2005 Toyota Tacoma Review

Specifications

Tacoma Vies for Best Compact Pickup Bragging Rights

Unlike most new vehicles that I get to test prior to their official launch, I actually had the chance to test drive Toyotas new Tacoma pickup twice. The first time was a pre-production version way back in July during a 2005 all-model Toyota-Lexus debut. I was able to take it on a couple of short runs around the countryside. It was enough to be impressed, but not enough to get a real feel for what it was capable of. This time around, however, Toyota gave me a variety of Tacomas to test for the majority of a day, and I was able to truly understand the direction the Japanese automaker is taking with this critical vehicle.

Why do I say critical? Well, Toyota already sells its fair share in most car segments, but it lacks volume in trucks. Trucks, SUVs and crossovers are hot right now, making up about half of all new vehicle sales in the U.S., so therefore Toyota sees the segment as its growth market. The Tacoma is integral not only for the sales it will garner all on its own merits, but also for long term growth in the lucrative full-size truck segment. Most moving up to a Tundra or Sequoia arrive via one of the brands smaller, entry-level pickup trucks or SUVs.

This scenario played out similarly for my Dad. In recent years he went from a couple of rear-drive GMC Safari vans, to a RAV4, which he still owns, to most recently to a full-size Tundra. Hes a classic case really. Fed up with questionable reliability and poorer dealer service hes dropped the domestics, and now that hes with Toyota hell most likely never leave.

Currently the Tundras 7/8ths scale is too small for traditional domestic truck buyers, with complaints from those who have driven centered on its seat height, which some find too low and car-like for their tastes. The Tundra kind of reminds me of the Harley-Davidson, Honda Shadow conundrum of a couple of decades ago. Honda built a “better” Harley, or at least it ran more reliably, featured higher-quality components and didnt shake when idling. That last part ironically made it less desirable to cruiser fans, however, so Honda had to engineer out smoothness in order to give the bike a little more character. The very thought must have driven the perfectionists that run the Japanese motorcycle company nuts, but it taught Honda a thing or two about selling to North American buyers. Now, of course, Harley is building some of the best made cruisers in the world and is one of the top motorcycle sellers because of it.

So much for the motorcycle history lesson, what does this story have to do with selling pickup trucks? Well, the Tundra is almost too good. Its so refined, so car-like that buyers looking for a bad-@$$ pickup dont even consider it. My Dad, a rather refined Viennese city-slicker gone country, is the prime candidate for this gentlemans pickup, but Hos Cartwright down at the Ponderosa isnt taking the bait.

After years of making a better pickup truck and not having truck buyers respond similarly to the way car buyers do to its Corolla and Camry, Toyota now believes it has what buyers want. The word is “BIG”! The next-generation Tundra will be much larger than the current one, which has left room for the Tacoma to grow in size. Toyotas entry-level truck is bigger than its predecessor in every way. Its now more midsize than compact, dimensionally similar to the best-selling Dodge Dakota.

Actually, the Tacoma is wider and taller than the Dakota, although shorter Access and Double Cab versions. But forget about the Dakota for a moment. How much larger is the 2005 Tacoma from the previous version? The new model gets a five-inch wheelbase extension, while its track will be widened by four inches, which results in four-and-one-half additional inches of shoulder and hip room inside. While some Tacoma buyers wont be thrilled that the Japanese brand is upping the size of its compact pickup, Toyota is confident most will appreciate the change. As for me, I like the extra room inside the cab. My shoulders and elbows had room to move, and legroom up front is excellent. Those relegated to the rear of the Access Cab wont experience such luxuries, however, as the multi-functional seat is more of a padded lid for the handy storage compartment rather than anything desirable for long-distance touring. The rear of the Double Cab is car-like though, ideal for two adults in comfort and three in a pinch. The front seats felt extremely comfortable too, partially due to their full adjustability. The seatbacks fold down as well, for loading larger items that may need to stay out of the elements.

While Toyotas upgraded 4.7-liter V8 is said to fit into the engine bay of the new Tacoma, nothing about its inclusion has been announced as of yet. Just the same the new truck gets a seriously improved V6 boasting 282 lb-ft of V8-like torque. The 245 horsepower engine is optional, with a 2.7-L 4-cylinder featuring 164 horsepower standard. While the four-cylinder is merely up to the task of medium duty work, the new V6 is positively stimulating off the line, when attempting a pass on the highway, or when executing just about any other activity. Likewise it makes towing heavy loads a simple task, something I found out when pulling a rather large speedboat throughout the countryside. While capable of a moderate 3,500 pound load in base trim, with the optional V6 tow prep package up to 6,500 pounds is possible.

The engine is smooth at idle too, and doesnt transmit any harshness into the cabin even when under full throttle. Standard equipment is a well sorted 5-speed manual, while a 5-speed automatic downshifts quickly and upshifts without commotion. A 6-speed manual is part of the V6 package, optimizing power and fuel economy.

The test area chosen had its share of bumpy winding roads, which allowed me to test out the Tacomas ride and handling. Fortunately Toyota has made sure that all the attitude under the hood is well matched to an agile suspension. While not car-like, its ride is much more compliant than most of its rivals and handling also better than average. Keep in mind, however, that its a top-heavy truck, especially in 4×4 trim, and shouldnt be driven with the same gusto as a sport sedan.

Amid the short, medium-duty 4×4 course that Toyota laid out the Tacoma did very well, as was expected. After all it comes from Land Cruiser roots, not to mention decades of compact pickup off-road superiority.

Whether in the mud, dirt or pavement, the truck stopped without hesitation, due to large diameter front disc and rear drum brakes plus standard ABS. Also, its available electronic stability control makes a tremendous difference keeping the vehicle on the road when traveling on gravel. There were a few sections during my days drive where I was able to test this feature, and even when pitched slightly sideways in turns the stability control kicked in and pulled the truck back inline. Again, its important to remember that I did this for testing purposes only, and enough momentum would no doubt override the system placing you and your new truck in the ditch. On the safety front, Toyota also offers optional side curtain airbags which would come in handy if common sense fails.

One of my favorite new features is its new composite cargo bed, 6 foot 2 inches in standard trim and 5 foot 1 inches when behind the double cab. Its lighter, non-corrosive, and more protective of both the truck and items placed inside. Also convenient, Toyota has incorporated a utility rail system designed to work with available attachments such as box extenders, dividers and more. A 400-watt maximum capability external power outlet is also included, integrated into the rear passenger side of the box.

Having tested all of the Tacomas new competitors, I like Toyotas interior execution the best. Its classier and more refined than every competitor, with higher quality plastics and better fit and finish. The instrument cluster features three circular dials in separate housings, similar to the current 4Runner. The revised center stack incorporates the audio system head and HVAC controls in an integrated layout, pushing the Tacoma further upscale from its predecessor and competitors. Also included, is a multi-disc CD changer at top and an attractive LED information screen at middle. Everything is intuitively placed, and all switchgear feels well made.

Toyota offers a fairly bare bones base model for an extremely competitive $22,125. A myriad of options are available, following a pattern that has made the Japanese brand so successful with its previous compact trucks. Once again the 4×4-style rear-drive only Prerunner is available, extremely well equipped for $31,215. If four-wheel drive is necessary or just desirable, prices start at $29,240, while the Double Cab features add $4,410 to the bottom line.

Whatever the configuration, features or price, the new Tacoma offers great value. It looks superb, drives well and should outlast most of its rivals if Toyotas reputation can be relied upon. No doubt it will also strengthen Toyotas position in the compact/midsize pickup truck segment.