Thinking about buying a 2023 Tacoma, suggestions needed

Hi everyone,

First post here but I’m thinking about buying a Toyota Tacoma. I’ll give you the backstory below. But I have some questions I’d love help with and folks who have the units probably have the best suggestions on what I should (or shouldn’t) have.

How I will be using it is as a daily driver, so city driving. But I hunt and spent time outdoors a lot too, and that stuff generates a lot of highway mileage for me. I do want to pull an enclosed trailer that weighs 3500 lbs if at max load. I don’t want to wait for the 2024 redesign because of my negative experience with first model year vehicles.

Here are my specific questions:
1) Toyota reliability is what I’m after here, how are the 2021-23 Tacomas? Are they reliable as in typical Toyotas or are there some common issues to watch out for? Dealers in my area have a lot of new 23’s available.
2) Transmission. How is the function of the automatic transmission? I’d love a manual but those are far and few between.
3) 4WD; does it bind up a lot when driving in 4WD in the city in limited snowy conditions? I live in Canada so winter roads are gonna go from icy and crap to bare dry.
4) I hunt, and sometimes use trails that have debris, is the trd package a must? Or is a lower trim level ok?
5) are there any must have features that is regret not having?

all input is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.



backstory: I have had fords for about 15 years now. My mustang has been amazing, my focus was bullet proof (except the body rot) and my fusion was the best car I’ve ever driven daily. So when it came time to move on and I wanted a truck (ever haul lumber in a focus?) I decided to stick with ford. Got a 2018 f150 xlt. It was great. Wife drove it when her fusion was at end of life cycle and decided she would get one too and we got a nice deal on a 18 f150 lariat. I changed the oil every 5K with full synthetic and all fluids before recommended intervals. Needless to say not long after we got a second one did the issues begin. The XLT had the front differential housing crack and ford claimed it was negligence and that an object struck it. I call Bs but whatever I paid for a new differential and instal. Then my transmission (first year of the 10 speed) started having shift issues and they replaced the valve body. New valve body failed immediately so they had to install another one. Then 6 months later several coolant hoses started leaking in cold weather. Paid to have those replaced. Then at 80k miles (75% highway mileage) the transmission completely failed and required a rebuild. So after that I sold the vehicle. One truck is enough. Right? Well on the lariat we bought it at 20k mileage. Super low. Power steering failed, replaced under warranty after a few trips and replacing wiring and other random things. Engine started having issues, seemed like the cam phaser was sticking and it was the actuator that failed. Warranty fixed it. Then the horn failed. Yeah, the horn. Go figure. Then the IWE’s started having issues so after several trips ford disabled the iwe system so the front hubs were always engaged. Well the truck now has 70k miles and the front diff is done. At this point im done and need a vehicle that doesn’t see the mechanic every 3 months. When the fords work, they work great. But the second one the transmission is experiencing brain farts at times so I have a feeling that one won’t live and I’m not sure I want to watch and find out. That’s my reason why I don’t want to wait for the 24, I’d rather not go through the first year problems again.

 

The 2023 Tacoma is and will be very reliable.
The automatic transmission software is tuned by Toyota to supposedly be more fuel efficient .
At times you might feel as if the transmission is waiting too long to downshift on its own on a long highway hill climb. You can just hit the ECT button and it switches the transmission to a power mode .

For what you you are requiring , and based on your previous F150 ownership , any Tacoma 4x4 will do. The TRD Offroad does come with an OEM rear locker. The locker does come in handy but only you will know if you need a locker .
TRD Sport or any of the SR and SR5 models does not have an oem rear locker .

Must have features, hmm since you see more colder winters than I do here in Los Angeles California, I say heated seats !!

Maybe a Tacoma Limited long bed 4x4 would be a nice replacement for the F150 Lariat

 

Must have: LED headlights

 

Get 'em while they're still available. I'd up the game from the base model and go SR5 or beyond.

It's a Toyota - what more do you need to know.
Not a luxury vehicle but not a piece of junk either.
Everything you need and nothing you don't.

Regarding the Outback in Australia a wise person once said:
If you want to go to the Outback take a Range Rover.
If you want to get back take a Toyota.

 

Does Canada have access to DCLB? I forget. If so, that’s for sure what I would do if going AT.

