I am seriously struggling to figure out the following of this truck. It's a midsize 4x4 truck with a V6... with worse fuel economy than a full size 4x4 truck with a V8. The engine is far from stellar, and the 6 speed transmission is confused a good amount of the time. I'm already tired of the light acceleration 'stuttering' from the transmission, and the engine has a ticking noise at idle (maybe I should check the oil level... LOL).
The driver's seat sits right on the floor (like a car), and the lumbar adjustment stops right when it finally starts being effective. My legs started cramping two hours into the trip.
The adaptive cruise control over-reacts, even on the lowest setting. I need to pull out the owner's manual and see if there's a way to completely shut it off.
The 'TRD' letting on the bed must stand for "TuRD".
I did flog it through a 6 mile twisty section in the Yellowwood State Forest between Needmore and Unionville (IN State 45), and with me doing to shifting and keeping the revs up, it really did a respectful job of it.
Tank of gas #1 came back as
16.5 mpg. That's all the better it got. I drove 264 miles, and it burned through 16 gallons ($48) of gas. Funny thing is, the dash was trying to tell me it was getting
20.0 mpg for the tank. I was expecting the gas pump to kick off at 13-13.5 gallons... and it didn't happen. That was my first clue that I'd been lied to. And I didn't even run the A/C at all.
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I should have just driven one of the Sierras, and I'd been a lot happier. Can't wait until I can take this thing back to the airport and leave it there. I'd have been happier in the old POS 2004 Silverado, it would done a little better than 16.5mpg with a 5.3 V8 and a 4 speed transmission.
It is the TRD Off Road package, with no additional options. I failed to make that clear in my original posting.
I'm enjoying the "Service Required" nag that started up at the 5,000 mile mark. Every time I start it up... the same message appears, along with a constant check engine style light on the dashboard. Sheesh! And the "Check the back seat" reminder every time it is shut off and the driver's door opened.
The good news is this thing is due for a serious refresh in 2024. Most likely why the rental fleets are buying them up now. I also see where the new 2024 Tacoma will have a turbo 4. Gee, just like the Colorado, Canyon, and Ranger... shocking.
Yeah, I'm not seeing it with this thing....at all. I'm simply not seeing why people buy these things, well... other than it being a Toyota.