2015 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab Trd Sport Review
The Car Connection Expert Review
Editorial Director
May four, 2015
Likes
- Neatly organized controls
- Good resale value
- Base of operations versions are quite affordable
- Still offers a four-cylinder engine
- Reliability is function of its street cred
Dislikes
- Thinly padded seats
- Ride gets jittery, even in base versions
- Gets very expensive in specialty, V-6 versions
- Poor street handling
Buying tip
features & specs
2WD Access Cab I4 AT
2WD Access Cab I4 AT PreRunner
2WD Access Cab I4 MT
The Toyota Tacoma doesn't make a lot of sense, unless it'll alive virtually exclusively off-route.
The Toyota Tacoma is a survivor, weathering the shrinking of the meaty truck market--and now, the return of two very strong rivals. The Ford Ranger may exist gone, but GM has relaunched its Canyon and Colorado twins subsequently a bye-year--and the Nissan Frontier is still in the running.
The Tacoma recently earned some much-needed sound-organization improvements, with the standard organization incorporating congenital-in Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, plus a USB/iPod port. The base organisation now has half-dozen speakers, and even that is satellite-radio capable. Also new to the Tacoma line is the Entune system, which packages navigation functions, text-to-vocalism capability, voice commands, HD Radio, Bluetooth audio streaming, and real-time traffic and weather, among other features.
Exterior of these changes, the Tacoma's model line largely has carried over for the by few years, offer a basic pickup package for those looking at the cheapest model, ranging all the fashion upwardly to the specialized terrain-focused PreRunner model. The PreRunner adds a college-riding suspension, locking rear differential, and other appearance cues. Likewise available is a TRD Off-Road Package that brings special badging, plus an off-route suspension with Bilstein dampers, fog lamps, and a transfer-case skid plate.
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For 2015, Regular Cab models take been discontinued, and the TRD Pro Series debuts for hardcore off-roading enthusiasts.
The Tacoma'south looks haven't changed much since a 2005 redesign. The grille'due south a bit more than pronounced, and the headlamps are tapered a flake more into a more amped-up front bumper. Elsewhere, it's purely business concern, without the flair that the Frontier has. The Tacoma's merely more than chunky, more disjointed, and behind the front pillars, more apparently and traditional. In the cockpit, Toyota's improved the texture and advent of the plastic trim in recent years, and the Tacoma's cabin gets the nod over the Frontier's if only for that slightly elevated sense of quality, enhanced by the backlit gauges and touches of brightwork.
The base of operations 159-horsepower, two.7-liter 4-cylinder can manage basic chores well enough, so long as you lot're riding solo and not towing or hauling much. We'd choose the five-speed manual, and go out off the hefty 4-cycle-drive system; the four-speed automatic's gears are too widely spaced for quick acceleration or practiced fuel economy. The 4.0-liter V-6 on the preferred versions of the Tacoma has a completely different personality: it makes 236 horsepower and 266 pound-anxiety of torque, which is more than enough to hustle the Tacoma effectually apace, even when you have a heavy load, though things get a little breathless past 75 mph or so on the interstate. The 5-speed automatic that's standard on 5-vi models is a responsive gearbox, too.
It's the Tacoma's road manners that disappoint the near. Fifty-fifty amongst pickups, which typically merchandise off some ride comfort for heavy-hauling power, the Tacoma feels numb and lifeless in urban surround. The ride is hard and choppy; on pockmarked urban center surfaces the tires merely lose contact with the road. Maneuverability in the Tacoma doesn't seem whatever better than that of a full-size truck.
The all-time manner to judge the Tacoma'south performance, since its street handling not very impressive, is past towing and payload and off-road capability. The Tacoma'southward payload is well into the 3/4-ton category, depending on the model, and its tow rating goes up to half dozen,500 pounds. The Tacoma's a dearest canvas for the off-road community, with everything from a bones iv-wheel-drive system and a locking differential to skid plates, huge knobby tires, and off-road suspensions available from Toyota as a model or as an accessory.
