New isn't always better...

Here's a great example of failed promises.

2018 3rd gen tacoma averaging 13.7mpg

They threw away the fantastic 4.0l that had plenty of torque / acceleration for a new updated "more fuel efficient" 3.5l .
Literally less road power in every way with the same shitty mileage...

Don't get me wrong I'm sure the reliability is there but damn man I've had this truck since new and put 39k on it and it's a complete dog. Mind you it's a 6sp manual so I don't have any of the transmission nannies.

I'll be interested to see what really happens to the new tundra to please the epa gods. Hopefully it's not the same type of "upgrade" the tacoma got...

 

I agree, the 3rd gen Taco was a total flop, the 2nd gen was far better truck. I know, I owned a 2005 and now a 2016, and the reliability is not there any more. One example; Originally this 3.5 had a aluminum water bypass between the heads on the back of the engine, now is made out of plastic and they are breaking, and it not an easy fix. Mine broke at worst time, when two wild fires were burning near by the house, and we knew were going to evacuate, as fires were advancing towards the property.

Lucky I found a 2021 Tundra, and bough it as it was been delivered to the dealer. Few days later we had to evacuate the property thru logging roads, lots of hills and curves. Since the 2007 Tundra has a transmission cooler we loaded it with the heaviest trailer. Did not wanted to risk overheating the transmission of the new Tundra. As we all know the cooler is one of the many things that has been taken out of the Tundras

I have said it before, and I will say it again. Since Mike Sweers became Chief engineer, the Tacoma and Tundra are going backwards, every year things were taken out and prices went up

Both Tundras side by side, The 2007 is basically a ranch truck, it has been a reliable and dependable work horse, and even is just a SR5, it has more standards features than the 2021 Limited TRD OR
Just smoke in the back, left of the picture, bulldozer work, fire breaks

 

Had 2 3rd gen Tacoma’s, the first was a 2016 and was a lemon.

Both had better gearing and acceleration than our 5th gen 4Runner.

Average on my 4Runner is 16-17 mpg mixed, my Tacoma’s were the same.

 

After talking to someone who for sure has actual knowledge of the new engines (and the trucks in general), I'm pretty sure we won't be disappointed. We both agreed that engineering a more efficient and powerful V8 would be preferred.

The everso tightening of EPA/CAFE restrictions has however got engineers thinking outside the box by creating a great V6 platform. I had to remind myself that turbos of today aren't the same as those produced even 5 years ago. The turbos will be a great fit for the new engine, and we'll still have more power to do the things a full size truck is meant to do.

The mileage aspect is irrelevant to me as I never expect trucks to be gas savers anyway. Either way, I can't wait to see how the new Tundra does, especially with the new transmission they've got it mated to.

I'm actually waiting for the new iForce Max (TT V6 Hybrid) that's going to be put into the Sequoia, standard. I was on the fence, but my friend assured me that these new trucks will blow everyone away.

 

My 2nd Gen Tacoma with the 4.0 and 6 speed manual got 13-14 pretty regularly. I think if the 1GR-FE were paired with a 6 or 8 speed auto it would see low 20s on the highway while being a much nicer driving truck. The torque curve on the 1GR-FE was perfect for the Tacoma.

 

Are they using the 8 speed used in the LC?

 

Won't disclose out of respect to my friend.

 

I had a 2011 Tacoma with the 4.0 and the 6 speed manual, and eventually went to a 2020 Tacoma with the 3.5 and the 6 speed auto. Because I went from manual to auto, it's not a direct/fair comparison. I was very happy with the drivetrain in my 2011. No complaints at all. I also didn't mind the 3.5 in the 2020, though my mileage was no better than the 4.0. Pretty much the exact same. My issue with the 2020 was the transmission gearing and programming. They updated the programming for 2020, which did make it better, but couldn't make up for the gearing. That transmission is just geared for mileage and not power. It was, in my opinion, a good engine paired to a poor transmission for the job.

I am not at all worried about the power output of the V6TT. I just hope they don't neuter it with the transmission.