Toyota recommits to mid-size pickups
07.02.12
QUEBEC Borough, Que. -Toyota sees the mid-size truck industry as a major time now that Ford has announced the death of Ranger, so it has come to the tactic with a refreshed Tacoma for 2012 with upgraded styling, more standard apparatus, updated option packages and lower pricing.
Tacoma is offered in Access Cab and False Cab versions with 2.7-litre four-cylinder engine (in 2WD or 4WD) or 4.0-litre V6 with 4WD. Four swim models offer either five-speed manual or four-speed unavoidable transmissions while V6 models can be hooked up to either six-speed manuals or five-go like a shot automatics.
The truck's face gets a new grille, headlights, hood and bumpers. Internal there's a new steering wheel and folding rear-seat foremost restraints. The box has two additional cargo tie-down hooks.
A 4X4 Double Cab with V6 and five-belt along automatic has all the new standards from new audio system, Bluetooth, steering wheel audio wheel, bigger control knobs and sliding rear clandestineness glass. An SR5 power package adds engine oil cooler, beefier alternator and Birth IV trailer hitch. It's just small enough to handle the above in tight Old Town thoroughfares easily. While the steering is a tad drug on-centre, it's not enough to be annoying. Throttle tip-in is firm but linear and the transmittal works smoothly through its gearing.
Once out on the roads, this Tacoma proves to be a attractive place to spend time. Aside from intrusive headrests, the fabric seats are comfortable and controls fall easily to jointly.
The cab is quiet and the ride well-modulated even on often-rough pavement. Cornering is extent flat and for the most part the wheels stay tight to the road. It's engaging, it's competent and it has room for people and cargo.
A TRD Sport container brings heated leather seats, fog lights and a obscure grille surround rather than chrome. Everything else is pretty much the same as the regular Folded Cab 4x4 V6.
The heavier TRD suspension doesn't bother to soak up bumps or even secondary road imperfections; it simply rattles my teeth and bounces the end end into the air. It may be a terrific truck in an off-road situation, but you can't crawl on the street. Perhaps 200 kg or so of weight in the box might hold the back end down.
psdoph@telusplanet.net
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2012 Toyota Tacoma
Models: Access Cab; Access Cab 4WD, Traitorous Cab 4WD
MSRP range: $22,100 -$29,900
Freight: $1,560
Source: Brantford Expositor