AutoWeek Drivers Review of 2011 Tacoma

Last week, AutoWeek.com shared some driver’s log notes from the test 2011 Tacoma V6 double cab Prerunner. Here are the highlights:

1. The Tacoma is a no-frills truck. Both Jake Lingeman and Greg Migliore described the Tacoma as a basic, no-nonsense truck lacking in frills, refinement, sophistication, etc. I always find this type of comment funny, because it says more about the person reviewing the truck than it does the truck itself.

Compared to any number of new cars, the Tacoma is a basic sort of no-frills conveyance without much in the way of refinement. But compared to other trucks – like Ford’s Ranger or Nissan’s Titan – the Tacoma is a very smooth-riding, well-behaved pickup. Right away, we know that Jake and Greg aren’t truck guys. If they were, they wouldn’t be so quick to dismiss the Tacoma’s above-average frills compared to half the segment.

2. Neither reviewer particularly liked the V6. It’s definitely not the newest, most advanced engine available in a pickup truck, but the 4.0 V6 is tough, reliable, and very torquey. At worst, it’s adequate. At best, it’s got enough low-end punch to get your Tacoma up the trail, get your trailer going down that on-ramp, and still get you decent fuel economy.

Still, this review points out that the 4.0L V6 is long in the tooth. Considering that the 2011 Tundra has a new version of this same V6 with significantly more power (270 horsepower!), Toyota should offer an updated version of the 4.0 engine in the Tacoma.

3. Everybody likes this truck. Despite commenting on the lack of refinement and less-than-spectacular engine power, both reviewers ultimately liked the Tacoma. It might sound silly to say, but the Tacoma is simply likeable. It’s a good-looking, good-performing, and reasonably-priced truck that does everything you need it to do.

Perhaps that’s why it’s the best-selling truck in the compact pickup segment.