2005 Toyota Tacoma: Overview

Archived Review

2005 Toyota Tacoma 

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  • MSRP: $13,415 -$25,250
  • Invoice: $12,432 -$22,886

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Pros

  • Instruments/controls
  • Acceleration (V6)
  • Steering/handling (XRunner)

Cons

  • Rear-seat room/comfort (XtraCab)
  • Ride (4WD w/TRD Off-Road suspension)

Vehicle Highlights

Toyota redesigns its compact pickup for 2005. Tacoma is larger and more powerful than its 1995-2004 predecessor, and offers more safety features, including curtain side airbags. It comes as a regular cab, extended Access Cab, and crew-type Double Cab. The Access Cab gains rear-hinged rear doors. The Double Cab retains four conventional side doors. Both have front bucket seats and a 3-place rear bench seat for 5-passenger capacity. Regular cabs come with front bucket seats or a 3-passenger bench. All cabs have increased interior room. Regular and Access use a 6-ft-long cargo bed. Double Cabs offer 5- and 6-ft beds. The beds have a dent- and scratch-resistant plastic liner.

A 164-hp 4-cyl replaces 142- and 150-hp fours as the base engine. The available V6 is a 245-hp 4.0-liter in place of a 190-hp 3.4. The 4-cyl comes with a 5-speed manual transmission or 4-speed automatic. The V6 comes with 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic. All body styles offer rear-wheel drive or 4WD that should not be left engaged on dry pavement but has low-range gearing. ABS is standard. A limited-slip rear differential is optional, as is an antiskid system. Newly optional for off-road use are a locking rear differential, Toyota's Downhill Assist Control designed to maintain a slow speed on steep declines, and hill ascent control to avoid sliding backward. Newly optional on Double Cabs are front side airbags and head-protecting curtain side airbags that cover both seating rows. Among returning models are PreRunners, which are 2WDs with 4WD styling cues. New is the sporty X-Runner, which is an Access Cab with V6, 6-speed manual transmission, aero lower body trim, sport suspension, and 18-inch wheels. Other Tacomas have 15-, 16-, or 17-inch wheels, depending on model or option package.

COMPETITION

Consumer GuideĀ® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Compact Pickups offer a true-truck design in a relatively modest package. They are best suited for personal or light-duty use rather than commercial use, heavy hauling, or towing.

Our Best Buy is the Toyota Tacoma. Our Recommended picks include the Dodge Dakota and Ford Ranger.

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Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)

Category PreRunner Double Cab, V6 auto. Rating Compact Pickup Truck Average Rating
Acceleration 6 4.9
Fuel Economy 4 4
Ride Quality 5 4
Steering/Handling/Braking 4 3.8
Quietness 4 4
Controls 7 5.8
Details
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front) 6 4.9
Room/Comfort (rear) 4 2
Cargo Room 4 3.1
Value within Class 8 6.3
Total Score: 52 42.8

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