Access Cab and Double Cab editions of the Tacoma are offered, with standard or long-bed (LB) lengths, with four- or six-cylinder engines, and they all have the aforementioned styling, albeit with different levels of stretch for the cab and bed. As for interior comfort, it's all relative. Compared with full-size trucks, the Tacoma disappoints for interior roominess and seating condolement, but compared with other mid-sizers similar the Nissan Frontier it'due south competitive. That said, fifty-fifty though Double Cab versions accept the infinite for iv adults (two kids in dorsum for Access Cabs, which have smaller dorsum doors and seating), the rather skimpy, short and flat seats in front end won't win you over for longer trips
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The anile Tacoma outline desperately needs to be reformatted.
This year, Toyota debuts the Tacoma TRD Pro Serial, which beefs up the styling and capabilities of the brand'southward most off-roadable small pickup. It wears extra black trim on the grille, wheels, and rear parts of the truck, intended to requite the Tacoma a more menacing await, as it tackles the paths beyond the pavement with more grace than the rest of the lineup.
Inside, Toyota has toned down the matte-metallic onslaught of the approachable model and blacked out the center-stack area, around audio and climate controls, leaving brightwork around the steering wheel and vents. Likewise, it's thrown out the orange-red lighting and replaced information technology with a cool-bluish backlit await, in line with what's been introduced in other models. And on Admission Cabs there's a new rear-panel storage box. The plastic trim'south been upgraded and in truth the Tacoma dash now has a better feel than the Frontier's cockpit does, if non by a huge margin.
Toyota recently gave the Tacoma a sharper, more divers look in front, with headlamps wrapped into the grille in a new fashion, and with higher plow signals that stretch the shape of the grille out at the lower corners. Information technology beefs upwards the Tacoma somewhat, but it doesn't take much to wait beyond the nose graft to see the meaty proportions peeking out from behind that bulging front end. The offset, flared bike wells and flared fender sheetmetal adds a hint of aggression or sportiness—brought out, especially, in its off-road trims—and the front end notwithstanding bears a clear family resemblance with that of the full-size Tundra and Land Cruiser. Likewise, models with the TRD Sport Package get new side mirrors with integrated turn signals.
Otherwise, at least on the outside, the Tacoma continues its relatively traditional compact-truck blueprint, with a piddling added flair, paired with the chunky, downwardly-to-concern look that nearly all Toyota trucks have had in recent years. Its primal blueprint and styling are carried through mostly unchanged since this larger, nearly mid-size version of the Tacoma was introduced, for 2005.
Access Cab and Double Cab editions of the Tacoma are offered, with standard or long-bed (LB) lengths, with four- or six-cylinder engines, and they all have the same styling, albeit with dissimilar levels of stretch for the cab and bed.
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On-road handling is ponderous no matter what, but V-6 Tacomas accept decent power.
The Tacoma is known for its off-road performance, and for good reason. Many of the models–including the PreRunner and TRD versions–are intended for the shopper who'd rather play in the mud, and this twelvemonth'south new TRD Pro Series is the leader of that pack.
Nosotros'd steer you to the endless specialty publications for lengthy discussions of the Tacoma's tuning and off-road capabilities; its 4-wheel-drive hardware ranges from a simple locking center differential to highly specialized setups with increased ride heights, knobby off-route tires, special shocks, and skid plates to protect its transfer case. Its customization possibilities become well beyond the usual light off-roading you'll find even in the SUV class--and if y'all're shopping a Tacoma purely equally a dirty weekend plaything, you've probably listed the options and features you have in mind already.
The Tacoma is less happy when it is on pavement, though, while the other remaining mid-size truck, the Nissan Borderland, fares much ameliorate.
Ride and handling tend to exist depression points for the Tacoma, which tends to be thrown off course by bumpy surfaces more than other trucks its size. You typically practise merchandise off some ride condolement and nimbleness for heavy-hauling ability, but the ride can be jarring hither, and maneuverability isn't much meliorate than that of a full-size truck. Just the steering is a positive; it's skillful and chatty.
