Base MSRP Range: $13,780 - $25,615
Base Invoice Range: $12,769 - $23,217
MSRP As Tested:
Versions: Regular cab, Access Cab, Double Cab
Vehicle Category: Compact Pickup Truck
Engine Location: Front Engine
Drive Wheels: Four-Wheel Drive, > Rear-Wheel Drive.
Standard Engine: 2.7-liter, Dual Overhead Cam, 16-valves, I-4, 159 - horsepower at 5200 rpm and 180 lb-ft torque at 3800 rpm.
Optional Engine as Tested: 4.0-liter, Dual Overhead Cam, 24-valves, V-6, 236 -horsepower at 5200 rpm and 266 lb-ft torque at 4000 rpm.
Transmission: Four-speed automatic, Five-speed automatic, Five-speed manual, Six-speed manual.
Fuel Economy (city/hwy): Four-speed automatic 21/26, Five-speed automatic18/22, Five-speed manual 20/27, Six-speed manual 16/21.
Standard Safety Features: Dual front airbags, ">Antilock brakes, Brake assist, Tire-pressure monitor.
Competition:
There was a time when "compact truck" really meant "claustrophobic, micro-sized, knee-crunching truck that should only be bought by anorexic contortionists."
But today's compact trucks -- well, there's nothing compact about them.
Toyota's Tacoma is the perfect example. Once a dinky little truck with dinky little doors and a dinky little bench seat, today the Tacoma has morphed into a big, tall, four-wheel-drive, four-door, brawny pickup. It's not dinky at all.
After introducing an all-new Tacoma for 2005, Toyota's smallest hauler probably remains the best truck in its class for 2006. It's roomy, quiet, powerful and refined.
In fact, my only gripe about it has to do with the way it looks.
Instead of taking an aggressive styling stance like the Nissan Titan or Chevy Colorado, for example, Toyota kept the Tacoma's body relatively conservative. It looks slightly better than the old model, but it still shows some influence from the outgoing Camry with smooth, rounded fenders and a small grille that looks far too graceful to be on a truck.
(NOTE TO TOYOTA: Next time you design a pickup, make it look tough enough that writers won't have to resort to words like "graceful" to describe it. Give it a family resemblance to Paul Bunyan, not the Camry. Got it?)
Aside from that subjective styling quibble, there's not much to dislike about it. The ride and drive are excellent, with a surprisingly quiet cabin and a suspension that soaks up the potholes better than you'd expect in a four-wheel-drive pickup.
Predictably, Toyota offers lots of configurations for the Tacoma, ranging from a two-wheel-drive Regular Cab model ($13,780 with a manual transmission) to a decked-out 4x4 Double Cab with four big doors ($25,615 with a long bed, V6 and automatic tranny).
Two engines are available, forcing buyers to make a choice between economy and brute strength. A 2.7-liter, four-cylinder engine makes 164 horsepower, while a 4.0-liter V6 makes 245 horsepower and 282 foot-pounds of torque, enough to tow up to 6,500 pounds.
The EPA rates gas mileage at 21 miles per gallon in town and 27 on the highway with a four-cylinder powerplant, while the six-cylinder version gets up to 18 mpg in the city and 21 on the highway.
Two transmissions are offered with the V6 engine: a six-speed manual and a five-speed automatic. The four-cylinder models offer a choice between a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic transmission.
Overall, the Tacoma is a fantastic truck. Not only does it have Toyota's reputation for quality and reliability over the long haul, it's got the size and power to compete with any compact trucks on the road today.
If it only looked as great as it drove, Toyota could finally give the American brands a real battle.
Pros: It's bigger, more powerful and more refined than ever. Not only does it have the size, but it also has a Toyota badge and the good reputation for quality that comes with it.
Cons: Only if you dislike like the watered-down, Camry-like styling.
Ratings (1-10)
- Style: 5
- Performance: 8
- Price: 9
- Handling: 6
- Ride: 7
- Comfort: 7
- Quality: 10
- Overall: 9
More Data
Where Built: USA
Major Options: Enhancement Package, Standard Package, Convenience Package, TRD Off-Road Package, SR5 Package, Sport Package, Preferred Accessory Package, Towing Package. Front side airbags and curtain side airbags, Vehicle stability control, Daytime running lights, Air conditioning, Bed extender, Storage box, Super sport shell, Roof rack, Tubular side steps, Running boards, Tow-hitch receiver, Alloy wheels AL. Postproduction options also available.
Seating: 3 - 5
Number of Rows: 1 - 2
Length in Inches: 190.4 - 221.3
Warranties: 3 years/36,000 miles Bumper to bumper, 5 years/60,000 miles Extended powertrain, 5 years/unlimited miles Corrosion protection, 3 years / 36,000 miles Free roadside assistance.
Weight in Pounds: 3140 lbs - 4100 lbs.
Cargo Capacity in Pounds: 1685 lbs - 1485 lbs.
Gross Maximum Vehicle Weight in Pounds: Not available.
Towing Capacity in Pounds: 3500 lbs - 6500 lbs..
Gas Tank Capacity in Gallons: 21.0
Destination Charge: $565
