TOYOTA TACOMA

OVERVIEW

Manufacturer: Toyota
Production: January 1995–present
Model years: 1995–present
Assembly: Fremont, California, US (NUMMI) (former); San Antonio, Texas, US (TMMTX); Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico (TMMBC); Apaseo el Grande, Guanajuato, Mexico (TMMGT)

• Body and Chassis

Class: Compact pickup truck (1995-2004); Mid-size pickup truck (2004-present)
Body style: 2-door regular cab; 2-door extended cab; 4-door crew cab
Layout: Front-engine, rear-wheel drive/Four-wheel drive

• Dimensions:

Wheelbase: 127.4 in
Length: 212.3 in
Width: 75.2 in
Height: 71.6 in
Passenger volume: 100 cu ft
Curb weight: 4661 lb

HISTORY

The Toyota Tacoma is a pickup truck manufactured in Mexico and the U.S. by the Japanese automobile manufacturer Toyota since 1995. The first-generation Tacoma, model years 1995 through 2004, was classified as a compact pickup. The second generation, model years 2005 through 2015, and third generation, in production since 2015, are classified as midsized pickups and are produced in the U.S. and Mexico. The Tacoma was Motor Trend‘s Truck of the Year for 2005.

As of 2015, the Toyota Tacoma is sold in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Bolivia, Bermuda, and the French territory of New Caledonia.

SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THE TOYOTA TACOMA

The Toyota Tacoma—lovingly called the Taco by its legion of fans—is a practical mid-size pickup truck first and an off-road toy second. However, its legend is largely influenced by the latter, especially when combined with Toyota’s storied reliability. Although most of its competitors are more refined, and the Jeep Gladiator is even more capable, the Tacoma has earned a cult following the hard way: over time, delivering what customers wanted. Its four-cylinder and V-6 engines aren’t all that impressive, and its automatic transmission is as coordinated as a newborn baby bird, but the truck’s TRD models are particularly proficient at tackling trails and playing in the mud.

• Towing and Payload Capacity

At its brawniest, the Tacoma can tow up to 6800 pounds with rear-wheel drive; four-wheel-drive versions can pull 6500 pounds. The Tacoma’s 1685-pound maximum payload capacity is only available on two-wheel drive models with the four-cylinder engine; going with four-wheel drive and the V-6 engine results in much lower capabilities.

• Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG

The V-6 Tacoma’s EPA-rated fuel economy ranks in the middle of the pack, but in our real-world highway testing, it falls short of more efficient competitors.

DESIGN

Sticking to your roots is commendable, but it doesn’t work in the favor of the Tacoma’s cabin. The utilitarian layout and materials are of a different era. The higher trim levels rely heavily on hard plastics and minimalistic materials. However, the Tacoma finally offers a power-adjustable driver’s seat. Still, cramped quarters are a staple of the Tacoma. The crew cab’s rear seat is where passengers in the Tacoma will have to squeeze, as legroom is abysmal. The Tacoma has more than enough volume in its five-foot or six-foot bed, but it disappoints with few storage cubbies and limited carry-on space inside. Storage capacity is restricted inside the Tacoma, and the crew cab we tested was only able to hold nine carry-ons in the back seat. Aside from the center-console bin, there aren’t many usable storage bins or cubbies.

HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR CAR?

Fixing deep scratches on your used car before the rust forms with something as simple as a dab of touch-up paint will save you endless trouble in the long run.

• Keep it clean

Giving your Toyota Hilux a regular all-round wash is a great way to keep it in the best possible shape and inspect the bodywork and interior for any  wear-and-tear that you can attend to before it becomes a big concern.

Similarly, if you allow brake-dust and road grime to accumulate on your used car’s alloy wheels, it will, over time, leave dark spots or make your used car’s rims appear dull.

It is very important to remember that you should never wash your used Toyota, or any other used car for that matter, with standard dish washing liquid or other household cleaning detergent.

Think about it: If your Toyota Hilux is regularly equipped with clean filters, oil and other lubricants, its engine will operate without any undue strain. This will lead to better fuel consumption and better engine performance in the short term and greater durability in the long term.

• Keep an eye on your tyres

Make it a habit to regularly check your tyre tread and the tyre pressure of your Toyota Hilux.

Inspecting the tyre tread helps you to quickly identify irregular wear patterns, such as wear on the outside of the tyre. If you spot this early enough, you can address it and extend the life of your tyres.

If you see an irregular tread pattern, you may need to check each wheel’s balancing or the alignment between the wheels at an approved tyre fitment centre.

Checking your tyre pressure is equally important. An under-inflated tyre will cause more wear and tear and will increase your vehicle’s fuel consumption. An over-inflated tyre will, in turn, cause uneven wear on the tyre and may negatively influence your vehicle’s steering and wet-weather performance.

• Monitor your fuel economy

Keeping an eye on your fuel economy is a great way of tracking the mechanical integrity of any used vehicle.

By keeping an eye on your tyres, bodywork, fuel economy and by regularly servicing your Toyota Hilux, you can be sure that it will maintain its value very well as a used vehicle and it will give you many years of trouble-free service.

Source: wikipedia, caranddrive.