New Taco was released…things it has I wish my Tundra has…

Been checking out the new Taco that was just released. As a former 3rd Gen Tacoma owner, I’m thrilled and kinda bummed. For reference, I have a 2022 Tundra TRD Pro. I traded in the Taco because I needed bigger and larger capacity but didn’t want to give up on all the fun. LoL

They definitely put a lot of time into the Taco. I think I could argue more brains per pound of truck than the Tundra got.

Here’s a list of things the new Taco will have that I wish they would’ve given (or at least optioned for) to the Tundra:

1. High clearance ARB bumper and seemingly higher clearance front bumper for TRD Off Road, Pro, and Trailhunter
   1. I saw the Trailhunter Tundra concept had CBI stuff, which is cool but some of that ARB stuff is friggin amazing
2. Suspension seat?
   1. Might be gimmick-y but if they are as good as they say, that would amazing
3. Adjustable Fox shocks and ARB designed UCAs
   1. I know there’s a TRD lift with new UCAs but wouldn’t have been better if this was standard in a Pro? Plus it’s not compatible with with the Pro without hitting the Fox set up to begin with.
   2. I could def get some use out of adjustables.
4. Sway bar disconnect
5. Auto closing tailgate
   1. With buttons on both sides of tailgate?
6. Customizable integrated aux power switches
   1. This has been a thing in trucks since the first Raptor came out. Even if a buyer doesn’t go full overland-y, there’s still a higher probability someone is gonna add an accessory somewhere somehow.
7. Heads-up display
   1. The Pros could have had this but they decided to base it off the Limited platform instead of the Platinum.

I know the typical Tundra buyer isn’t the typical Tacoma buyer. But it would seem that the Tundra Pro could have so much more. I’m also a little bougie. Lol







For reference, my current Tundra and old Taco:

 

Hearing of available 2400 watt inverter for the hybrid?

And also tailgate switch in tail light possibly on either side? Use mine all the time and kinda wish I had it on both sides.

Maybe some things to come on future Tundras?

 

if they added all that shit, the Tundra Pro would really be overpriced, lol.

 

But it would still sell

 

your probably right, lol.

 

still lacking 2nd row room.

 

Even the 3rd gen TRD Pro Tacoma had beefier UCAs. Not saying that these things are dealbreakers, but it's the principle.

It's more of a slap to the current TRD Pro Tundra considering the premium you pay for off-roading "features", when in reality the only things that set the Pro apart are Fox suspension, embroidery/camo plastic, and slightly thicker finder flares.. Hopefully Toyota puts in more effort for refreshes, like an actually useful bumper, or even gimmicky seats is better than just having TRD Pro stitching lol...

Ultimately I wouldn't change my mind about the Tundra because I got it for the size and towing capacity.

 

Features that the tacoma are getting that I want for the tundra:
- true fulltime AWD mode available on the limited tacomas;
- additional 360 cam views (i actually don't care too much about this one, just odd they didn't implement them on the tundra)
- sway bar disconnect
- higher clearance bumpers
- phone keys (especially since they had trouble sourcing enough regular keys for the tundras)
- integrated wireless trailer cameras (this one makes 0 sense to have on the tacoma and not the tundra)

 

...that F150 back window however. LoL. Talk about making it close to 100% useless now.
(go ahead and rest those 5 pieces of 2x4s or some pipes on that "glass" cut out and pray if you'll make it back home in 1 piece)

 

Would love a phone and/or credit card key and wireless integrated trailer camera too!

 

That suspension seat, besides looking like something out of a bad sci do movie, has got to be 100% marketing gimmick.

Maybe I’ll get to sit in one and test for myself. However, it looks either fake or over engineered. Neither of which are good things.

Edit: To end on a positive, the rest of the new Taco looks awesome. Makes me excited to see what they’ll do with the 6th Gen 4R. Fingers crossed for 2025.

 

Makes the Tundra "upgrade" look pathetic compared to what they did with the new Taco. After seeing what they did for the Taco, IMO they hardly tried on the new Tundra. Some pretty solid upgrades and trim specific things on this new Taco. What is up with that Toyota???

An now I want LED's in my bed rails!

