The 2016 Toyota Tacoma has been dispatched to stop the company's mid-size truck market share from being lost to GM, who now offer many variations of a comparably sized pickup (the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon). Here's what we know about the new Taco before it bows in Detroit this month.
Quick And Dirty
- First redesign since 2005
- Teasers suggest performance focus
- Unveil date: 1/12/15
We've seen front and rear quarters of the new Tacoma, and it seems as though the new truck's borrowing styling cues from the bigger Toyota Tundra. The company's promising "new, rugged tech," and "off-road prowess more formidable than ever," which makes me think they might be keeping or expanding upon their TRD Pro off-road offering.
Nothing's been discussed regarding new engine options, but we all know the wheezy 236 horsepower V6 isn't cutting the mustard anymore. If Toyota's not planning on tuning that up, I can't imagine they'd bother with a redesign.
Fortunately the audio track from this teaser clip pretty much confirms something's been done about the truck's power plant:
I don't think we'll see anything as radical as a diesel engine option, but I'll be very curious to see if Toyota uses the redesign to drop the manual transmission option.
As for suspension and technology, Toyota has been tightlipped and given us nothing further than the "can't comment on future product" line. One thing's for sure; the 2016 Toyota Tacoma is going to have to bring its game to a whole new level on driving refinement, standard equipment, and safety (so, pretty much everything) if it wants to hang tough with the Chevy Colorado as the American public's go-to "accessible utility vehicle."
Image via Toyota