But I’d still go MT over AT if you can find one. It’s worth the effort. AT these days and I’d want 9-10 speeds. For a Tacoma, AT plus regear plus tune can maybe get it to a decent spot but that’s a lot of headache.

The SR / SR5 models are good value. But the TRD trims are a nicer starting point, particularly wrt headlights and suspension. The rear locker isn’t all that crucial and can be added after the fact, good options exist. I’m a fan of LSD’s really, more practical for road / snow conditions than a locker.

4WD is good but an AWD option would be killer. That’s one thing the 2024’s now offer on the limited trim. I’ve been keen on it since moving north last year. Selectable is nice when the road surface warrants it but most of my driving is typically rainy messes on pavement where you don’t want to be in 4wd but you also don’t want to be slipping around. For now I do snow tires and that works well enough.

 

Only thing you'll be missing is a convenient AWD system. Taco has a relatively quick-shifting 4x4 system, and it's no issue to go in an out most times...but you still have to be aware of the road and would need to shift in and out as needed.

Go Offroad. It's worth the extras if you like extras.

 

I have had zero issues with my '21 TRD Sport in 40,000 miles

Expect it to gear hunt. This is well documented in other threads. When my truck was stock it struggled to keep up freeway speeds on I80 in a strong headwind. Granted freeway speeds were 80 - 85 and it would continually bounce between 6th and 5th OD gears, then drop to 4th then back to 5th ect. It is just something you will either have to live with, or get a tune and 4.88 or 5.29 gears. I tow and have 275/70/17 KO2s with stock tune and stock gears. My taco runs fine I just have to manage my expectations. Towing is miserable b/c the truck comes neutered from the factory to meet EPA regs. 5.29s a rear locker and a tune are the last few performance mods I have on my list. Then I am done upgrading.

Any 4WD will bind in turns, this Taco is no different. You'll be fine as long as the turns you make are relatively mild. Just switch in and out of 4 HI if you need to make a turn where the steering wheel is at full lock.

I recommend the TRD Package as the TRD trims come with other creature comforts like push button start, auto HVAC (set the temp and the taco keeps it there), the TRDs come wired for trailers so all you will need is a brake controller and plug it into the harness and you are ready to go (I use a RedArc Tow Pro Elite), I'm sure there are other things I am missing. The TRD OR and Pro come with a locking rear diff. The TRD Sport does not. The TRD Sport also has ABS valving up near the driver's side firewall since it doesn't have crawl control like the OR and the Pro. This will be an issue if you want to run a dual battery setup as a common place for the second battery is at the passenger side firewall - you can only do that in an OR or a PRO. I believe both the OR and the PRO have additional cameras (maybe just the Pro?). You have options if you want to add cameras or do an aftermarket anytime camera, but if you want a forward and side cameras from the factory I believe a Pro (or an OR?) is necessary.

It is all about what you want or need out of your truck so just understand the differences between the trim packages. I can tell you this: my buddy has an SR5 and I have a TRD Sport and riding in his, I am so glad I have the higher trim. Little things like the auto key lock door handles and the push button start and the auto climate controls seem like small things but after you are used to having them the lower trim really seems like a downgrade.

An external transmission cooler. Those went away some time around 2018 or so. The trans cooler is now within the radiator and works for most use cases but not mine. There are ways to deal with this that are documented on other threads. Just something to be aware of if you plan on towing.

 

My 2020 hasn't had a single problem.
The oldest 3rd gens are approaching 8 years old now, and I haven't heard anything that would deter me from buying a Tacoma.

 

Thanks so much for the info so far everyone. It definitely seems like the taco will be similar to my xlt, so I know I will be happy lol.
Great to know about some of the aftermarket options, I don’t think I’d run a double battery but I have been known to expand into things within reach. Appreciate the trans cooler options.
I had heard about the gear hunting so that’s good to know to expect that.
The rear locking diff isn’t a must but it’s nice when you need it, so that’s a a TRD thing for sure.
the 4WD is something I can live with, it’s just good to know to expect it.

Thanks so much for the feedback on your experiences.

 

It definitely isn't perfect and has quirks but overall it's a well thought out truck.

