New Car Review of the 2005 Toyota Tacoma Mid-Size Pickup Truck

Description: Mid-Size Pickup Truck
Base MSRP Range: $13,415 - $25,250
Invoice Price Range: $12,432 - $22,886
Where built: USA

It's a bigger truck, stretching for six inches longer and nearly four inches wider, which brings more room for riders in the cab and more cargo space. And this new design for Tacoma performs better with more powerful engines and boosted towing capacity. Tacoma looks tough with a raised hood and big front grille. Models include three cabin designs with the two-door Regular Cab and extended Access Cab plus a four-door Double Cab.

Powertrains begin with a twin-cam 2.7-liter 4-cylinder engine worth 164-hp, but a new 4.0-liter V6 is also on tap with 245-hp. Both 2WD and 4WD versions are offered, as well as special editions like PreRunner and X-Runner.

Prerunner with RWD traction has the look of a customized 4WD truck with a tall stance and flared fenders. X-Runner, a swoopy performance truck with ground effects and hood scoop added, draws its name from x-brace frame reinforcements to increase torsional rigidity. An optional TRD (Toyota Racing Development) Off-Road package for 4WD Tacoma trucks adds a locking rear differential, progressive-rate front springs and Bilstein shocks plus big Goodrich Rugged Trail tires.