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When it comes to a 2005 Toyota Tacoma truck, you have a choice of 4×2 or 4×4, 4-cylinder or V-6, manual or automatic, two or four doors and short, medium or long bed.

And that’s before the options.

In all, there are 18 variations, six more than for 2004. Lots of choices but don’t expect to find all 18 varieties on the dealer lot.

It’s a bit ironic that one reason Japanese nameplates made inroads in the U.S. was that they came simply packaged and simply priced.

The increase in the number of Tacoma variations is timed with Toyota’s first remake of the pickup since 1995 and increasing it in size from compact to a midsize truck for ’05.

Depending on which of the 18 variations you choose, wheelbase and length are 5 to 6 inches longer and vehicle width and front/rear tracking are about 4 inches wider than last year’s model.

That means more leg, arm and hip room in the cabin and a longer, wider footprint on the road for better ride, handling and stability.

Toyota made Ford and Chevy sit up and take notice when it came up with its full-size Tundra pickup, but Toyota sold more Tacomas (130,000) than Tundras (92,000) through October. That’s so many Tacomas that Toyota will add a plant in Mexico in January for more capacity.

Don Esmond, vice president and general manager of Toyota, says the new Tacoma “marks the first step in expanding our presence in the North American light truck arena.”

Increasing sales of the Tacoma also is an important step for Toyota because once those who own a midsize truck need more people and cargo carrying capacity, they’ll be counted on to move up to the full-size Tundra.

Tacoma, in other words, is the incubator for Tundra buyers.

Tacoma loyalists will be able to spot every new nuance in sheet metal, but most will simply say it sports bigger headlamps and larger fender extensions.

All, however, will take note of the new composite plastic truck bed and side wall liner, a material Toyota insists is lighter than steel “yet tougher and more durable.”

The composite also means that the bed and side walls won’t rust and that loading will be a lot quieter than when tossing lumber onto a steel platform. Nice touch, though those offering aftermarket slip-in or spray-on bed liners might not agree.

The bed also comes with two-tier loading and an integrated deck rail with adjustable tie-down cleats. And Toyota dealers have cargo bed crossbars, bike racks and storage boxes available as well.

Of the 18 varieties, we tested the 4×2 PreRunner Double Cab with its four swing-out doors that now are 3 inches longer and open wider for easier entry/exit. However, because the PreRunner stands tall, you may have to grab an above-the-door assist handle to get in without a running leap, or add running boards.

Rear seat backs fold flat to provide cargo capacity in the cabin. There’s also stowage space behind the seat and two compartments under the seat—one housing the tire jack.

PreRunner means the 4×2 stands high to look like the 4×4 version for those who want the look but don’t need or can’t afford the off-road capability.

There’s a choice of a new 2.7-liter, 164-horsepower 4-cylinder (replacing the 2.4-liter, 142-h.p. 4) teamed with 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic or a 4-liter, 245-h.p. V-6, the same engine that powers the Toyota Highlander sport-utility. It replaces the 3.4-liter, 190-h.p. V-6. The 4-liter is offered with a 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic.

The V-6 provides a noticeable and welcome increase in power off-the-line as well as to pass or merge and is one reason the Tacoma can tow up to 6,500 pounds, a 30 percent increase from the 5,000-pound limit for ’04.

For ’05 Tacoma now offers four-wheel anti-lock brakes as standard on all models and a vehicle skid control system as an $800 option that regulates the throttle and/or applies ABS to bring you under control.

All models have dual-stage air bags that base deployment speed on impact severity, and all models with bucket seats come with sensors that detect whether someone is in the passenger seat. If not, the bag won’t deploy. Double Cab models offer front/rear seat side air-bag curtains as a $650 option.

Among the 18 variations, there’s one new model, the X-Runner, a performance version first displayed at this year’s Chicago Auto Show. The sports-tuned suspension was lowered; the standard 16-inch radials replaced with 18-inchers; and hood scoop and lower body ground effects added. X-Runner comes with only the 4-liter, 245-h.p. V-6 and 6-speed manual.

X-Runner is aimed at younger buyers, who, if impressed with Toyota, will presumably move to the full-size Tundra.

The PreRunner 4×2 Double Cab starts at $22,175 and comes with air conditioning, power windows/locks/mirrors, AM/FM radio with CD player and water bottle holders in the driver’s and passenger’s doors, though signs warn they aren’t meant to hold paper or plastic cups.

An audio upgrade to a JBL system and an eight-disc CD changer runs $500. The side air-bag curtains at $650 are recommended, as is the vehicle skid control at $800.

2005 Lotus Elise

Remember “Mission Impossible?”

Agent Jim Phelps would listen to recorded instructions and then the tape would self-destruct in 10 seconds.

That came to mind in test driving the 2005 Lotus Elise. Once you open the door, you have 10 seconds to slip in and push the starter button or it’s disengaged and requires key fob acrobatics to engage again.

The 10-second act is to discourage anyone from stealing this British two-seater, though any thief who can slip in within 10 seconds should be awarded the vehicle and a get-out-of-jail card.

Elise is a narrow tube (or tub) with a body wrapped around it. It stands a few inches off the ground, roughly the height of a squirrel, but the door sill is a few feet above the ground as a barrier to entry.

It can be done—if you remove the canvas top and jump feet first.

Those who tolerated the ’60s Corvette and being bounced and banged around in the interest of going fast in a really neat looking car will appreciate Elise.

There are a few other problems: The gas pedal rests against the brake pedal. You can’t see out the side windows that sit above you, and depositing an envelope through the window into a mailbox at the post office is an exercise in futility. We know. We tried.

Elise has a 1.8-liter, 190-h.p. 4-cylinder with a 6-speed manual. Base price: $40,985, plus $795 freight. Stopwatch not offered.

Those with money desiring another toy will appreciate that Elise has been named “Best of What’s New” by Popular Science magazine and is a finalist in Edmunds.com “Editors Most Significant Car of the Year” award.

Just remove the top first.

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TEST DRIVE

2005 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner 4×2 double cab

Wheelbase: 127.8 inches

Length: 208.1 inches

Engine: 4 liter, 245 h.p. 24 valve V-6

Transmission: 5-speed automatic

Fuel economy: 18 m.p.g. city/22 m.p.g. highway

Base price: $22,175

Price as tested: 26,579. Includes $650 for side curtain air bags; $500 for JBL AM/FM/CD with eight-disc changer and steering-wheel audio controls; $2,965 for SR5 package which includes limited-slip differential, trailer hitch, 16-inch alloy wheels, foglamps, remote keylesss entry, cruise control, color keyed bumpers/fender extensions and sliding rear window; $40 for daytime running lamps; $130 for carpeted floor mats; and $119 for bed mat. Add $540 for freight.

Pluses: First total remake since 1995 brings more to larger midsize model. There are new engines/transmissions and a new performance model. It has a smooth ride with good V-6 power. Rear seat backs fold to carry cargo inside cabin. Features a new lightweight, damage resistant plastic composite bed.

Minuses: Sooo many (18) variations.