mexico for the 2021 model year! Do you think this will affect the quality and durability of the truck?
Actually in 2019 they started splitting production between a Mexican plant and the Texas plant and I checked my VIN and mine was built in the Mexican plant, I've had absolutely no quality control issues as of yet. In fact, I found out that 2016-2018 Tacoma's suffered from a leaking rear window that was very common in bad rain. My 19' built in Mexico does not suffer from that problem. I think it's completely fine they're moving production, the F150 and Silverado have been built in Mexico for the last 20 years and while they have suffered from quality control issues it seems to swing more towards that their Ford and Chevy and not that they're built in Mexico. Toyota knows how to do QC so I have no doubt they'll hold to those standards in Mexico hopefully.
Great video you’re hauling all kinds of shit that’s why mileage sux but that’s what you’re supposed to do with a truck. Someone please tell me how much I should be paying for TRD Sport automatic with technology package in Houston TX right now thx
I just traded in a 2017 Frontier (DONT judge me, it was a gift😂) and got a 2019 Tacoma SR5. A Tundra was my dream truck but I couldn’t justify the cost of a V8 if I wasn’t using it to generate income so I got the Tacoma. I also got a V6 because a 4 cylinder truck makes no sense to me! The dealer referred to it as a TRD and that’s a little confusing...can it be both an SR5 and a TRD🤷🏻♀️ It does have the plate covering the engine under the front but it doesn’t have the crawl control like the Off Road so I don’t know... I love the Toyota Safety Sense monitoring (it’s already sounded an alarm to warn me an idiot was in front of me!! Luckily, I didn’t end up testing the brake assist and crash prevention feature!). The Frontier drove like a truck whereas the Tacoma rides smooth like a car so I like that. To me bigger is better but still small enough to fit in parking spaces. I love that it sits higher-that comes in handy during upstate NY winters! And the most important point I will make..... I wanna grab handle too😂 What the hell? I look crazy grabbing the steering wheel or center council trying to climb in!! I NEED that handle!! No luck on Amazon. Sales guy told me to buy one online and he’ll help me install it (because he knows I’d have to take out a second mortgage to pay the dealer to do it🤦🏻♀️) Love your channel and your taste in trucks!!😊
It is sometimes confusing, older trucks could be an SR5 and a TRD, but the newer ones aren't so I think the salesman just wasn't as well versed in trucks. That's cool though! Glad you enjoy it as much as me and others 😊 Also, cannot find a driver's side grab handle anywhere online!
Alpha Shark Pictures Actually salesman was right! I asked someone today...a traditional SR5 is a 4 cylinder and an SR5 with a V6 is a “TRD Sport”...with the base off road suspension, shocks and skid plate so there you have it! Yours should have those too since it’s a V6. I found a number of sites with modified grab handles...no luck in finding one to match the passenger side 🤷🏻♀️ Still looking!😊
According to the Toyota engineers, they kept drum brakes in the rear to prevent sand, mud and other contaminants from eating up your brakes when offroading and using the CRAWL feature to get out of sand/mud/etc. I would prefer disc brakes like my 2016 Sierra Denali has, but it's not a deal breaker for me either.
Stoutlagger thtb8s what they say however they do not follow that with the other rigs. Tacoma is the only trd pro that had drums. It’s cost savings plain and simple, they just spin it for off road. Not true, how would less breaking power ever be an advantage?
I've said it before, I'll say it again. As much as we love those pretty disc brakes. Just remember why drum brakes are on heavy duty industrial trucks. Drum brakes are a lil slippery when cold. But when it gets heated, their stopping power increase. Drum brakes are still great still, I say so because if you are a hard offroad-er, going through mud, thick dust, rocks etc. These brakes help keep out dirty debree etc. Yes their not pretty as disk brakes, but atleast they dont warp easily like disc brakes, especially the fact these trucks are popular going off road. Also a reason why 2018-2020 dump trucks, semi trucks, etc those big trucks, they use these brakes because they have better stopping power especially when you need to stop immediately and you got all that weight on the back. And we all know how kinetic enegery works, right? My next opinion is, these trucks are a lot better in fuel economy than other trucks. The nissan frontier is a 4.0l v6. Although the tacoma is a v6, think other wise. Yes it's a smaller block but atleast it's still packing a power and torque and not burning fuel like a v8. Though I'd pick the v6 4x4 over the v6 4x2 tacoma, nor the 4 cylinder 4x2 & 4x4. The 4x4 4 cylinder tacoma are hella under powered but great for what they do if they fit your budget and needs. The v6 4x2 eats a lil more gas because the fact it is a v6, but only 2 wheels are moving. Keep in mid, even tho it's a mid size truck, it still got a hefty weight to them. So ofc itll take a while for them to get moving. So 4x4 v6 is the way to go. Whether it's a sr5 or trd. Cheers
I have a 2019 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road 4x4 fully equipped, love everything about my truck. I get about 21.5mpg on highway, 17 on city, and a total of 18.5 combined. It's actually not bad for a 3.5 V6, and a really heavy truck.
I have an 18 sport double cab with the automatic trans and get 22-23 average. On highway i have been getting 25-26 mpg. I do have a cold air intake and run 93 octane.
Sergio Ayon The butt dyno likes it too. It feels more responsive on the higher octane gas. I hope to get the OVS tune this year and I’m hoping that’ll be 1-2 more mpg.
I agree with your negatives. At the time I purchased mine. That was all I could afford. The window sticker even tells you how much more it will cost than other vehicles. I have the 2.7. I could only wish for 17 mpg. It's RWD, babied with 4000 miles and lucky to get 12 mph. In the winter with snows, 10 mpg max. DO NOT LISTEN to Toyota. When Toyota starts caring about customers and adds headlights that really work as well along with improving this crappy fuel mileage. Buy one. Otherwise buy a used Mazda B210.
@@AlphaShark Replacing those bulbs is definitely worth your time and money. Everything was done on mine with the exception of the headlights. Plus, a backup light strip on the license plate and the switching daylight/front turn signals kit. Both of those additions work really well!! You can light up a small air field with the three backup lights now. The turn signal kit is cool cause now the daytime lights are super white bright. As well as when it changes to yellow its as bright too. Frankly, it looked stupid with yellow daytime lights. My 2000 Tacoma didn't have those. Toyota just cheeped out now. The LED bulbs are definitely brighter. You will definitely appreciate how bright the yellow rear turn signals are! The light pattern is all over the place on the fog lights. That's the only negative thing I can say about all the bulbs. VLEDS is the company that I purchased everything from. I have been very happy with them all around. Good Luck ASP
The grab handle is missing from the drivers side because of line of sight issues. Also rear drum brakes are there because of cost of maintenance, and less chance of dirt and rocks getting stuck in there during off road driving. Also most of the weight in a truck is in the front so no need for discs in the rear.
Drum brakes are there because it's cheaper and helps their profit margins. No if and or buts. I'm a Toyota fan since I was a kid and my dad got his first Toyota truck in 1989, but I wont make excuses for Toyota.
