I wanted to wait a couple years to get the new gen. Is now the time or are we close to a mid cycle refresh?

[Will721]

Mabey for the refresh the iso seats everyone seems to hate will be standard on all models. Or the back seat will be replaced with a llama that spits in your coffee. Change isn't necessarily good.

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[trailhunger]

I think waiting for the next gen platforms specifically PHEV with a solid state battery would be worth the wait when it comes ~3+ years from now. The hydrogen prototypes looking killer with 350mi range, but the filling stations don’t exist..

You can put 75k+ miles on a nice gen 4 in the meantime, so no reason to wait IMO

 

[Andrace]

Ford already did this last year to the Maverick. That's why I dropped it from consideration when I was looking at all the mid and small trucks. And yes it did drop the horsepower.

Same for me.
The MT, port injection, and lack of GPF made the Tacoma the winner for me.

I'd consider another Tacoma at the end of this generation if they don't add a GPF, still offer the MT, and add compelling features, or if Toyota begins taking build orders.

 

[TX-BluStreak]

I think waiting for the next gen platforms specifically PHEV with a solid state battery would be worth the wait when it comes ~3+ years from now. The hydrogen prototypes looking killer with 350mi range, but the filling stations don’t exist..

You can put 75k+ miles on a nice gen 4 in the meantime, so no reason to wait IMO

Actually, the hydrogen filling stations do exist but only in CA. Hydrogen power/ technology isn't *new* per say; it's already offered on the Mirai. (You can't buy the Mirai anywhere else in the USA except in CA.) It's ability to combine hydrogen w/ oxygen from the outside air to generate power. I'm afraid when the hydro-Taco comes out in the near future, only those in CA will be lucky enough to drive them.

 

[ohhkk]

Actually, the hydrogen filling stations do exist but only in CA. Hydrogen power isn't *new* per say, it's already offered on the Mirai. (You can't buy Mirai anywhere else in the USA except in CA.) It's ability to combine hydrogen w/ oxygen from the outside air to generate power. I'm afraid when the hydro-Taco comes out in the near future, only those in CA will be lucky enough to drive them.

I think I saw that the hydro powered taco is still very early in development. Would be a shame if I got one now and that came out. But honestly, I would just trade it in.

 

[gpburdell]

I think I saw that the hydro powered taco is still very early in development. Would be a shame if I got one now and that came out. But honestly, I would just trade it in.

In most places there's a lot of infrastructure that'd need to be established before a hydrogen powered vehicle would be viable. Broad availability is likely several years off.

That said, in the long term there's a lot of benefits to hydrogen as fuel - combustion produces just water vapor, local or onsite electrolysis and capture/compression using water and electricity, lower need of transportation infrastructure, relatively quick refueling, lighter vehicle vs a typical BEV, should the hydrogen leak it'll rise and dissipate rather than collect/flow on the ground (gasoline/vapors). Challenges - difficulty identifying a leak, flames are essentially invisible in daylight, lower energy per volume than gasoline, chicken & egg problem with refueling infrastructure and vehicles, public perception of actual danger vs. perceived (Hindenburg), and probably more.

 

[TacoFreak]

I agree with @gpburdell, and I don't think a hydrogen Tacoma will hit the road anytime soon. A plug in hybrid is probably closer, but I expect it to be a good while until it is available too.

 

[Lando]

Quite refreshing being on a forum that embraces discussions and alternatives to gasoline ICE.

I was on a modern muscle car forum and the discussions there were still mired in the Stone Age, i.e. the internal combustion engine that was invented 140 years ago is the only way to go. And V8’s are a must or they’ll never buy a new car again, .

As for me, I would buy a plug in hybrid Tacoma. With an 80km battery range I’d rarely buy gas.

 

[gpburdell]

As for me, I would buy a plug in hybrid Tacoma. With an 80km battery range I’d rarely buy gas.

I think PHEV’s can solve the range anxiety concerns typical ICE drivers have. BEVs are fine, but have limitations- though PHEVs also have their trade offs. Much of it depends on usage pattern.

During the week my driving is short range. We also go to our cabin 3-4 times a month, 100 miles each way. Downside is I park in the driveway so charging cable is more cumbersome than inside the garage.

Contrast to daughter and her husband who often drive 150+ miles a day visiting clients in their different roles.

Others have different patterns, but the usual weekday commute & errands, weekend roadtrip is a great PHEV usage model.

 

[Bluznvice]

What if you died tomorrow. Get it now.

 

[Will721]

I would prefer to see a push for hydrogen over EVs. Evs have several flaws, mostly due to battery technology and infrastructure. Not to mention all full switch to EV would require the death of ICE vehicles which isn't exactly environmentally friendly either. Hybrids make more sense to me as it can overcome both issues.

But hydrogen is cleaner than ICE in every form. If we can get over the hurdles of its generation and filling stations it would be a much better future. It can be transported in the same fashion as fossil fuels saving the grid, and can be implemented easier and already standing fuel stations. But it's biggest pro would be that it wouldn't actually require the replacement of every single ICE vehicle on the road like EVs would. Every non EV car on the road today can be adapted to run on hydrogen just like they can for CNG. That means all the classic cars on the road can stay, current hybrid and ICE vehicles can remain, and even current EVs. Hell you could retrofit a coal fired steam locomotive. Zero emissions and we get to keep and use everything.

 

[TacoFreak]

@Will721 Another benefit of hydrogen is how well it fits with renewables like solar and wind. When there is excess electricity produced it must be stored or shipped off over the grid. One of the best ways to store it is as hydrogen, which as you point out can be used in a lot of different ways.

Hydrogen storage is more efficient and more easily used than power from batteries, making it even better. A good distribution system is the real catch here, but it is doable.

 

[Will721]

Distribution actually isn't even that difficult. Just slowly stop producing tankers and increase compressed gas trailers. Current fill stations require tank replacements periodically, do the same there. The real issue is the fuel pump itself, there's a reason they are only in Cali. They don't work in harsh climates and specifically have a tendency to freeze even on hot days. There's some designs out there for heated nozzles, but still may be an issue in the extreme cold temperatures.

The main issue is gathering it. Reguardless of the method of collection it is very expensive and energy intensive. Like to producing enough of it to power the entire nations cars would require building hundreds if not thousands of nuclear powered desalination plants or some sort of equivalent.

 

[Big Dawgs Toyota Tuning]

The 6' bed is the only one thing I slightly wish I had if we're being honest, BUT from having a 2nd, 3rd, and nor 4GT - I've never been not able to accomplish what I need to using a 5' bed. If you're dead set on that set up I would grab a new or late model 2026.

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