Test Drive: 2016 Toyota Tacoma

Published 12:00 am Friday, March 11, 2016

For buyers looking to haul heavy loads or tow can opt for a new 3.5-liter V-6. The engine uses both port and direct injection, depending on driving conditions.

Tacoma has completely redesigned the Tacoma to dominate the midsize truck market — a niche that didn’t always exist and that seemed to be stagnating until recently.

Once upon a time, trucks came in two sizes: American and Japanese. Amercian trucks were big, came with six and eight cylinder engines, and could carry up to five adults when ordered with crew cabs. Japanese trucks were small, came with four and six cylinder engines, and could accommodate a few bags of groceries behind the front seat when ordered with an extended cab.

American trucks were just about the only ones sold in the U.S. until the gas crisis of the 1970s, which opened the door for the more fuel-efficient Japanese models. Many consumers quickly figured out they could haul about as much as anyone could reasonably want most of the time, making the biggest differences interior room and maximum power.

Chevy, Ford and even Jeep responded with their own small trucks. That expanded the offerings, but the choices remained either small or big until 1987, when Dodge broke the rules and introduced the Dakota, the first midsize pickup. Although it couldn’t haul all that much more than the small trucks, it had more interior room and could be ordered with a small V8, which appealed to traditional large truck buyers.

Over the next few years, the small trucks either grew bigger or went away. Some other manufacturers eventually introduced their own midsize trucks, most notably the Chevy Colorado and GM Canyon. But most of the attention turned to the big trucks when the Japanese companies introduced their models.

After Dakota dropped the Dakota a few years back, the midsize truck market seemed to settle down. But then last year, GM unexpectedly updated the Colorado and Canyon, making them more refined and comfortable to drive, while still able to haul as much as most people need.

Now Toyota has responded with the 2016 Tacoma, which has been revamped inside and out to once again lead the way. Major changes include crisper exterior styling, a more powerful but surprisingly fuel efficient 3.5-liter V6, and an interior with a more contemporary dash and responsive touchscreen.

The Tacoma has remained competitive over the years by being more off-road capable than other midsize trucks, and the new version carries on that tradition, especially when equipped with Toyota Racing Division off-road components. All TRD Off-Road Tacomas feature an electronic locking rear differential, and can be ordered with the Crawl Control system for maneuvers between 1 and 5 miles per hour with the automatic transmission.

Our test version was a well-equipped Tacoma TRD Sport with a double cab, short box, V6, six-speed automatic, and both Premium and Technology packages that include a wealth of entertainment and safety features. It was surprisingly smooth and quiet on pavement, yet capable of serious off-road adventures, thanks to its substantial clearance and heavy-duty 4X4 components. It also looked great in Barcelona Red Metalic paint with knobby tires on 17-inch machined alloy wheels.

For those who don’t need that much truck, the Tacomas can be ordered with a 2.7-liter inline 4 with rear-wheel-drive and an extended cab. Two manual transmission are available, a five-speed and six-speed. Multiple options and packages fill in the spread.

Our only complaint was the reduced headroom with the optional moonroof. Even so, there was significantly more interior room than in the earliest Tacomas, and the double cab made it a realistic option for families.

The competition in the midsize truck market is continuing to heat up with the resigned Honda Ridgeline that has just been released and the expected redesign of the aging Nissan Frontier. But the Tacoma is likely to remain near the top of the heap, especially for those interested in off-road performance.

2016 Toyota Tacoma

Base price: $24,825

Price as tested: $37,640

Type: Midsize truck

Engines: 2.7-liter inline 4 (159 hp, 180 lbs-ft); 3.5-liter V6 (278 hp, 265 lbs-ft) – as tested

Transmissions: 5-speed manual; 6-speed manual; 6-speed automatic – (as tested)

EPA estimated mileage: 18/23 – as tested

Overall length: 212.3 to 225.5 inches

Curb weight: 3,980 to 4,445 pounds

Final assembly: San Antonio, Texas and Baja California, Mexico.