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Taco vs tundra

Discussion in '2.5 Gen Tundras (2014-2021)' started by ardnutoz, Jun 20, 2018.

  1. Jun 20, 2018 at 5:10 AM
    #1
    ardnutoz

    ardnutoz [OP]

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    Tony v and Black Wolf like this.
  2. Jun 20, 2018 at 5:23 AM
    #2
    Midmo_tundra

    Midmo_tundra New Member

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    I've had decent amount of seat time in the new Taco and I am not a fan of the powertrain in these trucks. I thought our 5th gen 4runner was bad, but the 3.5/6 speed makes the truck feel like it is lugging all the time. Plus every new Taco that has tried to "race" my tundra has never kept up like the Taco did in the video
     
  3. Jun 20, 2018 at 5:27 AM
    #3
    Squatting Pigeon

    Squatting Pigeon Squattingpigeon.com Staff Member

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    I had a 3rd gen taco I bought new in 2016. Recently upgraded to a Tundra and haven't looked back. That powertrain in the taco was my biggest complaint. I'm honestly not sure how the taco won those few rounds! lol
     
  4. Jun 20, 2018 at 6:20 AM
    #4
    ShreveportTSS

    ShreveportTSS Huh?

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    The Taco only makes power if it is wound out which is why I didn't like the 3.5 vs the 4.0. I want low end grunt. I'll build another race car if I wanna go fast.
     
  5. Jun 20, 2018 at 3:09 PM
    #5
    B737

    B737 Throbbing Member

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    purchased a new V6 4x4 tacoma in 2012, owned it for 3 years. thing was a tin can and shifted like a dump truck, V6 could not get out of its own way. Interior was 'finished out' worse than a kia. Was insufferable.
     
    Last edited: Jun 20, 2018
  6. Jun 20, 2018 at 4:16 PM
    #6
    Cement Pro

    Cement Pro New Member

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    I’ve owned 4 Tacoma and 4 Tundra over the years. The Tacoma has the highest resale of any automobile of any type world wide. My first Tundra was a 2007 and it was light years ahead of the market. In 2011 I purchased a black Rock Warrior and supercharged it. Now that truck was a blast. I then purchased one of the first TRD Pro’s that hit the lot in inferno. I drove that a couple years waiting on Toyota to release a diesel and traded the Pro off on a Ram 3500 Laramie 6.7 when Toyota didn’t bring the diesel out. I also purchased several Tacoma along the way and can’t remember much other than the 2016 sucked bad. A back injury made getting in and out of the Ram difficult and the Tacoma couldn’t pull my camper so I traded both off on a 2017 Cement Tundra Pro. Saying all that, I remember the Tundras well but not so much with the Tacoma. The Tundra is without question an upgrade compared to the Tacoma but is woefully behind the competition in technology which is something you think Japan would excel in.

    5AEE43D4-E8C8-48FA-B62E-FC4E40F22997.jpg
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    85E0DCB5-A515-4011-8A9A-6D8B5F4DD1EC.jpg
     
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  7. Jun 20, 2018 at 11:02 PM
    #7
    Tony v

    Tony v Member

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    Had a 2006 TRD sport for 10 Years then a 2017 Tacoma SR5 for 16 months. Hated the 2017 Tacoma. Now have a 2017 Tundra and love it 12BDEFA0-3F60-4FD9-8BDE-80372890CCCA.jpg3475F4FF-8DC5-4379-90B9-CCB6C9212505.jpg D6EA7CE0-6892-4408-AC6F-C73B72DDF131.jpg
     
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  8. Jun 20, 2018 at 11:30 PM
    #8
    Aron9000

    Aron9000 New Member

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    Had a cheapie 2wd/reg cab/5 speed 2004 Tacoma, you know it was actually a small truck. Other than it being noisy, slow, and cramped inside, I loved that little truck(25mpg was awesome). Never gave me any trouble, build quality was fantastic.

    When it was time to get a new truck(RIP Tacoma, it was wrecked/totaled out), I shopped 2nd gen Tacomas, I really wanted one with a real back seat this time, since I was going down to just one car, something newer/nicer. Used Crew cab Tacomas were the same price as double cab Tundras, I liked the more solid feel of the Tundra, more power, hell I just liked having a bigger truck once I drove both of them.