Drum brakes cost less to manufacture. 80% of braking is performed by the front brakes. Toyota does not believe that disc are needed in the rear. Overkill. The 2020 has drum brakes in the rear. This info provided in a TH-cam video by a Toyota Tacoma development executive. Search for it. Very intersting. I belive it was on the TH-cam channel by the name of TFL Truck. Thank for the clean video. God Bless you!
Drum brakes while somewhat antiquated are generally more durable than disc brakes. The EPA ratings Are essentially useless. It seems like you never get the gas mileage that the manufacturers claim in real world driving.
Hey man, nice video. The driver side grab handle was mentioned in the IIHS's 2019 Tacoma crash testing as poorly positioned under "Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics". They stated that "the grab handle on the A-pillar protrudes so far into the path of the dummy's head that the rear of the head hit it." Probably became a liability issue after this, and was subsequently removed. Just a guess though!
Now you can have your own Tacoma Grab handle. Go here “www.ktjo4x4.com/tacoma-oem-grab-handles-2016” or to “Tacomabeast.com” to purchase. Their a little pricy but well worth the money. Also you can check out Robmotive here on TH-cam for an unboxing and install video!!
I have to concur with that bumper. I was at the dealership and its just... there!! Really flimsy to the touch too and I didn't appreciate some welding job done underneath. Overall a great truck.
I don't buy that statement from Toyota at all. You're telling me those brakes hold up better off-road than the brakes on the Land Cruiser, 4Runner, and Tundra? I haven't seen evidence that it does or does not. I don't care either way, if the brakes work like they're suppose to then great but I don't believe that explanation of it. It's a cost saving measure because they can. The same way the cab is a carry over from the 2nd gen. Nothing more, nothing less.
@@kevinmott9046 So because something has always been done and it has always come with drum brakes that means it can't improve and change in the future? Silly logic. So if the next Tacoma comes with rear disc brakes what will you say then?
@@Gazziza29 Honestly, after having owned a first gen for 21 years and 255k miles, I never once had to replace the pads or do any major service to the drums. If that holds true for my second gen now, I don't have any reason to demand disk brakes. I'm not saying disks don't have higher performance, but the drums work well and require little to no maintenance, so I'm not sure how I could complain...
Kevin Mott maybe people are complaining because disk brakes are better. You can never have to much braking power in a vehicle. Not to mention from a looks standpoint, I think a lot of people will agree disk brakes look better
Alpha Shark Pictures It’s a local place. Your best bet to make it the cheapest is to call around. I bought black oem caps so they were never installed before they got painted. You will probably get cheaper quotes if you take the caps off first and tell a shop they are not attached to the vehicle. Hope this helps a bit!
$60 to fill up your tank? Woah! Which state do you live in? Here in Alabama, gas has been riding at around $2.30 for the past several months and I don’t usually spend more than $35 to fill up my Colorado. That’s one place where I wish state governments weren’t so different, haha.
It's about $3 a gallon here, a little lower, but I also have an 18 gallon tank. I don't know how much your Colorado is. Also I spend roughly $52 on average at the pump.
the plastic sucks scratches easily the paint scatches easily the rear suspension sucks its a leaf spring and it feels like you're on the back of a motorcycle over rough terrain
Scuff the chromes with 60 or 80 grit sand paper....then spray etching primer....2 or 3 coats then sand it with reccommended grit ....and paint . Then clear with 2 part clear . Nice review . And love it that am not the only one who hates chrome 🤣
I've only had mine a short while < 1000 miles and I am getting an indicated 22+ MPG mixed driving. That's with a tight engine and I'm sure the computer is overstating the MPG a touch. MPG is less about the engine and more about the aerodynamics. That's why no real change with the 4cyl vs V6. It takes a certain amount of power to move the truck at any given speed. Chevy is leading in this regard esp. on the full size trucks. I've heard that the chin spoiler gives the truck an extra 1-1.5 mpg over the off road and TRD pro which do not have it. Look at a colorado and the chin spoiler sits much lower to the ground reducing turbulent air under the truck. Of course the trade off is ground clearance.
I just bought a 2020 off-road a few weeks ago and it’s amazing! My compliant would have to be that the infotainment system can be laggy sometimes. I do think the headlights should have been LED but I guess buying an LED set for $50 isn’t bad. And I would agree with that handle on the driver side. I think there should have been one. Other than that, I think that truck is amazing 💙
This comment made my decade. Over the years people have told me Ryan Reynolds, Benedict Cumberbatch, Dylan Minnette.. one guy at an LA Fitness hot tub told me I looked like Tom cruise! Needless to say I've just excepted I look like a generic brown haired white guy. But this was such a specific comment and IVE SEEN THIS AD that I couldn't stop actually laughing in real life. Also love the thought that that guy would need a stunt double.
At work, the other guys use the steering wheel as a grab handle on our Ford F450's... they don't have grab handles either. We drop those trucks off atleast twice a year because they damage the steering wheel.
The F-150's get decent mpg's, but their combined # is no where near 22 mpg...check fuelly to see for yourself. The Tacoma's 3.5l v6 isn't stellar, but it still returns slightly better mpg's than what you'll get with the 1/2 tons. The only way to boost the mpg's even further is to go diesel or go hybrid. Gasoline engines only have so much efficiency to offer.
What Toyota says about why they are using rear drum brakes is complete BS. If disc brakes have so many problems with sand, gravel, etc (they dont), then why dont they use drum brakes in the front too? DOH!
Dam. And i get mad wen my colorado gets 20mpg city. And i get mad if it gets less than 25mpg highway. On long road trips im in the 30's best ive done is 38mpg. Its a 2016 chevy colorado WT 3.6L v6. HOWEVER, the electrical is already failing! Cheap shit.
Thank you Isaac once again for your videos. I LOVE them. You are a pure joy to watch and I've subscribe, hit the notification bell and here's your comment. I hope your channel grows like crazy! I'm with you buddy. I have a first year run Tacoma with 99K miles which I love. It has the 2.4 if I recall correctly and I'm disappointed with the fuel economy. I have a back up Chevrolet Cavalier which I bought from the orgininal owner, my neighbor, who sold it to me for $700 with 80K miles. That uninspiring little car get 30mpg and I've gotten used to that. I understand that part of the poor fuel economy is gearing. Trucks haul stuff and have a different gearing. 4-door Cavaliers don't really expect to haul anything but people so aren't designed to have a gearing that accomodates heavier loads (so I'm told). No matter what others say, you picked the right truck. Those who complain are those who wish they bought the Tacoma. You can't argue the quality of the vehicle and the resale. They are sooooo flippin dependable and fun to drive. Thanks again buddy, sure do appreciate you, your time, and your channel. You're a natural!
