Used 2007 Toyota Tacoma

The Tacoma may be Toyota’s smallest pickup, but it has long since left the realm of the compact courier. Fresh from a complete makeover last year, the Tacoma now dwarfs the Ford Ranger and Chevrolet Colorado in every area that counts. Its closest competitors are now the Dodge Dakota and Nissan Frontier and, while worthy opponents, neither can touch the Tacoma’s long history of reliability and high resale value. Wrapped in muscular new sheetmetal and touting the most powerful V6 engine ever to grace a small Toyota, the Tacoma has much to offer those who take their pickup trucks seriously.

The Tacoma we tested was a Double Cab, long-bed model equipped with a V6, four-wheel drive, five-speed automatic transmission and the SR5 package that includes a limited-slip differential. Put the pedal to the floor and you can feel and hear the powerful V6 working, conveying a refined sort of ruggedness. On the highway, our Tacoma rode rather nicely, but it almost seemed out of its element negotiating city streets.

In general, the Tacoma always felt like it’d be happier hauling or towing something or negotiating rocks in a river. On one hand, that’s exactly the attitude many buyers will require for a truck. On the other hand, the Tacoma’s competition includes some other very capable trucks that offer a more "car-like" daily driving experience, namely the Honda Ridgeline and Nissan Frontier.

Getting into and out of the Tacoma is easy, and the new seats are designed with pleasant bolstering and adjustability to fit most body types and sizes. A recessed, three-ring instrument cluster looks handsome and is in clear view. Most, if not all of the controls are easy to reach and adjust, and steering wheel-mounted controls for the radio are available. Overall, the midsize Tacoma feels very roomy. On the Double Cab, the big back doors open up to a back seat as roomy as that in many small sedans.

The Tacoma’s newest look succeeds by blending classic Toyota truck styling with the larger body panels of some domestic trucks. Oversized headlamps and a wide trapezoidal grille dominate the Tacoma’s assertive-looking exterior. At a glance, the Tacoma might be mistaken for a domestic truck. The overall exterior of the Tacoma is well done, and an impeccable level of fit and finish is a known characteristic of Toyota products. Double Cab models offer a class-first roof-rack system that attaches to the roof rails.

Six-Speed Manual
The Tacoma’s six-speed manual transmission helps take full advantage of the available 236-horsepower V6.

Functional Bed
All Tacomas feature a composite inner bed with built-in storage compartments and four rail-mounted sliding tie-down cleats.

The two-wheel-drive Tacoma’s base four-cylinder engine displaces 2.7 liters. Other standard equipment includes an AM/FM CD sound system, anti-lock brakes (ABS), tachometer, two instrument panel powerpoints and rear mudguards. The Tacoma also includes a versatile composite inner bed that’s 10-percent lighter than steel, much more durable and won’t rust in the bargain.

The powerplant upgrade is a revised 4.0-liter V6. Transmission upgrades from the base five-speed manual include a four-speed automatic, five-speed automatic and six-speed manual. Four-wheel drive is also available. Optional body configurations include Access Cab and Double Cab models, plus a long bed.

Both of the Tacoma’s engines, the four-cylinder and the V6, feature Toyota’s VVT-i technology (Variable Valve Timing with intelligence) that minimizes the compromise between low-end torque and peak horsepower. Combined with a choice of four available transmissions, two- or four-wheel drive, three cab styles and more, Toyota makes it easy (or difficult, depending upon your viewpoint) to get exactly the pickup you want. Maximum towing and payload capacities are 3,500 pounds and 1,350 pounds respectively.

2.7-liter in-line 4
159 horsepower @ 5200 rpm
180 lb.-ft. of torque @ 3800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 23/28 (2WD manual), 21/27 (2WD automatic),
19/23 (4WD manual)

4.0-liter V6
236 horsepower @ 5200 rpm
266 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 17/21 (2WD manual), 16/20 (4WD manual),
19/22 (2WD automatic), 18/21 (4WD automatic)