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The Tacoma strikes an
excellent blend between the qualities of a car and a truck. It rides and
handles well, has a roomy, comfortable, and high-quality interior, has the
longest bed in this group, and rivals the two V8-powered pickups in this group
for the highest towing capacity. At over $27,000, it’s no roaring value, but
if you’re looking for the best blend of virtues in this class, it’s worth it.
The Tacoma has a smooth,
stable, and very comfortable ride that loses some finesse and on poorer
pavement. It handles well for a pickup, but it the steering, though acceptably
responsive, lacks feedback and feels a bit vague. Generally, it is easy to
drive more than it is actually fun. The Tacoma is the quickest vehicle in this
group, and the V6 is smooth, refined, and relatively fuel-efficient. Wind
noise is excessive, however. The Tacoma is rated to tow an impressive 6,500
lbs.
Inside, the Tacoma’s
front seats are roomy and well-shaped, but could be higher. The rear seat
could be higher as well, and the shape leaves occupants sitting a bit upright.
The rear seat folds to open up a roomy interior cargo area second only to the
Ford Sport Trac in this group. The Tacoma offers a class-exclusive long-bed
option, which at over six feet long, is more than eight inches longer than the
next-longest Dodge Dakota. The long bed costs only $500, and is recommended
for the usability it adds.
 The interior uses
some hard plastics, but all trim pieces look suitably upscale and fit together
very well. The gauges are large and clear, but some instruments could be
larger. Drivers sit comfortably, but a higher seat would improve visibility.
Entry/exit is easy.
The Tacoma reviewed here
came in at $27,453, missing satellite radio, a power driver’s seat, and a
sunroof. It did include a tire-pressure monitor at that price, but is not one
of the better-equipped vehicles in this group.
Overall, the Tacoma is a
pleasant truck that also provides excellent functionality, and its lack of
serious vices combine with that and its combination of excellent acceleration
and decent gas mileage. It is not an inexpensive truck, and is not the most
comfortable or fun to drive in this class. But nothing else in this class
offers the same level of pickup-truck usability and respectable comfort and
driving manners. If that’s what you want, the Tacoma is your best bet, even at
its somewhat high price.
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