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A tough midsize pickup ready for Armageddons both real and metaphorical.
Welcome to Critic's Notebook, a quick and off-the-cuff car review consisting of impressions, jottings, and marginalia regarding whatever The Drive writers happen to be driving. Today's edition: the 2018 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road.
2018 Toyota Tacoma vs 2017 Toyota Tacoma As the best-selling midsize pickup in America for 11 straight years, the Toyota Tacoma is undoubtedly an incredibly popular vehicle. Drivers all around the country have come to know the Toyota Tacoma as a powerful and reliable pickup truck that is nearly guaranteed to get the job done. High-strength steel. High-strength steel is used in the construction of every 2018 Tacoma, helping ensure it delivers the toughness you expect. Stronger and lighter than conventional steel, this hot-stamped, high-strength alloy helps optimize safety and performance. Used Toyota Tacoma with Manual Transmission for Sale on carmax.com. Search new and used cars, research vehicle models, and compare cars, all online at carmax.com. Oct 28, 2016 Posted in New Models, Toyota 86, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Tacoma, Toyota Yaris, Toyota Yaris iA Toyota Models and Trim Levels with a Manual Transmission Many car shoppers with an eye on performance gravitate to the form and function of a manual transmission. May 16, 2018 2018 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road Review: A Rugged Pickup Truck for Carpocalypse Now A tough midsize pickup ready for Armageddons both real and metaphorical.
There's nothing like an off-road drive for a little post-apocalyptic roleplaying. Up there in the mountains, away from the smoggy tendrils of civilization, it's easy to imagine yourself a lone survivor plunging through the wilderness. And after giving it a fair amount of thought, I reached the following conclusion: After the nukes fall, all that will remain are the ruins of our cities, cockroaches, and people selling 10-year-old Toyota Tacomas for $25,000.
The Tacoma has a well-earned reputation for being a stupendously reliable, no-nonsense midsize pickup truck that can bend the forces of depreciation to its will. It's also known for not changing a whole lot in the two decades since the model first rolled out of the factory—from the available six-speed manual transmission to its rear drum brakes, the Toyota Tacoma remains one of the more honest, workmanlike trucks you can buy today.
Depending on your perspective, this next bit is either a weird anomaly or a foregone conclusion. Since the latest generation was introduced in 2015, the Tacoma has exploded in popularity at the same time that sedans have plummeted. Toyota sold nearly 200,000 Tacomas last year amidst the ongoing carpocalypse—a record—and sales this year have outpaced 2017. It's even outselling the Toyota Highlander right now. So what gives? Is this a case of crossover fatigue? Is it a side effect of cheap gas? Is the Tacoma really that good?
To find out, The Drive borrowed a 2018 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road for a week of adventures around our West Coast bureau in Los Angeles. And I learned that when it's time to rebuild civilization, our future will probably ride on the back of this humble midsize truck.
The Pros
- For those who just want a pickup, pure and simple, it's hard to argue with the package Toyota has created here. Introduced in 2015, the latest model utilizes a high-strength steel frame paired with a rugged body. You can't slice a katana without hitting someone with a strong opinion on Toyota's front-end design language, though I think this is one of the better interpretations in the lineup. The high-clearance off-road bumper on the TRD model certainly helps. But the whole thing exudes a capable, confident eagerness that's missing from much of the competition.
- Plus, you can still pair a six-speed manual transmission with the more-powerful V-6 engine, which puts out 278 horsepower, 265 pound-feet of torque, and can tow 6,400 pounds.
- To create the TRD Off-Road trim, which is a step below the full-bore TRD Pro, Toyota added Bilstein shocks tuned for off-road use, a skid plate, a locking rear differential on 4WD models, and the company's 'crawl control' feature that takes over the throttle and brakes on tough trails. Automatic transmission models also get a multi-terrain drive mode dial to calibrate things like wheelspin and throttle response even further. All that stuff works great, but it's the Tacoma's 9.4 inches of ground clearance, solid rear axle, and Kevlar-reinforced Goodyear Wrangler tires with tons of sidewall that really serve up the confidence to venture forth. You'll probably find your limits before it does—it's pretty unstoppable, as long as you don't do something like this.
- With that in mind, the Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road just might be one of the best bases for building an overlanding or expedition rig out there. Toyota will gladly sell you a Tacoma TRD Pro for about $8,000 more, which has fancier Fox internal bypass shocks that can take more of a beating, a touch more ground clearance, and a few more tech options. But you can't get the manual transmission on the Pro, and since the Tacoma aftermarket is essentially limitless, you could easily buy an TRD Off-Road with a stick and replace the suspension with something tougher for around the same price. But really, the stock Bilstein shocks are more than enough for casual weekend exploring.
- And that's really what the Tacoma is all about: just getting out there a little more. Even if you prefer not to pretend that the modern world has collapsed, it's a vehicle that begs to see the view from the top of that mountain, or where that dirt road leads over the horizon. These photographs were taken at the Hungry Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Park, which is about an hour and a half north of Los Angeles. Had I no reason or ability to go there, would I have ever seen the beautiful contrast between a dry, golden valley and the snowcapped peaks above, or drunk in the crisp, fresh air that it made me feel like I hadn't breathed in weeks? I left at 8 a.m. and was home by 1 p.m. Better than brunch? You bet.
