‘BAD ASS’ HILL CLIMBER
Redesigned Tacoma pickup at ease in the city, unstoppable in the back 40
Inside a museum in Hampshire, U.K., sits a Toyota pickup that’s been so badly beaten, burned and abused, it’s a wonder there’s anything left to look at. The 1988 diesel Hilux was savagely tortured during two Top Gear episodes produced with the intent of killing the little red truck.
Yet even after the truck endured burns, flooding and horrible impacts, there came a murmuring of the heart: This was one Toyota that wasn’t going gently into that good night. It proved you couldn’t kill a Toyota truck — even if you tried.
Imbued with that warrior spirit, Toyota’s Tacoma mid-size pickup has long reigned supreme. Despite minimal updates over the past 10 years, the Tacoma has remained a North American sweetheart. It’s been the bestselling mid-size truck for the past decade in the U.S., with some 10,000 units sold in Canada last year.
And now, the 2016 Tacoma arrives with a fresh heart, wearing newly chiselled armour and with an interior that’s more sophisticated than anything else in this class.
Adored by those who love the outdoors, the 2016 Tacoma might look chunkier than before, but it retains the trademark look that’s made it endearing all these years. It hasn’t grown much in width or height, only a little in length and hip room. There’s still a high, flat floor, but it doesn’t feel awkward or cramped inside. And it’s much easier to drive than a full-sized truck, even if it’s capable of towing up to 2,950 kilograms or carrying up to 735 kg.
Yes, the hood is more muscular, with a scoop still available on the TRD Sport. A damped tailgate is lockable, reinforced and stamped with Tacoma on the back. The bed is still covered in composite (with a folding cover now available) and the 120V outlet is still included. A backup camera is standard and trailer wiring ports are now properly housed in the bumper.
The new bulldog face gets simple projector headlamps and LED running lights on some models. LED tail lights are dropped in.
But looks are only half of what makes the Tacoma unique. The bigger question of quality, drivability and reliability is what sets the Tacoma apart, said Mike Sweers, Toyota’s chief engineer for the Tundra and Tacoma. Sure, the new model had to be “bad ass,” he said — but the 2016 also had to be better than the truck it’s replacing.
The new Tacoma is leaps and bounds better, arguably the best mid-size truck available today: comfortable and at ease in the city, yet a total party animal when unleashed in the back forty.
On many roads, the ride stood out for how remarkably behaved it was, far better than many unibody SUVs. Electronic steering was eschewed for the better feel and feedback of hydraulic, and the truck tracks well. The brakes are tight and responsive.
When the time came to travel up and down steep inclines, over rocky roads, big boulders and soft sand, the Tacoma proved it can reach just about any destination. It feels unstoppable.
There were no squeaks or rattles over horribly rough roads and changing landscapes. And for those sandy, muddy or rocky roads, a new selectable-terrain system allows drivers to set the throttle response, brake aggressiveness and traction control.
Aided by “crawl control” that uses low-speed cruise and hilldescent control to automatically work the throttle and brakes from one to five mph, it allows the driver to concentrate on steering calmly through an otherwise certain death.
Perhaps the biggest mechanical change is under the hood. While the old 2.7-litre four cylinder is still available on base models, a new V-6 replaces the 4.0 litre, an engine that was a pig on fuel.
We averaged 14.5 L/100 kilometres in combined highway and city driving. With an 80-litre tank, 600-700 kilometres of highway driving should be possible before refuelling.
Power does not underwhelm, and the new six-speed automatic transmission shifts deliberately and cleanly. A five-speed manual is available with the four cylinder, and a six-speed manual can be paired with the V6.
The cabin, too, is much quieter, with noise reduced by 43 per cent.
Heated side mirrors are finally available, though there’s no power-sliding rear window, no heated steering wheel or heated rear seats.
There is, however, wireless charging, dual-zone auto climate, much better seats, blind-spot monitoring and a smart-key system with push-button start. And the layout, especially with a 4.2-inch info screen nested between the main gauges, as well as a seven-inch colour touch screen, is pleasing to the eye and to the touch. The centre cubby could be bigger.
As before, the Tacoma comes in double cab (four door) or access cab configurations. Pricing will be announced closer to the onsale date at the end of September.