Auto123.com - Helping you drive happy

2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport Review: We test the manual transmission-equipped pickup

2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport
Photo: D.Rufiange
Get the best interest rate
Daniel Rufiange
Is the experience aboard this truck different with the manual?

Auto123 reviews the 2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport with manual transmission.

Toyota's Tacoma pickup has always been available with a manual transmission, in addition to the automatic, of course. While in the past a significant number of variants could be had with three pedals instead of two, the percentage is much more marginal today.

So much so that opportunities to drive a version equipped with this type of gearbox only come along very rarely. Recently, Toyota decided to add a TRD Sport variant with a V6 engine and 6-speed manual transmission to its fleet.

We weren't going to miss this opportunity. For the fun of it, yes, but also to see if you get more out of a pickup with a manual transmission than just the fun of it? In other words, are there any advantages in opting for a version equipped with a manual gearbox, yes or no?

Discover Shopicar! All new makes and models and all current promotions.

2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport, three-quarters rear
2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport, three-quarters rear
Photo: D.Rufiange

The positives
The first thing about this version is that it's just cool. It's fun, after you’ve heard over and over how the manual transmission is no longer popular, to drive with one and note the enthusiastic reactions of folks when they learn the model you’re driving has such a unit.

Perceptions are funny.

Then there's the pleasure associated with being in full control of a vehicle with the constant manipulation of the gear selector. Yes, it annoys many people, especially in heavy traffic, but as far as I'm concerned, I never get tired of it. The manual gearbox is often associated with driving pleasure, and that's as true in the case of a pickup truck as it is with a racy sports model or a vintage car.

Then, from this increased control comes a fuller exploitation of the power underfoot. In the case of the V6 engine serving this Toyota Tacoma, the official cavalry is 278 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque. However, my personal preference is to maximize output by means of a transmission that allows me to choose when the gears shift. I've always found the V6 engine a bit pushy with the 6-speed automatic transmission; with the mechanical gearbox, that's less the case. In third gear in particular, when you leave the pedal at the bottom of the throttle in full acceleration, it feels like all the horses are responding. Not so with the automatic transmission, which always feels like some of them are napping.

2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport, gear shifter
2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport, gear shifter
Photo: D.Rufiange

Finally, a word about the smoothness of the clutch. At the beginning of my test week, I had to turn off the audio system to hear the engine and "feel" the apex point with my left foot. Everything works so smoothly that it's hard to tell if the engine stalled or if it's still running. You get used to it, but this smoothness also debunks  the myth that a manual transmission is necessarily a lot of work when in traffic with a manual transmission. You don't work harder; maybe you did once, but no longer.

The negatives
Obviously, the manual gearbox, a net plus for those who actually like driving a vehicle so equipped, becomes a disadvantage for those who do not.

Beyond that, there’s a substantial difference in the vehicle's fuel consumption performance. With the automatic transmission, official ratings are 13.0L/100 km (city) and 10.5L/100 km (highway), for a combined average of 11.9L/100 km. With the manual transmission, the averages are 13.8L, 11.4L and 12.7L.

During my week-long test drive, I made a round-trip to Toronto (to try out the new Ford Bronco Sport) and my average speed of 115 km/h gave me exactly…. 11.4L/100 km. On country roads, I did manage to get the rating down to 10.8L/100 km, but frankly there's nothing impressive about that.

Yes I know, buyers pay less attention to fuel economy ratings when it comes to a pickup truck, but still, there's a notable enough difference between the two types of transmissions that some potential Tacoma owners will hesitate.

2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport, front
2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport, front
Photo: D.Rufiange

Finally, one element that can be seen as a disadvantage or inconvenience relates to the resale value of the vehicle. While it’s pretty clear some potential buyers will be put off by the presence of a third pedal, you can be sure that if you have a model so equipped to offer, you’ll attract THE person looking for precisely the gem in your possession. Here, it's all about perception and I'd rather look at the glass half full than half empty.

And by the way, if you were wondering, the towing capacity is the same from one box to another (2,900 kg to 2,950 kg, depending on the cab configuration).

The Tacoma
Does the Toyota Tacoma even still need a presentation? It's been around since 2015 in much the same form and even the redesign it received at that point was timid. Which means, of course, that this truck is seriously due for a renewal. It has to be done next year. The irony is that it had its best year in terms of sales last year in the United States with 248,801 units sold. Which makes it understandable that for Toyota, there’s no rush. Already, in the first seven months of this year marked by the pandemic, some 122,000 models have found buyers.

2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport, bed with open tailgate
2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport, bed with open tailgate
Photo: D.Rufiange

In Canada, sales have been strong and stable since 2015, Toyota racking up between 11,500 and 14,000 in sales annually. However, the Tacoma is slightly outperformed here by the Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon duo, which is not the case south of the border.

Put that down to reputation; for Canadians, the Tacoma's reputation is solid. That said, Toyota needs to refresh the model if it wants to keep or grow market share.

We'll know more about the company’s plans next year. Or not.

We like

The pure pleasure associated with driving a truck with manual transmission
It is as reliable and predictable as the tide
Its simple side

We like less

Its aging side
Much higher consumption with the manual gearbox
The chronic and befuddling inaccuracy of the GPS system (calculation of arrival time, time remaining on the route, etc.)

The competition

Chevrolet Colorado
GMC Canyon
Nissan Frontier
Ford Ranger
Jeep Gladiator
Honda Ridgeline

2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport, rear
2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport, rear
Photo: D.Rufiange

Road Tests and Reviews

Consumers
2020 Toyota Tacoma
Review this Vehicle
Styling
Accessories
Space and Access
Comfort
Performance
Driving Dynamics
Safety
General Appreciation
Name
Email
Comment
Password
Forgot your password? Click here
Cancel
2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro
toyota tacoma 2020
2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro
Review this Vehicle
Styling
Accessories
Space and Access
Comfort
Performance
Driving Dynamics
Safety
General Appreciation
Name
Email
Comment
Password
Forgot your password? Click here
Cancel
Photos:D.Rufiange
2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport pictures
Daniel Rufiange
Daniel Rufiange
Automotive expert
  • Over 17 years' experience as an automotive journalist
  • More than 75 test drives in the past year
  • Participation in over 250 new vehicle launches in the presence of the brand's technical specialists