Toyota Tacoma 2012 - Test Drive
These were the type of roads that are NOT sports car friendly and are well suited to the light truck and SUV buyer. As always the 4.0L V6 ran smooth and true and wind noise was minimal
by Albert Vandervelde
With the end of production of the long-in-the-tooth Ford Ranger platform, Toyota has re committed itself to the downsized truck market with a re styling of the Tacoma for 2012. The current generation trucks are a far cry from the very basic original “pickup” from the 70s. This Gen (#2 with the Tacoma Badge) is far larger than any previous version and while the general feel and layout of the 2012 Tacoma is similar to the 2005-2011 model, the new version gets some tasteful updates inside and outside and power upgrades.
Our introduction to the new truck this past November took place in Quebec City and took us for an amazing loop through the historic city and out into the countryside. While not a 4x4 adventure it was pretty close with the state of Quebec roads. If you have ever heard that Quebec roads are bad – its not a lie, I haven’t driven on that many busted up asphalt roads in my life (well maybe in Detroit).
These were the type of roads that are NOT sports car friendly and are well suited to the light truck and SUV buyer. As always the 4.0L V6 ran smooth and true and wind noise was minimal, the interior was standard plastic in a muticolour/texture scheme that’s doesn’t jump out at you but isn’t unpleasant either. The seats are comfortable and sucked up the bad roads as well as the suspension did. The Tacoma has long been a well built, functional, mid size truck and with the Ford Ranger out of production, combined with lower that 2011 pricing, should be a truck you put high on your list if shopping in this segment.
Out back you find a standard truck bed in molded plastic for ruggedness and rust prevention. The cab comes in either a Access Cab or a Double Cab version (in the USA there is also a standard cab but not for Canada). Depending on model, the trucks are equipped with either a 6 ft or a 5 ft bed. The bed features storage compartments and a power outlet near the rear. While relatively short, the box has an array of options to attach and store your cargo to make it a versatile space.
Standard engine is the 2.7L 16-Valve DOHC 4-Cylinder engine (5 speed standard of 4 speed automatic) with 159 horsepower and 180 lb.ft. of torque —featuring advanced Variable Valve Timing with Intelligence (VVT-i). The optional engine which most will (should) go for is the 4.0L DOHC V6 (6 speed manual or 5 speed automatic) now with 236 Horsepower and 266 lb.ft. also featuring Toyota's Variable Valve Timing with Intelligence (VVT-i).
Fuel ratings:
4 Cyl: City Hwy
Manual: 11.5L/100k (25) 9.2L/100k (31)
Automatic: 11.6L/100k (24) 8.8L/100k (32)
V6
Manual: 14.7L/100k (19) 10.8L/100k (26)
Automatic: 13.4L/100k (21) 9.9L/100k (29)
Towing capacity depending on model:
3500lbs-6300lbs
Payload capacity depending on model
1150lbs-1300lbs
www.toyota.ca
Get the full story and photos in Volume 14 Issue 1