The Tacoma didn’t always own the compact to midsize truck segment. No, prior to Dodge dropping the ball on styling

North America's best selling compact truck is hardly compact anymore... more midsize than anything. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

and producing one of the most unattractive trucks ever created (2005-present), the Dakota was number one in this segment. Now sales are so slow that the domestic manufacturer is considering whether or not to drop it altogether, while Toyota continues to enjoy top-of-class sales results.

For 2010 Toyota has dropped its sporty rear-drive X-Runner model, clearly the most frivolous of Tacomas and, in this day and age of sobering economic woes, the slowest seller. The rest of the Tacoma lineup remains the same, however, which is probably smart being that this truck continues to be so well received by the masses. So, what does it have going for it that previous best sellers, like Dakota and Ranger, don’t?

While there’s a lot to be said for the Toyota brand name from a quality standpoint and, specifically in the truck segment, almost legendary ruggedness

The Tacoma makes a person question whether they really need a full-size pickup truck. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

and dependability, styling is what gets a lot of people, especially new conquest sales, into the showroom. The Tacoma simply looks better than most if not all of its competitors, and don’t underestimate the importance of aesthetics to buyers, even in the supposedly down to earth truck market. After all, styling transformed the Dodge Ram from an also-ran into a mainstream player, and likewise has caused the aforementioned Dakota to slip away into obscurity.

The Tacoma has more than good looks going for it, mind you, a lot more. With a variety of body styles, trim levels and powertrain configurations, it leads the way in a similar manner to how the domestics control the full-size truck segment.

Plenty of room in the Tacoma... a midsize offering that's not shy of serious work! (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

Starting with the Access Cab, abbreviated rear-hinged rear doors that can only be opened when the front doors are already ajar can be a bit aggravating when parked in a tight spot, but this is common practice in the pickup truck segment so most of us are used to living with this inconvenience. If you tend to use your pickup like a family car, Toyota offers its Double Cab, what has traditionally been call a crew cab. The Access Cab utilizes a six-foot box while the Double Cab lops some capability off the back in standard trim, thanks to a five-foot box, but can be had with a six-foot box too, if you don’t mind the extra overall length. All boxes are comprised of composite material, so they won’t rust out like Toyota pickups of old, and they’re double-walled for added strength and so you won’t dent the outer panel if you throw something

The Tacoma has a nice interior with better than average materials quality, fit and finish, and features. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

heavy inside. Tie-downs are included too, of course, and the tailgate is removable if needed.

The base engine is a 2.7-litre four-cylinder and only available with the Access Cab, in either two- or four-wheel drive and with either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic, although the latter transmission can’t be had with four-wheel drive unless you move up to the 4.0-litre V6, at which point the automatic becomes a 5-speed and a 6-speed manual is also available. Are you following this? Simplifying things, the Double Cab only gets the 4.0-litre V6 and then only with four-wheel drive, while both transmissions are available.

My tester

An nice interface, everything works efficiently enough. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

was, as is usually the case, a well-loaded Double Cab with the 5-speed automatic, and as you now know featured the 4.0-litre V6 and four-wheel drive as its only available additional drivetrain components. The engine pulls well thanks to 236hp available from 5,200 rpm and 266 lb-ft of torque from 4,000 rpm, and the 5-speed automatic takes care of shifting duties with efficient prowess. The combination results in 13.4L/100km in the city and 9.9L/100km on the highway, decent for this class. The manual isn’t quite as efficient in the city at 14.7L/100km or on the highway at 10.8L/100km. Of course, if fuel economy is the big issue, the thriftiest Tacoma is a manual shifting, rear-drive, four-cylinder Access Cab with an estimated 10.5L/100km rating in the city and 7.8L/100km rating on the highway, and while it only

An efficient five-speed automatic takes care of shifting duties when the V6 is ordered. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

puts out 159hp at 5,900 rpm and 180 lb-ft of torque at 3,800 rpm, it still offers reasonable get up and go for the class. All Tacomas use regular fuel, saving more at the pump.

