All new larger Tacoma is a winner

The newest generation of the Tacoma has been completely redesigned for 2005, and has grown from a compact to a mid-size. Not since the Tacoma nameplate first arrived in 1995 has it been so completely revamped, with the wheelbase extended by 5 inches, the track widened by 4 inches and inside shoulder room and hip room increased by nearly 4.5 inches. The increase in size means a longer, wider footprint on the road for better handling, stability and ride comfort.

The Tacoma comes in three body styles: regular cab, Access Cab with rear-hinged half-doors (other makes call it Extend Cab), and Double Cab (think Crew Cab) with four front-hinged conventional doors with rear doors that now open wider than the previous generation Tacoma's.

Each body style is available with two- or four-wheel drive. Choose between manual or automatic transmission, four-cylinder or V-6, short, medium or long beds. In all there 18 different Tacoma variations, six more than for 2004, and that's before we consider available options.

Toyota also offers the Tacoma with a "PreRunner" designation, a two-wheel drive truck that has the looks and heavy-duty suspension of the 4x4 Tacoma. The PreRunner has been a popular model for those who want the look of a 4x4 but either don't need or can't afford the extra cost of a 4x4.

Toyota also offers a special two-wheel drive X-Runner access cab sport truck model equipped with the V-6, a six-speed manual transmission, a sport-tuned suspension and additional structural "X" bracing underneath that gives the truck its name and makes it more rigid. It's a tuner truck straight from the factory, with lower suspension, a pronounced hood scoop, 18-inch alloy wheels and Bridgestone Potenza tires. Toyota is planning to limit production to about 3,500 units a year out of 170,00 Tacomas that will be built.

The base Tacoma engine is an all-new 2.7-liter 164-horsepower inline four cylinder that replaces two four-cylinder engines that made 142 horsepower and 150 horsepower. The new 2.7-liter engine comes with a choice of five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission.

All Double Cab Tacomas use a 4.0-liter V-6 engine, new for this model but introduced on the redesigned 4Runner last year. This V-6 produces 245 horsepower, up 50 from the previous Tacoma's V-6. The V-6 is optional on both regular and Access Cab variants. V-6 models get a choice of a new five-speed automatic transmission or a new six-speed manual gearbox. Unlike the Toyota 4Runner (which is built on the same platform as Tacoma), no V-8 option is offered.

My test model, a bright Radiant Red Double Cab 4X4 with the shorter bed, carried a base price of $25,315 (including freight) and included options like the TRD Off-Road Pkg #2 ($3,695), upgraded audio system, floor mats, cargo net, security system and bed mat, topping the price out at $29,987.

Depending on the model, you can choose front bench, bucket or sport seating. Access Cab models have two tumble-flat rear seats that are mostly useless for humans and best used for cargo you don't want to put in an exposed bed. Double Cab trucks hold a three-passenger, 60/40 split tumble-and-fold rear seat that is quite comfortable, offering good leg and shoulder room with adequate headroom. Kids will find it comfortable for longer trips but adults will want to limit their ride to shorter trips. The rear windows go all the way down into the door.

My Tacoma was equipped with cloth bucket seats that I found comfortable although the seat bottom could have been longer for this too-tall driver. A wide center console with cup holders separates the front seats. The dash is covered with dimpled material and upper panels that give it a nice quality and finished look. Three satin-finished metal trimmed ovals beyond the steering wheel house the speedometer, tachometer, and fuel/engine gauges. An attractive silver perforated plastic finish is used for the center stack and integrates the audio and climate control knobs. An extra-large glove box is located on the bottom-right side of the dash.

With a bolder grille and larger headlamps, the new Tacoma exudes a more muscular feel than the previous generation. PreRunner, 4X4 models and the X-Runner models have added larger overfenders. Overall the look is handsomely rugged and pleasingly well done.

For the truck bed, Toyota uses new composite plastic, a material Toyota insists is lighter than steel "yet tougher and more durable." It also means that you won't have to purchase an aftermarket slip-in or spray-in bed liner at extra cost. The bed also comes with integrated deck rails with four adjustable tie-down cleats and a two-tier loading system.

My Tacoma TRD model easily handled off-road challenges through rough desert terrain and gravel trails. We climbed steep, rocky trails and twisty descents with aplomb, and all in relative comfort and a minimum of usual head turbulence. Switching to four-wheel drive is as simple as twisting a knob on the dash.

On pavement, the Tacoma handles surprisingly well with a quiet, compliant ride. Body roll in corners is minimal. Absent was the usual bouncy and jarring ride associated with most 4x4s. Braking was smooth but rear brakes are the less desirable drum type, a noticeable cost-cutting measure and a departure from some of the other pickups in this class. Visibility is excellent with large outside mirrors and no blind spots.

Safety features include antilock brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and BrakeAssist standard on all models. A stability control system ($950) is available on all models, except the X-runner. Crew cab models offer optional front-seat side airbags and full-length head curtain airbags ($650). The Tacoma has not yet been crash tested.

The new Tacoma is in every way a winner and sets a new standard for mid-size pickups. The build quality and materials are excellent and no longer does the pickup truck owner have to suffer a brutal ride, substandard safety features or marginal looks for all-wheel drive. Tacoma for 2005 is all new from the ground up and it's a winner.

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