Last Toyota for me ...

Gen 3 forum is full of all the same complaints as gen 2 and 2.5: fuel economy, rough ride, low payload.

3.x mpg better overall and <200 lb more payload in a WILDLY more complicated truck just does not move the needle at all for me.

Don't get me wrong; I hope they last forever like previous Tundras. I also don't think they look bad. It's just that there are a lot of us who had high hopes for the gen 3 who are still salty over the fact Toyota hardly moved the needle at all on the biggest gen 2/2.5 complaints.

 

I get that but what more can they do in a 1/2 ton platform ?

I think they did improve it a lot over the last one

just difference of opinions I guess , I don’t miss my older truck much at all, it rode like shit compared to this and this one tows way better, I don’t care much about mpg but this one is also way better . I did have one of the hog last gens though in full disclosure, it just was shitty all the time , I got better towing with this one than the last one empty , light trailer

also, to your point about the complaints , people are going to bitch no matter what, it could have 2500 lbs payload and people would complain about it

 

They built a redesigned 1/2 ton truck. Most 1/2 tons ride a bit rough, have lower payloads than larger trucks and get poor fuel economy. The fuel economy did improve. The payload did improve. Most feel the ride did improve as well. How’s the payload gonna increase and simultaneously the ride gets smooth? Those two are incongruous. How you gonna haul more stuff, and get better gas mileage? Also incongruous. Not a lot further you can move the needle unless you wanna build something besides a 1/2 ton truck. They did modernize the looks, tech and features, which is something everyone wanted. I personally still want the V8 engine, but would have settled for an inline 6. Packaging across the lineup likely prevented this from being the best option though.

 

One really nice thing , it’s rides awesome but when you hook up a trailer it auto levels and still rides awesome , good work Toyota

also nice to lower the rear when you hook up

 

I think you're making a great point, honestly. When the gen 2 debuted, it was so far ahead of everyone else. And it has rightfully developed a reputation for no fuss over extremely long and hard miles. But how much further can you really go in the half ton market?

I could handle a rougher ride (my 2.5 doesn't bother me a bit) and mpg (again I know my truck is worse) if they had just offered a high payload package.

I love Toyotas, but this is probably my last half ton, at least until all the kids are grown.

Totally get it, but fuel economy and payload were the two biggest complaints of the previous truck, and they still debuted the new one solidly at the bottom of the segment.

 

It’s partially only at the bottom since Toyota has realistic numbers and not the bullshit big 3 pixie dust where they one up each other in the ratings without even changing the truck , you can use it right up to what they rate it for and feel good about it.

that said , I have no real interest personally of pushing a 1/2 ton to the very limits, if I need that I would just get a bigger truck

 

That's my problem; I'm outgrowing half ton usage.

 

I picked up a 2024 SR5 yesterday and am hoping it grows on me. Currently still have a 2021 SR but have had 4 other Tundras of various trim levels before that starting with a new one in 2007.

The throttle/transmission/engine response is an improvement. The interior layout feels bizarre to me for some reason, but again, hoping that changes once I get more used to it. I also think I'll like the exterior looks of it better than the previous gen once I get it set up how I want it.

Overall though, not sure how justified I feel the $10k plus pricetag over my previous one is (Yes, I know inflation has happened and all vehicles are more....not picking on Toyota specifically for that one).

 

Its just bad luck anyway

 

One improvement I notice the most in my Gen 3 is how much less body roll it has and the improved handling around sharp corners. It's still no sports car, but it's much better than my 2008 and 2015 Tundras ever were.

I'm pretty sure the 5-link rear suspension is the reason for that.

Matt

 

Sorry to cherry-pick, but this is a great point, and likely my biggest "let-down" with the release of the 3G. TTv6? Yawn. Let's not copy Ford, shall we? TTi6 would have been cool. The 5.7L with a 10-speed would have also been awesome. I changed suspension because I thought the truck rode too squishy. Can't imagine it being softer on the 3G.

Long story short, we didnt get wow'ed like we did in 2007. And as @KNABORES & @Breathing Borla have stated, what more could be done? Maybe "the wow" isn't a fair expectation anymore in the ½ ton segment.

 

Boge/Sachs/ZF Nivomats. My Volvo wagon can take a ton of payload and ride level. It is very comfy both empty and loaded to the roof. Price difference with a regular suspension is ~$500.

 

Does it have a rear sway bar? Cornering is usually improved with a stiffer front/rear sway bars, which is a cheap fix on any vehicle.

 

I wouldn't call the Gen 3 "softer' riding at all. In fact it feels much stiffer to me. The body roll around corners in my 2015 was awful, even when it was new. It got progressively worse with age. New struts and shocks didn't help.

My 2023 handles like a go-cart in comparison. I notice it the most on circular on/off ramps, or winding mountain passes. The overall driving experience in the Gen 3 is much improved, IMO.

Matt

 

So you want the Tundra to be like a Volvo Wagon. They have about 1000# of payload. SMH. It’s a truck. It can take a ton of payload too. It’s just not gonna be government rated as such. My wife’s JGC has Nivomats too. They make the advanced package air suspension for the Tundra if riding level is your goal.

 

I get compliments from other people who drive my gen2.5 occasionally for how well it handles and corners, including a Mustang driver. All the magic was TRD PRO rear sway bar added. The suspension is also stiffer than it was (4600 -> 5100), but for cornering you want softer suspension, so sway bar could overcome it easier.

 

I mean, you can have both a pleasant to drive empty truck and better payload handling. Volvo with regular shocks rides worse and squats like mad with any load in trunk. Heck, it corners worse with its regular suspension, thanks to the rat tail Volvo put as a rear sway bar (Nivomats come with an upgraded one)!

 

Can’t hook an 8000# camper to a Volvo. Capability always has some trade offs. The 2023 Tundra with rear coils and airbags rides 1000% better than my dads 77 Chevy did. We’ve come a long way.

 

You didn't get the point. I'm not saying "Volvo", I'm saying Tundra can be both more pleasant to drive and handle more payload.

 

My 2015 was a bone stock 1794 non-TRD package. I always thought it handled like a boat. Even moderate corning would literally throw anything in the bed or back seat from side to side, unless it was tied down. My 2 large dogs especially hated the handling of that truck. They seem to enjoy the ride of my 2023 much better, and so do me and my wife. There really is no comparison.

I'm aware that sway bars and other suspension mods will make virtually any vehicle corner better, but I don't think that should be necessary on a brand new $70K truck. I think this is one area that Toyota got right on the Gen 3.

 

Im sure Toyota didn’t do any of that on purpose to piss us all off.

 

$500 is $500! Per truck!

 

Nivomats are not the answer

 

Pfff, they are! Proof:



Nivomats are way smarter than Toyota's air bags. No compressors, no air lines, zero maintenance, zero attention, last longer, replace quicker.

 

I see vandalism.