NEW TACOMA STILL KING OF THE HILL
TACOMA TRD AWD
If you find yourself behind a midsize truck on Chattanooga highways, chances are it’s a Toyota Tacoma. Since 1964, Toyota has sold more than 7 million small and midsize trucks, and the midsize Tacoma pickup has been king of the hill in its segment for the last decade. In any line of traffic south of Kentucky, there’s probably a Tacoma 4X4 or two.
With that stellar sales history, there’s a lot riding on Toyota’s 2016 update of its gold-standard midsize pickup. A new, more refined V- 6 is the big news for 2016; along with a few styling tweaks to keep things fresh.
Toyota is trying to hold off the competition, specifically GM’s excellent new Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon, which have just introduced diesel derivatives to stir the pot. So hold on to your grab handles, the midsize pickup wars are picking up.
Our Inferno Orange tester is a five-passenger, double-cab model outfitted in TRD trim, which is Toyota’s rally-racing inspired offroad package. It lists for $37,600, while a base Tacoma starts at $23,300.
Local dealerships say customers are claiming the new Tacomas before they even make it to the show-
Watch video about the new Tacoma TRD AWD at www.timesfreepress.com
room. Mark Smith, sales manager of North Georgia Toyota in Dalton, Ga., says most of his 2016 Tacoma sales are pre-orders from the pipeline of promised inventory.
“We can’t keep them in stock,” Smith said, noting that high resale value has always been a Tacoma selling point. Smith said the resale market for Tacoma trade-ins with 150,000 miles or more on the odometer is robust.
STYLING AND FEATURES
The redesigned Tacoma exterior includes a hexagonal grille and a taller, more muscular hood. It also has projector beam headlights and a new, easy-to-lower tailgate. While the overall dimensions haven’t changed much, the new Tacoma looks like an old Tacoma oiled up and flexing in the mirror.
Toyota says it was shooting for a “desert racer” look, with a bold front third and a lighter-looking rear. The new look is modern and masculine, and the glowin-the-dark Inferno Orange paint ensures that you’ll get a lot of double-takes from other motorists.
Our test truck is a fourdoor double cab model with a 5-foot bed. A more serviceable 6- foot bed is also available.
The new V- 6 engine in our tester produces 278 horsepower and is noticeably more refined than the previous six-cylinder engine. Equipped with the optional tow package ($650), the V-6 4X4 can pull up to 6,800 pounds. A 2.7 liter four-cylinder engine is also available, but most customers will check the V-6 box. Both engines are mated to a new six-speed automatic transmission, which also is a noticeable improvement over the old tranny.
Our four-wheel- drive test truck returns 23 miles per gallon highway and 18 miles per gallon city. The off- road package draws from Toyota’s decades of experience in desert racing. It includes special suspension tuning and upgraded shock absorbers.
Inside, the 2016 Tacoma has a more upscale feel, with more soft-touch materials and metallic accents. It looks rugged and durable. Our tester includes push-button start, power moon roof, dual zone climate controls and blind-spot monitor. A new windshield made of acoustic glass makes for a quieter driving experience.
A $ 2,330 Premium and Technology package includes heated front seats, rear parking sonar, and rear cross-traffic alert. Toyota’s excellent Entune telematics interface with an integrated navigation app comes standard.
DRIVING IMPRESSIONS
In double-cab configuration the Tacoma is a good SUV alternative for active families. Whether you need a truck for hauling mulch or slinging mud, the Tacoma is the segment leader for a reason.
In a week of active driving with our family of four, the Tacoma took a shift in the lacrosse carpool and hauled bicycles to a son’s play date. The back seat is plenty roomy for two boys, after they toss their sports gear in the bed.
The front seats are firm and 360-degree visibility is excellent.
We took the Tacoma on some hilly terrain to test its back-roads chops. The raised hood sometimes obscures the road ahead if you crest a hill on a steep grade. On mountain-climbing commutes, the midsize truck handled deftly, unlike a full- size truck, which can feel like a tank among open-wheel racers.
BOTTOM LINE
The Tacoma truck might just be the safest investment in the truck world. On the outside chance that you’re unhappy with your purchase, there will be a line of buyers for your trade.
This year’s mechanical and styling updates will no doubt allow the Tacoma to retain the championship belt in this weight class. Whether it’s victory by knock-out or judges’ decision remains to be seen.
Contact Mark Kennedy at mkennedy@ timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6645. Follow him on Twitter @TFPCOL UMNIST. Subscribe to his Facebook updates at www.facebook.com /mkennedycolumnist.