Toyota Tacoma

The Toyota Tacoma is one of the best selling compact pick-up trucks available in the U.S. It is manufactured at the NUMMI plant in California, which also makes the Toyota Corolla and is known for high quality and employee involvement. The Tacoma, which is an Indian word for Mount Rainer, was originally introduced in the U.S. market in 1995 in an effort by the Toyota Motor Corporation to compete more aggressively in the compact truck market. Since its introduction, the Tacoma has been through several iterations and even named "Best Vehicle on Earth" by 160 different countries, the latest major upgrades occuring in 2005 which earned it Motor Trend's "Truck of the Year" award.

See WikiCars' comprehensive Toyota Tacoma Review.

Styles and Major Options

 * The 2006 Toyota Tacoma comes in three body styles: Regular Cab, Access Cab (extended cab) and Double Cab (crew cab). Each is available with two-wheel or four-wheel drive.


 * The standard features on the regular cab include a CD player, a full-size spare tire and a tachometer.


 * Standard features on the access cab include those on the regular cab plus bucket seats, air conditioning and a pair of rear access doors.


 * The double cab has the same features as the access cab plus keyless entry and power windows, locks and mirrors.


 * Tacomas are also available in a "PreRunner" version, which is a 2WD model that has the looks and heavy-duty suspension of the 4WD models.


 * The optional SR5 package features color-keyed and chrome trim, intermittent wipers and upgraded interior trim.


 * The available TRD Sport package includes performance suspension and upgraded tires, while the TRD Off-Road package features meaty tires, heavy-duty off-road suspension, and an electrically controlled locking rear differential.

Pricing
2006 4x2 Regular Cab
 * Base MSRP: $14,585
 * Base PreRunner MSRP: $15,455

2006 4x2 Access Cab
 * Base MSRP: $18,025
 * PreRunner 4 cyl. MSRP: $18,785
 * PreRunner 6 cyl. MSRP: $20,240
 * X-Runner MSRP: $24,350

2006 4x2 Double Cab
 * PreRunner 127.8 inch wheelbase MSRP: $22,845
 * PreRunner 140.9 inch wheelbase MSRP: $23,345

2006 4x4 Regular Cab
 * Base MSRP: $18,530

2006 4x4 Access Cab
 * Base 4 cyl. MSRP: $21,860
 * Base 6 cyl. MSRP: $23,415

2006 4x4 Double Cab
 * Base 127.8 inch wheelbase MSRP: $25,040
 * Base 140.9 inch wheelbase MSRP: $26,420

Today's actual prices by city can be found at CarsDirect.

Gas Mileage
EPA estimates.

Reliability
JD Power and Associates give the 2005 an overall quality rating of 3 out of 5, indicating that it is about average for others in it's class. 2006 data is not currently avaiable.

Safety
Standard safety features include:
 * Driver and front passenger airbags with Advanced Airbag System
 * 4-wheel Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist
 * Driver and front passenger seatbelts with pretensioner, force limiters and adjustable shoulder anchors
 * 3-point seatbelts in all front seating positions with driver-side Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) and front passenger Automatic/Emergency Locking Retractor (ALR/ELR)
 * 3-point seatbelts with ELR and ALR in all rear seating positions
 * Side-impact door beams in all doors
 * Child Restraint System (CRS) lower anchors -- front passenger seat on Regular Cab, front and rear passenger seat on Access Cab and rear outboard seats on Double Cab
 * Child Restraint System (CRS) top tether anchors -- passenger and center front seat on Regular Cab with bench seat, passenger seat on Regular Cab with bucket seats, passenger seat on Access Cab and all rear seating positions on Double Cab
 * Child-protector rear door locks
 * Power window lockout

Photos
Exterior and interior photos of the 2006 Tacoma.

Colors
Colors vary by trim but include:
 * Super White
 * Radiant Red
 * Indigo Ink Pearl
 * Desert Sand Mica
 * Black Sand Pearl
 * Silver Streak Mica
 * Speedway Blue
 * Impulse Red Pearl

Main Competitors
Main competitors in the compact truck market include:
 * Chevrolet Colorado
 * Dodge Dakota
 * Ford Ranger
 * GMC Canyon
 * Mazda B2300
 * Mitsubishi Raider
 * Nissan Frontier

Unique Attributes
In addition to its rugged off-road models, Toyota developed a high performance version of the Tacoma, the X-Runner. The X-Runner name comes from its exclusive "X-braced" reinforced frame that provides enhanced rigidity. This sports-truck is powered by a 245-horsepower 4.0-liter V6 engine, which allows for acceleration form zero-to-60 in under seven seconds. The X-Runner has full ground effects surrounding the vehicle, a hood scoop, and integrated fog lamps. It is only offered in three colors: Radiant Red, Black Sand, and Speedway Blue. The X-Runner suspension was lowered one inch versus the standard Tacoma frame and comes with 255/45R18 Bridgestone Potenza performance tires on 18-inch alloy wheels.