- The Tacoma TRD Off-Road makes its bones in being, well, capable off-road, but there are still a few key modern comforts that make it more livable day-to-day than in the past—things like the standard touchscreen infotainment system, a wireless charging pad, and a backup camera with parking sensors. The double cab interior on my tester is a simple, functional space, with seats that are more comfortable than they look. And Toyota added a new suite of standard driver assist features this year that vaults the Taco to the top of the safety pack, including adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking.
The Cons
- In the dirt, the Tacoma is aces. On-pavement is a different story. Body-on-frame trucks in this segment (Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon, Nissan Frontier) aren't known for their handling prowess—or for being much fun to drive on the road at all—and the Tacoma doesn't do much to stand out on that front. The softer suspension of the TRD Off-Road lends itself to a diving nose under braking and body roll in the corners, while the transmission was far too quick to downshift under light acceleration on the highway. Zero-to-60 mile-per-hour times generally mean very little in terms of real-world use, but you won't be surprised to learn the Tacoma does it in 7.3 seconds. It feels slow and slightly underpowered—though having more control over the gears in the manual transmission probably helps.
- Its simplicity is also a double-edged sword on the inside, which doesn't do a great job of straddling the line between simple and dated. Look to the new Jeep Wrangler for an analogous example—there are ways of doing a functional, rugged interior without it feeling like something designed last decade. There's a lot of black plastic, you can't get full leather or power seats on the TRD Off-Road, and there's still no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto available. Is that worth $40,000 to you? For some, that's not what you're paying for. For others, the view from the driver's seat will leave you flat.
- But honestly, what might hurt the Tacoma the most for potential buyers is just how small the cabin feels. The high floor helps ground clearance but cuts interior leg and headroom, and you can't adjust the seat height. Rear seat passengers in the double cab have the least amount of legroom in the class at 32.6 inches, and it also feels oddly tight from the front row as well. Yet from behind the wheel, it oddly drives like a larger truck than it is—unless you get the double cab and long bed, in which case, it's actually big. So it's really the polar opposite experience of a crossover like the Toyota Highlander, which is designed to feel massive on the inside but carry itself like a small sedan.
- Just say no to plastic body cladding. I get that it's more functional here than on a lot of other cars, but it's also going to age poorly on a truck otherwise engineered to survive the end times.
The 2018 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road, Ranked
Performance: 4/5
Comfort: 3/5
Luxury: 2/5
Hauling people: 4/5
Hauling stuff: 4/5
Curb appeal: 3/5
“Wow” factor: 3.5/5
Overall: 3.5/5
The Bottom Line
So back to our essential question: Why is the Toyota Tacoma so dang popular all of a sudden? As with many existential queries, the answer is a swirl of reasons. Part of it is that, as Counting Crows once opined, you don't really know what you've got 'till it's gone. [Don't you dare give the Counting Crows credit for Joni Mitchell's genius, you son of a bitch. —Ed.] Just about every major manufacturer used to make something hardy and off-road focused like the Tacoma (if not necessarily a pickup), but nearly all of them faded away over the last 20 years as people turned to crossovers. Bmw korea map download. But it would appear the market overcorrected and squashed out a few too many rugged 4x4s; survivors like the Toyota 4Runner, Tacoma, and the Jeep Wrangler have enjoyed record sales over the past few years, while other manufacturers are making no secret about their desire to get back in on the 'authentic' off-road truck game.
Cheap gas has certainly helped boost its popularity, but that too isn't the sole reason for the Tacoma's success. Its EPA fuel economy numbers sit at about 20 miles per gallon combined, which is neither low enough to make it a real detriment nor high enough to draw in people who are looking for a fuel-efficient rig. And sales have continued their climb in the last few months even as gas prices are creeping up to a three-year high.
So what we're left with is the Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road standing on its own merits. Yes, you can go elsewhere to find a nicer cabin, a smoother ride, and a more luxurious experience—all of which become more important to more people with each passing year. What you can't find is the combination of real off-road chops, legendary reliability, and a six-speed manual transmission seen on the Taco. There are certainly flashier ways to play in the dirt—but when the bombs start to fall, is anyone going to be looking at you anyway?
The 2018 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road, By the Numbers
Price (as tested): $36,115 ($40,505)
2018 Toyota Tacoma Transmission Reviews
Powertrain: 3.5-liter V-6 engine; 278 horsepower, 265 pound-feet of torque; six-speed automatic transmission; rear-wheel-drive with part-time four-wheel-drive and low range; electronically-locking rear differential My ford app download.
Fuel Economy: 18mpg city/23 highway/20 combined
Curb Weight: 4,425pounds
Payload Capacity: 1,175 pounds
Towing Capacity: 6,400 pounds
Ground Clearance: 9.4 inches
Amount of money spent on a day-use off-roading permit to escape the smog of Los Angeles: $5
MORE TO READ
Toyota Tacoma is a midsize truck, positioned under the bigger Tundra. It was completely redesigned in 2016, since 2005 when we saw this model for the first time. It truly was a remarkable redesign and almost all major elements were changed. 2018 Toyota Tacoma probably won’t share the same passion. It is going to be slightly redesigned and changed, meaning that the essence of this truck will be kept. But, there are plenty of facts the new 2018 Toyota Tacoma brings.