The paint and interior plastic is delicate and the seating position isn't great for long periods of time and after a year of ownership I can probably make a more detailed list of things that bug me about it. Overall I'd still do it again. The main reason I went with this truck was because other than Jeep, nobody else offered a pick-up in a manual transmission.

 

DCSB TRD Off-road, AT, LG, OF, B5, D5, MF, R6- and of course electric lime metallic

 

Buy it - I would get a 4x4 trim living in the snow for sure. TRD was a requirement for me as I needed to adjust the seat higher than lower trims offered. I'm just under 6', and when I test drove an SR5 it felt like I was sitting on the floor lol

I got used to the AT pretty quick and other than a few wtf moments here and there, I don't feel like it's as bad as it's made out to be. Had MT in my last couple vehicles which could be a factor, but overall still happy with the AT decision (tbh I prob would've gone MT, but with growing a family everyone had to be able to drive the truck lol)

 

Worst case scenario is if you decide it just isn't cutting it, you will fetch top dollar for it down the line,
perhaps even what you paid for it... ( or more ).

 

All 4X4's will do that on surfaces with good traction. Keep doing it and you're going to break something expensive. 4X4's are designed for rugged off-road situations. They can be used on snow covered pavement if the use is limited to only areas of poor traction. It only takes a second to flip the switch between 4X4 and 4X2. That is how I operate in snow. 4X4 only as needed. Most of the cars on the road are 2wd and doing fine. 4X4 gives you an edge getting up inclines that 2wd can't get up. But that's about it.

It sounds like you need an AWD vehicle. They are designed to put power to all 4 wheels and do it on any road surface. They are much better than 4X4 in typical snow. But in really deep snow, 12"+ then the edge goes back to 4X4's.

If I were thinking about a new Tacoma I'd wait and see what the 2024's look like and perform. I'm doing just that. Not going to buy the 1st one I see, but if I like what I see I may well buy a new one this time next year.

 

Yeah an awd would be nice but then it’s a different platform. My 4x4 experience is limited to one vehicle so that’s why I was asking. I don’t mind switching modes; that’s what I did in my XLT. Wife on the other hand probably won’t love doing that and this will be a shared vehicle.

your description of awd vs 4x4 is bang on.

I’d rather go tried and true in the 2023 simply because the first year of fords 10 speed was wildly disappointing. Cars are never a sure thing but my last two have worked my nerve big time lol.

 

TRD off road seems like your pick, regular SR5 V6 will also do but if you are going in rough areas for hunting I would go for TRD off road.

 

Long time Nissan convert => Taco guy. Worth it. I too also went with a 23 over waiting for a new new model. I picked up a doublecab long bed trd off road. Came from a long line of suv life, the 6ft bed in my mind is a no brainer over the 5ft if you're outside and want to sleep in it. I've had zero issues with mine (received it 22' oct, ordered in June/Julyish). 18k on the clock. Only complaints are, halogen headlights are shit, stock tires are shit, suspension is pretty soft for my taste and she's slow as balls. Would I change my decision, however? No, I would not.


We welcome you to the dark side as some would say.

 

I have a 2023 TRD Sport DCLB. Old school, well built and reliable and the best part: it is a TOYOTA!

 

@Fat Dahry I traded my '17 F150 SCab 4x4 XLT of 91k miles for a '23 TRD Off-Road because the IMRC codes and 4,600 intake manifolds on backorder. So the 2015-17 5.0 all have this problem, or will experience it, and there are no OEM intake manifolds available effectively obsoleting trucks.

I'm glad to be back changing my own gears again and satisfied with the Tacoma. It's different than the F150 no doubt; but, I pretty sure there won't be an absence of parts down the road. I'd recommend getting a '23 while you can still find them.

 

I think now is the best time to buy- dealer lots have quite a few 23's sitting because people are waiting for 24's. My 23 TRD OR has 1,800mi on it now and my biggest hangup is the trans shifting. I put a ShiftSensePro in last night and it seems to be quite a bit better but really don't have much seat time with it other than a quick test around the block. But for $175 it seems to be worth it so far.

must haves for me? LED headlights and MTM. I originally thought "who cares about camera views everywhere" but I will admit it's pretty nice having them. It makes me feel boujee.

I live in Wisconsin but make 2 trips a year out west to Colorado to climb, so all the fancy electronic stuff my long travel GX470 doesn't have will be nice.