New Car Overview of the 2005 Toyota Tacoma Compact Pickup Truck
Base MSRP Range: $13,415 - $25,250
Base Invoice Range: $12,432 - $22,886
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MSRP As Tested: Not Available
Versions: Regular Cab, Access Cab, Double Cab, X-Runner
Vehicle Category: Compact Pickup Truck
Engine Location: Front Engine
Drive Wheels: Rear-Wheel Drive , and optional Four-Wheel Drive.
Engine as Tested: 2.7-liter, Dual Overhead Cam, 16-valves, I-4, 164-Horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 183 lb-ft Torque at 3,800 rpm.
Optional Engine as Tested: 4.0-liter, Dual Overhead Cam, 24-valves, V-6, 245-Horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 282 lb-ft Torque at 3,800 rpm.
Transmission As Tested: 4-cylinder 5-speed Manual or optional 4-speed automatic, 6-cylinder 6-speed manual or optional 5-speed automatic.
Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 4-cylinder manual 21/27 - automatic 20/27, 6-cylinder manual 16/21 - automatic 17/21.
Standard Safety Features: Dual-level driver and passenger airbags, ">Antilock Brake System, electronic brake force distribution, Brake Assist, optional Vehicle Stability to Control, optional Traction Control.
Competition: Ford Ranger, Nissan Frontier, Dodge Dakota, Madza B Series, Chevrolet Canyon.
Review
Toyota has a long history of successfully producing, and selling compact pickup trucks. Toyota introduced the first one to the U.S. Market in 1964. It was called the Stout. By 1977 Toyota had sold more than 1 million compact pickups. The sixth generation product was introduced in the middle of 1995, and was renamed Tacoma. The 2005 Tacoma is Toyota’s seventh generation compact pickup. During 41 years of production Toyota has won countless awards from magazines and surveys for their popular small trucks.
Trucks are very profitable for the OEMs - they have less content than passenger cars, and their safety standards are less stringent. Sales in this market have long been dominated by domestic manufacturers, such as Ford and General Motors. However Toyota, and Nissan, both are serious about capturing sizeable pieces of the North American truck market.
The demand for larger and larger trucks continues to swell. Last year, Nissan launched the Titan full size pickup. And Toyota is in the process of developing a truck that is even larger than the Tundra. Even the compacts, like Tacoma, are getting bigger. To add to the competition in the class, several new vehicles have been introduced this year including the Dodge Dakota and the Nissan Frontier.
The 2005 Toyota Tacoma comes in three cab styles, the Regular with two Doors, the Extended Access with new partial doors leading to the back seat, and the Double with four full doors. The three styles allow for 18 model configurations. The Tacoma Regular and the Access Cab models have a 73.5” long cargo bed, while the Double comes with either a 60.3”, or 73.5” cargo-bed.
Tacoma is available with two-, or four-wheel drive. If you opt for the two-wheel drive PreRunner Tacoma it even looks like a 4 x4 with a raised riding stance, etc. For people who want performance, more than practicality, from their truck they can opt for an X-Runner Tacoma with lowered suspension, handling enhancements, and radical cladding. It competes with the V6 Dodge.
Exterior
The 2005 Tacoma is larger and more rugged looking than its predecessor. The grill is larger with two wide, horizontal slats versus the vertical openings in the 2004. The wheel wells are more angular. The headlight clusters are larger, and the turn signals are integrated into the same lenses. The look is “tough.”
The rear of the 2005 Tacoma has new taillight clusters and a larger bumper. The bed, deck and walls are made of a new sheet-molded compound (SMC) which is 10 percent lighter than steel, yet it is more durable.
The deck comes standard with two-tier loading, and integrated deck rails with four, adjustable, tie-down cleats. The rails are compatible with other Toyota accessories including cargo bed cross bars, a fork-mount bike rack, and diamond-plate storage boxes. Add an optional 115V/400W powerport to extend the bed's utility. The Double Cab model offers a first-in-class, roof-rack system.
Interior
The interior of the 2005 Tacoma is more refined than the 2004. The instrument cluster is simple, and easy to read. This is important in a working-person’s truck, as vehicle information should be easily visible when the driver has to focus on other things, like looking for an address. The gauges are made up of three overlapping rings. The tachometer and fuel gauges are on the right. The speedometer is on top, in the center, and the rest are on the left.
For some reason a number of the automakers put in center consoles that look more like cheap Karaoke machines, than vehicle controls. Toyota did this too. The chrome-finished center stack looks like and afterthought. It isn’t as ugly as some offered by other automakers, but this entire genre of center console needs to disappear.
At the top of the stack is the loading slot for the CD player; the heads up position is very good making it easier to load CDs while still keeping your eyes on the road. Below it are the controls for the rest of the entertainment system. At the bottom are the controls for the heating and air conditioning system.
Because the 2005 Tacoma’s track is four inches wider, there is significantly more shoulder, and hip, room than before. The Access and Double Cab models have tumble-forward rear seats with under-seat storage. The Double Cabs have additional storage on the second-row seat backs. In all models with bucket seats (but not sport seats) the front-passenger seat folds forward and has a hard, flat back that can be used as a table, or desk, or provide extra room to fit an odd-size object into the cab.
