Not a Redneck Truck?

Toyota trucks have never been perceived as "redneck" trucks in the way that good-old American iron has, although the new Tacoma--incidentally, built in Fremont, California--goes a long way toward changing such a perception with the infusion of more horsepower and heightened visual aggression.

The Tacoma is trying to change the way people look at it.

Completely New Design
Not to be outdone by the massive grilles and bold lines featured on many "redneck" mid-size and even compact pickups of late, Toyota has "toughened-up" the Tacoma's appearance considerably--and quite successfully I might add. The new rig features a prominent grille of its own along with sharpened lines and oddly-shaped, sassy wheel openings. Overall the balanced, proportionate look exhibits "sportiness" without resorting to styling cues meant to menace and intimidate drivers of MINIs and Smarts.

Interior Also Improved
The Tacoma's cabin has moved a notch or two upscale for 2007. It's still fairly "truck-like" but in a more Camry-esque way. Front seats are larger and more standard equipment is fitted into the redesigned, accurately-assembled cab than found in previous-generation Tacomas. The improvements make this a welcoming environment from which to administer driving duties once the climb into its elevated office is accomplished. Regrettably, the cabin doesn't contain side airbags or curtain airbags--not even as options.

The high-riding, 4X4 Double Cab is the largest Tacoma available. Four doors provide easy access to its voluminous cabin, behind which sits a 6-foot box provided the 5-speed automatic transmission is chosen; curiously, the 6-speed manual transmission is accompanied by a 5-foot box. Give or take a foot, this is a big vehicle for its compact-class rating, with very good leg and headroom in all five seating positions. The cabin also offers plenty of practicality with fold-flat, 60/40-split rear seating, which transforms the rear quarters of Toyota's double cab into a commodious cargo bay replete with a durable plastic floor.

The car-like cabin offers plenty of room at all seating positions.

More Hauling Power with V6 Economy
Every Tacoma 4X4 is equipped with Toyota's big, 4.0-litre V6 engine capable of pumping-out 236 horsepower @ 5,200 rpm and an impressive dose of 266 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. That's sufficient grunt to hustle the ample-sized truck more authoritatively than some V8-powered pickups I've run with. The generous heaping of torque also contributes to the 2,268 kg (5,000 lb) tow rating assigned to the 4X4 Tacoma.

This workhorse mill can match the performance of many V8-equipped vehicles.

Need more pull? Along with additional comfort and convenience items, Toyota's TRD Sport and Towing Package ups the 4X4 Double Cab's tow rating to 2,948 kg (6,500 lb) with the installation of a limited-slip rear differential, Blistein shock absorbers, 17-inch alloy wheels, skid plates and an upgraded alternator. The package also supplies colour-keyed body highlights and an imitation hood scoop, which I simply find embarrassing. Less embarrassing is the Tacoma's fuel economy.

Supplying expensive golden nectar to six cylinders is generally less onerous on the pocketbook than supplying eight. The 4X4 Double Cab, as tested, is rated at 13.4 and 10.2 litres of fuel per 100K of city and highway driving respectively. Not great economy but given the vehicle's size and its powerful 4X4 drivetrain, it's far from out of line.

Tacoma in Motion
I've never enjoyed driving 4X4 pickups due to their bulk, poor handling dynamics and rigid ride characteristics. While rigid, the ride of the Tacoma was quite pleasant within 4X4 parameters; I could definitely live with it. Ride quality was enhanced by the vehicle's overall solidity. Throughout my time behind the wheel, I never experienced body flex of note or the shudder and shake so often inherent in long-wheelbase pickups.

Handling dynamics delivered no eyebrow-raising unpleasantness either. Bearing in mind the truck's high centre of gravity, directional changes felt secure and composed. Steering resistance is on the light side with feedback typical of this sort of vehicle. Attributes such as these make the Tacoma 4X4 Double Cab a very easy, relaxing rig to drive long distances in or simply maneuver through congested city traffic.

Although road and wind noises are suitably managed, I expected the Tacoma's brawny V6 to operate with slightly more polish. Perhaps I was expecting too much based on my perception of Toyota V6 engines being among the most refined in the industry. Despite this incongruity, I found nothing offensive in its operation; it seemed consistent with others in the mid-size truck segment, not significantly better.

The Tacoma provides a comfortable ride and good road manners despite its high stance.

Plenty of Choices and Prices
The base Tacoma is a two-wheel-drive unit featuring Toyota's Access Cab architecture, which provides rudimentary fold-down rear seating. When equipped with the Tacoma's base, 159-horsepower 2.7-litre I-4 powerplant, pricing starts at $22,760. Moving up the Tacoma price chain leads to an entry of $32,535 for the 4X4 Double Cab and $39,080 for the TRD version tested. So, yes, the Tacoma offers value at the low end but ticking too many boxes can rapidly escalate the price and compromise overall value.

Be aware that this compact pickup truck may not fit in your garage.

Yet the Tacoma has a lot to offer, especially the elongated Double Cab TRD. It's a solidly-built, well thought-out truck that defies its compact-class rating. In fact, its length of 5,621-mm (221.3-in) may exceed the depth of many garages.


Powerful 4.0-litre V6 engine
Solidity
Defies its compact-class rating



Engine could use more operational polish
Price climbs rapidly



Loose the fake hood scoop
Add side airbags and curtain airbags