Review: 2016 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport 4x4
15 December 2017, Neil Parkhi
Introduction
The Toyota Tacoma is one of the most affordable pickup trucks you can buy today. You can get it in a work truck or even in a unique off road vehicle. However, the Tacoma does have some real competitors, such as the Chevrolet Colorado, as well as the GMC Canyon, however both companies, or combined as General Motors, were late to release their Z71 Packages for those trucks. Compared to the Chevrolet Silverado, or GMC Sierra. However, it does have some great features which the other competitors could not have.
Heritage
The third Generation Toyota Tacoma, 2016 as the first model, was introduced at the 2015 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, which used Toyota’s newest styling cues, with more aggressive looks. The new truck was released in the U.S. last September. The new trucks used new Atkinson engines, and for the TRD Sport and TRD Off Road Models, Toyota Racing Development worked on the vehicle to make it hold some extra capabilities.The new Tacoma is also known to have a new smart key access system, and push-button start for the first time. As this particular vehicle is a 4x4, it is all wheel drive, which is important if you are going to take your Tacoma Off Road.
Review
The Toyota Tacoma in my opinion is really a great vehicle. Given that it is a mid-size pickup, it really does the job it is supposed to do, and the truck really handles well. The ride comfort and reliability is great, and it is really worth getting it over most others. It has what you would expect out of a Toyota, and it is popular over many areas. It did meet all of my expectations here. The Tacoma also includes those great convenience features such as the smart key access system and push button start which not a lot of pickups really have that yet.
Specifications
| Steering and Transmission | |
|---|---|
| Steering Type | Speed Proportional, Hydraulic Assist, Rack and Pinion Power Steering |
| Transmission Type | 6-Speed Automatic |
| Gear 1 Ratio | 3.60 |
| Gear 2 Ratio | 2.09 |
| Gear 3 Ratio | 1.49 |
| Gear 4 Ratio | 1.00 |
| Gear 5 Ratio | 0.69 |
| Gear 6 Ratio | 0.58 |
| Reverse Gear Ratio | 3.73 |
| Wheels and Tires | |
| Front Wheel Type | 17 x 7.5 inch 5 twin spoke alloys |
| Rear Wheel Type | 17 x 7.5 inch 5 twin spoke alloys |
| Front Tire Type | 265/65R17 |
| Rear Tire Type | 265/65R17 |
| Suspension | |
| Front Suspension Type | Independent Double Wishbone |
| Rear Suspension Type | Rigid Axle Leaf |
| Suspension Features | Stabilizer Bars, Coil Springs, Gas Pressurised Shock Absorbers |
| Dimensions | |
| Length (in, mm) | 212.3in, 5392mm |
| Width (in, mm) | 75.2in, 1910mm |
| Height (in, mm) | 70.6in, 1793mm |
| Wheelbase (in, mm) | 127.4in, 3236mm |
| Weight (lb, kg) | 4305lb, 1953kg |
| Engine Specifications | |
| Engine Type | 3.5 litre double overhead cam V6 |
| Power (bhp, PS, kW) | 278bhp, 282PS, 207kW @ 6000RPM |
| Torque (lb-ft, Nm) | 265lb-ft, 359Nm @ 4600RPM |
| 0-60 mph (0-97 kmph) | 7.2 seconds |
| Drivetrain | All Wheel Drive |
| Fuel Tank Size (gal, L) | 21.1 gallons, 80L |
| Fuel Type (AKI, RON) | 87 Octane/AKI Petrol (92 RON) |
| City Fuel Economy (mpg, kmpL) | 17mpg, 7kmpL |
| Highway Fuel Economy (mpg, kmpL) | 20mpg, 9kmpL |
| Cargo Specifications | |
| Cab Length (in, mm) | 60.5in, 1537mm |
| Cab Width (in, mm) | 41.5in, 1054mm |
| Cab Depth (in, mm) | 19.1in, 485mm |
| Price Range | |
| U.S. Dollars | $32,460 |
| Canadian Dollars | $41,242 |