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Bill Petro
2015 Toyota Tacoma Review
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Bill Petro
2015 Toyota Tacoma Review
The model of simplicity, a dash that an adult can understand.
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Bill Petro
2015 Toyota Tacoma Review
The Double Cab offers excellent rear seat space but hamper breakover clearances.
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Bill Petro
2015 Toyota Tacoma Review
The durable and powerful 4.0L V-6, we’ll miss her when the new 3.5L takes over.
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Budd Stanley & Toyota photos
2015 Toyota Tacoma Review
Fold flat seats offer added cargo carrying options in the rear.
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Bill Petro
2015 Toyota Tacoma Review
The skid plate is functional, the hood scoop is not.
Story & photos by Budd Stanley, additional photos courtesy of Toyota
One Last Rip - Saying goodbye to the current generation Toyota Tacoma
The very first vehicle I ever owned was a Toyota Truck. I’ve always had a love affair with Toyota 4WD’s right from the beginning. So, when I jumped back into a 2015 Toyota Tacoma earlier this year, it was like a homecoming for me. It was also a little more special due to the fact this would be the last of this generation Tacoma, as Toyota has just pulled the wraps off the long awaited 6th generation at the North American International Auto Show.
Now that I have revealed my own biases, I will uphold my journalistic integrity by getting to the root of why you should or should not consider buying a Tacoma in its final year of production before a substantial overhaul.
The Old Stalwart
In my humble, and slightly biased opinion, the Taco has not just weathered the rigours of time, but was such a good truck in the first place, that ten years on I’m still at home behind the wheel of the 2015. The last redesign, roughly 8-years ago, is still quite a handsome bit of kit. In terms of design, it’s still one of my favourite trucks of all time.
Like every Toyota Truck before it, the Tacoma has a low body that makes for a unique, car-like seating position with your legs stretched out horizontal rather than vertical as in most trucks. The interior is still cladded in cheap plastic, but has a texture that is pleasing to the eye. The questionable materials are more than made up for with a solid build quality and controls that achieve a level of simplicity I’ve come to miss, since trucks are getting ever more complicated as the tech revolution rages on. That being said, the infotainment system is in desperate need of updating if it is to compete with the competition. You will still get a 120v outlet at the tailgate and a USB input for charging and media. A couple more USB’s would be nice.
The TRD Sport Edition that I was testing spoiled rear seat passengers with a massive amount of space, and the driver with a 4.0L V-6 with factory Limited Slip Differential in the solid rear axle. 4WD is selectable on the dash via a rotary dial offering up 2-High, 4-High or 4-Low.
To drive, the Tacoma is a very sure-footed performer on the road, and only suffers from a debilitating wheelbase length off-road. The seating position that some are not so fond of, I find gives the Tacoma great communication with the driver. This is aided by very comfortable seats and steering wheel design and placement, although the seats do lack a bit of lateral support.
The chassis and body really don’t need much updating, the powertrain on the other hand, well that’s where the influx of domestic competition has the current generation Tacoma on the ropes. The old tried and true mills, both 4- and 6-cylinder are gems in the reliability department, however they harbour a rather debilitating weakness that modern competing trucks exploit mercilessly - fuel efficiency. This is one of the most important selling features in any pickup, and unfortunately the Tacoma’s drivetrain has been left ignored by Toyota for far too long.
Competition Breeds Innovation
In reality, is there anything really wrong with the current generation Tacoma? Other than being thirsty, no. The problem is that there are a couple of new kids on the block that are getting it done better and cheaper than the Tacoma. The new Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon aren’t just showing up the Tacoma in fuel efficiency and towing numbers, it’s that the vast majority of full-size trucks have also surpassed the mid-sized Tacoma’s fuel efficiency capabilities.
The old 4.0L V-6 is an absolute workhorse when it comes to the daily grind and getting the Tacoma into and out of all sorts of adverse situations. But with the GM twins getting well below 10L/100km on the highway and posting 11.8L/100km combined driving with the 3.5L V-6, the 12.9L/100km best that I got out of the Tacoma on the highway just isn’t cutting it anymore. Not to mention the GM’s are also towing 3,175 kg (7,000 lb), over double what the Tacoma is rated for.
To Buy or To Wait
As we roll into the final months of the current generation Tacoma, the question has to be, is it worth buying, or is it worth waiting for the 2016 or even get one of the competitors? Well, there are two ways to look at this. Yes, the GM’s give you much more for the money and the new Taco will no doubt counter their punches. However, are these new high-strung powertrains, built to the peak of their capabilities (both GM and Toyota), going to have a rash of teething issues under the pressure to quickly produce the most capable and fuel-efficient mid-size truck? Or, do you go with the tried and true workhorse that may not get the best fuel efficiency, but is as strong and reliable as the day, and year, is long?
With only a few short months left before the new 2016 Taco starts reaching the showrooms, the likelihood of excellent deals to be had as dealerships rush to rid the current stock of Tacoma’s is all but guaranteed. The durable old girl is starting to look as attractive as she did ten years ago. If it were my money, I would be jumping in the old stalwart for a three-year lease and see how the first couple years of the next generation fares.
SPECIFICATIONS:
- MSRP: $30,120
- Price as tested: $38,382
- Engine: 4.0L V-6
- Power: 236 hp, 266 lb-ft
- Transmission: 5-speed Automatic
- Curb Weight kg (lb): 1,914 (4,275)
- Wheelbase mm (in): 3,570 (141)
- Ground Clearance mm (in): 240 (9.4)
- Approach Angle Deg: 35.0
- Departure Angle Deg: 25
- Ramp Breakover Angle: NA
- Wading Depth mm (in): NA
- Tow Capacity kg (lb): 1,587 (3,500)
- Fuel Efficiency (L/100km): City: 14.8, Hwy: 11.6, Comb: 13.4