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TOYOTA’S NEW TACOMA GETS BIGGER AND BETTER |
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PART 2: 2005 Toyota Tacoma Access Cab PreRunner
Next, we tested a 4-cylinder Tacoma Access Cab PreRunner, this one was a surprise as well because even though it had 2 cylinders less that the X-Runner, it still performed well. The 2.7 liter 4-Cylinder has enough power and torque for light duty uses. It can even tow up tow up to 3,500 pounds. That is enough to tow a small ski boat, jet ski trailer or a trailer loaded with motorcycles. If more towing capacity is needed look to the 4.0 V6 equipped Tacoma trucks which can tow up to 6,500 pounds. The 4-cylinder Tacoma sometimes gets overlooked in the marketplace because some people just want the highest horsepower available or the sales person may not even show 4-cylinder models to consumers because some are focused on making a higher commission by selling a more expensive V6 model. Again, if you are only in need of a light-duty truck or an affordable truck for commuting, look no further than the 4-cylinder Tacoma which is available in many variations.
Toyota’s designers and engineers created some very innovative things for the pickup bed on all Tacoma models. The inner portion on all Tacoma pickup beds is no longer made of steel. Toyota created a new bed material called “Fiber-Reinforced Sheet-Molded Composite.” Toyota claims that this new bed material is 10 % lighter than steel and also stronger than steel. No bed liners are needed for this one. Also new, are the adjustable tie-down cleats for securing cargo, these cleats are able to slide in a rail near the lip of the bed and can be slid fore and aft to adapt to any size of cargo. On some Tacoma models there is a 115 volt/400 watt deck mounted power outlet which is located behind the right side wheel arch in the lower part of the bed. This outlet comes in handy for camping outings and even for plugging in power tools in remote locations if necessary. Also new are four small cubby holes located on the lower sides of the composite bed for holding smaller items in place.
The new Tacoma has grown significantly in size and is no longer a mini-truck. It is a mid-size truck and so are most other manufacturer’s smallest trucks. To put things into perspective the new Tacoma is just slightly smaller than the Tundra in some dimensions. It is even closer in size to Toyota’s first full-size truck the T100. Now, the only truck that could fall into a mini-truck category is the very old Ford Ranger. It seems that the mini-truck market which helped Toyota to become successful in America since the introduction of the first Hilux mini-truck in 1970 has pretty much disappeared. Hopefully, someday Toyota will bring-back a mini-truck. Why not redefine and redesign what a mini-truck is and bring one to market in the Scion lineup? We can only hope to see mini-trucks in dealers again someday because it just seems that all cars and trucks are getting larger and heavier with each redesign. If cars and trucks keep increasing in size, maybe in 20 years the Corolla will be as big as a the current Avalon!
The ride and handling of the Tacoma Access Cab PreRunner are what is expected of Toyota. The Tacoma has a very lively and easy to drive nature that is missing from some other manufacturer’s pickups. It is no Lexus but it is the best riding and quietest Toyota pickup to date. These new Tacomas perform so well, there are only two minor criticisms to bring up. On both tested Tacomas, the brakes stop the truck very well but the brake pedal is a bit over boosted and grabby, a smoother modulation would be much appreciated. Also, the Access Cab doors on both models tested tended to “creak” just a little bit when entering driveways since there is no B-pillar in place. Other than those two minor issues, the rest of the driving experience is very enjoyable.
The fit and finish are first rate and the paint quality and color selections are the best ever from Toyota. The Black Sand Pearl that was on the 4-cylinder Tacoma we tested is an attractive metallic black paint that is normally seen on expensive European cars. Nice touch Toyota! The aggressive grill on the new Tacoma pickups is very wide and tall compared to the previous Tacomas. Some elements of the Toyota FTX concept truck that made the car show circuit a few years ago, can clearly be seen in the new Tacoma. Even the newly shaped fender flares give the Tacoma a very aggressive stance on the road. Overall the new design is very pleasing and better proportioned than the previous Tacoma.
One last note with the interior, it looks like Toyota’s Marketing Researchers and Product Planners want to make sure that Toyota owners stay hydrated, so there are 9 cup holders located in the Access Cab models, 2 in each front door, 1 in each rear door and 3 in the center console. One of the cup holders in the center console is narrower than the others to accommodate the narrow sized cans of popular energy drinks or it can do double duty as a cell phone holder too.
Reliable, dependable, high-quality and long-lasting, these words have been used to describe Toyota trucks for many years. It is without question that the new Tacoma will continue in this same tradition. This writer’s daily driver is a 1980s era Toyota pickup (before the Tacoma name was introduced on Toyota’s trucks they were just called Toyota pickups or trucks), this truck now has over 500,000 miles on the original engine and is still running strong. There are no reasons to doubt that any of the new Tacomas will be able to rack up that many miles with just basic maintenance carried out and a little care. Anyone in the market for a new mid-size pickup would be wise to add the Tacoma to the shopping list.
Specifications:
2005 Toyota Tacoma Access Cab PreRunner
Engine: 2.7 liter DOHC 4 with VVT-i, (Variable Valve Timing with intelligence.)
Transmission: 5-speed manual (Automatic optional)
Engine Code: 2TR-FE
Horsepower/torque: 164hp/183 lb.-ft.
Front Suspension: Coil-spring double wishbone Rear Suspension: Leaf spring with staggered outboard gas shock absorbers
Turning Circle: 40.7
Brakes: Power-assisted ventilated front disc brakes/rear drum brakes, 4-wheel ABS with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist
Wheels: 16 inch
Front Tires: P245/75R16 Rear Tires: P245/75R16
Curb Weight, (manual transmission): 3635 lbs.
Towing Capacity: 3,500 lbs.
Required Fuel: 87-octane regular unleaded.
Fuel Tank: 21.0 Gallons
EPA Fuel Economy 5-speed manual: 20 city/27 highway
TORC Test actual MPG, 5-speed manual: 21.20 MPG Average Lowest MPG: 19.16 MPG Highest MPG: 23.53 MPG
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TORC Test Evaluation (5 stars is top rating) |
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Future Classic Potential.......... «« Fuel Economy......................... ««« Handling.................................. ««« Braking.................................... «« Acceleration............................ ««« Comfort and Room................. ««««« Tuning Potential...................... ««« Fun to Drive............................ ««« Styling and Design.................. «««« |