Do you drive an old Tacoma, perhaps a 1st Gen like myself, and want help deciding whether to upgrade to a new one? Or should you just keep fixing up your current one? I’m here to help by going over all of the pros and cons of upgrading to a brand new 4th Gen and comparing it to the original generation that started it all.
If you’re concerned about 4th Gen reliability and whether the new powertrain will last as long as those that came before it, you’re in the right place. We’ll go over everything from the engine and suspension to interior and creature comforts.
Table Of Contents
Pros & Cons
1G PROS
- Simple and reliable
- less electronics, fewer things to break
- proven engineering
- Lightweight
- decent power to weight ratio
- More compact size
- better for narrow trail riding and tighter urban conditions
- Off-road capable
- Easy to lift and modify
- Optional manual transmission
- Affordable
- cheaper to buy, maintain, and modify
1G CONS
- Underpowered by today’s standards
- especially true when loaded down or towing
- Very limited safety and tech features
- literally zero aids, infotainment option and crash safety features
- Rust issues
- frame rust is prevalent and clean ones are hard to find
- Small cabin space
- somewhat cramped inside, less comfortable
- Styling may be iconic, but outdated
4G PROS
- Modern powertrain
- turbo charged 4-cylinder and optional hybrid provide great power and MPG
- All new interior
- digital dash, big screens, phone compatibility
- Safety and driver tech
- TSS, adaptive cruise, lane assist, and many others
- Trailhunter and TRD PRO trims
- ready to roll from factory with high end upgrades
- Comfort and space
- way better driving experience
- Better travel from factory suspension
4G CONS
- Heavier and larger
- more bulky design and all the features add to overall weight
- More expensive
- MSRP is much higher and so are the maintenance costs
- Less DIY friendly
- more complex overall truck
- Manual available, but not as prevalent
- Tech can cause steeper learning curve
- Not proven yet in terms of reliability
Interior
The interior of a 1st Gen is minimalistic, to say the least, with only the necessities like a basic gauge cluster, climate controls, and a radio. The 4th Gen, on the other hand, comes with anything and everything you’d ever want or need. A fully digital gauge cluster will show any and all information, from your pitch and roll to the turbo’s PSI. It has so many buttons and features that I still, to this day, don’t know each function.
This can also be detrimental to the 4th Gen. After all, many Toyota owners would probably prefer simplicity rather than more stuff that can break or malfunction. This dilemma isn’t specific to the Tacoma, though.
Exterior
The body style of the 4th Gen is aggressive and perfect (in my opinion). It is a major reason I was so excited to move into one. The front end looks so mean and bad to the bone. The truck feels much wider than the 1st Gen and looks like it has a wide body kit by comparison.
When the two trucks are parked next to each other, they are practically the same size, despite my 1st Gen being lifted 3 inches and on 33″ tires. My 4th Gen, on the other hand, is completely stock and on ~30-31″ tires.
The 1st Gen Tacomas have a more round, smooth look, with barely any body lines, much like the other 90s-era SUVs and trucks. In contrast, the 4th Gen looks and feels futuristic while being extremely functional and practical.
Why I Upgraded
I upgraded my truck for many reasons. My 1st Gen 2002 Tacoma currently has 266,012 miles on it, and it is not getting any lower. Unfortunately, I am not the first owner and have had many reliability issues since it is my daily work truck and weekend rig.
Though my first 60,000 miles of ownership treated me extremely well, the past 20,000 miles seem to have been one issue after another, leaving me stranded multiple times. I also needed more interior room, newer technology, safety for my family, and, most importantly, reliability.
Moving into a new truck was very exciting but didn’t feel real since I have never owned a vehicle with less than 150,000 miles on it and less than 20+ years old. The new technology seems like a spaceship compared to my 2002 Tacoma, and I love how comfortable the 2025 is. I believe that the 4th Gen is a major upgrade.
On the power front, I test drove the 4th Gen and it felt like I was driving a race car compared to my 1st Gen on 33s. I could get from 0-60 MPH in no time versus taking well over 12-15 seconds. The turbocharged 4-cylinder engine produces more than enough power while getting 18-21 mpg.
Final Thoughts
Why did I pick a 4th Gen Tacoma over any other vehicle? In short, I had amazing experiences with Toyota in the past, especially Tacomas. The body styling, interior, suspension, and engine convinced me to stay with the Tacoma family. With the 4th Gen going on its second year, we’ll hopefully see Toyota continue to iron out the kinks seen in the earlier production units.
I believe the truck has the perfect capability for daily use and weekend excursions, going camping in the mountains, and being used like a truck should! And while you don’t need them, the advanced technology and added power are just the cherry on top.
I would pick the 4th Gen over and over, and highly recommend it if you’re in the market for a new truck!
