For a while, the buzz in the industry was that the compact pickup truck market was on its way out.  People didn’t have a use for smaller trucks, said the ubiquitous They, and before long there wouldn’t be any more.  The recent redesigns of the Chevrolet Colorado, Nissan Frontier and now, the 2005 Toyota Tacoma beg to disagree with this analysis, however.  If anyone knows the market, it’s Toyota, and its revitalized mini pickup is a solid vote of confidence that there are still folks out there who don’t want full-size trucks.

The Tacoma has often come across as being less serious a truck than most, based on its advertising and the general young-urban male demographic of its buyers.  Now, is that true?  Not exactly.  Like most other small trucks these days, the Tacoma is far less light-duty than in the past, thanks to higher truck expectations.  True to Toyota’s standard operating protocol, the new Tacoma is longer, wider, and more refined than its predecessor.  The redesigned face features large rounded headlights and slightly boxed fender lines.  The Tacoma has inherited hood scoops from the 4Runner, and some models feature big plastic fender flares as well.  The squarer design has more cab choices than before, too; Toyota now offers standard, extended Access Cab, and Double Cab models.  Two wheelbase lengths are offered as well.

It’s not obvious, but the Tacoma rides on a heavily modified version of the platform that underpins the Lexus GX470 and Toyota 4Runner.  Toyota calls it an “evolutionary” model but it’s essentially all new.  The design takes hints from the full-size Tundra and 4Runner, with large headlights and squared off fenders.  The cargo box is fiber-reinforced SMC on the inside and steel on the outside.  Many pickups have used the opposite construction; Toyota has chosen to put the plastic on the inside, to resist damage from cargo and eliminate the need for a bedliner.  A utility rail system is standard, and includes adjustable tie-down cleats.  A 400 watt AC outlet mounted in the bed is an available option, and is the perfect thing to power a television at tailgate parties.

Inside, the added body width makes a difference.  The console is larger, with integrated ancillary controls and a trapezoidal look similar to that of the 4Runner.  The seats are still too close to the floor for long-legged drivers, but visibility has improved.  An overhead console and amber-lit gauges add an elegant touch, and are illuminated by light-emitting diodes (LEDs) rather than conventional bulbs.  Interestingly, the reason is environmental; LEDs don’t require soldering to attach, and Toyota is trying to reduce the amount of toxic lead used in its products.

The cab choices offer unique features of their own.  Side and side-curtain airbags are available on the Double Cab, and the rear seats have a more comfortable, less vertical backrest.  The extended Access Cab now offers reverse-opening doors to ease entry into the jump seats.  The rear seats in both Access Cab and Double Cab fold and tumble out of the way to reveal additional storage cubbies underneath.

The 4.0 liter V6 puts out 245 horsepower.  It’s got Toyota’s VVT-i variable valve timing system, meaning that Toyota now offers VVT-i in every vehicle it sells.  The 4.0 is tuned for workhorse like torque rather than ultimate horsepower–282 foot-pounds, which is V8 territory without the fuel economy penalty of the larger motor.  Properly equipped, the Tacoma will tow up to 6500 pounds.  A 164-horsepower 2.7 liter four-cylinder is also offered.  It’s not the familiar 2.7 that powered Tacomas past, either; this engine is all-new, and was designed specifically for North American applications.  The big displacement allows it to produce a healthy 183 foot-pounds of torque.  We drove a V6-equipped Tacoma, and had no trouble keeping up with freeway traffic, although we didn’t care for the droning exhaust note.  Five- and six-speed manual transmissions are offered on the 2.7 and 4.0 respectively.  Noise, vibration and harshness have been reduced with a new all-aluminum transmission case, making the Tacoma quieter on the road.  There’s also a new five-speed automatic transmission for the V6.  Four-wheel drive models do away with the old-school transfer case levers in favor of an electronic pushbutton unit.

The Tacoma’s frame is similar to that of a full-size pickup; the frame rails are boxed at the front, with strong rolled C-channel sections and reinforcements to improve performance in offset front-end impacts.  The Tacoma is one of the few small pickups to meet automotive crash test-standards as well as truck standards.  The suspension consists of double A-arms up front, with a solid rear axle.  Outboard shocks ride outside the frame, similar to those in the new Ford F-150, for improved suspension feel.  Our test truck featured the new Toyota Racing Development (TRD) Sport package, whose spring and ride modifications improve responsiveness on the road.  Even with all-season tires on 17″ wheels, the TRD Sport is still bouncy–don’t go thinking it’s a serious sport truck in high-stepping 4×4 guise.  For drivers who want to go fast in pickup trucks, Toyota will offer a high-performance version of the Tacoma called X-Runner, but that’s a different story entirely.

Anti-lock brakes are standard.  Toyota also offers Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and TRAC traction control.  Tacomas equipped with VSC and the automatic transmission can mimic the effects of a limited-slip differential using the brakes.  The Downhill Assist Control (DAC) system introduced last year in the 4Runner is now available in the Tacoma, which should please off-road pickup fans.

We’d be willing to say that the Tacoma could singlehandedly revitalize the compact pickup truck market…but given the quality of the competition that’s already there, it’s clear that the market didn’t really need a shot in the arm in the first place.  The Tacoma is well-positioned to retain its market share and bring new buyers into the fold, however, and that’s what really matters.  Pricing hasn’t been set yet, but Toyota promises it’ll be competitive with the current crop of compact pickups when the Tacoma goes on sale shortly.

Specifications:
All specs are for the 2005 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab 4×4, which we tested.
Length:     208.1 in.
Width:        74.6 in.
Height:        70.1 in.
Wheelbase:    127.8 in.
Curb weight:    4100 lb.
Towing capacity:    6500 lb.
Payload:    1415 lb.
Engine:     4.0 liter DOHC V6
Drivetrain:     five-speed automatic, four-wheel drive
Horsepower:     245 @ 5200
Torque:     282 @ 3800
Fuel capacity:    21 gal.
Est. mileage:    17/20

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