Toyota Tacoma

The Tacoma is a pickup truck designed and distributed by Toyota, a Japanese automobile manufacturer. The first generation of the Tacoma (from 1995-2004) was considered to be a compact pickup, while the second generation (2004-present day) is classified as mid-size. The Tacoma was given an 8.3 rating by U.S. News, and ranked 3^rd out of 4 Compact Pickup Trucks. Although compact pickup trucks are largely non-existent today in the U.S. market, the Tacoma remains. Reviewers agree it is a solid truck and has a strong reputation for durability, and is perfect for those who do not need something full-sized.

Performance

U.S. News gives the Tacoma a 7.8 performance rating. Some critics say the Tacoma is a bit difficult to drive around town, although it is still easier to drive than a full-size pickup. The base Tacoma comes with a four-cylinder engine that produces 159-horsepower, and is paired with rear-wheel drive and a five-speed manual transmission. A four-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive are optional. Double Cab and Access models have the same base engine but have the option of adding a V6 with 236-horsepower, which comes with either a five-speed automatic or six-speed manual transmission. The EPA states the Tacoma gets 21 mpg for city driving and 25 mpg for highway driving, while the V6 and four-wheel drive models receive slightly lower estimates. The Tacoma can tow up to 6500 pounds, more than enough to tow a boat or heavy trailer.

Interior

The U.S. News gives the Toyota Tacoma a 7.4 interior rating. Although no critics consider the Tacoma luxurious, they say the interior is attractively-designed and roomy, and is actually a little bit nicer than other competitor trucks. The base model has a bench seat that fits three people with cloth upholstery and a telescopic and tilt steering wheel. The Access Cab models can seat four people in the front bucket seats and also have two rear folding seats, with heated front seats and sport seats available as add on options. The interior comes with standard features, including a four-speaker stereo with Bluetooth audio and phone streaming, a USB port and an auxiliary input jack. On higher trims, an upgraded sound system with satellite radio and navigation and keyless entry are available options. There are two bed length options: Access Cab and Regular models come with a 6-foot bed, while Double Cab models come with beds that are either 5 or 6 feet long.

Pros/Cons

The Toyota Tacoma can tow up to 6500 pounds, which is more than enough to drive around a boat or large trailer. The bed is also highly functional, and is made of composite material, which makes it more resistant to scrapes and dings than a plain metal bed. Critics praise the automatic transmission for its quick and smooth gear changes, and say the front seats are supportive and comfortable. While it handles more easily than a full size pickup truck, it can still be difficult to maneuver around town and tight areas. The Tacoma’s brakes work fine, but some critics have said the spongy brake pedal is a bit concerning and doesn’t inspire confidence. The ride can get a little bit jittery, and the Tacoma received fairly low safety ratings from testers.

Other Features

The Toyota website lists the base price for the Toyota Tacoma as $17 625, although this will increase depending on the trim level and features the buyer decides to add on. You should expect to pay between $25 000 and $30 000 for the truck. It received an 8.5 safety rating from U.S. News, and although it has all the required safety features, its crash-test scores leave something to be desired. The new IIHS roof strength test gave the Tacoma only a marginal rating. One of the cool features the Tacoma has is the new Entune system, which brings mobile-app connectivity to the vehicle’s audio system.