2016 Toyota Tacoma Limited Review - Off-road Taco Truck [Video]

2016 Toyota Tacoma Limited Review - Off-road Taco Truck [Video] -

2016 Toyota Tacoma

3.5-liter DOHC V-6, the injection / direct ports, CVVT, the Atkinson cycle style (278 horsepower @ 00 rpm, 265 lb-ft @ 40) 6-speed automatic, 4WD option 18 city / 23 highway / 20 combined (EPA Rating, MPG) 19.1 (Observed, MPG) base price: $ 24.0 * As Tested: $ 40,020 * * prices include $ 00 destination charge.

small Toyota trucks have long been associated with the reliability (and sometimes militant militias). Despite the Tacoma split of the legendary Toyota Hilux line in 1995, Taco (as some fans refer to their trucks) continued the robust and reliable image of Toyota. An important factor in the long-term reliability of the Tacoma is Toyota's philosophy to change :. It came slowly and only when necessary

Although 2016 Tacoma is dubbed a "new third generation" as we see in the Camry, much of the design are carried over from model last year. This is great news for some, but may come as a disappointment to others. The changes are enough to keep them happy brand loyalists, radical enough to be called a re-design, but quiet enough that people eyeing a GMC Canyon can not be influenced by the attractiveness of the legendary Toyota reliability.

In short, Toyota has traded in a range of tried and true transmissions, equipped with Lexus V-6 under the hood twisted part solid steel and covered the truck in the new sheetmetal. Inside, we get a new dashboard, the infotainment systems of the Toyota Highlander and a wheel of the largest Toyota Tundra. If you are a man Taco, which is all you need to know before you run out and buy one. For the rest of us, click past the jump.

Exterior
Toyota says US customers want their small microphones to look fat, so instead of the uS market for truck look like the new Hilux found in the world, we have a style after the 4Runner and Tundra (although happily skips fog lamp design makes 4Runner looks like he cries). The big grille is designed for improved cooling when towing, and the lower air dam can be removed for those who are interested to improve approach angles in the attack of a rocky slope.

His choices 127.4 and 140.6 inch wheelbase remain as before, but the total length and overhang increased. As a compact pickup, you will not find a bed 8 feet in the back. Access Cab models are given a bed of 73.5 inches (6.1 feet). Double Cab models make do with 60.3 inches (5 feet) bed shorter as standard, but can be optioned to the bed over 73.5 inches. Approach and departure angles for most models are down from last year due to the added length and despite improved ground clearance of 1 / 10th of an inch. There is still a TRD off-road package that comes near the corners off-road Tacoma in 2015, but it is still a few degrees less capable than before. Despite the reduction, the compact Toyota beats GM options by a wide margin and absolutely crushing full-size trucks, off-road. Out on a tight trail, the new Tacoma can sometimes feel a bit large, but it is positively agile compared to a Silverado, Ram, F-150 or Tundra brother

inside
Nissan Frontier is stuck in timewarp inside GM and styles of Colorado and Canyon with conservative cues from their big SUVs. Over at Toyota engineers have gone in a different direction. Controls are placed in groups on the dashboard, and each group is located closer or further away from the driver. These groupings are enclosed in plastic of a different color to help them stand out in a quick glance. The overall design is a bit too busy for my taste, but it sets the Tacoma apart.

While Toyota makes the cabin of the new Tacoma wider than previously, other dimensions did not change significantly. This means instead of standing as you do in full-size trucks, the seats of the Tacoma are close to the ground. The result is a position that is closer to a Mustang or Camaro with your legs and arms outstretched in front of you while driving. Although the design of the seat fabric and cushion has been upgraded for 2016, the seat structure seems to be the same with a limited range of motion, one short bottom cushion, no lumbar support and no power setting at any price. The Tacoma is a more comfortable nap in before the Nissan Frontier, but the GMC Canyon and Chevy Colorado win big in this area with the power setting in many models, optional lumbar support in the upscale trim and more seat padding in all versions.

in the back, the rear seats have lost a bit of legroom in the Access Cab, Double Cab, but it remains the same as before with a respectable 32.6 inches of space Appendix and seat cushions a little higher on the floor as the front. Thank you for the extra width for 2016, it is now possible to three child seats on average across the rear bench comfortably, although the seat rear-facing room is still somewhat limited. The rear compartment is one of the big differences between Tacoma and Hilux global market: we get a wider rear seat

Infotainment
Toyota was accused of following, not leading when it comes to infotainment. This is an assessment I found justified in some models, but the Tacoma has turned a new leaf. Although the basic models of SR receive four speakers as standard head unit features a 6.1 inch touch screen, the integration of Bluetooth speaker, a CD single slot reversing camera and USB full / iPod integration with voice commands. More Entune adds HD Radio and HD Radio-sourced traffic and weather displays. Optional on SR5 and above is a version of 7 inches of the same system with the integration of the smartphone application and optional navigation software.

