- First Name
- CBC
- Joined
- Jun 25, 2026
- Threads
- 1
- Messages
- 3
- Reaction score
- 5
- Location
- New England
- Vehicle(s)
- 2026 Limited iForceMax
- Thread starter
- #1
I had a new 2003 Tacoma V6 Xtra Cab 4x4. Traded it for a 2004 Tundra V8 Access Cab 4x4. When kids came, I got a Touareg TDI and when VW bought it back due to diesel gate, I had a Diesel Cayenne for the past 9 years until a month and a half ago when something in the transmission went.
I need(Ed) a vehicle to tow the 6,000 lb boat I have in my avatar and the Tacoma Hybrid Limited fit the bill. I don't care for the chrome but also don't mind it as so far, this is the first vehicle that I have had no desire to debadge or dechrome anything on the truck. At first, I had considered the non-hybrid but after reading and seeing some reviews, as the Cayenne Diesel had 400+ ft lbs of torque, I knew that getting the Hybrid would be the correct choice and after having driven the truck for the first time, I knew it was the absolute right choice for me.
I had to have a Limited, Hybrid, Pearl and Boulder and had found one 65 miles south of me. I had never even laid eyes up close, sat in one, let alone drive the Hybrid so I just bought the truck blind, knowing that I'd love it no matter what, and I was right. The truck is impressive and I'm glad I did not get a 24 or a 25, hoping that the 26 will have no, or less, bugs.
On the drive home, I was seeing 28 mpg on the highway and 25 MPG on the side roads and in heavy highway traffic right before Juneteenth. Ever since, the MPG have done nothing but continue to impress. Like many others had posted, it is both fun and a challenge hypermiling the Hybrid and trying to get as many MPG as possible and trying to use the electric motor as much as possible on downhills and when close to home or a destination where the ICE will shut down and the Hybrid motor will take over. People are always saying that they have never heard me either come or leave due to the Hybrid motor. It is awesome as when the power is needed, at least without towing as I had only taken the boat out of its winter spot and around the neighborhood so far.
In every metric as compared to the 2004 Tundra I had, that towed the 6,000 lbs with no issue, the 2026 Tacoma is heavier, wider, longer wheelbase, but just 5" shorter. Same with the Cayenne Diesel that is/was wider than the Tacoma. I'm probably going to love the integrated trailer brake controller as I have a 7x14 enclosed snowmobile trailer with electric brakes for wintertime fun.
Everyone loves the folding side steps.
The Softex makes everyone think that its leather and I love that its not leather and will stain less and wear better. Heated steering wheel and both heated and cool seats are another nice touch and why I had to get the Limited as other than the very light off roading I had done a few days after I got the truck, this vehicle will just be a tow vehicle and a pavement pounder extraordinaire. I had read that the chromed wheels are very light and I like that and will deal with the shine. I also like that the tires are as smooth as can be for a nice ride and if they help with MPG, so be it. I will be looking for a set of wheels for pure snow tires as when the winter comes, I'm going snowmobiling, no matter what and love having all the traction possible with good snow tires.
The custom drive modes are awesome and I feel like I have a few different trucks as Comfort is really nice. I made CUSTOM with soft suspension, sport steering, Eco for motor and Eco for A/C. Like many, in one of the polls, I just keep it on CUSTOM most of the time and every now and then go to Comfort and when I feel like it, Sport or Sport + as the AVS and throttle/engine sensitivity are nice changes to have at my fingertips.
The truck came with the OEM folding bed cover and I'm glad it did as I wanted one anyway and after using it a bunch so far, it works quite well.
I consider the OEM folding bed step and about the only two things I want for the truck, as a dream list, outside of some new wheels with some dish, I'd love either fang lights or the fang light insert with some brighter lights, or diode dynamics fog lights, and for the ultimate, the Alpha Rex headlights, the brightest ones they make but have to save up the $1,400 or so for them, and the decision to remove the bumper for the install(s), someday.
To be continued.
I need(Ed) a vehicle to tow the 6,000 lb boat I have in my avatar and the Tacoma Hybrid Limited fit the bill. I don't care for the chrome but also don't mind it as so far, this is the first vehicle that I have had no desire to debadge or dechrome anything on the truck. At first, I had considered the non-hybrid but after reading and seeing some reviews, as the Cayenne Diesel had 400+ ft lbs of torque, I knew that getting the Hybrid would be the correct choice and after having driven the truck for the first time, I knew it was the absolute right choice for me.
I had to have a Limited, Hybrid, Pearl and Boulder and had found one 65 miles south of me. I had never even laid eyes up close, sat in one, let alone drive the Hybrid so I just bought the truck blind, knowing that I'd love it no matter what, and I was right. The truck is impressive and I'm glad I did not get a 24 or a 25, hoping that the 26 will have no, or less, bugs.
On the drive home, I was seeing 28 mpg on the highway and 25 MPG on the side roads and in heavy highway traffic right before Juneteenth. Ever since, the MPG have done nothing but continue to impress. Like many others had posted, it is both fun and a challenge hypermiling the Hybrid and trying to get as many MPG as possible and trying to use the electric motor as much as possible on downhills and when close to home or a destination where the ICE will shut down and the Hybrid motor will take over. People are always saying that they have never heard me either come or leave due to the Hybrid motor. It is awesome as when the power is needed, at least without towing as I had only taken the boat out of its winter spot and around the neighborhood so far.
In every metric as compared to the 2004 Tundra I had, that towed the 6,000 lbs with no issue, the 2026 Tacoma is heavier, wider, longer wheelbase, but just 5" shorter. Same with the Cayenne Diesel that is/was wider than the Tacoma. I'm probably going to love the integrated trailer brake controller as I have a 7x14 enclosed snowmobile trailer with electric brakes for wintertime fun.
Everyone loves the folding side steps.
The Softex makes everyone think that its leather and I love that its not leather and will stain less and wear better. Heated steering wheel and both heated and cool seats are another nice touch and why I had to get the Limited as other than the very light off roading I had done a few days after I got the truck, this vehicle will just be a tow vehicle and a pavement pounder extraordinaire. I had read that the chromed wheels are very light and I like that and will deal with the shine. I also like that the tires are as smooth as can be for a nice ride and if they help with MPG, so be it. I will be looking for a set of wheels for pure snow tires as when the winter comes, I'm going snowmobiling, no matter what and love having all the traction possible with good snow tires.
The custom drive modes are awesome and I feel like I have a few different trucks as Comfort is really nice. I made CUSTOM with soft suspension, sport steering, Eco for motor and Eco for A/C. Like many, in one of the polls, I just keep it on CUSTOM most of the time and every now and then go to Comfort and when I feel like it, Sport or Sport + as the AVS and throttle/engine sensitivity are nice changes to have at my fingertips.
The truck came with the OEM folding bed cover and I'm glad it did as I wanted one anyway and after using it a bunch so far, it works quite well.
I consider the OEM folding bed step and about the only two things I want for the truck, as a dream list, outside of some new wheels with some dish, I'd love either fang lights or the fang light insert with some brighter lights, or diode dynamics fog lights, and for the ultimate, the Alpha Rex headlights, the brightest ones they make but have to save up the $1,400 or so for them, and the decision to remove the bumper for the install(s), someday.
To be continued.
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