Overview & Reviews

User Reviews:

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  Buy at your own peril. - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By Shaun - March 14 - 5:39 pm

  This is my 6th Toyota truck, 4th Tacoma, and 9th Toyota vehicle overall. 2017 TRD Sport in the exact config I wanted. I was hyped. Then it started falling apart, and Im not sure that will ever stop. I have around 13k miles on it, and it sounds crickets are mating under the hood. You know the annoying chirp of a pulley going out? Yeah, Toyota thinks thats "normal operation" even though theres a TSB for the same issue (High Pressure Fuel Pump) on 2 other Toyota vehicles, and the problem didnt show up until about a week ago. I hear the same issue is on a Lexus model, but of course they are redesigning that pump because, well, Lexus. So far Ive had a window track/motor replaced, 2 BSM sensors replaced, my battery replaced, had to get my windshield replaced from a rock chip that cracked the whole thing, and I think thats it. The service center has gone downhill, which was an incredible disappointment given my history with them, and Toyota corp has failed to stand behind their product. I should have just bought a Raptor, at this point I cant see Ford being any worse than what Ive got from Toyota. Sad state of affairs.

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  big mistake - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By Kaylor - January 15 - 2:19 pm

  Whistling noise on breezy days, transmission shifts constantly, anemic power, it does seem to get advertised MPG. Nothing like my 1999 or 2005 Tacoma. Very disappointed, will trade soon. Update... My opinion about the truck did not change, whistling noise continued, and I could not get use to the lack of power, really disappointed, my wife tried it for a while and took it on a trip to the mountains, she said it was a struggle to keep it going and didnt like all the engine noise. Had to really baby it to get 22 mpg and most of the time it was 19-20 mpgs. I traded it this month, got a Ram with eco diesel and Im getting 27 mpg not from the computer but checking it myself. Again this was not my first Tacoma it was my 3rd. I guess others are feeling the same see lots of used 2016s on the car lots.

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  From a 14 TRD SPORT, to 16 Taco to 16 Tundra. - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By SOCO TACO - August 20 - 12:04 pm

  I owned a 2014 Sport 4X and put almost 40K miles in two years so this about as fair as you are going to get. The redesign is 1000% spot on. Gauges are better to see, console is not a small box, the truck interior fits. Its now the correct size. Big improvement. The smaller 3.5 Lexus based engine is a big improvement for response. The previous 4.0 would move, but it took a little to get it going. With the 3.5 it wants to go and maybe a little too much. There an electronic trans control which manages the RPMs, and shift points and it feels like a 25hp kick. Push the button and stomp the gas and it will leave the 4.0 handily. At almost 5000 feet here in Colorado the "ECT" button is nice, but if you are not towing or need it in elevation I doubt you will ever use it. With the 14 I would have liked a 6spd and now I have one, and that is the biggest flaw in the 16. The transmission shifts too much and at the slightest grade. The old 4.0 would chug up a small hill and the 3.5 has to barrel up it full throttle and kills the hwy mpg. On flat ground, with a little tail wind I am sure the 16 will top close to 30 hwy mpgs. Toss in a grade or headwind and forget it. My 14 pulled 24.9 from Durango to Colorado Springs and that included Wolf Creek and Leveta Pass with the I-25 climb home. I read where Toyota went to a 2:90 rear end gear from a 3:25 in the Gen 2. The 16 autos need a lower rear end gear to smooth out the auto and aid in hwy mpgs. The Gen 3 is better laid out on the inside, handles and brakes better, and is noticeably quieter. The complaint about it being noisy is false. The power is there plus extra. The headlights are not quite as good as the 14 but close. I like the 16 because of the improvements, but in hindsight I would not have traded my 14 because of the auto transmission shifting issue. If you have a Gen 2 wait for awhile to see if there really is an issue with the trans or its just a few of us with it. TW forums has a list of threads from people with the 6spd complaints. I traded that Taco. Transmission is junk. Cannot tow like the 4.0, and a big disappointment. Take a look at the used lots, they loaded with gen 3 Tacos. Would not recommend this if you tow where there are mountains. Skip it for a few years, Toyota has some serious work to do with the trans and engine combo. My 16 Tundra is a dream, but its big. If you drive with fuel economy in mind, you should be in the low 20s. What 16 struggled towing the Tundra doesnt notice, and it shouldnt. Wish I still had my 14 Taco, but the Tundra makes up for it in Aces.

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  Dont be fooled. - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By Disappointed - May 2 - 4:45 am

  First off, ive owned a 1986, 2001,2009, 2013. The 2001 was the best Tacoma by far. I test drove 4 different versions of the 16. The 6 cyl auto being the worst. It shifts like a 4 cyl. And that is no exaggeration. My 2013 although it sucks on gas miliage shifts like a dream. Smooth with no high rpm. The 2016 is nothing more then a half harted attempt at a "new" redesigned tacoma. The interior is ok. Nothing to get all gushing over. The ride isnt that great. Still alot of wind noise compaired to my 01. And there was a damn vibration comming up through the floor into the gas pedal. It was like my foot had fallen asleep. I really wanted to like this new truck but I just cant. They have even taken away the fold down front seat that was great for setting my french fries on. Its the little things. I hate how the camera now sticks out near the tailgate release where as before it was hidden. Mud flaps are extra. But beyond the asthetics and the body style seeming dated to me,Just my opinion, the enging performance I rate as poor. You can do better Toyota. I hope this verson doesnt stick around long. At the rate toyota is going the tacoma will be just as big as the tundra soon.