Toyota Entune software received significant updates back in 2014 and still compares well the last GM systems with a snappy interface and easy to navigate design. In a nice touch, traffic and weather data is uploaded via free HD radio so you do not need an XM subscription. Toyota also killed their subscription program for integrated services of Entune smartphone as Pandora, OpenTable and Bing.

Training
The basic models use a four-cylinder engine of 2.7 liters which, strangely enough, is not related to 2 7 liters in the Highlander. Power figures are unchanged from 2015 to 159 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque. Versus Highlander four-cylinder, the truck's engine has a larger bore and shorter stroke and 26 fewer ponies than the motor cross, but the couple running on a little lower at 3800 rpm. You can always mate a 5-speed manual 2.7-liter engine, but luckily you olde 4 speed automatic was eventually replaced by a 6-speed automatic. As expected Toyota four-wheel drive is available on the automatic and standard on the manual.

Thirst 4-liter V-6 used in 2015 was also sent to pasture, replaced by a more interesting choice: Lexus 3.5-liter V-6 that was, up 'til now , used only in the RX 350 and GS 350 for duty truck, Toyota tune its power to 278 horses and left the couple essentially the same at 265 lb-ft. The definition of this engine outside the V-6 in the Highlander and Sienna is a direct injection system D4S and a more advanced variable valve system that can adjust the valve timing and duration through a wider range . This allows the computer to delay the closing of the intake valve when the torque demand is low, which increases efficiency. This modified Otto cycle is familiarly called a "Atkinson Cycle" and is used in the same cycle Prius and many other hybrids.

D4S is interesting in that it combines direct injection and port, which allows the software to choose the best injection method for the situation and prevents carbon buildup on intake valves. Unfortunately, Toyota has decided to leave the Lexus 8-speed transmission on the floor of the room and parts of the engine coupled to a 6 speed automatics her instead. On the other hand, you can still get the V-6 with 6-speed manual and four-wheel drive.

Hauling
Toyota has retained the same basic concepts of suspension and frame, but tweaked for the new Tacoma. The frame is made of a different material that is stronger and stiffer than before, but because the basic patterns have remained constant, payload and towing numbers barely increased this time. Towing begins to 3,500 pounds if you select the 2.7-liter four-cylinder and jumps to 6.400 to 6.800 pounds with the V-6, depending on the options chosen. The highest towing capability happens in the cabin rear-wheel drive access with the towing package V-6 option. If you plan to tow, this package is essential because the Tacoma base is only rated for a thin 350 pounds of tongue weight. Adding Tow increases by 670 pounds.

Payload capacities range from 10-1620 pounds for 2016 and the high payload lining is actually the driving pattern of the rear wheel, four-cylinder. Fill the bottom is, as expected, the Double Cab V-6 4 × 4 Toyota Tacoma told that the owners are much more likely to take their van off road tow a trailer or haul heavy loads, therefore more time was spent on these aspects of the development of Tacoma.

If you are considering towing with your compact truck, GM's new diesel is the most appropriate option with masses of torque, an integrated trailer brake controller and a ginormous price tag. Yes, there's the rub: 2.8-liter Duramax GM is a $ 3980 option, but you can not get on each plate. This makes the entry price for diesel Colorado around $ 34,000, or $ 3, O00 more a basic RAM 1500 Ecodiesel.

Player
Although Toyota has continued to update the drivetrain, conservative updates to the engineer mean Tacoma is outgunned by the Colorado and Canyon GM. Although GM uses a base 2.5-liter engine smaller, it cranks 41 more horsepower and 11 lb-ft of torque that the 2.7-liter mill in Tacoma. Similarly, Chevrolet and GMC 3.6-liter V-6 delivers 27 more horsepower, 4 more pound-feet, and the couple has at least 0 laps Atkinson V-6 Toyota style. In terms of thrust, which puts it between Tacoma and Nissan Frontier GM trucks.

Because Tacoma owners have all-terrain in mind, Toyota brought some of their latest electronics off-road down from the 4Runner. TRD models earn a multi-terrain select controller Range Rover as to help coordinate the traction control systems, stability control and powertrain based on your choice of five different surfaces. You can add a power rear differential lock, but Toyota said that leaving open the front differential and the slip control with electronic systems actually results in better performance off-road a traditional locker. health checks before and hill start assist are also grouped in the TRD model, but the selection of the manual gearbox removes hill start assist.