First of all, thanks for the video review. I appreciate the details as I’m considering the Tacoma as well. With regards to the fuel efficiency, I believe that Toyota is trying to improve things but there’s so only so much they can do without affecting the legendary reliability of the truck. The 3.5L V6 is a direct injection Atkinson cycle engine. This is suppose to improve on the fuel efficiency compared to the previous generations. The only way I can see them improving fuel efficiency is to go to an even smaller cylinder and maybe adding a turbo. However, by doing that, in addition to an untested new design, they would be introducing more complexity and ultimately a potential hit to reliability. For reference you can read up on the oil dilution issues of the 1.5L turbo engine on like the Honda CR-V. Then there’s another approach of making a “hybrid” truck to improve fuel economy but man, that’s even more complexity and electrical components. Yet another approach is going with turbo Diesel engine but despite the MPGs on diesel, it burns dirtier than normal unleaded fuel.
I prefer the mechanical seats. They don't have to be electric to increase/decrease height... just one more part to cause problems down the road. You're spot on about the rear bumper... cheaper to just replace the whole thing if anything happens to it. Toyota parts are way overpriced unfortunately. I totally agree about the grab handle being absent. Would have been nice to have it on the driver side. Regarding the drum brakes, it is easier to change out the disk brakes. Drums aren't a daily concern regarding performance for street driving, but would have been a better option for many off-roaders. FYI, I've owned a 2016 TRD off road extended bed tacoma, 2019 SR 4x4 v6, and my favorite currently that I own a 2019 SR 2x4 I4. All models are double cab. I recently traded my 2019 v6 4x4 Tacoma for the 2019 I4 2x4 (3 months ago). The v6 is a car motor and needs to be revved and worked to produce power. Overall, it is rather anemic and fuel hungry. For a daily driver, power for the i4 comes on just as quick as the v6. So acceleration in normal rev ranges is about the same. V6 0-60 is only two seconds faster than the I4... you need to be flooring it. You want more power (for towing or racing), get a full-size in my opinion. I4 was designed to be a truck motor, has oil cooling jets, iron block (more robust), etc... v6 is aluminum block with sleeves... I4 considerably more primitive (less points for failure) and cheaper to work on (12 injectors in the v6 vs 4 in the i4)... I don't have to worry abut a shift happy tranny due to the truck going in and out of the Atkinson cycle (v6). I4 has a long history of durability and reliability... similar motor to the Hilux terrorists are driving all over the deserts of the Middle East. I think you get the point. To each their own. Fuel economy on my 2019 I4 4x2 is a consistent 23-24 MPG combined. My 2019 v6 4x4 was all over the place (15-20MPG). Same for the 2016 I had, but a tad worst on the combined. I understand the EPA rates the v6 being advertised to be just as good and about the same as the I4... that's a joke. I speak from experience and ownership. With mostly city driving in the I4, I drop from 23-24 MPG to 20-21 MPG. My wife's van (2019 Sienna) has the same v6 engine as the Tacoma and it does great averaging 23-24MPG combined. Only real con I have on the I4 is Toyota doesn't offer a tow package with transmission cooler etc. So I installed a complete tow-package myself with 7 and 4 pin connectors to use the truck with a travel trailer. Turned out to be a better setup than what factory offers. For my of my towing needs, I'm only going up to 3k pounds tops and the truck has no issues with that going 65-70MPH down the highway with 5 passengers. A lot of people running their mouths off about the I4 have never owned one as a daily driver and just go with v6 for with a rather have it now and not need it than need it and not have it mentality... also ego bro-struck adolescent mindset. If you look up owners of 4 cylinder Tacoma, most owners are very happy with them. I'm glad to gone to the "dark side" lol. No regrets. If I only had the option for the v6, I'd gladly take one again, but I prefer the I4. They are both great engines overall.
Corner collisions tests may have shown diagonal head impacts on their handles.?.I saw 1 'power-port'in the front,but you didn't cover how many and where.
Mine is better driving in the city than the hw. Between 19 and 20. Hw is rarely over 20 unless it is a nice day. Wait until the winter, you wish you should buy a Prius. 17mpg is the highest I got on hw.
Yes just barely, occasionally i'll gun it and it will fly down the highway and I'm talking 25 to 60 in seemingly 2 - 3 seconds. But other times it feels a little sluggish getting up to speed.
I still prefer my 95 Tacoma XC with the mods I have done. Less electronic frills to go haywire and the body style is more iconic. Have to pass on the 2nd & 3rd gen models not to mention the price. 24 years a satisfied owner. Just my personal preference.
Dude really loves his truck!!
Haha I definitely do. I am blessed to have it
My 23 TRD Off Road double cab has the Premium and Technology pkgs. I love the Leather, front camera like on the PRO.
I would have bought the PRO, but I need a 6’ bed
I live on Guam and I'm getting AVG. 22 to 22.3 MPG on my 2018 Tacoma sport V6 3.5
2021 Cons, No glove box light, loose clock displayed on screen when display is set to off, interior light poor switched to LED, No vents for rear seat passengers , some reflection of interior molding on to side view mirrors, arm rest storage to deep optional tray required, interior bed light would be a good option, door storage side panel not long enough, The hood should have had actuators and not an old fashion rod. Hi, engine makes too much noise at idle - as if diesel truck Etc. but overall its a good truck.
I bought the 2021 last month and I love my Tacoma also thanks for being true to your calling in serving the Lord
You know it's funny, just as you commented this I got a notification for someone commenting on another video saying "I didn't like the preaching, that was annoying" and I read that comment first and could've let it put a damper on my day. But I didn't, because I know this is my calling and your affirmation reinforces that!
Drums on the back are probably cheaper for manufacture...save a few bucks here times a bazillion trucks sold means $$$ profit. Same goes for driver's side grab handle. 'Nuff said.
Oh, I do love the vents because they are round and not rectangular. I think that rotating mechanism will last longer without breaking. The round ones can be aimed exactly (okay, I'm picky).
Alpha shark needs decals, tshirts and accessories to buy!
I am working on that! Perhaps I'll put a poll up.
The gas mileage rating I found disappointing when I looked at the Tacoma. I then drove the 2.7 and it didn't do so well, so asked about the V6 and the dealer wanted $35,000 after discount, so I bough an F-150 XLT with the 5.0 that gets 26 MPG on the highway if I keep it at the speed limit . It's well equipped with the extended range 36 gal. gas tank, mirrors that self dim and deice themselves. Satellite radio, power seat, electronic locker, sprayed in bed liner, a tie down bed kit, running boards, and too much more to list. Ford may not be up with Toyota for reliability, but it is better than most of the other brands. My nephews have Ford, Chevy and Toyota and all happy with their trucks. When I went shopping I asked them which is best and they told me they all have pros and cons. When test driving them I found out they were right. The perfect truck does not exist, as they all had their high points and lows. I found out I had to look at what was most important to me and find the closest match. I even looked at a lot of F-150's before picking the one I bought. Some had options I didn't want or need and others were to work truck like, without the options to make a long drive enjoyable. One thing can be said for the Toyota, if you plan to keep it for the long haul, the dependability will save you enough to pay for the gas it uses.
How much did you pay for yours?
