Rented the new 4th gen Tacoma… Here’s what I think

I’ve been driving a 4th gen TRD Sport as a rental for the past 4 days. Totally didn’t expect to get a truck as a rental… thought I’d end up with a boring Altima or something, but no complaints!

My daily driver back home is a 2008 single cab 4x2 Tacoma, super basic, no frills. It’s slow, uncomfortable, but absolutely reliable. It’s never let me down and does everything I need. Here’s what I think of the new Tacoma compared to my old one:

What I liked:

  • It’s fast! The turbo 4-cylinder is surprisingly quick for a truck. It handled highway passes with no problem and felt smooth overall. I averaged around 22-23 mpg, which is way better than my old truck’s 17-18 mpg.

  • Nice interior. I liked that the screen is integrated well and doesn’t have that floating tablet look. The CarPlay works great, and all the main controls are still buttons and dials. It’s not luxurious, but after a 7-hour drive, I wasn’t sore at all.

  • Tech is impressive. The adaptive cruise control is the one driving aid I like, and it worked perfectly. Auto steering is kind of creepy but surprisingly accurate… didn’t trust it enough to keep it on all the time though.

What I didn’t like:

  • It’s huge. For a “midsize” truck, it feels like a full-size pickup. It’s bigger than some older Tundras, which was surprising.

  • Bed height is too high. Loading anything in the back would be a hassle with how high the bed sits.

  • Visibility issues. The hood is hard to see over, especially with the scoop. This made parking and tight maneuvers a bit tricky.

  • Small fuel tank. Even with better mpg, I couldn’t get more than 250-275 miles per tank compared to the 350 miles I usually get in my old Tacoma.

  • Price. $50-60k for a Tacoma? I can’t justify spending that kind of money on one of these.

Overall, I enjoyed my time with it but definitely wouldn’t spend my own money on it. Thanks for reading!

I just got the 2024 Tacoma and totally agree with your points. Best truck I’ve driven so far.

If you’re looking for something closer to your old 08, the SR model today starts at around $32k, which is under $40k. Adjusted for inflation, that’s probably similar to what your 08 cost new.

Willie said:
If you’re looking for something closer to your old 08, the SR model today starts at around $32k, which is under $40k. Adjusted for inflation, that’s probably similar to what your 08 cost new.

Back in 08, mine was $15k. Adjusted for inflation, that’s about $21,800 today, still a good chunk less than $31,500 starting price now. These trucks have gotten expensive.

Washington said:

Willie said:
If you’re looking for something closer to your old 08, the SR model today starts at around $32k, which is under $40k. Adjusted for inflation, that’s probably similar to what your 08 cost new.

Back in 08, mine was $15k. Adjusted for inflation, that’s about $21,800 today, still a good chunk less than $31,500 starting price now. These trucks have gotten expensive.

True, but even the base models now come with way more features than the old ones did. So, while it’s about $10k more, I’d say the gap is probably closer to $5k when you consider what you’re getting.

silikmed said:

Washington said:
Willie said:
If you’re looking for something closer to your old 08, the SR model today starts at around $32k, which is under $40k. Adjusted for inflation, that’s probably similar to what your 08 cost new.

Back in 08, mine was $15k. Adjusted for inflation, that’s about $21,800 today, still a good chunk less than $31,500 starting price now. These trucks have gotten expensive.

True, but even the base models now come with way more features than the old ones did. So, while it’s about $10k more, I’d say the gap is probably closer to $5k when you consider what you’re getting.

Yeah, they don’t make the super basic ones like mine anymore, which is a shame. Mine’s been cheap, reliable, and perfect for hauling a couple of dirt bikes. Are people really okay with paying over $50k for a Tacoma? That kind of money makes me think BMW, not a Toyota truck.

Willie said:
If you’re looking for something closer to your old 08, the SR model today starts at around $32k, which is under $40k. Adjusted for inflation, that’s probably similar to what your 08 cost new.

I think he’s saying $55k for the TRD Sport feels like a ripoff.

ToyotaTim3 said:

Willie said:
If you’re looking for something closer to your old 08, the SR model today starts at around $32k, which is under $40k. Adjusted for inflation, that’s probably similar to what your 08 cost new.

I think he’s saying $55k for the TRD Sport feels like a ripoff.

Did you see what the poster said about his 08? He never called it a ripoff back then. Why are you so bothered?

Willie said:
If you’re looking for something closer to your old 08, the SR model today starts at around $32k, which is under $40k. Adjusted for inflation, that’s probably similar to what your 08 cost new.

The new ones cost more and come with stuff like touch screens but no CD player.

Gia said:

Willie said:
If you’re looking for something closer to your old 08, the SR model today starts at around $32k, which is under $40k. Adjusted for inflation, that’s probably similar to what your 08 cost new.

The new ones cost more and come with stuff like touch screens but no CD player.

Who even uses a CD player nowadays?

Bradley said:

Gia said:
Willie said:
If you’re looking for something closer to your old 08, the SR model today starts at around $32k, which is under $40k. Adjusted for inflation, that’s probably similar to what your 08 cost new.

The new ones cost more and come with stuff like touch screens but no CD player.

Who even uses a CD player nowadays?

Seriously! Might as well give us a record player at this point.

50-60k is a lot, but that’s where prices are at now. All the other brands are pretty much the same.

Rented one too and loved it. It’s quick and feels like driving a car!

