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By New Car Test Drive
The benchmark for mid-size pickups.
Introduction
In a field of outstanding trucks, the Toyota Tacoma stands out as one of the best, perhaps the best, of a very good bunch. It comes in a wide range of configurations to please a wide range of buyers. As a result, the Tacoma dominates the market for mid-size pickups.
The Tacoma offers a comfortable cab, a refined ride, and quality construction. Its on-road handing is responsive, its off-road capability is proven. The Double Cab delivers more rear-seat comfort than most of the competition, with enough room to rival a small sedan. Properly equipped V6 models can to tow up to 6,500 pounds.
Models range from a $15,000 work truck with a four-cylinder and 2WD to a $31,000 V6 4WD Double Cab Long Bed with all the candy. The base model is among the few regular-cab pickups still available, as the market has moved to extended-cab and crew cab styles; it excels at durability and reliability.
Tacoma PreRunner models can make you feel like Ivan Ironman Stewart practicing for the Baja 1000, while the sporty X-Runner may make you feel like Rod Millen preparing to blast up Pike's Peak.
New for 2008 is the Rugged Trail package, with locking rear differential, specially tuned off-road suspension, skid plate, 16-inch black Baja wheels, black overfenders, and unique graphics. There are no other changes for 2008. For 2007, Toyota upgraded the front seats for enhanced interior comfort, while chrome-rimmed instruments and new audio head units brightened its two-tone instrument panel.
Compact pickups aren't what they used to be. For one thing, they're no longer compact. Nor are they uncomfortable. They're more comfortable and more capable than ever before.
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