It was just over $35,000 the sticker was about $46k before the package discounts which knocked about $1000 off and then factory incentives and dealer discount took off near 10k. I also looked at used Tacoma trucks, but they were high mileage and near the cost of new. Resale value is extremely good on the Toyota, but I just can't see paying near new price for a truck that has enough miles on it to have driven around the globe twice. I spent weeks negotiating the price on the F-150 and was only able to squeak by the original discount they offered by a couple hundred. I also liked the Ram and they had a great discount too, and rode better, but from reviews got the impression Ford is more dependable. Chevrolet at the time were a few thousand more as there discounts were less, but incentives change so they might be better now. I also had looked at the GMC Canyon , but early 2016 they didn't have many on the lot and didn't want to give more than a small discount like the Toyota dealer. My mom use to have a 72 Chevy 1/2 ton, bought new and had it up till the mid 90's. I loved driving it but it was a thirsty beast. I'm guessing at best maybe 14 - 16 on the highway and as low 8 - 12 in the city. So all trucks now do pretty good compared to trucks back then.
Great video man!
Yeah. We definitely need an “OH SHIT BAR” on the driver side
I just got a TRD pro in march of this yr. Mine does have the random shifting on the highway....so it does suck on gas going to visit my brother....back and forth to work i get about 18 miles to the gallon but its all back roads....im slowly modifying it to my needs....i dont like the only 1 usb to plug in for the radio because i use a ipod classic which somehow still compatible with the tacoma where other cars doesn't like it. So Android auto is useless or no radio....im not sirus xm person either i hate how they say they dont advertise but they advertise for other channels....the QI charger sucks not the greatest which is why i keep additional cords in the truck for faster charging...previous vehicle was a '15 Cherokee that was clunking into 5th gear....than '20 jeep Grand Cherokee was a pure electronic lemon nightmare, my boss wanted to put a lemon on it because since day of delivery had nothing but issues......onto tacoma not 1 warranty work was done....while GC was at the dealership 9 times all for faulty wiring. I love my Taco!
Great review I had A 19 Taco OR built in Mex that after extensive driving in very humid and rainy conditions would leak water into the cab directly underneath the evap core dealer tried telling me it might be my aftermarket prinzu roof rack. It finally leaked on a non rainy day. I winded up traded it in for a 21 Taco OR 4x4 Thx built! I completely agree with the fuel economy, but I also dislike how they removed the transmission dip stick and the paper cartridge motor oil filter on at least all 3 gen tacos..... making it more difficult to do simple maintenance at home.
Hmm, my 19' SR5 was built in Mex and I haven't had any leaks praise God. Maybe it depends on the trim? It may have been a one-off issue on your particular truck. Whether US or Mexico built I trust Toyota well above any other brand.
i think they have drum brake in the rear because it better for off road use
You have a lot of energy but love the video dude I’m actually selling my property so I can buy one of these trucks
Id say the fuel economy is on par with other cars with this same engine. I have the Sienna which shares the same engine and I get 17 mpg combine 19 highway. The sienna weighs less and is actually more aerodynamic and doesn't have to send all that power thru a transfer case or rear diff. So 17 mpg on the Tacoma is acceptable and doesn't surprise me. If you want better MPG just pump 91 premium non ethanol however not worth the price premium for a few mpg increases.
Wow, almost a year and a half later... It feels like longer because I've reviewed so much and experienced so much life. Hey little Isaac, that Tacoma video that "almost had 10,000 views" now has 150k views, and a little later in the video, you say "Someday I hope to review other trucks". Well Isaac you made it, God has blessed you beyond belief.
Where does the time go? It's been 4 years of car reviews and you just got your first press car last week. Yes, Toyota sent me a vehicle directly to my house! Isn't that wild? I bet you never imagined that could ever happen. That original video hasn't moved a ton in the last 2 and a half years, it sits at a little over 173,000 views now. Even though the videos views haven't changed much, my life has. I graduated college in the fall, I'm starting at OneLife tomorrow, and I'm slowing down production on the videos for a little while to breathe and focus on the Lord. I used to think I hadn't really changed much, but looking back at this it's so obvious to see how much I've grown, not just in production quality but as a human, and a believer.
Not sure if this is still true with latest engines, a little bit more fuel runs slightly rich thus lowering the burn temperature, provides lubrication to cylinder walls ultimately increases engine life and reliability. Maybe why Toyota still uses this tried and true method. Still tho this is not a reason for them slack on fuel saving innovation....
Over 4,500 lbs is not a small truck. Lawn mowing must pay well in your neighborhood to afford a $500 per month trk note.
I have a 13 model and no cons. Ever (70k). The deal breaker is that, for 2016 and newer, is direct injection. That's a big maintenance issue down the road to 80k or 90k.
Dually noted! Thankfully I tend to only put about 8-10k a year on the odometer so it'll be a long while till I would have that.
They don’t have dual injection?
@@AlphaShark yes, but it will keep being less and less efficient as time goes on, starting the day you bought it, until it's time to fix it.
These engines are dual injection offering both port and direct. No issue with carbon buildup..
Very informative video I like this guy.
Hey Lex! Thank you 😁
Man, i just installed my replacement bumpers to get rid of the chrome. $120 for both, painted silver sky metallic. Completely changes the look of the truck. Took about an hour to install both
Absolutely changes the look I love mine! It was $180 to do mine, I have a video on my channel where I install them, it only took me about 25 minutes all said and done! Excellent!
Alpha Shark Pictures just watched, yeah those bumpershellz are a good option! I meant to order that but actually ordered the replacements. So i had to remove the chrome bumper and replace it with a new one. A little more involved. I was thinking you’re one bad man to replace them in 25 minutes lol.
Great content! I love your videos
@@justinsyers8148 That's still cool! No I wouldn't have been able to do the whole bumper that fast! I'm good 😎 I'm not that good. Haha
SR bumpers are body color unless you get the stripped down work truck (utility pkg) which are bare black plastic front and back as well as the door handles and mirrors. i thought the trd OR was also body color and only the SR5 had chrome color back bumper. 90% of the braking, especially in a pickup, is done by the front disks. tundra brakes can also fit the taco if you really want more braking but only a complainer even notices there are drums in the back. it's just something to complain about. you will also probably never have to replace those rear drums and, if you ever do replace them next century, you will be thankful they are drums and not disks. also, disks are more exposed than drums so having drums in the back is helpful if the disks get soaked or covered in anything. again, anyone who complains about the drums is a complainer. it's not about the drums. it's about them. also, i have never heard of anyone getting mpg as bad as you in a 3rd gen V6. there is a fuelly app and others like it where you can enter your mpg and i think you would be the worst out of the hundreds of thousands entered so far.
i have the 2019 sr5, it’s so damn small, i can’t stand the interior. it’s best for 1 or 2 people even with back seats.
I am 5'9" and I understand that for anyone even a few inches taller it could definitely be cramped. I like that it's cozy at my height, but understand your frustration.
Zero disrespect but you really remind me of a 20 year old Ryan Reynolds who when to church. Great review... Thank you!
