2.7 Double Cab Auto Review

Just purchased a 2017 Tacoma in November and had a hard time finding many reviews of my configuration, so I figured I'd post up a detailed review.

Little background - I used to have a Ranger 4x4 that I sold in 2005. Got a trailer for my fairly limited hauling needs, but I've been wanting a truck ever since. I have a 30 mile commute and a couple kids. My previous daily driver and commuter was a Scat Pack Challenger - very fast but maybe not the best commuter choice. I wanted to get back in a truck, while getting something that was economical, reliable, and big enough for the family. I was hoping to get a manual transmission and came close to getting an access cab but ultimately decided that room for the kids was more important than a larger bed or manual, so decided to get a double cab auto.

I wanted a basic truck that would get decent mileage and last forever (hope to keep this one a while), so I started gravitating towards the 2.7 I4 early on. That said, I could find very little reviews of the Tacoma 2.7 - the major automotive press and even review websites seem to have reviewed the V6 exclusively, which makes some sense given they outsell the 2.7 massively. Thankfully there are a few forum members that shared their experiences with the 2.7, which helped me make my decision in addition to a few test drives. So, I'm hoping to return the favor for future prospective buyers with a detailed review of the 2.7 here.

2017 Tacoma double cab short bed SR 2.7 auto 2WD, no options except convenience package

First off the speed factor, because that's what tends to come up most when I tell people I got the 4 cylinder. Its not a sports car and I don't need to do any towing other than a small trailer here and there, so I didn't need a fast truck. That said it had to at least be able to make a pass and merge acceptably on the freeway. Before test driving I looked at power to weight ratios finding that the 3rd gen 2.7 has about the same ratio as a late 80s 22-re 4x4, which was at the lower range of acceptable for me, but good enough to consider. I test drove all versions of the 2.7 - 4x4/2WD access cab manual/auto and the 2WD double cab auto that I eventually purchased. No versions of the 2.7 are fast, particularly by modern standards. I can report that the truck is fast enough for me. I did some admittedly unscientific hand measurements and consistently clocked 0-60 between 10.5 and 10.8 seconds, which isn't that bad. It's not that long ago when that would be considered quick for a truck or SUV. I enjoyed driving the manual - the clutch take up was very high, but I'm sure I would have gotten used to it. I was initially very disappointed that the manual wasn't offered on the double cab - especially after all the horror stories I heard about the 3rd gen autos, but after several test drives and now owning a 2.7 auto for about 16,000 miles, I am very happy with this combination. I've found a very little clunkiness and gear hunting, but nothing that I would call out of the ordinary or has caused me any problems or concerns. The gearing with the auto is very well suited to the 2.7 and it will accelerate just fine and long as you get on the gas sufficiently. If you feather the throttle it will go slow, but that is to be expected I would think. The ECT button does provide a little bit of extra noticeable power if needed for passing or extended drives in the mountains, but around town and on the freeway I generally don't use it and have no complaints. But it is not fast - even if you floor the throttle - it will get out of its own way, but it won't push you back in the seat or win any races! The whole driving experience takes a little getting used to because most new vehicles in the US are overpowered, which is a trend that is great as far as I'm concerned. But that doesn't mean the Tacoma 2.7 is underpowered - I would say it is just right as a matter of fact - as long as you don't plan to tow heavy loads or drag race.

Now a little bit about the SR trim - I love it! I just wanted a basic truck - no leather or extra electronic driving aids and that's exactly what I got, except the SR also includes standard niceties as high quality cloth seats (not cheapos or vinyl that sometimes are put on the basic models), a back up camera, a decent sounding stereo, bluetooth, good quality carpet, and heated side mirrors. I wish I could have gotten factory fog lamps and variable intermittent wipers, but I'll just add those later.

I find the interior to be very comfortable and roomy - I've had 4 passengers several times with no complaints. Seats are comfortable, supportive, and seem durable although the driver's seat cushion is a little short. Would like height adjustability for the drivers seat as well (I know that is a common Tacoma complaint), but I can still see out just fine and I'm only 5'6". The dash has a taut/buisinesslike feel, more like the 80s/90s toyota pickups than the 2nd gen tacoma. Interior bins/cubbies abound and easily swallowed up all of the gear that I like to keep with me at all times. A/C and heater work great. The base etune system is simple but easy to use. Wind noise is higher than any other modern vehicle that I've driven, but it doesn't bother me much - its still plenty quiet for conversation and this is a truck not a luxury car.

