About that headline. It's been the start of many sentences in American history, ending in such lines as "a good five-cent cigar". But really, what this country needs is a reasonably-sized pickup truck that you can buy and get change back from your $50,000 bill.
And it's been right under our noses---largely unchanged---for seven years. The Toyota Tacoma may be a bit larger than some folks think mid-sized trucks really should be---but there's one difference between the Tacoma and the other trucks. The Tacoma sells.
Under the hood for 4X4 Tacomas, it's the tried and true 278-horsepower 3.5-liter V6, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. She's got Toyota's 4WDemand system---part-time 4X4 with a two-speed electronically-controlled transfer case and an automatic limited-slip differential. A tow hitch, trailer sway control and an engine oil cooler are all standard on the SR5 4X4 Double Cab. Speedy? Um, more than adequate is probably a better term. 0-60 in 7.7 seconds (the 4X2 models with a four-cylinder take more than ten). EPA fuel economy average? 18 city/22 highway.
In the context of $70,000 pickup trucks, the Tacoma can look a bit spartan---but that's because the starting price is---sit down---$35,655. And that comes with Toyota's Safety Sense P active safety suite, a power driver's seat, dual-zone automatic climate control with rear vents, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay and 16----yes, 16---inch styled steel wheels.
No---those aren't the stock wheels on our tester. This truck had extra-cost options, starting with the $3,765 Trail Edition, which sticks with 16s, but makes them bronze with a Toyota center cap. There's also a heritage grille with "TOYOTA" bronze lettering, a "Trail" badge, locking rear differential, front and rear suspension upgrades, a skid plate, lockable bed storage with insulation on the driver's side (it can double as a cooler), black fabric seats with tan stitching, a 120V outlet in the bed and all-weather floor liners.
There's also Parking sonar bundled with a premium audio system and navigation for $1,710, the Technology Package (blind spot monitor with rear cross traffic alert) for $600, a door edge guard for $140 and a door sill protector for $79.
Even with $1,215 delivery, processing and handling fee, the as-tested price rings in at a thoroughly reasonable $43,164.
A reasonably-sized pickup truck for under $50,000. Just what this country needs.
