2011 Toyota Tacoma Review and Prices

Styling: The 2011 Toyota Tacoma’s styling changes involve minor alterations to the grille and are typical of alterations made to keep a model fresh as it advances in years. In fact, this generation Tacoma has been around so long – since model-year 2005 -- that the 2011 changes constitute the second facelift since its introduction. They build on a model-year 2009 freshening that included an argent-painted grille and some new passenger-compartment trim. None of these changes alter the size or shape of a handsome pickup that counts variety among its strengths. The 2011 Toyota Tacoma again features three cab styles and three wheelbases – most rivals offer just two of each. And the 2011 Tacoma’s crew cab is again available with two cargo-bed lengths – most competing crew cabs have one. The 2011 Tacoma regular-cab rides a 109.4-inch wheelbase, seats up to three, and has a 6.1-foot bed. Toyota calls the extended-cab the Access Cab. The 2011 version has a 127.4-inch-wheelbase and a 6.1-foot bed. Access Cabs have small, rear-hinged back doors and seat four with help from two forward-facing rear jump seats. The crew-cab is dubbed the Double Cab. The 2011 Tacoma Double Cab continues on the 127.4-inch-wheelbase with a 5-foot bed or on a 140.6-inch-wheelbase -- longest in the class -- with the 6.1-foot bed. Tacoma Crew Cabs have four conventional doors and a rear bench seat for five-passenger capacity. Double Cabs account for about 54 percent of Tacoma sales, Access Cabs 31 percent, and regular cabs 15 percent. All 2011 Tacomas again come in base-level trim and most are available in upmarket SR5 form. And all but the regular-cab are available in off-road-ready TRD livery. (TRD, or Toyota Racing Development, is the automaker’s in-house specialty equipment arm.) Also offered are PreRunner models that mimic the raised-suspension look of the TRD four-wheel-drive (4wd) models but come only with two-wheel drive (2wd). The tuner-inspired 2011 X-Runner is a 2wd Access Cab with a lowered sport suspension, aero lower-body trim, and 18-inch alloy wheels. Other models use 15- or 16-inch wheels, and the TRD is available with 17s. The 2011 styling changes give base models a grille with metallic trim surrounding a gray horizontal bar. SR5 and TRD Off-Road models get a grille with chrome trim that surrounds a black horizontal bar. TRD Sport models get a grille with color-keyed trim surrounding a black horizontal bar. And X-Runner models get color-keyed trim surrounding a color-keyed horizontal bar. For 2011, Toyota adds five new Tacoma configurations, starting with a 4wd regular-cab with automatic transmission. It expands the Access Cab roster to include 2wd and 4wd four-cylinder, automatic transmission models. And it stretches the Double Cab line to include PreRunner and non-PreRunner versions with 2wd, the four-cylinder, and automatic-transmission. At the same time, the 2011 Tacoma lineup loses three low-selling models: the PreRunner 2wd regular-cab and 2wd Access Cab with the four-cylinder engine and five-speed manual, and the PreRunner, 2wd Access Cab with four-cylinder and six-speed manual.

Mechanical: Addition of the brake-override system is the only mechanical change to the 2011 Toyota Tacoma. The 2011 Tacoma is available with a choice of two engines, a 2.7-liter four-cylinder or a 4.0-liter V-6. Both are dual-overhead-cam designs with variable valve timing. 2011 Tacoma power ratings carry over from the 2010 model, with the four-cylinder at 159 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque and the V-6 at 236 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque. Again available is a dealer-installed TRD supercharger kit that boosts the V-6 to 304 horsepower and 334 pound-feet of torque and carries a 5-year, 60,000-mile factory warranty. The V-6 is standard on 2011 Tacoma Double Cabs and available on Access Cabs. Toyota hasn’t offered the V-6 in Tacoma regular-cabs and isn’t going to start. Four-cylinder 2wd models continue to offer both transmissions. V-6 Tacomas repeat with a choice of six-speed manual or five-speed automatic, though the 2011 X-Runner continues with manual only. Both engines again mate with rear-wheel drive or with a part-time 4wd system for use only on slippery surfaces. Tacoma’s 4wd system has low-range gearing suitable for off-road use. Off-road ability is a Tacoma selling point, starting with its pure-truck, body-on-frame construction and a suspension with coil springs in front and a rugged leaf-spring solid-axle in back. Expect 4wd models to make up about half of 2011 Tacoma sales. Additionally, about 35 percent will have the TRD Off-Road package. Available on 4wd V-6 Access or Double cabs, the TRD package includes a fortified and raised suspension, hill-start and hill-descent control, and a locking rear differential activated by an electronic switch in the cab. Manual-transmission 4wd Tacomas are also among the few modern vehicles that can be started in gear without depressing the clutch – a trick employed by off-roaders on steep inclines. For 2011, non-TRD Tacomas again come with Toyota’s Automatic Limited-slip Differential. And all 2011 Tacomas again have front-disc/rear-drum brakes but come with antilock, traction-control, and antiskid systems, Equipped with a V-6 Tow Package, 2011 Access and Double cabs retain their 6,500-pound trailer rating. Maximum payload rating is 1,570 pounds.

Features: Additions to 2011 Toyota Tacoma features are highlighted by the addition of standard air conditioning for all regular-cab models. Overall, Tacoma regular-cabs are very basic trucks. They come with a tilt/telescope steering wheel, but are not available with such features as power windows and locks. Besides standard air conditioning, regular-cabs with automatic transmission receive bucket seats with a center console, replacing the bench seats of the previous models. Access and Double cabs have the aforementioned amenities as standard. Double cabs also get standard power mirrors. The 2011 Tacoma offers a plethora of option packages for its Access and Double cabs. These include cruise control, remote keyless entry, power mirrors, sliding rear window with privacy glass, and steering-wheel audio controls. As before, the 2011 Tacoma won’t be available with leather upholstery or a navigation system. Standard on the X-Runner and optional on Access and Double cabs is a rearview camera that displays on a portion of the inside mirror; it shows objects behind and is useful when backing to a trailer hitch. The SR5 Package available on Access and Double cabs bundles styling and comfort features, including color-keyed overfenders and front bumper, chrome grille surround, chrome rear bumper, and intermittent windshield wipers. Inside, 2011 SR5 Tacomas again receive upgraded trim and leather wrapping for the steering wheel and automatic-transmission shifter, though 4wd regular-cab models are no longer available with the SR5 Package. For 2011, an Extra Value Convenience Package is newly available for double cabs, and it includes cruise control, a sliding rear window, privacy glass, keyless rear entry, and steering wheel audio controls. No regular cabs are available with the SR5 Package. Audio options for 2011 include a premium JBL system with seven speakers and subwoofer. Access Cabs with the premium system mount a 7.9-inch 65-watt subwoofer on the bulkhead between the rear jump seats. Satellite radio is newly integrated into the audio system of models with the 6-CD changer. Bluetooth cell-phone connectivity is included with the upgraded audio systems, but Toyota has limited Tacoma’s iPod interface to an auxiliary jack; it’s overdue for the more interactive USB linking. All 2011 Tacomas have torso-protecting front-seat-mounted side airbags and head-protecting curtain side airbags. The curtain bags are designed to deploy both in side collisions and when sensors detect an impeding rollover. In recognition of tilt angles experienced off-road, the 2011 Tacoma again includes a switch that temporarily disables the rollover sensors. Tacoma's inner cargo bed walls are made from sheet-molded compound for durability and resistance to dents and scratches.