Surprisingly the body-on-frame Tacoma is a deft handler, taking to the tighter turns at high speed without complaint. It’s not a sports car of course, so it’s critically important to remember that its centre of gravity, overall weight, suspension geometry and suspension travel, plus tire choices are designed for hauling, towing and off-roading as much as for on-roadworthiness, but all things considered it moves along at a surprising clip. What’s more, the suspension is quite compliant,

Climb on in, there's plenty of room in the Double Cab. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

soaking up bumps and undulations without jarring occupants too dramatically. I’ve tested other trucks in this segment and not all deliver the same level of ride quality mixed with such impressive performance.

Hauling and towing in mind, the Tacoma can manage 567 kilos (1,250 lbs) in its box when outfitted with the four-cylinder and two-wheel drive, while the same configuration with four-wheel drive can only carry 547 kg (1,205 lbs). It gets lower with the addition of the Double Cab that’s already carrying more weight before anything even goes in the box, so Tacoma four-doors with a five-foot box can manage loads of up to 544 kilos (1,200 lbs) while those with the six-foot box are limited to 522 kg (1,150 lbs).

Towing capacities are as follows: the base truck is good for 1,587 kilos (3,500 lbs), while V6-powered Tacomas can handle 2,268 kg (5,000 lbs). Add the towing package and capability rises to 2,948 kg (6,500 lbs), which gives it an advantage over some of its competitors.

Off-road the Tacoma is second to none in its segment. It incorporates a traditional part-time four-wheel drive system that can get it around or over just about any obstacle thanks to 240 mm (9.4 inches) of ground clearance, while standard ABS-enhanced disc brakes, plus traction and stability control not only add confidence in slippery conditions when on the road, but really make a difference when mucking about in the wilderness.

Something

No shortage of features, traction and stability control being two that I hold in high regard. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

else that might surprise you if you haven’t been in a modern-day pickup truck in a long time is interior quality. I remember my Dad’s late-‘70s Datsun pickup, and it was a pretty rudimentary affair. The same went for Toyotas of the day, Ford Couriers and every other make and model of compact truck, but today’s pickups are at an entirely different level, refined and fully featured. The current Tacoma has been on the road since model year 2005 with few noticeable changes, so of course it’s not as up to date as the new 4Runner, for instance, but compared to a Chevy Colorado or Ford Ranger, or for that matter the Dodge Dakota I mentioned earlier, the Tacoma is limousine-like. The seats are fabulous, overall ergonomics excellent and switchgear impressive for this segment.

A quick overview

Attractive design, fully featured... a lot nicer than in compact pickups of yore. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

of features will give you an idea of what’s available, starting with the standard four-cylinder Access Cab 4x2 which gets power windows, power locks, a tilt and telescopic steering wheel, an AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system with auxiliary input, cloth reclining front bucket seats, jump seats in the back with fold-up lower cushions, carpeting plus floor mats, active front head restraints, a tire pressure monitoring system, dual front airbags, side thorax airbags, curtain-type airbags, a rear step bumper, rear splash guards, two-speed wipers, LED taillights, and more. Air conditioning is available as a standalone option, while 15-inch steel wheels on 215/70R15 all-season tires come standard. 

Move up to an Access Cab 4x4 and 16-inch steel wheels wrapped in 245/75R16 all-season rubber, and air conditioning come standard.

Double Cab

Number one compact truck for good reason. (Photo: Canadian Auto Press)

4x4 models add power mirrors, driver's seat lumbar support, rear seat heating ducts, a fold-down front passenger seatback, and a 60/40-split rear bench seat with a fold-down seatback.

All models can be had with a Power Package that adds steering wheel mounted audio controls, as well as cruise control, a sliding rear window and keyless entry. And V6 models, like mine, can be featured out with leather seats and trim, Sport packages and the special TRD Off-Road package for improved performance and cooler styling.

And here we are back at styling, a key ingredient behind the Tacoma’s success. I don’t know of a better-looking truck in the compact to midsize segment, and I’m sure that you’ll be hard pressed to come up with one either. It appeals to a broad spectrum of the market, rugged yet refined, sporty yet durable, and packs a decent value proposition with a starting price of $21,355. My top-line tester stickers at $36,955, less $1,490 for freight and PDI, which is still great value for a compact truck that holds its resale value higher than any other too, according to the Kelley Blue Book.

Sound like the right compact pickup for you? You’re obviously not alone.

Interior

Exterior

Mechanical

Safety

Dimensions

Misc

(J005) Standard Gloss Paint

(J003) Standard Metallic Paint

(B) Air Conditioning Package

(C) SR5 Power Package