I know there's no disrespect 😂 I am told this in person and in the comments by random people AT LEAST once a week!
Rear drum brakes are better for dirty driving conditions, because dirt gets in the rear disc and prematurely wears the brakes.
Would you switch your front discs to drums if that's the case?
I've always dreamed of getting a Tacoma ever since my dad brought home his 97. Now I'm an adult I drove one and hated it. I guess it's TRUE never meet your heros. Lol
The Bed Doctor yeah I drove a Ram and I thought for sure that’d be my truck! But I didn’t like it that much.
I totally agree with you on the grab handle being taken away. Now that my leg is permanently injured, I have to grab on to the groove on the roof to pull myself in. Good job on your videos. God bless
Hopefully it comes back next body style! Perhaps someone at Toyota will see this video and here our cries!
Toyota discussed the drum brakes with TFL. They stated that it is cheaper for the customer in the long run and obviously most of the stopping is done with the front brakes anyway. The advantages of disks is that they cool better and shed water better. However, drums stop just as well under normal conditions (not constant hard braking) and is better for keeping mud off of the brake pads themselves. Not to mention they're cheaper to change, although I suspect that'll change eventually.
You don't need a grab handle on the driver's side on something that low to the ground that also has dumbass sidesteps!!!! You have steering wheel to - and when you're driving your hands should be on it.
Nothing wrong which drum brakes
My 2015 V6 Tacoma gets 21.0 on the hwy and 18-19 in the city, Glad I have a last year 2nd Gen and not the 2016+ with the crappy transmissions.
Wished the cabin/ space for the back seats, was a little bit bigger other than the small cabin it's decent enough
The Tacoma just cannot get.out of last place in comparison tests today.
I think the problem is that people on focus on tech and not reliability!
I think it did well in crash testing.Not so much in Hauling.
How did you get the brown interior on door panels and dash. Looks nice. Never seen that except on your vehicle.
It is only available on SR5 trucks from 2019-2021 I believe.
@@AlphaShark I am getting an 2023 SR5 Trail Edition in March if it ever comes in. I think putting a bronze/tan insert like your truck would have been nice to go along with Tan stitching. I hope I like my truck as much as you do yours. Your videos helped push the Tacoma over the Ranger and of course the ridiculous residual value that Tacomas hold. I hope the EV lobby and the governments don’t kill my resale.
I have a 1994 Toyota 4x4 I love the rear drum brakes have never had a problem stopping, I even pull a small tent trailer in the mountains of colorado. My truck has 220 thousand on it and the rear brakes are original, the fronts have been changed once and still have half the pad left. Also have the grab handle on driver side but, hardly use it seems like I always grab the steering wheel wheen getting in. If you do mostly city driving, the two wheel drive would probably get 5 miles per gallon better. My old truck has the 22R when it was new it got 22 city and 29 highway but, it lacks on power for towing.
Not having a grab handle is a deal breaker
It nearly was for me.
You need to increase your vocabulary to remain consistently interesting.
I love these comments on old videos because I have 😂 just watch my newer videos! Lol
Ask, any full time mechanic about rear drum vs. disc brakes on any truck that is actually used as a truck especially, one that is 4-5 years or more years old. Likes or dislikes (not Hates) of any standard equipment before purchasing our trucks, should be part of the overall decision before buying. B.T.W. on my first tank which was hilly country driving, included many quick runs up thru the RPM range then back off to the speed limit (My researched thought's and experience on break in), resulted in a hand calculated 21.38 mpg. on the V6. Keep up the good work/ reviews !
I have a 2017 2WD automatic V6 Tacoma. I agree with all your cons. I get 11.2 mpg.
305ssmonte
Wtf.
I expected much better from a V6 engine , this is the truck i want to get next .
Might aswell go all out and have the extra power with the V8 Tundra if the fuel economy is already trash.
11? My Crown Vic gets better then that, with a 4 speed and a V8.
Hey Issac! Can I pick your brain on your thoughts of them moving the production of the Tacoma to Mexico for the 2021 model year! Do you think this will affect the quality and durability of the truck?
Actually in 2019 they started splitting production between a Mexican plant and the Texas plant and I checked my VIN and mine was built in the Mexican plant, I've had absolutely no quality control issues as of yet. In fact, I found out that 2016-2018 Tacoma's suffered from a leaking rear window that was very common in bad rain. My 19' built in Mexico does not suffer from that problem. I think it's completely fine they're moving production, the F150 and Silverado have been built in Mexico for the last 20 years and while they have suffered from quality control issues it seems to swing more towards that their Ford and Chevy and not that they're built in Mexico. Toyota knows how to do QC so I have no doubt they'll hold to those standards in Mexico hopefully.
Alpha Shark Pictures, thanks for the reply back. You’ve alleviated some of my anxiety buying one built in Mexico. 😎😎
Michael Rudisill sure thing! Glad I could help Michael. 😊
Re gearing the diffs gives you better gas milage
Since America builds junk vehicles Toyota is the best thing to buy.
I'm getting around 24-ish MPG average in my 19 Ranger (manually calculated)
Nice!
do you think Toyota tacoma should come out with a diesel?
Yes! You can actually get a diesel swap from a 3rd party company.
Great video you’re hauling all kinds of shit that’s why mileage sux but that’s what you’re supposed to do with a truck. Someone please tell me how much I should be paying for TRD Sport automatic with technology package in Houston TX right now thx
That's hard to say! I'd Kelly blue book prices in your area, they are usually spot on.
Alpha Shark Pictures thx! I’ll start there following your Tacoma adventures
@@TXTundra-ex8bw thank you! I'm planning on reviewing every truck on the market now but I'm planning on doing lots more Tacoma videos!
I just traded in a 2017 Frontier (DONT judge me, it was a gift😂) and got a 2019 Tacoma SR5. A Tundra was my dream truck but I couldn’t justify the cost of a V8 if I wasn’t using it to generate income so I got the Tacoma. I also got a V6 because a 4 cylinder truck makes no sense to me! The dealer referred to it as a TRD and that’s a little confusing...can it be both an SR5 and a TRD🤷🏻♀️ It does have the plate covering the engine under the front but it doesn’t have the crawl control like the Off Road so I don’t know... I love the Toyota Safety Sense monitoring (it’s already sounded an alarm to warn me an idiot was in front of me!! Luckily, I didn’t end up testing the brake assist and crash prevention feature!). The Frontier drove like a truck whereas the Tacoma rides smooth like a car so I like that. To me bigger is better but still small enough to fit in parking spaces. I love that it sits higher-that comes in handy during upstate NY winters! And the most important point I will make.....
I wanna grab handle too😂 What the hell? I look crazy grabbing the steering wheel or center council trying to climb in!! I NEED that handle!! No luck on Amazon. Sales guy told me to buy one online and he’ll help me install it (because he knows I’d have to take out a second mortgage to pay the dealer to do it🤦🏻♀️)
Love your channel and your taste in trucks!!😊
It is sometimes confusing, older trucks could be an SR5 and a TRD, but the newer ones aren't so I think the salesman just wasn't as well versed in trucks. That's cool though! Glad you enjoy it as much as me and others 😊 Also, cannot find a driver's side grab handle anywhere online!
