What it is: The Tacoma is Toyota’s midsize pickup truck and it received a number of updates last year. Available in a choice of two cab styles, the Tacoma offers four-cylinder or V-6 power. Competitors include the Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon and Nissan Frontier. New for 2017 An SR5 Appearance Package features color-coordinated fender trim, 16-inch alloy wheels and a power-sliding rear window on Double Cab models.
A TRD Pro version of the Tacoma joins the lineup. Exterior cues of the off-road-oriented truck include black 16-inch alloy wheels with all-terrain tires, an aluminum front skid plate, LED fog lights, projector-beam headlights with black bezels, and TRD Pro badges. Inside, there are leather-trimmed seats, front seat heaters, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, a power-sliding rear window, a TRD shift knob and TRD Pro floormats. The truck also features rear parking sensors and a blind spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert.
Power comes from the Tacoma’s available 3.5-liter V-6 engine. Modifications designed to improve off-road performance include Fox internal-bypass shocks, TRD front springs that give the truck a 1-inch lift and progressive-rate rear leaf springs. The TRD Pro also gets a stainless-steel cat-back exhaust system. Significant Standard Features
159-horsepower, 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine
Five-speed manual transmission
Rear-wheel drive
Tilt and telescoping steering wheel
Power windows
Air conditioning
CD stereo
Required in every new vehicle: front airbags, antilock brakes and an electronic stability system