    Also my dad has a 2016 Tacoma, really nice truck except for the engine. Feels gutless unless you put your foot all the way to the firewall, then it finally moves out. Rides a lot nicer than my Tundra as well(my truck is 4wd, the Tacoma is 2wd, that might make a difference too). I still think the seats and driving position are better in my Tundra though.
     
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  9. Jun 21, 2018 at 4:30 AM
    #9
    hillbillytoyo

    hillbillytoyo Just a country boy

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    Had an 08 Tacoma for about 10 yrs. I hunt and fish quite a bit and the Taco was perfect for getting in and of tight spots and the occasional wheeling. Bought a 17 Tundra CM due to the fact the guys over at TacomaWorld were not happy with the 3.5L engine in the 3rd gens. I absolutely love the power and cab room in the Tundra. I feel the Tundras are much better build than the little brother. I'll always have a love for the smaller Tacoma but there is really no comparison in power, ride quality, and room. 20170703_114411.jpg 20170703_181836.jpg
     
  10. Jun 21, 2018 at 4:33 AM
    #10
    ardnutoz

    ardnutoz [OP]

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  11. Jun 22, 2018 at 1:47 PM
    #11
    Max Power

    Max Power Groovy Member

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    I owned a 2016 Gen3 Taco for 2 years, and I can tell you the Taco will move like hell once it gets above 4000 RPM's. Lower than that (where 99% of people drive 99% of the time), it's a shuddering, powerless wimp of a truck. Getting it to come to life requires constantly fighting the transmission and getting the RPM's high enough. Those things are programmed to immediately take you out of the power band. It's an incredibly frustrating truck to drive, and usually by the time I got done with a commute I was in a worse mood than when I started, all because of the garbage transmission. By comparison, the Tundra has an abundance of power everywhere and is a dream to drive. Tacoma fanboys will tell you "Well, it's a full size truck for different purposes", but after owning a Taco for 2 years I can tell you there is no excuse for what Toyota has done to that truck. A lot of the guys that own them purchased what is called "OVTune" which is an aftermarket tune that changes the transmission programming and shift points. It costs in the neighborhood of $800 but everyone that has done it says it completely changes the truck and makes it awesome, and has absolutely no effect on the fuel economy. So the potential is there for the Taco, but Toyota screwed the pooch. Regarding this video, I'm not sure how the Tundra didn't utterly annihilate the Tacoma. Especially in the tow/haul mode, the Tundra would be up to speed and screaming while the Tacoma is lurching along trying to get to the magical RPM point. So as an owner of both trucks, I can tell you this - I will never, ever buy a Tacoma ever again. And if Toyota does to the Tundra what they did to the Tacoma, I'll buy a Dodge (gasp!).

    EDIT: Wanted to add, the truck I owned prior to the Taco was a 2010 4Runner, the first year of the Gen 5 4Runner. So I am very familiar with the 4.0/5 speed engine that the Gen 2 Taco had. That was a rock solid engine/tranny combo. That truck gave me 98,000 problem free miles.
     
    Last edited: Jun 22, 2018
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  12. Jun 22, 2018 at 1:50 PM
    #12
    Max Power

    Max Power Groovy Member

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    I think if I lived in a desert-like climate, I'd have to get the quicksand color as well. That's a great looking truck you have there. As it stands, my Cement Tundra is awesome and it matches the color of the winter sky here in Western New York State. :)
     
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  13. Jun 22, 2018 at 2:03 PM
    #13
    Samoan Thor

    Samoan Thor God is technically an alien

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    I was dead set on buying a taco for an off road toy, but if you own a tundra you can't drive anything less than that cuz the power is just not the same. I think ill just buy another tundra as an off rod toy, unless they put a V8 in the taco :eek:
     
  14. Jun 22, 2018 at 2:21 PM
    #14
    B737

    B737 Throbbing Member

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    i see mostly really old dudes or teenagers driving tacomas
     
