Perennially popular Toyota Tacoma pickup overhauled for 2016
A redesigned, new-generation Tacoma is a pretty big deal. It’s also rare.
The “Taco” as it’s often affectionately called, has huge cred on the road or off. Diverse camps have validated the mid-size pickup’s reputation of being able to take a licking yet keep on ticking. There’s the paying customer who purchased 1.45 million Tacomas in the U.S. from 2005 through 2014. Then there’s the media — Consumer Reports calls it “practically bulletproof.” The truck even gets the tacit endorsement of the U.S. military, whose special operations teams have outfitted Tacomas for battle duty.
The third-generation 2016 Tacoma is the first major overhaul the truck has undergone in a decade. Changes were geared toward refinement, fuel efficiency and safety. Our initial driving confirm the new Taco is quieter, more refined and smoother.
Though its new skin has been styled and tweaked for improved aerodynamics and reduced noise, in most respects the 2016 Tacoma’s dimensions mirror those of the outgoing model. But no pickups ever
seem to shrink these days and the 2016 Tacoma comes in 4.2 inches longer. (See accompanying chart)
An important piece of the 2016 Tacoma story is hidden. A significant portion of the new structure and cabs — there are still two: the extended (“Access”) and crew (“Double”) — are made of high-strength and ultra-high strength steel. The material helps the Tacoma meet ever-tougher federal safety requirements and helps when trying to avoid putting on too many pounds.
Aerodynamics play a role in fuel economy and Toyota’s engineers swear the 2016 Tacoma has 23 pounds less drag. Some of the aero changes, like outside mirror shape and placement, the introduction of cab-tobed seals and tighter door and panel gaps, have the side benefit of reducing noise.
Though there are still two engines — a four- and a V6 — there’s a lot that’s new in powertrains. The 2.7-liter inline four returns with the same 159 horses and 180 lb.-ft. of torque. The V6 is a new player: Now 3.5 liters instead of the coarse 4.0 liter engine in the 2015, the Tacoma V6 features direct and port fuel injection and delivers 278 horsepower and 265 lb.-ft. of torque.
There are three transmissions, two of which are new. Four-cylinder buyers who opt for a manual gearbox get the carryover five-speed. But there’s a new electronically controlled six-speed automatic that’s lighter and more efficient, thanks to fewer components and low-friction materials and bearings. The auto’s extra gearing means the smaller V6 actually results in more total torque at the rear wheels. There’s also a new six-speed manual that Toyota said offers slicker shifting and has more durable carbon synchronizers and bearings.
Estimated EPA city/highway fuel ratings for the 2.7-liter Tacomas are 19/21 for five-speed manual 4WD; 19/23 with the sixspeed automatic 2WD; and 19/22 for 4WD with automatic. Mileage estimates for the 3.5-liter models: 19/24 for six-speed auto and 2WD; 17/21 six-speed manual and 4WD; and 18/23 for six-speed auto 4WD.
Grade walk
Decisions, decisions. Do you go with two-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive? And with five trim levels, two engines, two cabs, two bed lengths and three transmissions to choose from, it’s easy to see how Toyota can offer 29 configurations to cover nearly any buyer’s needs or budget. Base sticker prices range from $23,300 to $37,820, not including $950 destination. (In case you’re wondering, Toyota’s 2015 Tundra full-size pickups start at $28,640 and go up to $49,080.)
The Tacoma SR trim is the basic truck featuring standard air conditioning, deck rail system with four adjustable tie-down cleats and four fixed tie-down points, styled steel wheels with 245/75R16 tires, sliding rear glass, lockable tailgate with color-matching spoiler and infotainment system with Bluetooth hands-free phone interface. Like every 2016 Tacoma, the SRs have backup camera display, lockable and dampened tailgate, and a windshield mount for GoPro video cameras as standard equipment.
The venerable SR5 grade adds convenience and comfort features such as cruise control, leather-trimmed tilt/telescopic steering wheel, fog lights, sliding rear window with privacy glass, 4.2-inch color information display with outside temperature and average fuel economy, remote keyless entry system and variable intermittent wipers.
The TRD Sport ratchets things up functionality and attitude. Standard fare includes hood scoop, turn-signal indicators in the outside rearview mirrors, LED daytime running lights and wide-angle fog lights, a higher resolution 7-inch display with premium audio system, a 120 volt/400 watt AC power outlet, wider 265/65R17 tires on machined alloy wheels, Qi wireless charging for compatible mobile devices, leathertrimmed shift lever and auto-dimming rearview mirror with compass. TRD Sport and above is also where Tacomas with auto transmissions get driver-door smart key and push-button start.
The TRD Off-Road is aimed at the 45 percent of owners that Toyota said take their Tacoma off the pavement. For the other 55 percent, Toyota offers the OffRoad with two-wheel-drive. Off-Roads get 265/70R16 tires on their own alloy wheels, Bilstein shock absorbers, electronically controlled locking rear differential that’s also beefier (8.75-inch vs. 8-inch on all other Tacomas with automatic transmissions) and crawl control. Automatic trans-equipped Off-Roads come with a multiterrain select system that provides optimal traction, depending on whether you’re navigating loose rock, mud or sand.
If leather is a must, the Tacoma Limited is the (only) way to go. Additional pampering comes from standard power tilt/sliding moonroof, premium JBL infotainment system, and HomeLink. Safety and security technologies like blind-spot monitoring, reverse parking sensors and rear cross-traffic alert are also standard.