2015 Toyota Tacoma

05 Feb 2015

Rev up with the new Tacoma.

The mid-sized Toyota Tacoma pickup truck was born in the U.S. 20 years ago. Toyota reports that 3 million Tacomas have been sold here since 1995. Additionally, 75 percent of those trucks are still on roads today. It has been the best-selling mid-size pickup for the past 10 years.

At the recent Detroit Auto Show, the automaker teased consumers with a first look at the 2016 Tacoma, which, according to Motor Trend, will feature a new powertrain, a more efficient transmission, a new suspension, a new look and plenty of new features.

Toyota did not disclose when this 2016 version would be available. So for now, mid-size truck enthusiasts can still opt for the 2015 version, which, Motor Matters reports, has plenty to like about it.

In a recent review, Motor Matters commented that the 2015 Toyota hones Tacoma’s segment-dominating ways by adding a new TRD Pro Series that’s off-road ready and willing. The Tacoma line currently offers a choice between four-cylinder and V-6 engines, and 2WD and 4WD drivetrains, along with two cab styles and two bed lengths.

Serious off-roaders have long favored the Tacoma as a basis to build their custom trucks. Accordingly, as Motor Matters reported, the 2015 Tacoma TRD Pro Series gives off-roaders a head start on their way to the desert. Replacing the limited-edition Tacoma Baja Series that was offered for 2014, the 2015 Tacoma TRD Pro Series adopts much of that model’s beefed-up body and chassis features, including 16-inch beadlock style TRD alloy wheels with BF Goodrich LT265/70R16 All-Terrain KO tires. Suspension mods make the Tacoma TRD Pro Series off-road ready, raising ride height 1.75 inches in front, increasing wheel travel and using TRD springs with decreased rate for better ride control over rough terrain.

The Access Cab models ride on a 127.4-inch wheelbase and have a 73.5-inch-long bed. The Double Cab is offered in two versions: the 127.4-inch wheelbase with a 60.3-inch bed or 140.6-inch wheelbase with the 73.5-inch bed.

The Tacoma continues to offer the standard 2.7-liter 4-cylinder, producing 159 horsepower, and the 4.0-liter DOHC V-6 belting out 236 horses. Four-cylinder models offer the choice of a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. The V-6 can be teamed with either a 6-speed manual or a 5-speed automatic. When equipped with a V-6 Tow Package, Access Cab models boast a tow capacity of up to 6,500 pounds.

Base model estimated miles per gallon: 21/25. Estimated starting price: $20,765.

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