2010 Toyota Tacoma: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

The 2010 Toyota Tacoma is largely unchanged. This compact pickup truck offers three cab styles: regular cab, extended Access Cab with rear-hinged rear doors, and the Double Cab with four conventional side doors. Regular cabs have a three-passenger bench seat. Access Cabs have rear jump seats that seat two. The Double Cab has a rear bench that seats three.

Regular cabs and Access Cabs use 6-foot-long cargo beds, Double Cabs 5- and 6-foot beds; all have a dent-resistant plastic liner. Tacoma offers two engines. A 159-hp 2.7-liter 4-cylinder teams with a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission. A 236-hp 4.0-liter V6 teams with a 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic. Maximum towing capacity is 6500 lb. Tacoma is available with rear-wheel drive or 4-wheel drive that should not be left engaged on dry pavement but includes a low-range gear for off-roading. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, and front side airbags. A locking rear differential and hill ascent and descent control are available. Tacoma is available as the sporty X-Runner, which has an Access Cab with the V6, manual transmission, aero lower body trim, and sport suspension.

COMPETITION

Consumer Guide Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 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 are the Honda Ridgeline, Nissan Frontier, and Suzuki Equator.