2017 DCSB with 6MT and FWC Swift full camper. 2 inch lift standard shocks and airbags. Stock tires. Getting about 15mpg average. Agreed the range bothers me just as much as the lackluster MPG. The only full size that will beat this would be F-150 ecoboost but almost any lift or tire/wheel increase will quickly put it back to this range.
I brooded about this for months before buying this rig. The colorado diesel will beat it hands down but as you will see in the other forums it comes at a price. An older full size diesel will beat it too but will be rolling coal and modified.
It is just difficult to have an adventure vehicle get out of the mid teens.
The Tacoma is no powerhouse and despite the cult following has nothing super special about it technically.
I ultimately just went with what was the most fun to drive and the Taco with manual transmission won hands down. There is a lot of chatter about he Orange Virus tune which apparently transforms the drive-ability and eeks out another 1.5 mpg