Overview of the 2018 Toyota Tacoma
As we have just mentioned, changes will be minor, but this is a good thing. We liked the previous model and most owners were completely satisfied with it. It means that you will get the rail-bed, liner, tie-downs which are fully adjustable and mount for GoPro camera.
Air conditioning, 16-inch steel wheels and much more is available with the SR version. SR is actually a base trim, but it still offers a decent amount of equipment. Higher, more expensive trims will bring even better features.
TRD Pro Tacoma will be available as well. It has a much better and more sophisticated off-road hardware and more appealing design. Although we liked these additions, we must add that it is more expensive and designed purely for heavy-duty applications.
Powertrain
When it comes to engines, Toyota decided to continue using already known units. This is actually a good thing, due to the fact all of them are great engines. The base version is 2.7L with 159HP. This engine offers around 180 pound-feet of torque and the towing capacity is 3.500 pounds. Basically, it is sufficient for most potential owners of the new 2018 Toyota Tacoma. The engine can be paired with the 6-gear automatic transmission, but only when rear wheels are responsible for movement. AWD version is available as well, but only with a 5-gear manual.
A more powerful and probably a more suitable engine for this car is 3.5K, V6 with 278HP and 265 pound-feet of torque. 6-gear automatic transmission is standard on rear-wheel drive models, while the 6-gear manual is available if you choose all-wheel drive Tacoma. With these specifications, Tacoma can tow 6.800 pounds.
Regardless of which version you chose, all-wheel drive is available. However, this isn’t a permanent all-wheel drive system, meaning that it is engaged only when you are driving off road or when the conditions are poor, so you need additional stability and safety.
Fuel economy
2018 Toyota Tacoma has the same fuel consumption as the previous model. It isn’t bad, but definitely isn’t one of the best results among trucks. The base engine with the rear-wheel drive will achieve 19/23mpg. Automatic transmission guarantees 19/22mpg, which is slightly better than the manual one can provide (19/21mpg). With all-wheel drive versions, the fuel economy is 19/21mpg.
A well-known fact is that larger engines can be equally economical. This case isn’t any different. You will get 18/23mpg. Keep in mind that this refers to all-wheel drive versions! In addition, all engines use 87-octane fuel.
The interior
Inside a cabin, you won’t get plenty of changes. The 2018 Toyota Tacoma still offers that feel which reminds you that you are in a truck, rather than an ordinary car. A good thing is large pedals, hand-brake, comfortable steering wheel and large controls. They are designed for drivers who will wear gloves or will have to use them in a rush. This means that they are much larger than those on standard Toyota models.
Seats are massive and there is plenty of space inside a cabin. Obviously, it is determined by the cabin type you choose. On the central console, you get a nice display and a set of controls under it. At the end, we can say that the interior is basically the same as the 2017 model has. It has a few minor changes, but still, it is durable, well-made and tough.
New features
![Issues Issues](/uploads/1/3/3/9/133936326/220458229.jpg)
One of the most important additions to the 2018 Toyota Tacoma is Toyota Safety Sense or commonly known as TSS. Over the recent months, we were able to see this car manufacturer implements the same system in most of their cars. It is believed that new Tacoma will have it as well. Additionally, Tacoma passed all of the safety tests already, so it is possible to get TSS as an optional extra only.
Well-known features such are a rear-view camera, Toyota Entune infotainment system and GPS navigation are standard. However, SR5 models will support this type of navigation which requires being connected to a smartphone in order to work. TRD models have a more sophisticated system, which can operate without the need to be connected to a smartphone.
Base versions come with the essentials and decent features, but the premium one truly has something to offer. You can expect heated seats, air conditioning with 2 zones, sunroof and JBL surround sound system.
Release date
2018 Toyota Tacoma will start production in August 2017, but we will be able to see the first models in November of the same year. This applies to the most parts of the world, but not to all of them, which suggests this car may be available in your country after November.
Price of 2018 Toyota Tacoma
2018 Toyota Tacoma Automatic Transmission
If you are planning to buy a new 2018 Toyota Tacoma you must be aware of a few things. First of all, deals for this car almost do not exist. The Tacoma is a reliable and well-made car, so don’t expect to get it for a low amount of money. The only discount is $500 if you are a military member or just graduated from the university.
The base price for 2018 Toyota Tacoma will be around $25,500. This is SR version with 2.7L engine and decent performances. The premium versions will cost almost $40,000. They come with more powerful engines and with more features. You may expect minor changes to the price depending on your country, but they won’t be more than $200.
2018 Toyota Tacoma Transmission Issues
Competitor models of the 2018 Toyota Tacoma are Nissan Frontier ($19,000-$37,000), GMC Canyon ($22,000-$44,000) and Chevrolet Colorado ($22,000-$26,000).