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When a truck enthusiast buys into the newest generation of a legendary pickup like the Toyota Tacoma, there’s always that quiet moment of reflection: is it truly better than what came before, or do the small details make you miss the old one? That exact balance was captured in a post I found by Anoni Muss in the “4th Generation Toyota Tacoma Owners Group,” where he shared his impressions after crossing the 1,000-mile milestone in a new Tacoma. Having traded in a 3rd gen before making the jump, Anoni praised the truck as a big step forward overall, but he also pointed out a handful of annoyances he’s noticed so far.
Here’s how he described it: “I hit the 1k mile mark today as I got home. Compared to the 3rd gen I traded in, this truck is an upgrade in so many ways. That being said, I do miss some things about my 3rd.
The backseat space: somehow the backseat got smaller. I would have liked to get into an i-FORCE MAX but decided not to as you lose the under-seat storage and with the rear passenger area already shrinking, storage space is already a premium.
The AC Compressor: My god is it loud in this thing. Constantly cycling on/off also.
Rattles: I notice rattles in the driver door when I play music that has any amount of bass in it. The 3rd gen interior felt slightly better put together.
Gas mileage: Somehow, I get worse MPGs with the 2.4 turbo than I did with the 3.5 V6. I drive chill; no speeding around like an idiot. The best I’ve gotten so far on a trip was 24.1 but I average around 21-22.
All these things said, this truck is still far better than the 3rd generation in my honest opinion, and all 4 things I mentioned are minor annoyances that don’t really change my mind about the truck or make me regret the purchase. They’re just observations I’ve made. Anybody that came from a 3rd gen like me, I’d welcome your opinions also. Cheers!”
Space and A Loud AC Compressor
One of the most notable points Anoni raised was the shrinking backseat. Space has always been a hot topic in midsize trucks, and Toyota had to balance cab dimensions with new technology and safety standards, which can result in trade-offs sometimes. Losing under-seat storage when stepping up to the i-FORCE MAX hybrid adds another layer of frustration, especially for owners who value practical daily usability. It’s a reminder that compromises exist even in an upgraded platform.
This echoes discussions in the Tacoma community where some have celebrated the arrival of new features while still questioning whether the rear seat comfort in the Toyota Tacoma truly meets family needs compared to full-size alternatives.
Anoni’s second gripe is the AC compressor. The words “my god is it loud” cut to the point. Constant cycling may technically be within Toyota’s design, but to an owner used to quieter operation, it can feel disruptive. For buyers spending serious money on a brand-new truck, refinement matters as much as performance.
Other owners have chimed in with similar notes, some acknowledging that while the cycling is odd, the cooling performance is strong. It shows how something that feels like a flaw to one driver may be a quirk others tolerate or even overlook completely.
Interior Quality and MPG
No truck owner enjoys admitting they hear rattles in a vehicle with just 1,000 miles on the odometer. Anoni noted vibrations in the driver’s door when playing music with bass and even suggested that the 3rd gen interior felt more solid. While this doesn’t mean the 4th gen lacks quality, it reflects how the Toyota Tacoma interior build quality can vary depending on trim, assembly, and use case. Toyota has long built its reputation on durability, so minor issues like this can feel amplified in owner discussions.
But perhaps the most surprising observation is fuel economy. Toyota’s move from the 3.5L V6 to the 2.4L turbocharged four-cylinder was meant to balance performance with efficiency. Yet in Anoni’s experience, they are averaging worse MPG in the new truck than the outgoing one. He reported 21–22 MPG on average despite calm driving habits compared to better figures he used to see with the 3.5 V6.
Some owners claim improvements after break-in or with modifications like upgraded intakes and exhausts, such as this Tacoma owner who spent $1,800 on upgrades to improve MPG. Still, it highlights how marketing promises and on-road results don’t always align.
Community Voices Add Perspective
When posts like this go up, it doesn’t take long for other Tacoma drivers to weigh in. The comments under Anoni’s post gave us more perspective on how widespread these issues might be.
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Tyler Vallieres shared: “I noticed the same rattle in my ‘25 SR5 driver door with bass. The Toyota dealer found a defective clip or something loose. I forgot what it was exactly but they corrected it and noted it. The rattle no longer exists. They have a specified decibel, amount of bass, or whatever term they used, in which the rattle is considered normal. I convinced them to play my music at a standard sound level and then they found the problem. They didn’t have to fix it, but they did.”