 

And on board air from the factory.

 

depends on if you want an off-road smaller type truck I guess, I wouldn't buy another tacoma.

its good they added some things people want though, the mid size market is getting more and more competitive.

 

I just want the damn aux switches

 

The only thing I’m upset about is that Toyota chose to offer orange on other trims besides just the Pro. I wanted an orange Tundra so bad but don’t want the Pro trim.

 

I think the Ranger Raptor coming to the US played a big part in this. I believe the Ranger Raptor will be a big seller in a market currently dominated by the Taco, so Toyota put more of an effort into this update

 

I agree with this. The new Taco was thought out much better! Digging the TRD Pro and Trail Hunter!

 

I would be shocked if anything from the domestic makers could challenge the utter stranglehold that the Taco has on the Mid-Size truck market. The Taco owns 40% of the market, which doubles the 20% that General Motors has in the #2 position. BTW...GM only gets to that 20% market share if you combine BOTH the Colorado and the Canyon. The Ranger, as much I love the Ranger Tremor (I test drove one before I bought my Tundra), has only 9% of the market.

My opinion is there are 2 things that could possibly threaten the dominance of the Taco in market share:

1. The new Tacos have a colossal recall that dominates the national news. Think something along the lines of massive Ford Pinto snafu with the gas tanks exploding when rear ended.
2. Toyota decides to introduce the Hilux in the US. Particularly if they launched the Diesel model and upgraded the interior. It'll never happen due to emissions regulations, but I'm a firm believer that the only thing that can kill the Taco...is the Hilux.

If the Hilux came to the US. This would be me:

This is just me playing armchair speculator. Nothing too serious about this and certainly don't mean to trigger a debate. Lord knows once stats enter the conversation on this forum it tends to get people riled up.

 

I think the the other trims of the Ranger will sell well also. The 2.7 v6 has way more power than this new Taco 4cyl (not the hybrid). Will be fun watching all the comparisons but IMO the Nissan is very competitive especially with pricing and the fact it's not boosted.

 

Is it any real surprise that Toyota was much more careful with the Taco?

Toyota's release schedule has been like this: 1st - Tundra, 2nd - Sequoia, & 3rd - Tacoma. The Tacoma R&D has had the benefit of 2 full years of learnings from the Tundra.

It's no surprise that the Taco was much more thought out. Toyota has so much more to lose if the Tacoma fails. Only one year has the Tundra ever outsold the Taco. The Taco has sold nearly 2 to 1 (nearly 3:1 in 2021) than the Tundra. The Taco is Toyota's pride & joy pickup. I'd be willing to bet that enthusiasts who own the new Seqouia will be saying the same thing when the 6th Gen 4Runner comes out.

 

I'm afraid the Nissan is suddenly the dinosaur of the group again. And after only one year. The good news is the Nissan update cycle is even longer than the Toyota update cycle, so you've got the Frontier for a long long time.

 

That's why I feel it's better, it's a dinosaur. Hopefully, as you say, they just refine it for a long time and keep the NA engine.

 

Watch when most of these ammenities shows up on the ‘24 Tundra models. As a very recent ‘23 Pro owner, not gunna lie, I’m going to be jealous af.

 

I have always thought Toyota just doesn’t do a very good job with the tundra pro compared to others in the market , they charge out the ass and base it on a lower trim truck.

hell at one time it was based on the sr5 grade at least went up to the limited grade it seems

 

Those seats look gimmicky as all get-outs. Also LOL at the rear legroom in the crew cab taco.

I wish the tailgate was a manual latch that I could maintain myself.

 

Items I noticed that would have been nice to have are the Aux switches and the system for wireless camera on trailer ( what the outside 2 antenna's are for I think).

 

All the pro stuff doesn't really do it for me. My truck is a haul vehicle for weekend toys. I've got a side by side for the real off roading. The Tundra pulls that, the camper, and a boat. The only thing I'm jealous of , as gimmicky as it is, will be the removable JBL speaker.

 

Pretty sure no one buys a Tacoma with towing in mind, at least anyone sane.. What I don't understand is why they put the extra tow cameras on the new Tacoma and not the Tundra. I'd appreciate having those.