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  Seriously cheap and junky feeling - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By Peter - August 21 - 1:23 am

  Went to test drive a Tacoma.. What a piece of cheap feeling junk! The fenders are chintzy and flex, the knobs on the interior are loose and the door panels flex horribly. The interior is cramped. Toyota still cant figure out how to make a decent seat height and for 40K you would expect height adjustable seats. The instruments look like fisher price designed them and the knobs feel like they are going to fall off. My GFs 2016 Toyota Corolla at half the price, feels like 3x the quality. Doors on the Taco close like they are made of paper.. Doesnt inspire confidence. What a shame. What are these idiots thinking? Dont bother.

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  G3 Update really just a failed G2.5 - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By Robs - April 21 - 4:56 pm

  Bought this full redesign 16 Tacoma Ltd 4x4 in September of 2015 after my friend, a fleet manager at a Toyota dealership, told me how great it was going to be. We had a 5 year old FJ Cruiser and, although we loved it, we needed a truck and the full size would not fit in out garage. I liked the G2 Tacoma; however, felt it was somewhat outdated and was impressed by what Toyota was doing by supposedly changing much about the truck, including the engine and trans. Unfortunately, I was extremely disappointed in both the truck and in Toyota Customer Service, and my dealer. Soon after buying, I took the truck on two long trips and found out that a buzzy vibration in the steering wheel, floorboard area, and gas pedal at 2100-2400 RPMs, put my hands and lower arms, up to my elbow, to sleep, which I felt was a major safety problem. I reported this to my dealer, and the mechanic said he felt it but that there was nothing they could do at this point. I complained directly to Toyota, who had me bring them the truck for two engineers to check it out. They felt the vibration; however, when I got the letter from Toyota, it said that "the steering functions as designed" and the investigation was closed. When I reported back to my dealer (from whom Ive purchased numerous vehicles, including referring many sales to them, too) they just shrugged and said that unless Toyota comes up with a fix, there was nothing they could do for me (on a $41K+ truck, no less!). Besides the vibration issue, there was a problem with the new engine and trans combo. Shifting on the new A/T was horrible and the engine had to be pushed to get any performance out of it at all, kind of like an old 2 stroke engine that needed high revs to get into a power band. Cruise control would downshift quickly, then never upshift at all unless you tapped on the gas, making it useless. All of my comments were met with : Functions as designed. I could never get even 20mpg out of the vehicle, even on the highway. My FJ Cruiser was a much better vehicle, smooth, quieter, shifted easily, more comfortable, and regularly got me 21-22mpg on the highway at speed. I regretted trading it in for this much inferior truck, and wish I would have just bought a Gen 2. After fighting with both Toyota and my dealership for 9 months (and being relegated to just using the truck for local driving due to the buzziness), my wife and I just traded it in for a different truck, one that doesnt buzz, is more comfortable, handles better, and gets good mileage. I hated having to take a several thousand dollar loss on a new purchase like this; however, IMO, this upgrade was a total failure on Toyotas part. A month later, Im glad I got rid of it. Never thought Id ever say this about a Toyota.....but it appears to me that these are selling on the fine reputation of the G2. I would stay away until Toyota can figure this one out and get it fixed. (Note: a master mechanic with 30+ years experience at the dealership pointed out that the 3.5 came from Lexus; however, thinks the problem is the Taco used hard rubber engine mounts and the Lexus uses hydraulically controlled oil-filled mounts. He also noted that the Taco has a single exhaust header piece and the Lexus uses a multi-piece system. This is where he felt the issue with the vibes was. He also pointed out that the trans was "over-programmed to get you better mileage, and a re-programming would fix that issue." When I asked him about any pipeline fixes, he responded that Toyota has been hinting at them for over 6 months; however, nothing had yet been done. He thinks that as long as the truck sells well, they wont do a thing. ) This truck does have potential; however, it is just not ready for prime time. Buyer, beware. UPDATE: I got tired of Toyota stating "functions as designed", and traded it in for a new Honda Ridgeline. Even though I lost almost $6K, it was the best decision to make. Unlike the Taco, this RL is smooth, quiet, handles better, has better tech, and gets me 25-28 on the highway and 20 around town, and is a great hauler, to boot. We also had an issue with a falling headliner on our 13 Avalon. Toyota (and the dealer) didnt want to help, even though it had been a service bulletin a few years ago. Hot-glued up the headliner and traded that car in, too, and the wife bought herself an Acura. After years as a Toyota family, we are now Toyota free and will not buy their product ever again. Their quality has just tanked, along with their customer service.

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  dont do it!!! - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By Jr - January 9 - 9:42 pm

  I just got this truck and only has 1500 miles on it. I like the interior and technology. I actually like everything about the truck except engine/transmission combo. The engine is pretty good in ECT mode but the problem is you have to hit that button every time you start it. The transmission is by far the worst i have driven in the 24 vehicles i have owned. I am cruising at 55mph on flat ground and the truck is shifting up and down at a steady speed as it doesnt know what gear its supposed to be in. Completely takes away the enjoyment in driving it. In the last 15 years i have only bought toyotas as i cant believe i am saying this, this will be my last one for awhile and Im going to open a case with Toyota to try and get my money back. Its really too bad cause i really wanted to like this truck since i spent the money on it. The good thing is i only make mistakes once.