If you’re not feeling particularly generous, you could dismiss the “all new” 2016 Toyota Tacoma family (including this TRD Off-Road Double Cab) as little more than mild if comprehensive refresh. The styling is new, but only just — a variation on a theme, not a clean-sheet revolution, and in that sense, I suppose it’s comparable to the ever-evolving Jeep Wrangler.
The similarities (to put it lightly) continue under the skin. The wheelbase is identical, and overall length is just a few inches greater on the new truck. The bed is an inch deeper, but the same width. And so on.
On the other hand, you ought to acknowledge that
The powertrain on this particular Tacoma TRD Off-Road is one shot of old — a six-speed manual transmission — and one shot of new — a downsized 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6. As with the bigger, V8-powered Toyota Tundra, and the 2015
2016 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road
Naturally, I didn’t have the chance to take the TRD Off-Road off-road. Thing is, I actually want to see how it handles itself off the pavement now that I’ve spent some time in the truck. I’ll seek out opportunities to do so once things warm up. And I did pack on the miles in comfort — and tackle a truly nasty slog through the season’s worst ice storm to date with confidence. The truck didn’t so much as throw a traction control warning.
That’s the day I discovered one notably old-school aspect of the Tacoma: its four-wheel drive system. Forgetting to de-power the front wheels before transitioning from slushmaggedon to a dry, covered parking structure, I found the truck lugging, binding and — to my embarrassment — stalling as I tried to make a tight turn into a parking spot. So you’ll definitely want to switch it to 2WD, which you must do manually via a console-mounted dial, before on-pavement maneuvering.
Well duh, you’re about to tell me, probably in an insulting email. This is basic 4WD stuff. True enough, but it’s easy to get accustomed to the automatic 4WD setting found on an increasing number of trucks (including the GMC Canyon). Detractors will hold this against the Tacoma, proving that it’s behind the technological curve; fans will say this bolsters its hardcore off-road cred.
2016 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road
For what it’s worth, the fuel economy estimates seem optimistic. With limited 4WD use, I returned 16.0 mpg. I wasn’t exactly flogging the truck, and that included considerable number of traffic-free expressway miles.
Like the modestly resculpted exterior, the interior benefits from a series of somewhat subtle upgrades. The ergonomics are a little wonky at first, thanks to a seat that feels either a tad too high or a tad too close to the pedals. But the cabin does feel fresher, more premium, less oppressively plasticky.
If the
— Graham Kozak, associate editor
2016 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road
OTHER VOICES:
Every time I get the keys to one of these new Tacomas, I wonder if it’s going to ride rough and beat me up. Especially when it has the TRD PRO package and its off-road tuned suspension, electronic control locking diff, engine skid plate, various TRD off-road graphics and other rugged sounding stuff.
Again I needn’t have worried: Like before, I actually enjoyed driving this in a throwback kind of way; it reminds me of the good ol’ days when pickups were for working. Can’t help but think this thing would work hard and all day, like it’d climb the side of my house pulling a trailer if I wanted.
Yes, it rides like a pickup truck: not bad as long as the pavement is smooth and bouncy when it ain’t. One can definitely tell this is a full frame and I applaud Toyota for sticking with that. The V6 (I haven’t driven the four-cylinder yet) makes decent power but is quite droney and loud. I’d say, in fact, road noise generally seems higher than the norm — lotsa tire noise on the freeway, for example. Again, it’s a truck; old school, rugged. I can only imagine what a hoot this thing is off-road.
The inside is a lot more modern looking than the old one, but remains as plasticky as it was on the outgoing Tacoma. I only bring it up because other automakers have gussied up and softened materials inside. This truck is comfortable though. The radio buttons and knobs are tiny, but you can control that stuff from the steering wheel. Speaking of old school, you actually insert and turn a key and adjust the seats manually. They’re cloth. Also speaking of old school, a manual transmission! Don’t see many of those in pickups anymore and I liked this six-speed — it felt at home in this truck. I welcome it.
The exterior looks the rough, rugged part, all jacked up on the big wheels/tires. Looks cool to my eye. If I lived out in the woods or up in the mountains and could have just one car, this might be it, and yeah I’d get the TRD package and this orange paint.
I don’t live in the woods or on top of a mountain, so am not really in the market, but I can understand why the Tacoma cult exists.
— Wes Raynal, editor
Options: Premium and technology package including front dual zone climate control with individual temperature control, heated front seats, rear parking sonar, blind-spot monitor with rear cross traffic alert, auto-headlamps and moonroof ($ 2,330); tonneau cover ($ 650); V6 Tow package with class IV towing receiver hitch, engine oil cooler, power steering cooler, 130-amp alternator, four and seven–pin connector with converter and trailer sway control ($ 650)