Alpha Shark Pictures Actually salesman was right! I asked someone today...a traditional SR5 is a 4 cylinder and an SR5 with a V6 is a “TRD Sport”...with the base off road suspension, shocks and skid plate so there you have it! Yours should have those too since it’s a V6.
I found a number of sites with modified grab handles...no luck in finding one to match the passenger side 🤷🏻♀️ Still looking!😊
MotorcycleMan Yeah, I’m thinking that. I’m on my second recall and I haven’t even had the Taco for 6mos!! 😞
According to the Toyota engineers, they kept drum brakes in the rear to prevent sand, mud and other contaminants from eating up your brakes when offroading and using the CRAWL feature to get out of sand/mud/etc. I would prefer disc brakes like my 2016 Sierra Denali has, but it's not a deal breaker for me either.
Stoutlagger thtb8s what they say however they do not follow that with the other rigs. Tacoma is the only trd pro that had drums. It’s cost savings plain and simple, they just spin it for off road. Not true, how would less breaking power ever be an advantage?
Why I ❤️ Toyota. Simple. Rugged.
I've said it before, I'll say it again. As much as we love those pretty disc brakes. Just remember why drum brakes are on heavy duty industrial trucks. Drum brakes are a lil slippery when cold. But when it gets heated, their stopping power increase. Drum brakes are still great still, I say so because if you are a hard offroad-er, going through mud, thick dust, rocks etc. These brakes help keep out dirty debree etc. Yes their not pretty as disk brakes, but atleast they dont warp easily like disc brakes, especially the fact these trucks are popular going off road. Also a reason why 2018-2020 dump trucks, semi trucks, etc those big trucks, they use these brakes because they have better stopping power especially when you need to stop immediately and you got all that weight on the back. And we all know how kinetic enegery works, right?
My next opinion is, these trucks are a lot better in fuel economy than other trucks. The nissan frontier is a 4.0l v6.
Although the tacoma is a v6, think other wise. Yes it's a smaller block but atleast it's still packing a power and torque and not burning fuel like a v8. Though I'd pick the v6 4x4 over the v6 4x2 tacoma, nor the 4 cylinder 4x2 & 4x4. The 4x4 4 cylinder tacoma are hella under powered but great for what they do if they fit your budget and needs. The v6 4x2 eats a lil more gas because the fact it is a v6, but only 2 wheels are moving. Keep in mid, even tho it's a mid size truck, it still got a hefty weight to them. So ofc itll take a while for them to get moving. So 4x4 v6 is the way to go. Whether it's a sr5 or trd.
Cheers
I have a 2019 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road 4x4 fully equipped, love everything about my truck. I get about 21.5mpg on highway, 17 on city, and a total of 18.5 combined. It's actually not bad for a 3.5 V6, and a really heavy truck.
I have an 18 sport double cab with the automatic trans and get 22-23 average. On highway i have been getting 25-26 mpg. I do have a cold air intake and run 93 octane.
@@nbaldo003 That's actually pretty good.
Sergio Ayon The butt dyno likes it too. It feels more responsive on the higher octane gas. I hope to get the OVS tune this year and I’m hoping that’ll be 1-2 more mpg.
I agree with your negatives. At the time I purchased mine. That was all I could afford. The window sticker even tells you how much more it will cost than other vehicles. I have the 2.7. I could only wish for 17 mpg. It's RWD, babied with 4000 miles and lucky to get 12 mph. In the winter with snows, 10 mpg max. DO NOT LISTEN to Toyota. When Toyota starts caring about customers and adds headlights that really work as well along with improving this crappy fuel mileage. Buy one. Otherwise buy a used Mazda B210.
I'm actually in the process of putting LED bulbs in all of the lights, interior and exterior.
@@AlphaShark Replacing those bulbs is definitely worth your time and money. Everything was done on mine with the exception of the headlights. Plus, a backup light strip on the license plate and the switching daylight/front turn signals kit. Both of those additions work really well!! You can light up a small air field with the three backup lights now.
The turn signal kit is cool cause now the daytime lights are super white bright. As well as when it changes to yellow its as bright too. Frankly, it looked stupid with yellow daytime lights. My 2000 Tacoma didn't have those. Toyota just cheeped out now.
The LED bulbs are definitely brighter. You will definitely appreciate how bright the yellow rear turn signals are! The light pattern is all over the place on the fog lights. That's the only negative thing I can say about all the bulbs.
VLEDS is the company that I purchased everything from. I have been very happy with them all around. Good Luck ASP
The grab handle is missing from the drivers side because of line of sight issues. Also rear drum brakes are there because of cost of maintenance, and less chance of dirt and rocks getting stuck in there during off road driving. Also most of the weight in a truck is in the front so no need for discs in the rear.
Drum brakes are there because it's cheaper and helps their profit margins. No if and or buts. I'm a Toyota fan since I was a kid and my dad got his first Toyota truck in 1989, but I wont make excuses for Toyota.
Is it true you have to pull the wheel on the passenger side to get to the oil filter?
Dennis McQuoid no not to my knowledge
Drum brakes cost less to manufacture. 80% of braking is performed by the front brakes. Toyota does not believe that disc are needed in the rear. Overkill. The 2020 has drum brakes in the rear. This info provided in a TH-cam video by a Toyota Tacoma development executive. Search for it. Very intersting. I belive it was on the TH-cam channel by the name of TFL Truck. Thank for the clean video. God Bless you!
Drive a 2015 and older that is hard on gas 2016 and up are good on gas
Drum brakes while somewhat antiquated are generally more durable than disc brakes. The EPA ratings Are essentially useless. It seems like you never get the gas mileage that the manufacturers claim in real world driving.
Hey man, nice video. The driver side grab handle was mentioned in the IIHS's 2019 Tacoma crash testing as poorly positioned under "Passenger restraints and dummy kinematics". They stated that "the grab handle on the A-pillar protrudes so far into the path of the dummy's head that the rear of the head hit it." Probably became a liability issue after this, and was subsequently removed. Just a guess though!
ryandanroth that’s probably true! Very interesting 😁 thanks for the info!
Now you can have your own Tacoma Grab handle. Go here “www.ktjo4x4.com/tacoma-oem-grab-handles-2016” or to “Tacomabeast.com” to purchase. Their a little pricy but well worth the money. Also you can check out Robmotive here on TH-cam for an unboxing and install video!!
The purpose of the rear drum brakes has to do with them being "better" for offroad capabilities, not getting mud and dirt in them.
I have to concur with that bumper. I was at the dealership and its just... there!! Really flimsy to the touch too and I didn't appreciate some welding job done underneath. Overall a great truck.
I agree!