Because of the transmission gear, drive gear and final curb weight around 4,500 pounds of our Limited model, acceleration to 60 mph takes about 8 seconds in the model V- 6 4 × 4. This represents about 6 / 10ths slower than a comparable Chevy Colorado. A closer look at the figures reveals a slow 3.5 seconds 0-30 mph time, which makes the Toyota feel slow when hooked to a tow 5000 pounds, especially on the hill betting begins. On the other hand, the Tacoma is positively cheerful compared to a full-size truck with a V-6.

Although many have complained about the lack of rear disc brakes, the average person is unlikely to ever notice. Stops 60 have 133 feet, which is two feet shorter than the Accord we've recently tested. Although the brakes of Tacoma fade faster than your average midsize sedan, the figures are excellent for a pickup. Toyota claims the reason the rear drum brakes are they resist dirt and sand better than disk design when off roading. The real reason is the expected cost: it is cheaper. Since Toyota says the tow was literally number 22 on the list of things that Tacoma buyers cared, and towing would be the only major reason for wanting disc brakes in the back of a pickup truck that is light in the back, I'll call this a non-issue.

in terms of overall road handling, management of Tacoma feels supercharged compared to Colorado and Canyon, the ride is firmer hair and handling is comparable in models with sizes similar tires. As expected, the Tacoma handles like a small truck, so expect to feel less connected to the road of a Highlander, but more connected than F-150, Silverado, Tundra or RAM. What you might not wait until you actually get better fuel economy on the highway and a similar or higher average in the real world driving in certain trims of the F-150 and RAM 1500. during a week with the Tacoma, we averaged 19 mpg. On the same route, I averaged a similar score in a 5.3-liter V-8 Silverado. Small microphones do not necessarily mean fuel economy numbers.

Starting at $ 23,300 for the four-cylinder and $ 26.995 for the cheapest V-6, the Tacoma is the most expensive option in this segment when comparing vehicles similarly configured. The Nissan Frontier may be old, but with a $ 18,10 base price and more money on the hood of Toyota, it's the cheapest truck in America. The Chevy Colorado bridges the gap to $ 20,100 and from $ 23,960 for the V-6. Adding all options in Colorado, including diesel and ceiling to $ 2.800 just over a Tacoma despite nearly $ 5000 in additional equipment. That said, the resale value over the Tacoma is better and the maintenance costs are provided below GM trucks, so your final cost is a factor of how long you intend to keep your truck.

Toyota seems to put a reasonable distance between the base and the Tacoma largest Tundra, which starts at $ 28.640. However, a six-cylinder Tacoma's just $ 1.0 less than the larger truck. In a country where "more for less" is generally better, you should know that the RAM 1500 will cost less a Tacoma V-6. Although Silverado V-6 stickers to a little over a Tacoma, it is likely to be enough money on the hood to equalize things. If it sounds too good to be true, there is a catch. These full size trucks will not have a back seat at this price. The sticker price of that said, our Limited model was over $ 40,000, which is enough to buy you a truck 1/2 ton with enough options to satisfy.

So who's Tacoma for in the end? Its objective is the daily commuter who wants a rugged, off-road truck able with the utility of a bed, but without the need to adapt 4 × 8 sheets of anything in the back. It is for the person who values ​​the reputation to go anywhere on the creature comforts offered in the competition. It is not for the customer looking for the most efficient truck best suited for towing (this would be the Canyon / Colorado with diesel and integrated brake controller). It belongs to the person interested in modding their turn. Because so much of Tacoma is slightly twisted in relation to the 2015 model, expect to see more spare tubas, protective grilles, lift kits and the like for the brave Tacoma Canyon or Colorado.

Toyota is a company that believes in product evolution and not revolution. Also, rummage through the garbage parts tried-and-true is strongly encouraged in the development of a new vehicle. This design philosophy is frustrating for some and comforting to others. Using parts that have been proven in other products, Toyota is able to cool the Tacoma without reliability issues that you can find in a real new design. Drum brakes at the rear, the range of naturally aspirated engine, 6-speed automatic proven, low number of variants of the driveline, chassis and seats manuals and suspension designs heavily based on the past is the key to the high reliability and the expected sustainability of Tacoma. On the other hand, it is also what makes it less exciting than the Tacoma Canyon or Colorado. The GMC and Chevrolet will feel cooler, are more comfortable, the beefier four-cylinder is a more viable base engine, the V-6 is fed and fuel economy is slightly better. This means that if my money was on the line, I buy the GMC Canyon because I prefer his attention to Colorado. Tacoma may be the best off-road vehicle and it may have a better resale value and reliability, but when it comes down to it, the GM and Chevy trucks are just better.

Toyota provided the vehicle, insurance and a fuel tank for this review

Specifications as tested

0-30: 3,47 seconds

0-60 7.93 seconds

1/4 Mile: 15 , 8 seconds @ 91 mph

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