2018 Toyota Tacoma: An extremely rugged and Reliable Pickup

If you are looking for something rough, powerful, smooth, elegant at the same time, Toyota has something to offer. The 2018 Toyota Tacoma could be your best options in pick-up trucks with best in class features and reliability. This beast is available in six different trim levels; you have the entry-level

SR, the slightly more premium SR5, very well equipped TRD Sport, TRD off-Road, the more street focused Limited and then there is TRD Pro.

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Let us look at some key specifications:

• 3.5-Liter V6 DOHC 24-Valve direct-injection Atkinson-cycle engine with VVT-I engine
• 278 hp @ 6000 rpm
• Fuel economy of 23 MPG
• Dimensions: 212.3 x 75.2 x 70.6 (cm)
• Towing capacity of 6400 lbs.
• 6-speed Electronically Controlled automatic Transmission with intelligence (ECT-i)
• Entune Audio — includes 6.1-in. touch-screen display

Driving and Performance

This pick-up truck effectively serves its purpose of providing a great driving experience on rough terrain and steers with quiet confidence on the road. The V6 engine with automatic transmission is not quick to respond though. The 4WD system of Tacoma gives great off-road experience, especially in the TRD variant. This beast provides acceleration of 0 to 60 mph in 8.1 seconds, which is adequate enough for this vehicle.

With its power-assisted ventilated front disc brakes and rear drum brakes with tandem booster, the Tacoma can stop from 60 mph in 128 feet. The six-speed automatic shifts smoothly, but fuel-efficiency-biased programming makes it difficult to move to lower gears. Tall drives might feel a little uncomfortable due to higher seats, which they look down on the road rather than straight ahead.

Interior

This vehicle has a sturdy, durable cabin full of high-quality materials. Fabric-trimmed seats which are 4-way adjustable with lumbar support, seats are of good quality with good backrest angle. Rear windows are power windows. Smart engineering and design provide much isolation so that there is no sound from outside.

Looking at the instrument cluster, we get a Tachometer at the left side and fuel gauge meter at the right with speedometer, and at the center there is 4.2-inch MID display. The infotainment system comes with Entune Audio; it includes 6.1-in. touch-screen display. Leather-trimmed tilt/telescopic steering wheel gets audio and Bluetooth hands-free phone controls. The controls are very nice looking with a retro finish, and a Smart Key system is available on driver”s door with Push Button start and three USB ports (one USB media port, and two USB charge ports). There is enough storage space in front of the gearbox and also in the glove box for practical uses.

Exterior

The Tacoma comes with very bold and dynamic exteriors, looking from the front it has a Gray grille with smoked finish and chrome surround. Projector-beam headlights are with LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) and also integrated wide-angle fog lights. Now looking at the side profile, which is immediately complimented by its aggressive looking 18-inch polished alloy wheels with P265/60R18 tires.

At the back, the box has a fiber-reinforced Sheet-Molded Composite (SMC) inner bed with steel outer panels. Also, storage compartments and rail caps are available, with the easy lower, lockable and removable tailgate. Along with this, there is 120V/400W deck-mounted AC power outlet available. Power tilt/slide moon-roof and sliding sunshade are available in a limited model. The TRD variant comes with a pro desert air inlet and pro skid plates for clean air intake and better mechanical protection of crucial parts.

Safety

Tacoma comes with lots of safety features, (TSS-P) — Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection (PCS w/PD), Lane Departure Alert (LDA) with Sway Warning System (SWS), Automatic High Beams (AHB), and Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC).

Also, Star Safety System is available which — includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA). Airbags are provided at the driver and passenger seat and child protection rear door locks is also there.

Final Verdict

This pick-up truck 2018 Toyota Tacoma MSRP at a starting rate of $31,815 and may go up to $41,000. Taking all factors into account, if mid-sized pick-up truck is what you are looking for than Toyota Tacoma is a great value for money product you should definitely consider.