Everything’s expensive now. I got my 2024 TRD Sport for $51k, plus my trade-in. Back in 2018, this would’ve been around $35-40k. My friend just bought a Cybertruck for $120k, and it looks like it should be $70k max.

TomHenry said:
Everything’s expensive now. I got my 2024 TRD Sport for $51k, plus my trade-in. Back in 2018, this would’ve been around $35-40k. My friend just bought a Cybertruck for $120k, and it looks like it should be $70k max.

I bought my 2019 Sport for $38k out the door.

Jose said:

TomHenry said:
Everything’s expensive now. I got my 2024 TRD Sport for $51k, plus my trade-in. Back in 2018, this would’ve been around $35-40k. My friend just bought a Cybertruck for $120k, and it looks like it should be $70k max.

I bought my 2019 Sport for $38k out the door.

Adjusted for inflation, that’s still about $47k today.

Masitsa said:

Jose said:
TomHenry said:
Everything’s expensive now. I got my 2024 TRD Sport for $51k, plus my trade-in. Back in 2018, this would’ve been around $35-40k. My friend just bought a Cybertruck for $120k, and it looks like it should be $70k max.

I bought my 2019 Sport for $38k out the door.

Adjusted for inflation, that’s still about $47k today.

The last few years have messed up everyone’s sense of what’s normal for inflation. Prices for a lot of stuff just jumped overnight.

TomHenry said:
Everything’s expensive now. I got my 2024 TRD Sport for $51k, plus my trade-in. Back in 2018, this would’ve been around $35-40k. My friend just bought a Cybertruck for $120k, and it looks like it should be $70k max.

I got the same truck for $40k. Can’t believe how much the prices have gone up.

Washington said:
I’ve been driving a 4th gen TRD Sport as a rental for the past 4 days. Totally didn’t expect to get a truck as a rental… thought I’d end up with a boring Altima or something, but no complaints!

My daily driver back home is a 2008 single cab 4x2 Tacoma, super basic, no frills. It’s slow, uncomfortable, but absolutely reliable. It’s never let me down and does everything I need. Here’s what I think of the new Tacoma compared to my old one:

What I liked:

  • It’s fast! The turbo 4-cylinder is surprisingly quick for a truck. It handled highway passes with no problem and felt smooth overall. I averaged around 22-23 mpg, which is way better than my old truck’s 17-18 mpg.

  • Nice interior. I liked that the screen is integrated well and doesn’t have that floating tablet look. The CarPlay works great, and all the main controls are still buttons and dials. It’s not luxurious, but after a 7-hour drive, I wasn’t sore at all.

  • Tech is impressive. The adaptive cruise control is the one driving aid I like, and it worked perfectly. Auto steering is kind of creepy but surprisingly accurate… didn’t trust it enough to keep it on all the time though.

What I didn’t like:

  • It’s huge. For a “midsize” truck, it feels like a full-size pickup. It’s bigger than some older Tundras, which was surprising.

  • Bed height is too high. Loading anything in the back would be a hassle with how high the bed sits.

  • Visibility issues. The hood is hard to see over, especially with the scoop. This made parking and tight maneuvers a bit tricky.

  • Small fuel tank. Even with better mpg, I couldn’t get more than 250-275 miles per tank compared to the 350 miles I usually get in my old Tacoma.

  • Price. $50-60k for a Tacoma? I can’t justify spending that kind of money on one of these.

Overall, I enjoyed my time with it but definitely wouldn’t spend my own money on it. Thanks for reading!

Not sure if this thread is helping me decide or just confusing me more :man_shrugging:

Washington said:
I’ve been driving a 4th gen TRD Sport as a rental for the past 4 days. Totally didn’t expect to get a truck as a rental… thought I’d end up with a boring Altima or something, but no complaints!

My daily driver back home is a 2008 single cab 4x2 Tacoma, super basic, no frills. It’s slow, uncomfortable, but absolutely reliable. It’s never let me down and does everything I need. Here’s what I think of the new Tacoma compared to my old one:

What I liked:

  • It’s fast! The turbo 4-cylinder is surprisingly quick for a truck. It handled highway passes with no problem and felt smooth overall. I averaged around 22-23 mpg, which is way better than my old truck’s 17-18 mpg.

  • Nice interior. I liked that the screen is integrated well and doesn’t have that floating tablet look. The CarPlay works great, and all the main controls are still buttons and dials. It’s not luxurious, but after a 7-hour drive, I wasn’t sore at all.

  • Tech is impressive. The adaptive cruise control is the one driving aid I like, and it worked perfectly. Auto steering is kind of creepy but surprisingly accurate… didn’t trust it enough to keep it on all the time though.

What I didn’t like:

  • It’s huge. For a “midsize” truck, it feels like a full-size pickup. It’s bigger than some older Tundras, which was surprising.

  • Bed height is too high. Loading anything in the back would be a hassle with how high the bed sits.

  • Visibility issues. The hood is hard to see over, especially with the scoop. This made parking and tight maneuvers a bit tricky.

  • Small fuel tank. Even with better mpg, I couldn’t get more than 250-275 miles per tank compared to the 350 miles I usually get in my old Tacoma.

  • Price. $50-60k for a Tacoma? I can’t justify spending that kind of money on one of these.

Overall, I enjoyed my time with it but definitely wouldn’t spend my own money on it. Thanks for reading!

I actually like the bigger size and the improved seating position. Tundra’s too big for me, and older Tacos felt cramped.