2005 Toyota Tacoma Review

Compact pickup trucks were all the rage among young drivers several decades ago because they were inexpensive to buy, run and insure. They also were cheap to modify, with such things as custom wheels and special sound systems.

Toyota has been playing the compact pickup truck game for a surprisingly long time -- since 1964, when it introduced a pickup called the "Stout'' in America. In recent years, Toyota's compact Tacoma pickup has been one of the automaker's best-selling vehicles, accounting for 10 percent of its U.S. sales, and Toyota intends to keep it that way in 2005.

The deftly redesigned eighth-generation Tacoma is larger, roomier, smoother and more refined, with extra power and additional safety items such as optional curtain side air bags.

Anti-lock brakes are standard, and you can get an optional Vehicle Skid Control system on all models except the racy new $23,110 X-Runner model aimed at young males. It has a specially lowered and tuned chassis, frame-stiffening X brace for better handling and such things as a hood scoop and extra-wide tires on 18-inch wheels. It comes only with a six-speed manual transmission.

The $13,415-$25,250 Tacoma shares the frame of the mid-size Toyota Prado, a rugged sport-utility sold in foreign markets; it helps provide a ride without creaks and body shivers. The new Tacoma also gets liberal doses of sound-absorbing material.

The new Tacoma has essentially become a mid-size truck, rather than a compact pickup; the Double Cab -- or "crew cab'' -- is virtually as long as a large Chevrolet Avalanche crew cab model at 221.3 inches. Potential buyers should check the length of their garage, although the Tacoma Regular Cab two-door is only 190.4 inches long.

Tacoma buyers should have no problem finding a model that suits them because there are no less than 18 versions of this truck.

Toyota anticipates that the Double Cab version will be especially popular because it has a comfortable carlike back seat and large rear doors that help allow easy entry and exit.

I tested the $22,175 PreRunner Double Cab with the Tacoma's potent new V-6, rear-wheel drive and a long bed. It had quick steering, a comfortable ride on most roads, good handling and strong braking.

The PreRunner stands tall to give it the look of a four-wheel drive Tacoma for those who don't want that drive system but like the more rugged look of such a vehicle.

The Tacoma has good off-road abilities with four-wheel drive, but such a system adds weight and complexity. Performance and fuel economy thus suffer.

Access and Double Cab models have two front bucket seats and a three-person rear seat, although the only comfortable, spacious rear seat is in the Double Cab.

All pickup trucks need cargo beds, so Tacomas with Regular and Access cabs have a 73.5-inch-long bed. The Double Cab is offered for the first time with a choice between a 60.3-inch bed and the 73.5-inch bed. While short by pickup standards, my test Tacoma's cargo bed seemed large enough to haul a good number of objects.

The Tacoma's new composite non-rusting and non-denting inner bed has a new sheet-molded compound deck and walls that are said to be 10 percent lighter than steel, yet tougher and more durable.

Interior storage has been increased in Access Cab and Double Cab models via tumble-flat rear seats with underseat storage and, on Double Cab models, additional storage behind the rear seatback. On Double Cab and models with bucket seats (except ones with special sport seats), the front passenger seat folds flat.

The interior is functional but carlike, with easily read gauges and large, smooth controls within convenient reach. PreRunner occupants sit high, as in a full-size rig.

The Tacoma comes with a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine with 164 horsepower or a smoother 4-liter V-6 that kicks out a hearty 245 horsepower and more torque than the four-cylinder. Maximum towing capacity with the V-6 and a towing package jumps 1,500 pounds to 6,500 pounds

My test Tacoma had the V-6, which replaces a smaller V-6 with 190 horsepower. The new V-6 provides fast acceleration (0-60 mph in 7.5 seconds) and works with an exceptionally responsive five-speed automatic transmission.

Other Tacoma transmissions are a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic for the four-cylinder engine and a six-speed manual for the V-6, which works so well with the five-speed automatic that only manual-shift fans should opt for the manual gearbox.

The four-cylinder engine with rear-drive and the five-speed manual delivers 22 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway. The V-6 with its automatic provides 18 and 22 -- or 17 and 21 with four-wheel drive.

Toyota has come a long way with pickups since its 1964 Stout, and the new Tacoma makes its predecessor seem very dated.

2005 TOYOTA TACOMA PRERUNNER DOUBLE CAB 4X2

PRICES
$13,415-$25,250

LIKES
Deftly redesigned. Carlike. Refined. Versatile. Roomy. Fast with V-6.

DISLIKES
High step-in. Rather short cargo bed. Bewildering variety of models.