According to some questionably reliable internet sources, the word truck was
derived from the Latin trochlea, which is a structure in the knee that, do you know
what, whatever. This is the Toyota Tacoma, and wherever the word came from trucks
are good. This one is no exception.
Unlike sport utility vehicles which err on the side of not being fully utilized,
trucks are purpose-built vehicles that their owners generally use as intended.
Toyota has a long history of making durable affordable trucks and this
third-generation Tacoma excellently fulfills that promise. It's practical and
versatile with myriad configuration options. Short- or long-bed, regular or
double cab, two- or four-wheel drive, with two available engine options. The first
of those is a 2.7-liter 4-cylinder engine, but if it were me buying this I'd
go for the 3.5-liter V-6 which is the direct injection Atkinson Cycle engine.
It makes excellent power, which comes in handy when you're towing the up to 6,800
pounds or hauling the 1,275-pound
payload. A properly equipped Tacoma can haul one of the best features available
on the Tacoma is transmission choice. Ford and Chevy don't even offer a manual
anymore, and the other paltry stick shifts out there are usually only
available on stripped-down four-cylinder based models, but Toyota knows their
customers and offers the six-speed manual transmission as an option on all
three of the more sport focused TRD model. The TRD Sport like this one I'm
driving the TRD Off-Road and the TRD Pro for the base SR, SR5 and higher Limited
trims. The six-speed automatic is your only option.
There aren't a lot of frills on this truck even on the TRD Sport and I'm
actually ok with that. Outside it's good-looking has some rugged angles. I
particularly like the way the front end of Toyota trucks look. They've got some
authority.
The interior is simple but it has everything that you need including the
electronic transfer case that will get you into low gear when you're heading
off-road. Yes, there is the requisite hard plastic but you know there are some
interesting materials in here. This fabric that's both here and on the door
panels. It seems like it would be really durable. Also, it feels kind of neat and I
kind of would take a backpack made out of it. Gauges are big and easy to see and
on the center stack the buttons and knobs are well positioned and within
reach. While there's not a ton of room in the
cabin, especially for passengers back here. There is some interesting storage
space. No it will not hold a bucket of fried chicken like the Silverado but the
center console is not bad, and hmm very creative.
Nothing illegal please.
Toyota does offer up option packages that include extras like keyless entry,
wireless charging, a backup camera, leather-trimmed seats, an optional
seven-inch touchscreen instead of the standard 6.1-inch one as well as
Toyota's Intune infotainment system with navigation, and other apps, so while
Toyota has an integrated Apple CarPlay into some of their vehicles and
according to the company are entertaining the idea of Android Auto
there is nary a whisper of either one of them in this truck. I might be getting
addicted to it and need an intervention.
EPA estimates aren't groundbreaking, but hey, it's a truck hey another theory on
its name origin incidentally is from the word truckle, which is an old wheel and
pulley system. Nope, still don't care. I'm not gonna lie on the road the rides not
super smooth, but it's well mannered and doesn't feel really heavy or cumbersome
even with the TRD tuned Off-Road suspension. A note to modifiers though if
you start putting bigger knobby or altering tires on this the ride is going
to get a lot rougher.
The steering doesn't have great feel but it's not as imprecise as on some heavier
trucks. I don't feel like I'm sig zagging all over the road, but I do hear a lot of
that road noise inside the cabin. Again trucks off-road though the Tacoma TRD
Off-Road and TRD Pro are your best options for serious wheeling. Their
beefy shocks smooth out bumps and are both equipped with a locking rear
differential, durable plastic fenders, crawl control, and multi-terrain select,
and if that's not enough for those enthusiasts, out there there are
truckloads of aftermarket products specifically made for Toyotas that live
in dirt. I love that we got a manual. The throws on the gearbox are smooth. Man
this truck is really easy to drive, which is probably why it's one of Toyota's best
sellers and has excellent resale value. I might be biased, I probably am, but I
could drive this every day. Hey, I have a birthday coming up. The base two-wheel
drive model Tacoma SR has a starting price of about $26,500
including destination charges. While it may not be overflowing
with standard features it does come with skid plates over its four-cylinder mill
and front suspension, three USB chargers and hill start assist. Throw in Safety
Sense which is Toyota's suite of safety features that come standard across all
trims and features things like pre- collision warnings, lane departure alerts,
and dynamic cruise control and that's a pretty good package for the price. About
$10,000 more will get you the TRD Sport which lands somewhere in
the middle of the cost spectrum and is what I'd consider the sweet spot in
terms of capability features and great value. The top of the mountain TRD Pro
has some serious off-road extras like projector beam headlights, all-terrain
tires, the reinforced TRD skid plate, active traction control,and a TRD-tuned
off-road suspension with two and a half inch Fox internal bypass coil overs and
rear remote reservoir shocks, as well as extra safety features such as blind spot
warning and rear parking assist are available as additional option packages.
The TRD Pro will cost you closer to $43,500 but still not a bad price for a
pretty capable truck in a world where you can now spend upwards of a hundred
grand for a gravel hauler. There aren't a ton of other options in this segment.
Smaller lighter trucks just aren't abundant these days, but the Nissan
Frontier, Ford Ranger, Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon are worthy adversaries. While
this third-generation truck might soon be ready for a mid-cycle refresh it's
still good-looking. You can get it in tons of configurations. It can rock haul
and rock crawl, and it's full of safety features. Hey
a truck by any other name, well it's definitely not a Tacoma.