Resale Values
Toyota dealers generally won't haggle too much on price but because of Tacoma's reputation for quality and reliability, late model used Tacoma's sell for almost as much as new ones.

Criticisms
Older Tacomas (1995-2004) are prone to frame rust. There are many trucks whose body shows almost no rust but whose frame is rusted beyond repair. In addition to being potentially dangerous, this can cause the truck to fail a state safety inspection.

The rust is typically worst near the spot where the front of the rear leaf spring connects to the frame. If you are considering purchasing an older Tacoma, inspect this area!

On March 8 2008, Toyota announced an Extended Warranty program for Tacomas 1995-2000. This extended warranty specifically covers the frame rust problem, and extends coverage to 15 years. Upon inspection, Toyota is purchasing the vehicles back from the owners for 150% of the Kelly Blue Book retail value for an excellent condition Tacoma.

Toyota learned of this problem by concerned owners contacting them directly regarding this perforation rust on the frame. Unfortunately for some of these owners, who had to either sell or scrap their vehicles due to the damage, Toyota refuses to extend any type of compensation, although Toyota had been contacted regarding the rust damage to these individuals trucks, and developed this "Customer Care" program specifically due to their complaints.

Current Generation: (2005–present)

 * The new Tacoma’s are larger than the previous generation. The Regular Cab 4x2 models are built on a new 109.4-inch wheelbase (an increase of 5.9-inches).  The 4x2 Access Cab models are on a 127.2-inch wheelbase (an increase of 5.3-inches).  The new Double Cab long-bed models are on a 140.9-inch wheelbase.


 * Front and rear track have been widened by nearly four inches.


 * The Tacoma Access Cab models received new dual rear access doors.


 * Rear doors on Double Cab models are more than three inches longer than before and open to 80 degrees.

The double cab models also feature overall less interior room than it's primary competior the Nissan Frontier


 * Tacoma offers a stronger, stiffer chassis and improved maneuverability.


 * New suspension and steering tuning improve off-road performance and on-road ride and handling.


 * Two new engines are available: a new 2.7-liter VVT-i DOHC four-cylinder engine that produces 164 horsepower and 183 lb-ft. of torque and a revised 4.0-liter VVT-i DOHC V6 that produces 245 horsepower and 282 lb-ft. of torque (replacing the 190-hp 3.4-liter V6 in the 2004 models). Both feature a new Electronic Throttle Control System with intelligence (ETCS-i) that helps improve performance and fuel economy.


 * Towing capacity improved with the V6-models which can now tow up to 6,500 pounds, a 30-percent increase over the 5,000-lb towing capacity of the 2004 V6 models.

First generation (1995-2004)

 * The all-new model had a driver-side airbag, and featured new interior and exterior styling.


 * Tacoma had three engines available, two 4-cylinders and a V6. The new engines included a 142-horsepower dual-overhead-cam 2.4-liter, a 150-horsepower dual-overhead-cam 2.7-liter, and a 190-horsepower dual-overhead cam 3.4-liter V6.


 * The Tacoma also came with a redesigned chassis and suspension and came with rack-and-pinion steering in place of the previous recirculating ball system.


 * Later came a new off-road package that included a locking rear differential.


 * In early 2000, the 4-door Double Cab was introduced with four front-opening doors and a 60/40 folding rear bench seat. All models got a restyled front end with a raised hood and prominent grille. Also added was a new S-Runner model--a manual-transmission V6 PreRunner Xtracab with stiffer springs, premium shock absorbers, color-keyed exterior, and special interior appointments.

Origins
The original Toyota pickup was the 1935 G1, which was a 1.5 ton stake-bed commercial truck. After World War II, Toyota returned with a compact pickup truck, the Toyopet Model SB. This remained in production from 1947 through 1963. Toyota entered the American market with the 1964 introduction of the Stout. It was larger than the similar Datsun and Mazda compact trucks at the time, and looked like a Chevrolet C/K. The Hi-Lux name was coined in 1969, but it was a “highly-luxurious” vehicle only when compared to the Stout. The only body style was a regular cab short bed and all were rear-wheel drive. In 1975 the Hi-Lux name was dropped and replaced by “Pickup Truck.” There were many iterations of the “Pickup” Truck from the mid 70’s all the way up to 1995 when the Tacoma was introduced as Toyota’s ninth generation pickup.

Jeremy Clarkson famously tried to destroy an 80's Toyota Pickup in the hit show "Top Gear." He failed.

This pickup was available with a 2.4 Liter 4 Cylinder or 3.0 Liter V6. This truck rides were nice. It corners and handles like a lexus and gets 35-40 miles per gallon on a 2 wheel drive four cylinder.

Awards
The 2005 redesigned Tacoma was named Motor Trend magazine's Truck of the Year for overall design, fuel efficiency and reliability.