Perhaps the all-time manner to estimate the Tacoma'southward performance, since it's non very impressive, is by towing and payload. The Tacoma'due south payload is well into the iii/4-ton category, depending on the model, and its tow rating goes up to 6,500 pounds.
The basic Tacoma stocks a four-cylinder engine, and it's seen by some as a substitute for a driver car. Gas mileage isn't wonderful, though, and in our view, the 159-horsepower, 2.seven-liter four just doesn't take enough refinement or fuel economy on tap to justify anything other than its very low base of operations toll. It'due south besides strapped to either a v-speed manual, which is fine, or a four-speed automated with widely spaced gears, which is some of the reason fuel economy is relatively depression.
With 236 horsepower and an even more noteworthy 266 pound-anxiety of torque, the four.0-liter Five-half-dozen provides a completely dissimilar personality--with plenty torque off the line to movement the Tacoma speedily even when y'all take a heavy load. The five-speed manual transmission in either model shifts smoothly but has long throws; the five-speed automated that's standard on Five-vi models is responsive, but the engine runs out of steam at highway speeds, turning in more than ambient road noise than rapid acceleration one time it'due south cruising at 75 mph.
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The Tacoma lacks truly comfortable seats in any position, and headroom is skimpy.
There aren't many smaller-than-total-size trucks left on the market, but amongst its competitors, the Tacoma is one of the to the lowest degree comfortable models we can think of.
Refinement--especially to those who are moving downwardly in size even from a modest full-size truck--could be the Tacoma's biggest failing. From inside the cabin, both engines are louder than you lot might wait, and the ride can exist inclement or jittery over some surfaces. But the motel does feel durable, with solid-feeling Toyota switchgear throughout and chunky climate controls that would be easy to grip with icy or gloved hands.
That said, road noise is reasonably well filtered-out, and various exam vehicles over the years take felt tight and been complimentary of rattles. The cargo bed in the Tacoma remains made of a blended material that's lighter than steel and corrosion-resistant.
The Tacoma comes in ii body styles. In that location's the iv-door Double Cab and the in-between Access Cab and its extra space behind the front seats. There's a fair amount of room in the four-door Double Cab, and four adults volition be able to sit down in it for brusk trips in reasonable condolement. However, the back seats take a vertical backrest that's not skillful on longer trips, and caput room back there and in front is in short supply. It'due south even tough to get in the Tacoma if yous're taller than about 5' ten"; the roof is depression and the floor is high, which means ducking into the cabin instead of stepping in. On Access Cabs, which have smaller dorsum doors and seating, in that location's enough infinite for ii children in tiny leap seats. In whatever of the models, the rather skimpy, brusk and flat seats in front won't win you lot over for longer trips.
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Crash-examination scores are poor, where they're even bachelor for the Tacoma.
The Tacoma's crash ratings aren't as good as they could be, but the truck does come up with the expected safety equipment.
The Tacoma is fitted with standard anti-lock brakes, stability control, and brake assist; agile front headrests; and 6 airbags, including curtain and front end seat-mounted side airbags. Nigh models too include an Automatic Limited-slip Differential (Motorcar-LSD).
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safe (IIHS) has given the Tacoma a top 'good' score in frontal, side, and rear bear upon, only especially of business organization though is that the Tacoma earned a 'marginal' rating in the new IIHS roof strength test, which gauges the roof's protection of occupants in a rollover crash. Relative to other types of vehicles, pickups are particularly rollover-prone in accidents.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has tested one version of the Tacoma, the four-door Tacoma Double Cab. For that body style solitary, the NHTSA gives the pickup an overall rating of iv stars; notwithstanding, that rating includes a iii-star score for frontal impacts, with a five-star score for side-impact protection. No other body styles take withal been tested.
Utility and off-road gear is plentiful on the guild sheet, but the Tacoma lacks some comfort and convenience features.