    Last edited: Jun 22, 2018
    ardnutoz[OP] likes this.
  15. Jun 22, 2018 at 2:31 PM
    #15
    SMK Shoe

    SMK Shoe Not New Member

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    Step Bars, Rear Swaybar, 2,000 Watt Amp, 2-10" Subs, new door speakers, De-Badged, Hondo vent mounts, Calipers, 6112/5100 shocks, SPC UCA's, Front bumper, Bed Bars, bed rack, Fuel Rims
    My old commander has a 2013 Taco, loves everything about it except that it's not a Tundra. He really didn't know how bad he had it until I got my 2017 DC and he rode in it. Now he is counting the days to trade it in for a Tundra. He has had great luck maintenance wise with it and has it modded out nicely.
     
  16. Jun 22, 2018 at 2:35 PM
    #16
    HecticEnergy

    HecticEnergy New Member

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    I wanted a Taco. 3 car seats in the back made that impractical. Never REALLY looked into purchasing one as I could never justify it. I really like the way the Tundra drives, It's unfortunate that Toyota's best selling truck (and the best selling truck in it's category) gets the reviews here that it does... but then again, this is a Tundra page LOL
     
  17. Jun 22, 2018 at 4:24 PM
    #17
    Max Power

    Max Power Groovy Member

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    I creep at Tacoma World, lots of arguing that goes on over there, with a lot of Tacoma enthusiasts twisting themselves into pretzels trying to convince people or maybe themselves that it's the best truck on the market. I guess for those that truly enjoy it, all the power to them. I wasn't one of those people. But I absolutely love my Tundra.
     
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  18. Jun 22, 2018 at 4:26 PM
    #18
    ardnutoz

    ardnutoz [OP]

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    8 yrs ago the wife and i test drove a tacoma.. i really liked the truck back then and then we made the life changing decision... we asked the sales dude to let us checkout a tundra... we were amazed, from space to power to comfort and styling etc you name it we loved it but couldnt affford to feed this beast while living in va and commuting the distance. Fast fwd to now and i had the opportunity to buy the mythical creature that i could never own and jumped on it. Only thing i wish it had is matching trims with the rest of the fleet. Our highlander is a límited and is more in Line with the platinum tundra. Oh Wells Next time is a platinum
     
    Last edited: Jun 22, 2018
  19. Jun 22, 2018 at 6:29 PM
    #19
    Pale_Horse

    Pale_Horse Sooooooooo White.

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    Cupcake chit.
    3 car seats in our tacoma is actually easier than the tundra. Reaching the center to buckle in the tundra isn’t happening easily(doesn’t help that the tundra is lifted on 35”s (with no side step(waiting for sliders(I’m losing track of parenthesis!)))).

    Anyways. I drive my ‘18 tacoma for work and if it wasn’t for the internet I would have no idea that I should hate the truck. It drives amazing. I drive everything from stop and go up to 80mph. I pass cars whenever I want or I put the adaptive cc on behind a semi and get ~28mpg... idk if I could honestly pick which truck I like ‘better’, I would probably pick whichever I was in at the time because they both are amazing for different purposes/reasons.
     
  20. Jun 22, 2018 at 6:56 PM
    #20
    cch2a

    cch2a New Member

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    I had a 2016 Tacoma TRD off-road with everything but leather. Really loved that truck except the powertrain never seemed right. The V6 has the power but nothing seemed synced. Transmission shift points didn't seem to match the engine. Orange Virus has a tune for it that everyone seemed to love. If I had kept the truck I would have gone with that. However my wife wanted something big enough to travel in with our toddler so I went bigger. Overall I thought the Tacoma fit, finish, and gadgets were superior to the Tundra. I'll echo the 4.6 would be magic in the Taco.
     