Outside - this is subjective but I love the looks of this truck - very well done redesign. And these look so right with the SR trim - steel wheels and non-flashy grill. And it is nice to have the extra ground clearance even on a 2WD truck - I can take it on an occasional dirt road and around town steep driveways, speed bumps, curbs, and potholes are non issues. The plastic rear bumper seems a little cheap, but I guess it will make repairs easier in the event that its damaged.

Ride/handling is great - one of the things that definitely sold me on this truck. The suspension is very well sorted - the ride is firm, but not harsh - exactly like a truck should ride. Handling is great for a truck - I'm not driving it like a sports car, but around town and on curvy roads it is very predictable and easy to drive. The tires keep traction their well, even in 2WD and on sharp turns under power. Base tire traction is good in the wet and dry although I haven't tried them on snow yet. Even with a full load of firewood in the bed, the ride is fine and doesn't squat much at all. The brakes are great - they stop short even with a load and with good pedal feel and no pulling to one side. I was a little concerned with Toyota's use of drum brakes in the rear, but after driving it I have no complaints. The turning radius is a little larger than I would prefer, but still acceptable - Uturns are possible in one turn on most normal width 2-lane roads.

Fuel economy - I keep detailed records of my fuel economy with an app on my phone so I can report actual mpg rather than estimated through a trip computer. My average mpg has been 21, with a low tank of 16 and a high tank of 27. I would say my usage is 50/50 highway/city. This is about what I expected and pretty much matches the EPA ratings of 19 city, 23 highway. I expect the mileage to increase slightly over time.

Other miscellaneous thoughts - I like that there doesn't seem to be an excess of plastic trim or insulation that is so common with modern vehicles. Usually the first thing I do when I buy a vehicle is remove the unnecessary plastic bits - this is the first one ever that I haven't removed anything! It doesn't even come with underhood insulation, so I didn't have to remove that either. And the body/frame are so basic and simple - I can easily see everything that's going on underneath the truck without a bunch of plastic airflow/decorative coverings. Most vehicles are beset by extra covers and insulation that makes it more difficult to do repairs and that ends up trapping water/debris over time and leading to issues - this one has some of that, but much less than most modern vehicles. The lighting is adequate but a little too directional - there is a very definitive line given by the low beams. High beams are fine. I have yet to tow with it, but hope to install a hitch soon to pull my small utility trailer.

Concerns - I've got a dash rattle already, which is a little disappointing, but I'm sure easy to fix. The window rattles a little when only slightly opened on a bumpy road - also a little disappointing and maybe not so easy to fix. The composite bed/tailgate is nice in that it will never rust, but it seems a little thin and cheaply assembled. The tailgate seems to flex and creak when pressure is applied - also a little disappointing but not much of an issue for me since I won't be subjecting the bed to heavy work.

Overall, I'm very happy with this truck - it meets my needs perfectly and I hope to keep it a long time. Hopefully this review helps anyone that may be considering a 2.7 - there were a few available to test drive near me but I understand they are very hard to come by in some parts of the country.

 

Glad you love the truck, but I'm gonna need some pictures of it

 

Picture in your mind a stock SR double cab with no mods. You seen them before right? No need for the man to post pictures. I can go to cars.com and look at truck pictures till my eyes feel like 2 piss holes in a snowbank. Geez...

 

Great review. No need for photos. We know the SR trim package.

 

You did your homework and nailed it. Well done!

 

You won't have to worry about the composite bed and tail gate. They will take a ton of abuse and won't let you down.

 

Nice review. My first Tacoma was a 2006 2.7L Access Cab 2X4. After having the frame replaced, I traded it in for a 2016 SR5 2.7L 4X4 acess cab. It actually seemed to have more power than my older 2006 did and the 2006 was a manual and the 2016 was an Auto. The down side of the 2016 Sr5 was that it would get up to speed just fine, but I couldn't use cruise control except for a very flat road, because it would do the 6 to 5, 6 to 4, etc shifting game. I drove the truck mostly in S5 mode and was happiy IMO 6th gear is too tall for the 2.7L. My biggest complaint was weird door rattles and that it was a noisy cab, the access cabs pick up a lot of rear road noise through the aft cab air vents. Other than that I was happy. I did have the rear diff leak issue ans it was on the recall list. I never took it in because it was seeping and the fluid level was fine and I didn't want the dealer to have my truck for 3 to 6 months as others were experiencing.

