2011 Toyota Tacoma Pickup Truck Road Test & Review
Toyota has been building small pickup trucks continuously since 1947. Around the world, they've been known as "Hi-Lux" since 1969 -- still are. In the US, we've called them "Tacoma" since 1995, for no good reason. Available in a wide array of configurations, the 2011 Toyota Tacoma arrives with base prices from $16,365 to $27,525 ($24,689 as tested). The 2011 Toyota Tacoma comes with a 3-year/36,000 mile basic warranty and a 5-year/60,000 mile powertrain warranty and EPA fuel economy estimates of 19 mpg city/25 mpg highway. Let's drive.
First Glance at the Toyota Tacoma PreRunner
Tacoma has been rolling along with small changes since its last makeover for 2005. The rumor mill has an all-new Tacoma on the way for 2013 or 2014, but nothing has been announced yet. With Tacoma's reputation for reliability and longevity, many of 2011's Tacomas will still be working well into the 2020s.The Tacoma is a decent-looking, if slightly generic pickup. It doesn't have the big truck posture of Toyota's full-size offering, the Tundra, which is fine by me. I'm not nuts about the notchy shape of the fender openings, but at least they don't impair function in any way. My test vehicle was a PreRunner Access Cab model, which rides on a 127.4" wheelbase dragging a 73.6" bed. The overall length of this setup turns out to be 208.1", and to my eye, the proportions are just right. There are three cab options on Tacoma: Regular cab; Access cab; and Double cab. The Access cab has a clamshell door that can only be opened when the front door is opened, and a pair of forward-facing jump seats as a second row. The Double cab is more hospitable for second row passengers, with front-hinged doors and actual seats, but the Double cab connected to a longbed is 221.3" long. The Double cab can be ordered with a shortbed (60.3" long), but don't do that. It looks ridiculous.
I'm not usually a fan of drop-in bedliners, but Tacoma PreRunner comes with a bedliner that has a few clever extras. It gets some open storage over the wheels, some closeable (though not lockable) storage behind the wheels, and a robust deck rail system with adjustable tie-down cleats. I might still opt for a spray-in bedliner.
Disclosure: Our review truck was provided by Toyota. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.
