Vehicle Tested
2012 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab V6 Pickup (4.0L V6 4x4 5-speed Automatic 5.0 ft. Bed) w/opt TRD Off-Road Package
Driven On
7/24/2012
Ratings Summary
This rating has been carried forward from a prior year because the newer model has no substantial differences.
There are only a handful of midsize pickups these days, and the Tacoma is a very safe bet in the category with a solid engine, functional interior and excellent off-road ability.
C
Performance
Because the Tacoma TRD V6 is a pickup focused on blazing new trails, its everyday usability suffers compared to a crossover or SUV, not to mention a more street-oriented Tacoma.
| Acceleration |
B
|
The V6 delivers powerful enough acceleration that you won't wish you'd bought a full-size pickup with a V8. |
| Braking |
C
|
Somewhat long panic stopping distances can be blamed on the off-road hardware, though they are within the range of similarly equipped trucks. The squishy brake pedal feel isn't our favorite. |
| Steering |
C
|
Steering is highly isolated and intended to manage grueling off-road conditions; precision on pavement isn't part of the program. |
| Handling |
C
|
Stable enough during normal driving, but off-road tires, soft suspension and slow-ratio steering aren't suited to high-speed handling. |
| Driveability |
C
|
An off-road truck will always feel out of sync with the rest of the commuter crowd; long-travel throttle and brake pedals, isolated steering and spongy suspension. |
| Towing |
B
|
Properly equipped, the Tacoma V6 will tow up to 6,400 pounds -- a decent amount for a truck this size. |
| Off-Road |
A
|
There are few pickup trucks that will give the Tacoma V6 TRD much competition while off-road thanks to good ground clearance, modified traction control, locking diffs, etc. |
C
Comfort
If you're looking for a comfortable vehicle, you're shopping in the wrong category. The Tacoma (especially the 4WD TRD version) is an off-road ready truck, not an everyday commuter for everyone.
| Seating Comfort |
C
|
Front seats are generally flat and lacking in side bolstering, and you feel as if they're riding on the floor. Rear seats are benchlike and rather upright. |
| Ride Comfort |
C
|
An apt description is "rides like a truck" with vibrations and reverberations throughout the cabin common to trucks with off-road tires and suspension. |
| Quietness |
C
|
Both tire and wind noise are expectedly high. |
B
Interior
A recent update has dressed up the interior but it remains a utilitarian design. New features bring it into expected levels of connectivity and infotainment.
| Ergonomics |
B
|
Big knobs, buttons, and switches are well labeled and logically placed. Nothing fancy but nothing wrong either. |
| Ingress/Egress |
C
|
This truck's typically high hip-point is somewhat addressed with the Tacoma's low seats. Four full-size doors make for better passenger access, especially to the rear seats. |
| Space/Room |
B
|
There are few places to temporarily stow small items, but the glovebox, central armrest and door pockets are sizable. |
| Visibility |
B
|
There are advantages to a midsize pickup, and visibility is one of them. Parking is made easier with the optional reverse camera. |
| Cargo/Storage |
B
|
Rear seats 60/40-split folding for interior cargo; the dent-resistant bed (available in two lengths) will take the lion's share of those duties; bed extender & roof rack optional. |
B
Value
There's undeniable value here if this truck is going to be used at all as an off-road vehicle. Asking price is fair, options are reasonable, and fuel economy is decent.
| Build Quality (vs. $) |
B
|
The Tacoma is practically battle-tested, so the build quality is about as good as it gets for an off-road vehicle. |
| Features(vs. $) |
B
|
Recent updates to standard and optional equipment have made the Tacoma far more modern than you remember. |
| Cost |
C
|
Considering the $27K Double Cab V6 is at the top end of the full Tacoma line ($17K-$28K), and overlapping with Tundra prices, you'd have to really want this one. Consider an FJ? |
| MPG |
B
|
The V6 is rated by the EPA to earn 16 mpg city and 21 mpg highway; expect to earn about 18 mpg in mixed driving. That's reasonable for a 2-ton off-road truck. |
| Warranty |
C
|
With just a 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and 5 years/60,000 miles on drivetrain, this tough truck should have better coverage. |
| Ownership |
B
|
Roadside assistance is covered for 2 years/25,000 miles, but the reputation for Tacoma reliability is legendary nonetheless. |
B
Fun To Drive
The Tacoma Double Cab TRD V6 isn't awful on pavement, but if you want to have fun, then you'll have to go someplace and get dirty.
| Driving Experience |
B
|
The V6 is strong and has a presence, the transmission is smooth and intelligent, but everything else is very trucklike, so be ready for it. |
| Personality |
B
|
It has the toughness you need for hard-core driving in the dirt, but don't expect it to feel as bland as a rental car on the pavement. |