Last month I traded it in for a 2017 TRD Sport v6 4X4 double cab, and I must say this new truck is much better in all ways, the truck is miles quieter than the access cab, even the crappy stereo and 50 cent speakers sound good due to the lower noise floor. (I did just replace the speakers recently) and the V6 is nice due to the high power availability. Mine was made 11/6/2017 so one of the last of the 2017's. Also I can use cruise without the constant shifting, yes it does go between 5 and 6, but the RPM difference is not that much and is more subtitle than the 4 cylinder. As for mileage, the 2.7L did much better about 3 mpg than the current v6, but I only have 700 miles on it so it should get better. But I also drove the 2.7L in S5 which improved the mileage over D. So I might try driving the V6 in S5 too see if their is a difference. Also ECT mode doesn't seem to hang on the top revs as much in the V6 ans it did in the 4 cylinder.

Overall I am glad I went to the v6 double cab. More power, quieter and more fun. The biggest reason I got the 2.7L when the 2016 first came out, it the 4 cylinder was pretty much the same truck as the 2nd gen, and I didn't want to go through the growing pains of the new v6. I seems that with his late 2017 I missed the CKP issues, howling issues, vibration issues, low fluid issues and all the other BS. So I will keep my fingers crossed.

 

I drive my 2.7 the same. S4 in town though.

 

LOL - I'll get some pics up at some point, but yeah its stock magnetic grey. Only mods so far are plasticolor mudflaps.

 

Interesting to hear the issues with gear hunting. Maybe I've been lucky or maybe its because I mostly drive in areas that aren't that hilly, but I haven't noticed any significant issues with gear hunting - drive in D mostly.

 

I will say the V6 unts for gears much more, it is smoother doing it. The 2.7L only hunts when you have a very slight incline with cruise on. With cruise off you can maintain speed and it doesn't hunt.

 

You don't have to post pictures on my behalf... I have been scrolling the pages of Tacoma World everyday since October of 2015. Seen every mod and trucks multiple times.

My truck is stock also except for a tonneau cover, window tint, and I swapped out the SR5 grille to a TRD Off Road grille. No shame in driving a stock truck.

Thinking of trading my SR5 in for a silver SR this year. Or a RAV4 or maybe even a Honda CRV.

 

I also use cruise regularly with no issues, but maybe its because I don't drive on inclines much.

 

Fix that window rattle yet??

 

Not yet - I just learned to take the window down at least a couple inches and don’t have any issues. I will see if the dealer has any ideas during my first service.

Almost 5000 miles in - no changes to my initial review - still live the truck overall.

 

Great review. My 3rd gen PRO has been reliable, but has the 6MT


I have a 2001 4 door 2.7L with 220K miles. It is bulletproof. I was thinking of replacing that with another 4 door 2.7L SR, for our farm.

However, my issues were for the SR color choices were limited.

Just found out, for 2018, we can get 4 door Sr5 with 4 cyl and tons of color choices! Looking at an inferno. Dealer wants $28,000.

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/vehicledetails.xhtml?listingId=472561856&zip=91214&referrer=/cars-for-sale/searchresults.xhtml?zip=91214&listingTypes=new&doorCodes=4&startYear=2016&sortBy=distanceASC&incremental=all&engineCodes=4CLDR&firstRecord=0&endYear=2019&modelCodeList=TACOMA&makeCodeList=TOYOTA&searchRadius=0&listingTypes=new&startYear=2016&numRecords=25&firstRecord=0&endYear=2019&modelCodeList=TACOMA&makeCodeList=TOYOTA&searchRadius=0&makeCode1=TOYOTA&modelCode1=TACOMA

 

The 2.7L is a great truck. Sucks that Canada does not offer the double cab shortbox in 4 cyl

 

Over 12,000 miles and still love the truck. The dash rattle was fixed at the last service (dealer applied some tape between seams around the speaker trim). No complaints or arguments from the dealer, or claims that they couldn't reproduce the noise, which was nice after fighting constantly with the dodge dealer over warranty repairs of my last car. I haven't noticed the window rattle recently, so I didn't mention it at service and probably won't worry about it unless it gets worse.

Also, I updated the original post with some 0-60 measurements (mid 10s) and the latest fuel economy data - still averaging 21 but low tamk is 16, high is 27 now. Also I did a little fuel economy testing recently - I'll post that up in a new thread in the 3rd gen forum.

 

@cab76 Thanks for your review! Are you still pleased with the performance of your Tacoma?

 

Yeah - about 16,000 miles now and love the truck as much as the day I bought it. In fact I was just telling someone yesterday for a daily driver I like it more than my old Challenger. The Challenger was fast and fun to accelerate but I was always worrying about the paint, had to take it easy over bumps due to the low ground clearance, and was always waiting for something else to go wrong because it was so unreliable. The Tacoma is not fast but has been very reliable so far and it just feels right driving it - hard to explain but the driving position, responsive steering, and suspension set up all work together perfectly for me - at least for a do it all daily driver.