All new larger Tacoma is a winner

The Toyota Tacoma was completely redesigned for 2005, growing a compact to a mid-size truck. Not since the Tacoma nameplate first arrived in 1995 had it been so completely revamped. The wheelbase grew by 5 inches, the track widened by 4 inches and inside shoulder room and hip room increased by nearly 4.5 inches. The increase in size means a longer, wider footprint on the road for better handling, stability and ride comfort. There are no significant changes for the 2006 Tacoma, although a new tire-pressure monitoring system is now standard and revised SAE testing procedures have dropped engine horsepower.

The Tacoma comes in three body styles: regular cab; Access Cab with rear-hinged, half-doors (other makes call it Extend Cab); and Double Cab (think Crew Cab) with four front-hinged conventional doors with rear doors that now open wider than the previous generation Tacoma.

Each body style is available with two- or four-wheel drive. Choose between manual or automatic transmission, 4-cylinder or V-6, short, medium or long beds. In all there 18 different Tacoma variations, six more than in 2004 — and that’s before we consider available options.

Toyota also offers the Tacoma with a “PreRunner” designation, a two-wheel drive truck that has the looks and heavy-duty suspension of the 4x4 Tacoma. The PreRunner has been a popular model for those who want the look of a 4x4 but either don’t need or can’t afford it.

Toyota also offers a special two-wheel drive X-Runner Access Cab sport truck equipped with the V-6, a six-speed manual transmission, a sport-tuned suspension and additional structural “X” bracing underneath that gives the truck its name and makes it more rigid. It’s a tuner truck straight from the factory with lower suspension, a pronounced hood scoop, 18-inch alloy wheels and Bridgestone Potenza tires. Out of 170,000 Tacomas that will be built, only a limited number (about 3,500) will carry the X-Runner distinction.

The base Tacoma engine is an all-new 2.7-liter 164 horsepower (159 in ’06 models) inline four cylinder that replaces two four-cylinder engines that made 142 and 150 horsepower. The new 2.7-liter engine comes with a choice of five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission.

All Double Cab Tacomas use a 4.0-liter V-6 engine, which is new for this model but was introduced on the redesigned 4Runner last year. This V-6 produces 245 horsepower (236 for ’06 models), up 50 horsepower from the previous Tacoma’s V-6. The V-6 is optional on both regular and Access Cab variants. V-6 models get a choice of a new five-speed automatic transmission or a new six-speed manual gearbox. Unlike the Toyota 4Runner, which is built on the same platform as Tacoma, no V-8 option is offered.

Our test model, a bright Radiant Red Double Cab 4X4 with the shorter bed, carried a base price of $25,315 (including freight) and included options like the TRD Off-Road Pkg #2 ($3,695), upgraded audio system, floor mats, cargo net, security system and bed mat, topped out at $29,987. We also tested a Double Cab PreRunner with automatic transmission, optional TRD Sport Package with tow hitch and upgraded JBL sound system with steering wheel audio controls, coming in at a total cost of $28,030.

Depending on the model, you can choose a front bench, bucket seats or sport seating. Access Cab models have two tumble-flat rear seats but are mostly useless for humans and is best used for cargo you don’t want to put in an exposed bed. Double Cab trucks hold a three-passenger, 60/40 split tumble-and-fold rear seat, boasting a level of comfort not often found in a compact truck, Even adults sitting in the back seat will find good leg and shoulder room and adequate headroom. Still, while kids will find the backseat comfortable for longer trips, adults will want to limit their ride to shorter trips. The rear windows go all the way down into the door.

Our Tacoma was equipped with cloth bucket seats that we found comfortable although the seat bottom could have been longer for this too-tall driver. A wide center console with cup holders separates the front seats. The dash was covered with dimpled material and upper panels that gave it a nice quality and finished look. Three satin finished metal trimmed ovals beyond the steering wheel houses the speedometer, tachometer, and fuel/engine gauges. An attractive silver perforated plastic finished is used for the center stack and integrates the audio and climate control knobs. An extra-large glove box is located on the bottom-right side of the dash.

Outside the new Tacoma exudes a more muscular than the previous generation with a bolder grille and larger headlamps. PreRunner, 4X4 models and the X-Runner models have added larger overfenders. Overall the look is handsome-rugged and pleasingly well done.

For the truck bed, Toyota uses new composite plastic, a material Toyota insists is lighter than steel “yet tougher and more durable.” It also means that you won’t have to purchase an aftermarket slip-in or spray-in bed liner at extra cost. Highly functional, the cargo bed features integrated deck rails with four adjustable anchors, a two-tier loading system, storage areas and even an electrical outlet.

Our Tacoma TRD model easily handled off-road challenges through rough desert terrain and gravel trails. We climbed steep, rocky trails and twisty descents with aplomb and all with relative comfort and a minimal of usual head turbulence. Switching to 4-wheel drive is as simple as twisting a knob on the dash.

On pavement both the Pre-Runner and the TRD handled surprisingly well with a quiet compliant ride. Body roll in corners is minimal. Both felt solid, powerful and nimble. Absent in the TRD was the bouncy and jarring ride associated with most 4x4s. Braking was smooth but rear brakes are the less desirable drum type a noticeable cost-cutting measure and a departure from some of the other pickups in this class. Visibility is excellent with large outside mirrors and no blind spots.

Safety features include antilock brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and BrakeAssist standard on all models. A stability control system is available ($950) on all models, except the X-runner. Crew cab models offer optional front-seat side airbags and full-length head curtain airbags ($650). Both 2005 and 2006 Tacomas scored the highest crash test rating, five stars, from NHTSA and the highest “Good” from the IIHS.

The new Tacoma is in everyway a winner and brings a new standard to mid-size pickups. The build quality and materials is excellent and no longer does the pickup truck owner have to suffer a brutal ride for all-wheel drive or substandard safety features. And with 18 configurations, whatever you’re looking for in a compact to mid-size truck, you’ll find it in the Tacoma.