Small, wimpy trucks are out. Bold, larger trucks - very nearly busting out of the "compact pickup" category - are in.
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For 2005, Toyota joins the trend toward bigger compact trucks with a larger-than-ever 2005 Tacoma that's more powerful and handles better than before.
The new Tacoma, recently named 2005 Motor Trend Truck of the Year, also is offered in more configurations than ever. There are 18 models available, using 4X2 and 4X4 drivetrains, three cabs - regular, access and double - and two bed lengths. There's a choice of engines, too: A new, 164-horsepower four-cylinder and a 245-horsepower V-6.
Toyota still doesn't offer a V-8 in the Tacoma. Buyers must move up to the full-size Tundra pickup for that.
But Toyota retained the base, two- to three-passenger regular cab, which helps explain why the starting manufacturer's suggested retail price, including destination charge, is just $13,980 for a base 2005 Tacoma. That's a regular-cab 4X2 model with four-cylinder engine and manual transmission.
Consumers might not notice that the Tacoma is about 4 inches wider and 2 inches taller now and has an unheard-of maximum length of 208.1 inches.
There was no lag in the engine power of the V-6 truck I tested. I moved through traffic without fuss and passed others on the freeway without exertion. I heard confident engine sounds every time I pressed on the accelerator. Yet the Tacoma wasn't overtly brawny or difficult to control.
This 4-liter V-6 is the same one used in Toyota's 4Runner sport utility vehicle, and has 245 horsepower generated with premium gasoline.
The Tacoma's torque is 282 foot-pounds at 3,800 rpm. The Tacoma's towing capacity is up to 6,500 pounds with the V-6, compared with 5,000 pounds in the 2004 truck. The Tacoma's towing capacity is 3,500 pounds with the 2.7-liter, four-cylinder engine that generates 183 foot-pounds of torque at 3,800 rpm.
As you would expect, this base power plant gives the best gasoline mileage: a combined 23.5 miles a gallon in mixed city/highway travel for a 4X2 model, according to government figures. The best combined mileage rating for a V-6 Tacoma is 20 mpg for a 4X2 with automatic transmission.
Both the five-speed automatic, which was on the test truck and worked well, and the six-speed manual are new and are offered with the V-6.
The four-cylinder has a choice of five-speed manual or four-speed automatic.
The Tacoma continues to ride like a truck, with jiggles and vibrations that came through to passengers in the PreRunner 4X2.
The new Tacoma has less flexing and overall loose feel in the body, thanks to the fact the Tacoma now rides on the more modern platform of the 4Runner and Lexus GX 470.
The PreRunner comes only with rear-drive, but it sits up off the road as high as a 4X4 truck. I found the seats were rather low to the floor. This provided great headroom but wasn't the most comfortable riding position.
The dashboard has been dressed up with some silver accents in the center. The upgraded stereo in the test truck had strong sounds, but many of the other amenities also were optional, including the keyless remote entry.
Specs
The vehicle: 2005 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner Double Cab, a front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, five-passenger, compact pickup
BASE PRICE: $14,285 for PreRunner Regular Cab; $21,675 for base PreRunner Double Cab with 5-foot bed; $22,175 for PreRunner Double Cab with long bed
DESTINATION CHARGE: $565
Price AS TESTED: $27,882
ENGINE: 4-liter, double overhead cam, 60-degree V-6 with VVT-i
MILEAGE: 18 mpg city, 22 mpg highway
LENGTH: 208.1 inches
WHEELBASE: 140.9 inches
CURB Weight: 3,865 pounds
BUILT in: Fremont, Calif.
OPTIONS: security system $499; updated AM/FM audio with six-CD changer $200
