My thoughts on how Toyota did on the 4th gen

I have owned 1 of every generation Tacoma made. My 2024 TRD Sport w/premium package is clearly the best driving Tacoma of the bunch. That doesn't mean I think its the best overall Tacoma ever made, it just drives the best. Smooth, powerful, enjoyable. I really don't like the small gas tank, but what do you do? My only other real dislike is that it has a power tailgate (almost worthless), but no power folding mirrors (useful). There are always compromises with any Tacoma, if it had and did everything we wanted it to do we wouldn't buy it because it would cost too much. Overall, I think the truck is great. Still like my 2004 the best. That truck was indestructable.

 

I can't comment on the 2004 model, but you're spot on with the 2024. Drives amazing and comfortable. Yes, the gas tank is too small and power tailgate is dumb. Folding mirrors would of been nice. None of them are deal breakers... at least for me. I even like the HUD. There is no perfect vehicle, but the 2024 is great. Planning on keeping mine a decade or more. Here's hoping it's as reliable as previous gens.

 

I’ve owned a 2nd, a 3rd and now a 4th gen…………lot to like, absolutely best driving, BUT with all the electronics AND all the plastic , no way, this Tacoma version makes it to 200k plus like the previous models.

 

I had a 2nd Gen, then a 3rd Gen and now a 2024. The 2024 is by far the most fun to drive with the peppy turbo engine. It’s so nice to have an engine/transmission combo that isn’t constantly looking for a gear. That said, the 2024 has too much technical gadgetry for my liking, being that I’m a 63 year old relic. I’m thinking the 2019 was a little better in the looks department than the 2024. Didn’t care for the rounded tail lights in the 2015.
Bottom line, I’d take ANY Tacoma over any other truck I’ve had in the past 40 years (that includes 3 Rams, 2 Dakotas, 2 Chevys and 1 Ford)

 

Hey OP, what kind of range are you getting with the 4th gen’s small gas tank?

 

I care more about range than how many gallons are stored underneath, so no complaints going from 21 to 18 gal. Otherwise, I’d just be whining for no good reason.

 

I'm only getting 300 miles per tank. My last Tacoma got 400 miles.

 

Yeah that is pathetic. We just sold my wife’s Tundra that had the micro tank and in these winter months, the range was only 300. Drove me bonkers.

 

My 99 was (and still is) absolutely bullet proof but it was also slow as a tractor and handled like one too (don't drink coffee while driving!) so I'm digging the 4G and think they nailed it. Downsides like lame JBL and smaller gas tank are minor nitpicks in the grand scheme of things.

 

“Lame”, unless you’re 350 miles between open gas stations

 

Not the OP here, but my Off-road is getting 300-325 miles per tank on 285/70-17 tires and lifted ~2”.

 

If you frequently find yourself “350 miles between open gas stations” you owe it to yourself to do some research before buying a vehicle.

 

Yep, it's an invented problem. A quick google search shows:
"The longest distance between gas stations in the US [lower 48 states], often cited, is a 168-mile stretch along US 6 in Nevada, from the Shell station in Tonopah to the Love's in Ely.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Longest Gap:
The 168-mile gap on US 6 in Nevada between Tonopah and Ely is frequently mentioned as the longest stretch without a gas station in the US.
Other Notable Gaps:
I-40 (California): A 58-mile gap between the Chevron in Ludlow and the Hi Sahar Oasis in Fenner.
I-15 (California): Several 20-mile gaps between Barstow and Baker, with the longest being 28 miles between Rasor Road Shell Station and the Circle K in Harvard.
I-70 (Utah): A 106-mile gap between the Loves in Green River and the Exxon in Salina.
I-80 (Nevada): A 74-mile gap between the Valero in Lovelock and the Chevron in Winnemucca.
Dalton Highway (Alaska): For the last 240 miles of the 414-mile drive from Livengood to Prudhoe Bay, there are no gas stations, restaurants, or any kind of services."

Or discussions like this: https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=26599.0

 

My guess would have been US 50 in Nevada as I thought that was one lonely desolate scary stretch. So, I asked Grok and found that I was wrong:

 

Tell me how/where there is more plastic in the 4th gen vs. any other gen.

I would argue there is less plastic. No plastic fender liners, felt instead. Also carpet vs plastic on the back of the second row seats.

 

I've driven HWY 24 between Limon and Colorado Springs. It was 70+ miles between fuel stops 25 years ago when I did it last.

And there are those who want to tow. I pull a sub 4000 lb trailer and a Tacoma won't do any better than a 1/2 ton doing that. Count on 12 mpg or less with anything. My 2007 Tacoma pulls the weight fine, but the F150 with a 36 gallon tank is what I use so I don't have to stop every 150 miles for gas.

I've traveled and hunted on National Forest's in multiple states. Often the closest fuel stop before turning off road is 25 miles. Then another 20+ miles on Forest Service roads getting 10 mpg to where I hunt. You'll either need to bring some extra fuel or drive very sparingly with these small tanks for the next week while hunting to have enough gas to get the 50 miles back to fuel.

I love my old 18 year old Tacoma and would probably like a 2024 or 25 but the small fuel tank is the deal killer. I'll probably get a new F150 to replace my 2014 sometime in the next year mostly to get a 36 gallon fuel tank. The plan for now is to still keep the old Tacoma though.

 

Its possible that I will get more range as the engine gets broke in, I only have 2K on the odometer, but it will never say 400 miles to empty. Not a deal breaker, just annoying. I like the truck, best they have done so far.

 

Obviously, you don’t live in a hurricane area……….when hurricanes come, gas station owners turn off power and leave, thus shutting down pumps……..
Small gas tank and limited range is a negative of the truck…….

 

Yeah, more felt……….thats a winner……(for Toyota).

 

honestly, I wouldn’t have any problem with the felt-like wheel liner, my Lexus has it, a $70k sticker car.

That stuff is ridiculously easy to clean. I just hit it with the pressure washer all the way around, done. It’s been completely durable. I usually have to scrub by plastic liners in my third gen and then they are prone to water spots so they don’t look that great unless I hit them with some 303.