2016 Toyota Tacoma Midsize Pickup

On- And Off-Road Adventure

2016 Toyota Tacoma Courtesy of Toyota Newsroom

For 50 years, Toyota has been building trucks for the U.S. market. Now Toyota feels they have built the best, toughest, and most durable pickup in this segment. For 10 years now Toyota has dominated the midsize truck market.

“The all new homegrown Tacoma is a tough truck designed, developed, and built for a lifestyle of the young and young at heart,” said Bill Fay, group vice president and general manager Toyota division.

Tacoma was engineered in Ann Arbor, Michigan, but I am proud to say, it is assembled in San Antonio, Texas.

Tacoma has added high-strength steel to help enhance rigidity and over-all strength. This ultra-high strength steel was integrated into the body shell using a new hot stamping process that reduces weight.

The suspension was fine-tuned to help deliver a smooth on-road ride, while making it even more capable off-road.

Tacoma offers two engines. The 2.7 L DOHC 4-cylinder with VVT-i will produce 159 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. EPA estimated mpg for the 4X2 with automatic transmission is 19/23/21 city/highway/combined. Estimated fuel efficiency for the 4X4 with a manual transmission is 19/21/20 and 19/22/20 for the automatic.

Even more power is presented by the all-new V6, which is a segment-first 3.5 L Atkinson cycle V6 with VVT-i W (wider intake) and D-4S direct and port dual-injection system. This V6 will generate 278 hp (a 42 hp increase over previous V6) and 265 lb-ft of torque at 4,600 rpm. Estimated city/highway/ combined mpg for the 4X2 automatic is 19/24/21. Estimated 4X4 mpg is 17/21/19 for the manual and 18/23/20 for the automatic.

Both engines will be joined by a new 6-speed automatic transmission with electronic shift, delivering quick and easy shifting. The V6 can also be found in a 6-speed manual and the 4-cylinder to a 5-speed manual.

The V6 can be equipped with a Tow Package which can tow up to 6,800 pounds, an increase of 300 pounds over the previous V6.

Look for the design DNA. The Tacoma shares big brother Tundra’s more chiseled face with a hex grille.

An athletic posture means just a little "Attitude."