They stuck with the drum brakes because Toyota said they hold up better off road. Letting stones in and stuff. Nice truck! God bless
I don't buy that statement from Toyota at all. You're telling me those brakes hold up better off-road than the brakes on the Land Cruiser, 4Runner, and Tundra? I haven't seen evidence that it does or does not. I don't care either way, if the brakes work like they're suppose to then great but I don't believe that explanation of it. It's a cost saving measure because they can. The same way the cab is a carry over from the 2nd gen. Nothing more, nothing less.
Tacomas have always had rear drum brakes lol. Tired of all the complaints because they’re cheaper to replace
@@kevinmott9046 So because something has always been done and it has always come with drum brakes that means it can't improve and change in the future? Silly logic. So if the next Tacoma comes with rear disc brakes what will you say then?
@@Gazziza29 Honestly, after having owned a first gen for 21 years and 255k miles, I never once had to replace the pads or do any major service to the drums. If that holds true for my second gen now, I don't have any reason to demand disk brakes. I'm not saying disks don't have higher performance, but the drums work well and require little to no maintenance, so I'm not sure how I could complain...
Kevin Mott maybe people are complaining because disk brakes are better. You can never have to much braking power in a vehicle. Not to mention from a looks standpoint, I think a lot of people will agree disk brakes look better
I just got a quote to color match the bumpers for 160 bucks.
WHERE KERMIT? Local place, or a chain?
Alpha Shark Pictures It’s a local place. Your best bet to make it the cheapest is to call around. I bought black oem caps so they were never installed before they got painted. You will probably get cheaper quotes if you take the caps off first and tell a shop they are not attached to the vehicle. Hope this helps a bit!
@@TheRedDeadTaco thanks Sheriff!
Sheriff Kermit that's cheap
Love the Tacoma! I had a 04' V6 4×4. With the flowmaster!👍 for 4 yrs. It was an Awesome truck! My future vehicle might possibly be a tacoma!!
$60 to fill up your tank? Woah! Which state do you live in? Here in Alabama, gas has been riding at around $2.30 for the past several months and I don’t usually spend more than $35 to fill up my Colorado. That’s one place where I wish state governments weren’t so different, haha.
It's about $3 a gallon here, a little lower, but I also have an 18 gallon tank. I don't know how much your Colorado is. Also I spend roughly $52 on average at the pump.
After a year of previous comment, gas is at 3,29 at florida 😅. Crazy!
the plastic sucks scratches easily the paint scatches easily the rear suspension sucks its a leaf spring and it feels like you're on the back of a motorcycle over rough terrain
Thank you for your opinion Steve Buscemi!
Scuff the chromes with 60 or 80 grit sand paper....then spray etching primer....2 or 3 coats then sand it with reccommended grit ....and paint . Then clear with 2 part clear . Nice review . And love it that am not the only one who hates chrome 🤣
Agreed. Chrome only looks good on my wrenches.
I've got the 2019 Tacoma SR Access Cab and I drive mostly hight way and I'm getting 24 MPG. So far I've got not real complaints.
Since I have the crew cab and I mostly drive city I think that's my biggest issue
The tacoma is a plastic toy compared to my 2018 GTI.... but I still bought one.
Yeahhhhhhh 😎 and I bet you still love it! Or at LEAST like it!
@@AlphaShark yeah I love it
What was your OTD price? If you dont mind messaging me? I think i'm getting ripped off at $32700 0 interest or 31100 without the zero interest.
Comptonater I paid about $34k with taxes and tags no trade in on an SR5
@@AlphaShark Hmm yeah ok. Looks like thats what ill be paying. Mad expensiveness for a 2wd truck. Maybe ill go full size. idk
Comptonater whoaaaaa I have a 4wd truck! I’d definitely say you are being ripped off.
I've only had mine a short while < 1000 miles and I am getting an indicated 22+ MPG mixed driving. That's with a tight engine and I'm sure the computer is overstating the MPG a touch. MPG is less about the engine and more about the aerodynamics. That's why no real change with the 4cyl vs V6. It takes a certain amount of power to move the truck at any given speed. Chevy is leading in this regard esp. on the full size trucks. I've heard that the chin spoiler gives the truck an extra 1-1.5 mpg over the off road and TRD pro which do not have it. Look at a colorado and the chin spoiler sits much lower to the ground reducing turbulent air under the truck. Of course the trade off is ground clearance.
I just bought a 2020 off-road a few weeks ago and it’s amazing! My compliant would have to be that the infotainment system can be laggy sometimes. I do think the headlights should have been LED but I guess buying an LED set for $50 isn’t bad. And I would agree with that handle on the driver side. I think there should have been one. Other than that, I think that truck is amazing 💙
I love mine and I agree with everything you just said.
Guy is the stunt double for the “you look incredibly comfortable” Hanes commercial
This comment made my decade. Over the years people have told me Ryan Reynolds, Benedict Cumberbatch, Dylan Minnette.. one guy at an LA Fitness hot tub told me I looked like Tom cruise! Needless to say I've just excepted I look like a generic brown haired white guy. But this was such a specific comment and IVE SEEN THIS AD that I couldn't stop actually laughing in real life. Also love the thought that that guy would need a stunt double.
I just use this steering wheel as the grab handle
At work, the other guys use the steering wheel as a grab handle on our Ford F450's... they don't have grab handles either.
We drop those trucks off atleast twice a year because they damage the steering wheel.
That’s not great for steering
My 2008 Canyon doesn't have a grab handle. It is cool, but not necessary.
The F-150's get decent mpg's, but their combined # is no where near 22 mpg...check fuelly to see for yourself.
The Tacoma's 3.5l v6 isn't stellar, but it still returns slightly better mpg's than what you'll get with the 1/2 tons. The only way to boost the mpg's even further is to go diesel or go hybrid. Gasoline engines only have so much efficiency to offer.
Kevin P his friends probably have the 2.7, in which case it is common for the f150’s to average in the 20s.
needs hood struts that hood is heavy !!!! I have 2019 trd pro and cant believe they don't have that on that heavy hood ..
What Toyota says about why they are using rear drum brakes is complete BS. If disc brakes have so many problems with sand, gravel, etc (they dont), then why dont they use drum brakes in the front too? DOH!
It does seem fishy! I too wish they would just add them so there wouldn't be all this hulaboo.
Dam. And i get mad wen my colorado gets 20mpg city. And i get mad if it gets less than 25mpg highway. On long road trips im in the 30's best ive done is 38mpg. Its a 2016 chevy colorado WT 3.6L v6. HOWEVER, the electrical is already failing! Cheap shit.
Transmission sucks. I have bad vibrations and under acceleration it hiccups...then coming to a stop feels like rolling over a rumble strip
T Unit right what’s up with that I’m so mad
Thank you Isaac once again for your videos. I LOVE them. You are a pure joy to watch and I've subscribe, hit the notification bell and here's your comment. I hope your channel grows like crazy! I'm with you buddy. I have a first year run Tacoma with 99K miles which I love. It has the 2.4 if I recall correctly and I'm disappointed with the fuel economy. I have a back up Chevrolet Cavalier which I bought from the orgininal owner, my neighbor, who sold it to me for $700 with 80K miles. That uninspiring little car get 30mpg and I've gotten used to that. I understand that part of the poor fuel economy is gearing. Trucks haul stuff and have a different gearing. 4-door Cavaliers don't really expect to haul anything but people so aren't designed to have a gearing that accomodates heavier loads (so I'm told). No matter what others say, you picked the right truck. Those who complain are those who wish they bought the Tacoma. You can't argue the quality of the vehicle and the resale. They are sooooo flippin dependable and fun to drive. Thanks again buddy, sure do appreciate you, your time, and your channel. You're a natural!
