The Toyota Tacoma: A Popular Mid-Sized Truck for 2012

For many pickup truck shoppers, mid-size is the right size, and in a less than crowded field, the Toyota Tacoma has consistently been the most popular for 2012. The Tacoma gets an assertive new look with Boulder hood grill and headlight features. Today, we're testing a double cab 4x4 model with a V6 and an optional tow package and off-road package. It's a good example of the balance of power and practicality that keeps buyers interested.

When it comes to urban traffic and parking, mid-sized trucks like the Tacoma are way more convenient than their full-size siblings. Yet, they're versatile enough to tow a small boat or help your friends move into that new apartment. With the Tacoma, there's a host of variations that include the base regular cab, which is more like a compact pickup extended access cab and five passenger double cab models, as well as the unique X-Runner performance truck. Plus, there are rear and 4-wheel drive powertrains.

Toyota has reworked the 2012 Tacoma's interior too with a revised gauge cluster and center stack with new climate controls. All are well laid out and easy to use. The double cab V6 models offer the optional smartphone-based Entune mobile app interface that we have in our test model. It's a really good example of cutting-edge technology that you won't find in other brands.

Our Tacoma double cab comes with a 4-liter V6 engine with a 5-speed automatic transmission. We like this setup because of its strong acceleration and solid towing and hauling capabilities. The engine makes 236 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Opt for the V6 tow package, and it'll pull up to 6,400 pounds. The smaller 2.7-liter inline four-cylinder engine produces 159 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque to take performance to a higher level.

Toyota Racing Development offers a 4-liter V6 supercharger kit capable of generating 304 horsepower. However, the TRD Off-Road package on our test Tacoma is a more practical option, especially for adventures. It adds an off-road tuned suspension with Bilstein shock absorbers, locking rear differential, skid plates, hill start assist, and downhill assist control.

If only Toyota would figure out how to boost fuel economy, the ratings would be impressive. With either engine, ranging from a high of 21 city/25 highway to a low of 15 city/19 highway. The base MSRP for the Tacoma is close to $17,000. Our well-equipped double cab model costs about $34,000. All models get a five-year sixty thousand-mile powertrain warranty.

The 2012 Toyota Tacoma offers an attractive mix of functionality and flexibility for those seeking a mid-sized truck with some big truck capability. It's a good example of the balance of power and practicality that keeps buyers interested. With its strong acceleration, solid towing and hauling capabilities, and range of variations, including rear and 4-wheel drive powertrains, the Tacoma is an excellent choice for those looking for a mid-sized truck with some big truck capability.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enfor many pickup truck shoppers midsize is the right size and in a less than crowded field the toyota tacoma has consistently been the most popular for 2012 the tacoma gets an assertive new look with boulder hood grill and headlight features today we're testing a double cab 4x4 model with a v6 and an optional tow package and off-road package it's a good example of the balance of power and practicality that keeps buyers interested and when it comes to urban traffic and parking mid-sized trucks like the tacoma are way more convenient than their full-size siblings yet it's versatile enough to tow a small boat or help your friends move into that new apartment and with the tacoma there's a host of variations that include the base regular cab which is more like a compact pickup extended access cab and five passenger double cab models as well as the unique x-runner performance truck plus there are rear and 4-wheel drive powertrains toyota has reworked the 2012 tacoma's interior too with a revised gauge cluster and center stack with new climate controls all well laid out and easy to use the double cab v6 models offer the optional smartphone based entune mobile app interface that we have in our test model it's a really good example of cutting edge technology that you won't find in other brands our tacoma double cab comes with a 4 liter v6 engine with a 5-speed automatic transmission and we like this setup because of its strong acceleration and its solid towing and hauling capabilities it makes 236 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque opt for the v6 tow package and it'll pull up to 6 400 pounds the smaller 2.7 liter inline four-cylinder engine produces 159 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque to take performance to a higher level toyota racing development offers a 4 liter v6 supercharger kit capable of generating 304 horsepower but the trd off-road package on our test tacoma is a more practical option especially for the adventures it adds an off-road tuned suspension with bilstein shock absorbers locking rear differential skid plates hill start assist and downhill assist control if only toyota would figure out how to boost fuel economy the ratings are unimpressive with either engine ranging from a high of 21 city 25 highway with the four cylinder to a low of 15 city 19 highway with the v6 base msrp for the tacoma is close to seventeen thousand our well-equipped double cab model costs about thirty four thousand all models get a five year sixty thousand mile powertrain warranty the 2012 toyota tacoma offers an attractive mix of functionality and flexibility for those seeking a mid-sized truck with some big truck capability youfor many pickup truck shoppers midsize is the right size and in a less than crowded field the toyota tacoma has consistently been the most popular for 2012 the tacoma gets an assertive new look with boulder hood grill and headlight features today we're testing a double cab 4x4 model with a v6 and an optional tow package and off-road package it's a good example of the balance of power and practicality that keeps buyers interested and when it comes to urban traffic and parking mid-sized trucks like the tacoma are way more convenient than their full-size siblings yet it's versatile enough to tow a small boat or help your friends move into that new apartment and with the tacoma there's a host of variations that include the base regular cab which is more like a compact pickup extended access cab and five passenger double cab models as well as the unique x-runner performance truck plus there are rear and 4-wheel drive powertrains toyota has reworked the 2012 tacoma's interior too with a revised gauge cluster and center stack with new climate controls all well laid out and easy to use the double cab v6 models offer the optional smartphone based entune mobile app interface that we have in our test model it's a really good example of cutting edge technology that you won't find in other brands our tacoma double cab comes with a 4 liter v6 engine with a 5-speed automatic transmission and we like this setup because of its strong acceleration and its solid towing and hauling capabilities it makes 236 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque opt for the v6 tow package and it'll pull up to 6 400 pounds the smaller 2.7 liter inline four-cylinder engine produces 159 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque to take performance to a higher level toyota racing development offers a 4 liter v6 supercharger kit capable of generating 304 horsepower but the trd off-road package on our test tacoma is a more practical option especially for the adventures it adds an off-road tuned suspension with bilstein shock absorbers locking rear differential skid plates hill start assist and downhill assist control if only toyota would figure out how to boost fuel economy the ratings are unimpressive with either engine ranging from a high of 21 city 25 highway with the four cylinder to a low of 15 city 19 highway with the v6 base msrp for the tacoma is close to seventeen thousand our well-equipped double cab model costs about thirty four thousand all models get a five year sixty thousand mile powertrain warranty the 2012 toyota tacoma offers an attractive mix of functionality and flexibility for those seeking a mid-sized truck with some big truck capability you\n"