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  21. Jun 22, 2018 at 7:10 PM
    #21
    Wolvi71

    Wolvi71 New Member

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    94EC04FD-C4F9-461C-B666-06E8666B83BB.jpg I loved my 2017 tacoma. I had fixed it all up. Unfortunately this past May I was hit by a young girl not paying attention and the insurance totaled it. The one thing I did not like was the power. It was no where as powerful as my new Tundra. I love the power of the Tundra but it is hard for me to love my tundra after owning my tacoma. 8FA25505-63D8-47C2-8902-741CCE1175A4.jpg
     
  22. Jun 22, 2018 at 8:55 PM
    #22
    HecticEnergy

    HecticEnergy New Member

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    Ive got my 5yo in the middle. I’m stock height on 20” rims and off-road tires. Using the side step I can get the 2.5 yo buckled in just fine. The 5mos car seat snaps in on the passenger side easy peasy. If it was a more narrow vehicle my 2.5 yo would kill the other two (he’s quite rambunctious and we do 3 hour car rides monthly - sister north of Dallas - and 24 hour car rides twice a year - tx to California to visit family and then drive back). The cabin space is very nice to have.

    Can’t set the 2.5 yo next to the 5mo... he beats the 5yo with hard plastic toys... I’ve had to “pull this car over!!” Multiple times to add some tactile reinforcement to my words...
     
  23. Jun 23, 2018 at 5:13 AM
    #23
    bowhun2r

    bowhun2r New Member

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    Coming from a 1998/2000/2005/2007/2011/2017 Tacoma's (two of them S/C'd 2000/2011) I can say I was extremely disappointed with the 2017 (3rd gen) powertrain. No doubt the 2017 was the most comfortable with the most creature comforts than all of them. The powertrain was a disappointment. I kept my 2017 for less than a year and it was flashed once to help correct the shifting. All of the Tacomas were great family haulers (while my boys were still under 80lbs) for the 12 hour trip to OBX up about 5 miles on the beach from Corolla. Never got stuck (the 2017 never made the trip...but that drivetrain was just as capable). Great for me to take hunting and get into some tighter areas helping me drag out my deer. Never once left me stranded with some type of engine malfunction. My mistake was to go from my 2011 S/C to the 2017 Tacoma. The lack of power and the constant shifting (especially in the South Hills of Pittsburgh where there are hills everywhere) was very disappointing. Maybe if Toyota would have kept the ancient 5 speed for the new 3.5 engine it may have helped.

    I still think the 3rd gen Tacoma looks great and with the Off Road 4x4 features, it would be hard to get that truck stuck. It was the on road daily driving that made me ultimately get rid of it.

    Now with the Tundra the power is night and day. The refinement, quiet ride, nothing rattles, build quality is easily evident. Obviously, the space is a big difference. My boys are now in college and I don't think they could do the 12 hour ride in the back of the Tacoma. With the Tundra...they have said this is a limo back here. The wife has commented "this is my favorite yet"....and for her to tell me something like that regarding my vehicle purchases is unique.

    I will say the width, especially if you are familiar with the Pittsburgh Southside, is something that you need to get used too coming from a Tacoma (or T4R). The length...not so much. After a few months I'm much more confident with the width, but it's still something you have to consider when going out and you know the streets will be narrow with cars on both sides. Also, it won't fit in my garage (well it does...but I have like 2 inches of space from the back wall and I had my son directing me) like all my Tacomas. That's the biggest "con" I have and I knew that when I bought the truck. The MPG comparing my 2011 S/C to the Tundra is the same. About 15-16 MPG with 93 octane.

    I've always liked the Tundras. Always sat in them at the auto shows...Always said I'd really like to have one. The Tacomas were so good and solid that I couldn't justify jumping to the Tundra until my 2017. TacomaWorld is a great forum and reminds me of this forum. There are lots of folks who love the 3rd gen and are happy with the drivetrain. For me, especially coming from my 2011 that was just a blast to drive, the new drivetrain was too much a let down for me to keep it.

    No pic of the 1998 black SR5...

    2000 with the S/C


    105-0554_IMG_1.jpg

    2005 6 speed
    IMG_3490.jpg

    2007
    IMG_0523.jpg


    The one that got away... 2011 S/C

    IMG_1105.jpg

    IMG_0954.jpg

    2017
    IMG_3982 (2).jpg


    Current Truck

    IMG_1482.jpg
     
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  24. Jun 25, 2018 at 2:02 PM
    #24
    Tony v

    Tony v Member

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    I love the Cement color. If thett had one in stock the day I bought, may have gone that way.
     

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