Buyers of the base model get a 2WD regular cab pickup powered by a 2.4-liter
engine that gets 28 mpg on the highway. Opting for the $750 value edition
package adds air conditioning, power steering, chrome bumpers, a radio
and floor mats; the resulting $13,368 Tacoma will haul up to 1684 pounds
of stuff, pull a 3500-pound trailer and provide reliable transportation
for many years. Four-wheel antilock brakes are a $590 option and an XtraCab
body is available.
Four-wheel-drive models are equipped with a more powerful 2.7-liter
four-cylinder engine. The 4WD regular cab with a five-speed manual can
haul up to 1914 pounds of cargo--more than any other Tacoma. But fuel economy
drops to 23 mpg on the highway--no better than the V6--and the towing capacity
remains at 3500 pounds.
Those who take long trips, pull trailers or go off road will find the
optional V6 smoother, quieter, more powerful and more refined than the
four-cylinder engines, particularly the basic 2.4-liter four. A V6 Tacoma
with four-wheel drive is capable of exhibiting prowess at an offroad jamboree.
A V6 Tacoma with two-wheel drive and an automatic is a tow vehicle that's
easy to get into and doesn't spill as much coffee on the way to work.
The 3.4-liter V6 produces 220 pound-feet of torque at 3600 rpm. That's
enough power to pull a 5000-pound trailer, yet it still gets 23 mpg on
the highway. Maximum payload is 1859 pounds in a 4WD regular cab with five-speed
manual. Automatic transmissions and, in particular, extended cabs reduce
payload, but not towing capacities.
All three engines burn 87 octane unleaded and all are available with
either the standard five-speed manual or the four-speed electronically
controlled automatic. Four-wheel-drive models come with manual locking
front hubs, which means you must climb out and go to the front wheels to
engage them, which can be a hassle.
An optional shift-on-the-fly system permits shifting to and from 4WD
at speeds below 50 mph. A push-button switch for four-wheel drive is an
option for the SR5 models. A control lever is used to shift into low-range
four-wheel drive. An optional locking rear differential provides additional
traction at low speeds in mud, snow and sand; by pressing a button after
4WD Low is selected, the rear differential can be locked, forcing both
rear wheels to turn in unison.
The suspension on all models is independent double wishbones with coil
springs up front and a live axle and leaf springs in back. The 4WD Xtracab
V6 models benefit from gas-filled shocks. Next Page