This is a reassuring perspective. It shows that while rattles can happen, some dealers are willing to go the extra step to diagnose them beyond the manufacturer’s threshold. It also proves that not all rattles are permanent. Sometimes, it just takes persistence and the right technician.
Bill Pongratz kept it short but insightful: “Agreed on the AC cycling, but it works fantastic.”
Bill’s take highlights the other side of the compressor debate. While some find the cycling irritating, others accept it as a trade-off for strong climate control. Comfort can often outweigh noise depending on what an owner prioritizes.
Brad Eden added the most detailed response, drawing from his own transition between generations: “I went from a 2017 SR5 to a 2025 TRD OR/Gas. I don’t find the back seat much, if at all, smaller than my third Gen. But I never have had many people in the back in either truck. The constant cycling of the AC/Heat/Fan/Compressor is weird and annoying. I thought something was wrong at first. I don’t notice it unless I’m sitting idling. Some people are hearing a chirp from the compressor at start-up and sometimes constantly. This is a problem that Toyota is trying to ignore but it will catch up with them. I’ll be pissed if mine starts chirping. I see a TSB or even a recall at some point. Gas mileage is about the same at 22.5-23.5mpg average. Otherwise, the 4th Gen is like a whole different truck in terms of comfort, power, torque, and especially tech. The features and digital customization is amazing. They should have named it Tacoma II. I do miss the relative simplicity and dependability of my Gen 3, but they had issues as well like the timing chain cover gasket seepage/leak at 80-100k requiring a $4-5k replacement. Toyota is trying to stay ahead of the curve with the 4th Gen. No regrets so far.”
Brad’s comment ties together the balance of nostalgia for Gen 3 with appreciation for what Gen 4 brings. His note about comfort, torque, and features connects perfectly with discussions around the i-FORCE powertrain delivering both power and efficiency. His speculation about a future TSB or recall on the compressor also points to where Toyota might need to take action.
The Bigger Picture
These comments, combined with Anoni’s post, create a layered portrait of the 4th generation Tacoma experience so far. Some owners notice quirks like rattles, compressor noise, and MPG variance, while others embrace the leaps in comfort, tech, and performance. That mix of praise and critique is exactly what makes ownership forums such a valuable resource.
It also reminds us that truck ownership is deeply personal. For some, the fuel economy of the Toyota Tacoma 2.4 turbo engine is a dealbreaker; for others, the jump in technology and customization is worth every gallon.
So I think what makes this story compelling is how it shows the Tacoma community evolving along with the truck itself. The 4th generation is more advanced, more tech-heavy, and undeniably more refined in certain areas. But with that comes complexity, and complexity often introduces things that loyalists notice.
The old Tacoma was predictable and familiar, while the new one feels like Toyota’s attempt to push midsize trucks into a new era. As someone who has watched many owners make this generational jump, I see this balance as a natural growing pain. Newer doesn’t always mean perfect, but it does mean progress.
Key Takeaways
- Backseat space and storage trade-offs are real concerns, especially for families or owners who rely on under-seat compartments.
- AC compressor cycling and noise highlight the push-pull between performance and refinement in modern trucks.
- Interior rattles at low mileage can be addressed by dealers, but they challenge Toyota’s reputation for rock-solid quality.
- Fuel economy differences between the 2.4 turbo and 3.5 V6 vary by driver, but some see little to no improvement.
- Community voices add balance, showing that not every quirk is universal and that many owners still have no regrets making the switch.
At the end of the day, the 4th gen Tacoma represents progress, but it also forces owners to weigh what they value most in a truck. That’s the reality of any generational leap.
What Do You Think of the 4th Gen?
Do you think the 4th generation Tacoma is a big enough leap forward to justify some of these minor issues? Or do you feel Toyota may have sacrificed too much of the simplicity that made the 3rd gen so beloved?
And if you’ve switched from a 3rd gen to a 4th gen Tacoma yourself, what’s the biggest difference that stood out to you? What do you still miss about your old truck?
I’d love to hear your opinion in our comments below.
Aram Krajekian is a young automotive journalist bringing a fresh perspective to his coverage of the evolving automotive landscape. Follow Aram on X and LinkedIn for daily news coverage about cars.
Image Sources: The “4th Generation Toyota Tacoma Owners Group” public Facebook group and Toyota’s gallery, respectively.
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Source: torquenews.com
