The Tacoma was the only model Toyota still wasn’t able to update by 2014. However, this change with the announcement of the 2016 Toyota Tacoma which was going to be a major redesign of the truck. Toyota kept it all under wraps until a few weeks ago when leaks started to show. The final production model was released at the Detroit Auto Show and the Tacoma is a lot better than expected. It still uses a very similar chassis to the older model which still is a bit of a let down considering many people though it was going to use the same chassis as the new Hilux.
2016 Toyota Tacoma review
On top of the improved chassis, the 2016 Toyota Tacoma has a completely different styling, a brand new interior which is not only better in terms of quality but has also a much better layout which should give the driver a much better experience behind the wheel. The 2016 Toyota Tacoma model also has a new engine which we’ll discuss later as well as a few different trim options.
Price and release date
The base price is expected to stay quite low, so expect the Tacoma to cost around 18.000 dollars for the base model and as much as 30.000 dollars or even a bit more for the top end model. The showroom release date is going to be in the summer of 2015.
2016 Toyota Tacoma interior
Its interior, just as we said before, is going to feature a lot of improvements over the previous car. The base model will still be quite bare in terms of equipment but the quality went up for sure. It now has a soft plastic dashboard, better seats as well as a waterproof mats on the floor. Standard equipment will include air conditioning, a 4 speaker audio system with USB connectivity as well as a multifunctional steering wheel and adjustable front seats. The top end model will go as far as leather upholstery, satellite navigation, automatic air conditioning and even electric front and rear seats with a refrigerated compartment.
Exterior
On the outside, the 2016 Toyota Tacoma will borrow heavily from the new 4Runner as well as from the Tundra. The front end will get the same hexagonal grille as the 4Runner with slim headlights which now are available with LED technology while the sides of the car as well as the back are a lot more muscular than before with black plastic inserts which are there to protect it from rocks. The stock wheels are 16 inches and the car can be had either with normal tires all all terrain tires.
2016 Toyota Tacoma Engine
Engine wise, the 2016 Toyota Tacoma will come as standard with a very similar 2.7 liter inline 4 as the previous model but this time the engine is going to make a bit more power than before. 180 to 190 horsepower are expected from it and unlike the 2015 model, the new car will get a brand new 6 speed automatic gearbox and rear wheel drive or an optional all wheel drive system. Thanks to the improved gearbox, the Tacoma should easily get more than 24 MPG on average which in the previous model was pretty much impossible.
The old 4 liter engine has been replaced with a 3.5 liter V6 which comes directly from the Highlander. This is going to be available as standard with a 6 speed automatic or an optional 6 speed manual and just like the base engine, it will come in either rear wheel drive or all wheel drive. This new engine is going to make more than the 236 horsepower of the older V6. Some expect around 280 horsepower and this isn’t that far from the truth considering the cars equipped with it make from 270 to 290 horsepower. A hybrid or a diesel have not been announced just yet but a diesel will most likely is going to be introduced by the end of 2017.
More photo: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/trucks/1501_2016_toyota_tacoma_first_look/photo_10.html
Well, here goes nothing, Toyota are you listening?
My 99 Tacoma has been the most reliable piece of mechanical machinery I have ever owned. After 438,000 miles it’s still going strong with the original engine and drive train!
Everyone knows that Toyota builds the most reliable small trucks on the planet!
Ok, there’s the honey, now to what myself and millions of others like me want to know:
Why in heck don’t you build a SMALL truck again???
For crying out load man, no one makes small trucks anymore!
I already have an F-350 Diesel 4×4 for all the big jobs but 95% of the time I (and millions like me) only need a small pickup. NOT one (like the new Tacoma) that is 80% as big as a full size!
Please break the mold of thinking bigger is always better and build a SMALL truck again. You will be shocked at the huge market for SMALL trucks that get good gas mileage. What say you folks at Toyota, is anyone there listening? svrancher@yahoo.com
Also a little more range of motion on the steering wheel tilt would help for getting in an out of the truck
need to know price and release date
Is there going to be a trd pro?
I have been waiting patiently for news on the release of the 2016 Tacoma. I have a 2011, and am in the market to trade. I was about to make that trade back in the Spring for a 2015. My son-in-law works for the dealership, and advised me to wait. Why? Because my 2011 had a lock added on the tailgate (2016 is included). The seats were removed and heated leather added (2016 offers this option). A tonnau cover was added. (2016 option). It only made sense to me to order everything straight from the factory, and not have all the adjustments done at the dealership. I plan to be the 1st in my area to own a 2016 Tacoma. I just need to know when I can place my order.
As owner of 3 small trucks I agree with Mike, there is a hugh market being left out in the cold. Money to be made. Listen up Toyota! Last truck I had, I had for 25 years and only sold it because the wife thought it was breaking down.
You state “all wheel drive” will be available on this new truck. Do you really mean what you said, as “all wheel drive” is not the typical 4 wheel drive used on pick up trucks.
I have a new 2016 Limited. It is great to drive, much improved over my 2005 in all ways. I was in love with my 2005, we were great friends. Even though the 2016 is great in so many ways, I still don’t like being inside of it. One of the main reasons I got the LIMITED was becuase it has brown and black and I HATE black. I was hoping that the brown leather seats would brighten it up, but it doesn’t. I almost feel like I am in a cave, or black box. I can’t buy beige floor mats since Toyota doesn’t have beige carpeting. It is almost depressing. I don’t think I would have bought it if I had known how it would affect both me and my wife. I may pay to have the carpet ripped out and new, lighter color put in. I just hate black interiors, even if they are in mode. Here in the South it gets really hot in the summer and this one is going to be a bad oven. I so with Toyota would have given some of us who are not off roaders more choices. They are losing a lot of business. It is small but it sure makes a huge difference for both of us.