Congrats on the new rig! It’s been a solid 2 days now, we need a review!
Man, the thing is SOLID. Honestly, even when compared with the 200, I feel it planted the same as the 200, but without that wallowing boat-like feeling. All the rest is just as bank-vault-like, doors and all. The insulation, suspension and NVH is miles away better.
Couple things of note so far.
Like I said above, the mpgs kinda surprised me, since I was used to squeeze at most 260 miles of my 200, after having the refuel light on for a good amount of miles and holding for dear life. 350-360 miles on this is more than enough for my purposes. My butt can't really handle more than that and I have to stop and stretch. I get if you are towing or driving like an F1 car, ok it might drop significantly and justify an aux tank. Not my case so far and I can only imagine this will improve with time.
Another thing is the much-discussed here ICE pop sound in the back. Even having the 2-row, which I suppose has less "stuff" in the back to isolate the sound, I do not find it obnoxious or intrusive. I probably only hear it because I read about it here, and I came back listening to an audio book - not loud music.
The seats, which I read here some found uncomfortable or cramped, fitted me just fine. Didn't take me long to find a position as good as I had in the 200. Though the steering wheel is much smaller - sportier too. Finally, the drive assist features were the main reason I upgraded from the 200 and they did not disappoint. Driving back, I felt maybe half-tired when compared to driving out to SA. Those damn computers practically drove the car back when in the highway and I barely had to touch the pedals. No, it is not a Tesla FSD, but IMO blends just the right amount of assistance with the old schoolness of actually being in control of my car.
I only drove it now for 200 miles and just left it to PPF/ceramic/tint and will keep updating with my impressions. BTW, earth color really surprised me seeing in person. Much better than I thought.
On a side note, the PPF shop gave me a loaner and it is a new Tacoma. It was the first time I drove the Toyota 4 banger turbo that goes into everything these days, including the Prado. It has a good punch, but man it sounds rough like a Diesel. Smoothness be dammed on that vehicle. I find it worse than my wife's VW Cross Atlas that also has a 4 banger.