I like the two tone door panels,did
they come like that?
Yes it's the "Caramel" interior color option!
Haha, sold mine, got rid of the Wheezy V6. Ranger, here i come!!!
@@loveydovey4u Mistake would of been to keep the Wheeeezer!
First of all, thanks for the video review. I appreciate the details as I’m considering the Tacoma as well. With regards to the fuel efficiency, I believe that Toyota is trying to improve things but there’s so only so much they can do without affecting the legendary reliability of the truck. The 3.5L V6 is a direct injection Atkinson cycle engine. This is suppose to improve on the fuel efficiency compared to the previous generations. The only way I can see them improving fuel efficiency is to go to an even smaller cylinder and maybe adding a turbo. However, by doing that, in addition to an untested new design, they would be introducing more complexity and ultimately a potential hit to reliability. For reference you can read up on the oil dilution issues of the 1.5L turbo engine on like the Honda CR-V. Then there’s another approach of making a “hybrid” truck to improve fuel economy but man, that’s even more complexity and electrical components. Yet another approach is going with turbo Diesel engine but despite the MPGs on diesel, it burns dirtier than normal unleaded fuel.
that shot of your truck in the thumbnail was awesome
Thanks, I took it in a field at sunset in my town, I was just driving by and it was too good of a photo op to not do it!
In case you haven’t figured out the steering wheel is your grab handle😀
Wellllllll I know but it's cooler to have an actual grab handle. And I wouldn't have a gimmick on my show if it wasn't for that.
Composite bedliner is a great idea.
I prefer the mechanical seats. They don't have to be electric to increase/decrease height... just one more part to cause problems down the road.
You're spot on about the rear bumper... cheaper to just replace the whole thing if anything happens to it. Toyota parts are way overpriced unfortunately.
I totally agree about the grab handle being absent. Would have been nice to have it on the driver side.
Regarding the drum brakes, it is easier to change out the disk brakes. Drums aren't a daily concern regarding performance for street driving, but would have been a better option for many off-roaders.
FYI, I've owned a 2016 TRD off road extended bed tacoma, 2019 SR 4x4 v6, and my favorite currently that I own a 2019 SR 2x4 I4. All models are double cab.
I recently traded my 2019 v6 4x4 Tacoma for the 2019 I4 2x4 (3 months ago). The v6 is a car motor and needs to be revved and worked to produce power. Overall, it is rather anemic and fuel hungry. For a daily driver, power for the i4 comes on just as quick as the v6. So acceleration in normal rev ranges is about the same. V6 0-60 is only two seconds faster than the I4... you need to be flooring it. You want more power (for towing or racing), get a full-size in my opinion. I4 was designed to be a truck motor, has oil cooling jets, iron block (more robust), etc... v6 is aluminum block with sleeves... I4 considerably more primitive (less points for failure) and cheaper to work on (12 injectors in the v6 vs 4 in the i4)... I don't have to worry abut a shift happy tranny due to the truck going in and out of the Atkinson cycle (v6). I4 has a long history of durability and reliability... similar motor to the Hilux terrorists are driving all over the deserts of the Middle East. I think you get the point. To each their own.
Fuel economy on my 2019 I4 4x2 is a consistent 23-24 MPG combined. My 2019 v6 4x4 was all over the place (15-20MPG). Same for the 2016 I had, but a tad worst on the combined. I understand the EPA rates the v6 being advertised to be just as good and about the same as the I4... that's a joke. I speak from experience and ownership. With mostly city driving in the I4, I drop from 23-24 MPG to 20-21 MPG. My wife's van (2019 Sienna) has the same v6 engine as the Tacoma and it does great averaging 23-24MPG combined.
Only real con I have on the I4 is Toyota doesn't offer a tow package with transmission cooler etc. So I installed a complete tow-package myself with 7 and 4 pin connectors to use the truck with a travel trailer. Turned out to be a better setup than what factory offers. For my of my towing needs, I'm only going up to 3k pounds tops and the truck has no issues with that going 65-70MPH down the highway with 5 passengers. A lot of people running their mouths off about the I4 have never owned one as a daily driver and just go with v6 for with a rather have it now and not need it than need it and not have it mentality... also ego bro-struck adolescent mindset. If you look up owners of 4 cylinder Tacoma, most owners are very happy with them. I'm glad to gone to the "dark side" lol. No regrets. If I only had the option for the v6, I'd gladly take one again, but I prefer the I4. They are both great engines overall.
athletejmv so the I4 shifts better? Im looking for tacoma. Its either a 2gen with 4.0 or 3rd gen considering the I4
Fu*k I need a TACO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I have a 2019 Tacoma Trd pro manual. I've been getting 19.5 mpg in the city.
Corner collisions tests may have shown diagonal head impacts on their handles.?.I saw 1 'power-port'in the front,but you didn't cover how many and where.
There's 3 USB's two in the center console and one on the front. Sorry! Lol thank you for pointing that out!
Mine is better driving in the city than the hw. Between 19 and 20. Hw is rarely over 20 unless it is a nice day. Wait until the winter, you wish you should buy a Prius. 17mpg is the highest I got on hw.
Can't you only get leather in the limited, not the TRD Offroad or Pro?
I was pretty sure you could get leather on the TRD Pro but I could be wrong! (Edit: I checked and you can get leather on both TRD Pro and Off-road)
Toyota engines are built for reliability not fuel economy.
You must enjoy going to the gas station...i didn't, lol.
I also like the ride but Not impressed with my 2018 off-road video screen, it washes out in the light kinda like the cheap backup camera.
Have you noticed anything abnormal with your automatic transmission like not so responsive sometimes when you put your foot on the pedal?
Yes just barely, occasionally i'll gun it and it will fly down the highway and I'm talking 25 to 60 in seemingly 2 - 3 seconds. But other times it feels a little sluggish getting up to speed.
I still prefer my 95 Tacoma XC with the mods I have done. Less electronic frills to go haywire and the body style is more iconic. Have to pass on the 2nd & 3rd gen models not to mention the price. 24 years a satisfied owner. Just my personal preference.
That's awesome!
Good choice on the truck , Toyota is the beast .
I didn’t like the colour on the door panel.
I did like the interior color! 😂 maybe that's how God saved it for me, I love this color combo but other people don't always! Which is totally fine
The interior looks nice. I like the two tone door panels.
What model is your truck ?
If Doug had a cooler younger brother...
I WISH!
great video once again
The drums are better for sand and mud getting in there