Performance
Tacoma is available with either a standard 4-, or optional 6-cylinder engine. The new 2.7-liter, VVT-I, Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC), inline, four-cylinder engine generates 164-horsepower, and 183 lb-ft. of torque at 5,200 rpm. The revised 4.0-liter, VVT-I DOHC V6 produces 245-horsepower, and 282 lb-ft. of torque. It replaces the 2004 Tacoma’s 190-hp, 3.4-liter engine. Both engines come with Electronic Throttle Control System with intelligence (ETCS-i) to improve performance and fuel economy.
The 4-cylinder engine comes with either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. The V6 powered Tacoma transmissions each gain a gear, and are now available with either a 6-speed manual, or a 5-speed automatic.
Because the time we were allotted in the vehicles was short, we were only able to test the V6 models, and thus cannot attest to the performance of the four cylinder engine. The V6’s acceleration was acceptable, and good enough for daily use. But Tacoma is not a hotrod. The Tacomas with automatic transmissions were very smooth and comfortable to ride in, much more so than the ones equipped with manual transmissions.
The X-Runner version is powered by the same V-6 engine as other Tacoma models. It is not actually hot-rodded in the way the F-150 is morphed into the SVT Lightning. While Tacoma looks like it could win a drag race, it is unlikely it would.
Towing capacity for the V6 Tacoma is up to 6,500 pounds, a 30-percent increase over the 2004 V6 models.
Ride and Handling
Our test drive gave us ample time to try the truck off-road. It felt very capable on the modest course at the “Hollister Off-Highway Park” in Northern California. Climbing hills and rocks was easy with the Hill-start Assist Control. Descents were controlled thanks to the Downhill Assist Control, which worked very well; and we can attest to the fact that not all of these aides are as effective.
On the highway, the 2005 Toyota Tacoma is very comfortable. If you are using this truck for work you will feel comfortable behind the wheel on your way to, and from, the job.
The X-Runner version, which only comes in the Regular Cab configuration, is lowered and has a sports tuned suspension. It hugs the road fairly well. The ride was not overly rough considering the truck had stiffer suspension.
Safety
The 2005 Tacoma has not been crash tested by NHTSA yet. The 2004 two- wheel drive version scored a four-star rating for rollover resistance, while the four-wheel drive received three stars. NHTSA did not test the Tacoma for either frontal, or side, impacts. In the IIHS crash tests, the 2004 Tacoma earned an “acceptable” rating in the 40-mph, frontal-offset crash test. Unfortunately the 2004 Tacoma also earned a “poor” rating in both the 5-mph bumper, and head- restraint tests. Hopefully 2005 Tacoma tests better.
Tacoma is equipped with driver and front-passenger airbags, and head restraints for all seating positions in all models. Side-curtain, and front-seat side airbags are options on the Double Cab models only.
The 2005 Toyota Tacoma has a host of electronic driver aids available. Four-wheel antilock brakes are standard. Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (ABS) and Brake Assist (BA) supplement the system. The Brake Assist system determines if the driver is attempting emergency braking. If the driver has not stepped on the brake pedal hard enough to engage the ABS, the system supplements the applied braking power until pedal pressure is released.
For off-road safety, Tacomas with automatic transmissions can have Hill-start Assist Control (HAC). HAC manages the braking force for each wheel as needed. HAC prevents the vehicle from rolling backward, or slipping sideways, when starting to climb a grade from a stopped position.
When HAC is ordered along with the Toyota Racing Development (TRD) Off-Road Package on 4x4, V6, automatic models, a Downhill Assist Control (DAC) system is also available. The system uses engine braking to regulate downhill speed and independently controls the brakes for each wheel to improve directional stability. The feature also works in reverse and is automatically deactivated if the driver depresses the brake or accelerator pedals, presses the DAC button, or shifts into neutral. These two systems are very important for safety on a trail, or in hilly cities like San Francisco.
In Conclusion
The 2005 Toyota Tacoma is a good vehicle for its purpose. It is a value in its class as the MSRP is lower than the Chevrolet Canyon, Ford Ranger, or the Dodge Dakota. Tacoma is good on-road and very good off-road. With 18 model configurations available, there is a version of the truck for most uses. With Toyota’s legendary quality and reliability the 2005 Toyota Tacoma is a very safe buy.
Pros: Good all around truck for working people, solid and reliable. Very good off-road capability for fun, but a comfortable ride on the road for work commutes.
Cons: Less horsepower than a lot of their rivals.
Ratings (1-10)
- Style: 8
- Performance: 7
- Price: 9
- Handling: 8
- Ride: 7
- Comfort: 7
- Quality: 9
- Overall: 7.9
More Data
Where Built: Freemont California
Major Options: Vehicle Stability Control, Traction Control, Air Conditioning, Off-road Package.
Seating: 2-5
Number of Rows: 1-2
Length in Inches: 190.4 - 221.3
Warranties: 4 years/50,000 miles bumper to bumper, 12 years/unlimited miles corrosion protection, 3 years/36,000 miles free scheduled maintenance.
Weight in Pounds: 3,140 - 4,100
Cargo Capacity in Pounds: 1,405 - 1,685.
Gross Maximum Vehicle Weight in Pounds: 4,450 - 5,450.
Towing Capacity in Pounds: 3,500.
Gas Tank Capacity in Gallons: 21
Destination Charge: $565
