Tacoma adds size, strength for ‘05
Toyota officials, rarely coy, retreated into something approaching it at the launch of their newest all-new product, the 2005 Tacoma.
“At what point,” asked a scribe, “does a compact truck become a mid-size truck?”
No one from Toyota was willing to take the bait, but it was clear they designed their new Tacoma in response to market forces. Until Dodge began super-sizing its Ram truck, pickups came in two sizes, compact and full-size. Now, like a can of olives, truck nomenclature is shifting and so is the size of the product.
The 2005 Tacoma is larger in every dimension than its predecessor and offers significantly more cabin and cargo space, as well as increased towing power.
How big is big? Let’s just say that more than one journalist mistook an ‘05 Tundra, also at the event, for a Tacoma. The new truck looks big and beefy. Its trademark fender creases have been traded in for bulging wheel wells and a strong, body-length character line. New, flush-mounted headlamps flank a bold, chrome-trimmed grille.
New bright-work adds sparkle to the redesigned interior, in the form of brushed-aluminum-look gauge rings and instrument panel. Controls are simplicity incarnate and everything has a reassuringly sturdy feel. Our test vehicles were early prototypes, used only for testing, but fit-and-finish was excellent.
Toyota claims 18 Tacoma iterations based on three cab types – Regular Cab, Access Cab and four-door Double Cab.
There are two engine choices. A new, 2.7-liter four makes 164 horsepower 183 pound-feet of torque, while an up-level, 4.0-liter six produces 245 hp and 282 pound-feet.
The six gets variable valve timing and both engines feature a new Electronic Throttle Control System, with intelligence, that helps improve performance and fuel economy.
The new Tacoma feels like the larger truck that it is, thanks to the stiffer chassis and revised suspension and steering tuning. It’s smooth and quiet on the highway and 4X4 models are extremely capable off-road, where a two-speed transfer case provides a low-low gear range for rigorous going.
Equipped properly, V-6-powered Tacomas can tow up to 6,500 pounds, a 30-percent increase over the ‘04 model.
A new X-Runner Access Cab model aims for the youth market with its lowered and tuned chassis, ground effects, 18-inch wheels and the six. Named for its reinforced “X-braced” frame, which increases torsional rigidity for reduced chassis flex, it’s available with a six-speed manual transmission. It does the 0-60 sprint in just 7 seconds and sticks to the pavement with lateral acceleration numbers that rival some very fine sport cars.
Just beware — the X-Runner rides like the truck that is, the price that’s paid for stiffer suspension settings.
Toyota adds some innovation out back, where inner bed decks and walls are more durable and rugged because they are now made of a new sheet-metal compound that’s 10 percent lighter than steel.
Bed decks include two-tier loading and integrated rails with four adjustable tie-down cleats. The rails are the basis for a series of add-ons, including cargo bed cross bars, a fork-mounted bike rack and diamond-plate storage boxes.
It appears that Toyota has thought of everything with its all-new Tacoma, including the competition. Bigger, stronger and more comfortable than before, it’s likely to capture the attention of small-truck buyers. Or mid-size truck buyers. Whatever.