The Toyota Tacoma can be different things to unlike drivers, ranging from a capable off-roading auto to some, a sporty personal commuter for others, and a bones work truck for the remainder. With that in mind, the Tacoma can be had in a variety of flavors, ranging from a few very spartan base models, all the mode out to one very expensive TRD Pro Series pickup.
The Tacoma lineup spans from those base models through a new Express parcel, which gets sport seats (still vinyl); a leather-trimmed steering wheel with audio controls; a rearview camera; a garage door opener; and 18-inch chrome wheels. The X-Runner gets wider wheels and tires; a lowered, sport-tuned suspension; and an 10-braced frame (hence the name), forth with extra interior conveniences. Beyond those street-oriented models, the Tacoma comes into its own with two specialized models, the PreRunner and TRD, which are focused for tough terrain and look the function.
The Tacoma also gets integrated Toyota's Entune system, which brings mobile-app connectivity to the vehicle's audio arrangement. Entune links smartphones to the Tacoma's audio unit and its LCD screen to display 3G-connected navigation functions and existent-fourth dimension conditions and traffic data, all attainable by voice commands--and augmented by text-to-vocalisation capability, HD Radio, and Bluetooth audio streaming. In our experience, the system links chop-chop with the latest Apple software and provides a relatively inexpensive navigation option, though some of the information entry can get tedious--and since voice commands aren't equally easily recognized in the Tacoma'southward loud motel. Streaming was excellent, though, and and then was audio quality itself.
The basic Tacoma is a little sparse, since it's filling a niche that even the Ford Ranger left backside. Buyers are still demanding, though, and Toyota's had to upgrade some of the features; every Tacoma now gets Bluetooth connectivity, a USB port, and half dozen speakers to go with its AM/FM/CD histrion, for case.
For those who desire an off-road able truck that actually looks the office, it's all here, though. The PreRunner adds a college-riding interruption, locking rear differential, and other advent cues. Besides available is a TRD Off-Route Package that brings special badging, plus an off-road suspension with Bilstein dampers, fog lamps, and a transfer-case skid plate. Taking the concept to an extreme is the Off-Route Rugged Trail Package, which includes a locking rear diff, sixteen-inch Baja wheels, additional skid plating, black overfenders, and Bilstein shocks.
A number of other dealer-installed accessories are offered on the Tacoma--including a flip-out bed extender, SnugTop Super Sport hard beat, a safe bed mat, a bed divider, a bed net, cargo crossbars, a Yakima roof rack, a bike rack, and running boards. It's completely customizable to a sure lifestyle, fifty-fifty if that lifestyle is a pretty pocket-sized percentage of the world at large.
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Full-size pickups earn gas mileage shut to the Tacoma's, and so what's the indicate?
Fuel economic system isn't ordinarily a strength for pickups, but the availability of a 4-cylinder engine helps the Tacoma earn slightly better ratings than we'd normally expect.
However, it'south worth considering, that if you're planning to push button the four-cylinder model to its limits, your mileage won't exist any improve in the real-globe (maybe lower) than that of Five-6 models. Only if it'south mostly light commuting y'all do, you lot may observe better mileage than in the Ram, or Ford's 23-mpg-highway F-150, or even in GM's total-size hybrids—the Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid and GMC Sierra Hybrid.
The ratings for the standard two-wheel-drive, four-cylinder Tacoma peg it at up to 21 miles per gallon city, 25 miles per gallon highway. Corking, you say? The V-six version of the latest Ram 1500, with an eight-speed automatic and a lot more room, is rated at 17/25 mpg. The Tacoma, with the 5-6, drops to 17/21 mpg, or as low equally 16/19 mpg when four-wheel bulldoze is ordered.
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The Car Connection Consumer Review
June 5, 2015
2015 Toyota Tacoma 4WD Double Cab LB V6 AT (GS)
My 2nd Tacoma- nosotros have vi Toyotas in our family. We all depend on our Toyotas to go us in that location safely.
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