It's finally time to lay our eyes on the all-new model of the best-selling mid-sized truck in America. That truck is of course the Toyota Tacoma which after a lot of teasing has finally been released.
With the new truck, Toyota has taken things to a whole new level. The all-new Tacoma is a drastic improvement over the old one both in terms of capabilities but also in terms of comfort. Toyota now offers more trim levels than you can even remember and there has been a huge update regarding the drivetrain.
We believe that this all-new model is a strong indicator that the new Tacoma might remain the segment leader for a long time coming. The wait for the new truck might have been long, but it was certainly worth it.
There Have Been Significant Updates To The Exterior And Undercarriage
At first glance, the new Tacoma still looks like a Tacoma. However, if you look a bit more closely you will find a completely different truck. The general design is much more aggressive but also modern thanks to new headlights, a larger grill, the classic hood scoop, and sharp lines. The roof is now taller which addresses one of the Tacoma’s biggest issues which was the seating position. So, tall adults can now easily fit in the front. Worth mentioning is the fact that Toyota has heard our complaints and has equipped the Tacoma with front tow hooks. This wasn’t the case in the Tundra which has no hooks upfront.
Underneath, all Tacos sit on the TNGA F platform, which is shared with the new Tundra, Sequoia, and even the 300 Series Land Cruiser. The frame is fully boxed and the rear axle (which now has disc brakes) has been moved further back leading to a longer wheelbase.
Undercarriage changes like the new frame, rear disc brakes, and revised rear coil suspension lead to a max towing number of 6500 pounds and a max payload of 1700. Keep in mind that these numbers might change based on the trim level of the truck.
The Interior Is Simply Incredible
As soon as you open the door and step inside the Tacoma you are greeted with a Tundra-looking interior and that is a good thing. The dashboard is upright and utilizes a two-tone design where some parts have different colors or textures than others. The same 14.0-inch infotainment screen as the Tundra makes its way into the Tacoma. One of the best parts here is that we get physical buttons and not screen-integrated ones. This is great news – especially for a truck that is meant to be used in winter with gloves on.
Of course, the number of luxuries inside depends on the trim level. For example, the most Luxurious limited edition will offer heated and ventilated seats and even power running boards which is something no other mid-sized truck has. An amazing camera system that makes off-roading, towing, and parking easier is also available. The camera system is on a whole new level compared to the old and very dated version in the old vehicle.
One of the most impressive interior features comes in the TRD Pro and that is the gimbal seat. Toyota doesn’t call it a gimbal seat, but its main purpose is to act as a gimbal for the driver. This is possible thanks to shocks that have been mounted on the seat both vertically and literarily which are there to isolate your body from the bumpiness of off-road driving. Pair this with the incredible suspension offered on the TRD Pro and desert bashing will feel like mall crawling.
The Tacoma TRD Pro And Trailhunter Offer Very Impressive Features
The TRD Pro division of Toyota has long been known for developing some of the most capable off-roaders on the market. For the new Tacoma, aside from TRD Pro, we also get the Trailhunter
Starting from the TRD Pro, buyers will get upgraded control arms and 2.5-inch bypass manual modal Quick Switch three shocks with rear piggyback style remote reservoirs. These shocks provide great high-speed off-road driving control. The TRD Pro will also get sway bar disconnects (a first for the Tacoma) and a rear locker. Sadly, there is no front locker available. Of course, the exterior and interior have received changes that reflect the TRD Pro vehicle vibe.
The Trailhunter edition which is one of the most anticipated ones certainly delivers as expected. Underneath we get a plethora of skid plates (even on the diff) and Old Man Emu shocks and coils with upgraded control arms, The Trailhinter also has a raised air intake, rock sliders, and rubber floor mats. Of course, the vehicle also gets unique wheels, a sports rack with mole panels, and even a roof rack. In the rear, we find the same as the TRD Pro ARB steel bumper with recovery points and even a high lift jack lift slot.
Some unique additions that are reserved for the Trailhunter include a bed-mounted air compressor, a power plug in the bed, and the fact that the Trailhunter can be spaced with either a five-foot or six-foot bed. Since this is an overland-oriented vehicle, the 6-foot bed should theoretically be useful for overland gear.
The Tacoma Will Offer Just One Engine
The new Tacoma offers just one engine option and that is a 2.4-litre turbo. However, due to different configurations that single engine produces different amounts of power. Base models will get 228 horsepower and 243-pound feet of torque. Mid-level power increases to 278 horsepower and 317 pound-feet while the top-of-the-line hybrid vehicles will offer 326 horsepower and 465-pound feet of torque. Depending on trim level, these engines are paired to a six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic.
Power figures are great, but it must be said that the Tacoma’s drivetrain is now much more complicated and expensive. Therefore, some of the ease of maintenance and reliability of the outgoing model might get lost.
The New Tacoma Will Be A Big Success
The new Tacoma has nothing to do with the old one. It is better in every way as it offers more power, more comfort, more capability, and much more modern looks. The ancient transmission has now been changed and the engines have been updated to much more modern units. Furthermore, incredible features like the camera system and even the clever seats in the TRD Pro further set the Tacoma apart from the competition. Toyota might take time when it comes to model updates but when they do come up with a new vehicle, it certainly is worth the wait.