2007 Toyota Tacoma

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Summary

If one truck stands out from this generally outstanding pack, it's the Toyota Tacoma. It offers a comfortable cab, a refined ride, responsive handling, proven off-road capability, and quality construction. The Double Cab offers more rear-seat comfort than most of the competition, with enough room to rival a small sedan. Properly equipped V6 models are rated to tow up to 6,500 pounds.

Full Review 2007

For 2007, Tacoma comes with larger seats for enhanced interior comfort, while chrome-rimmed instruments and all-new audio head units brighten its two-tone instrument panel. Seats on some Access Cab models feature a walk-in memory function. Tacoma offers a wide choice of models, ranging from a $15,000 four-cylinder 2WD work truck to a $30,000 V6 4WD Double Cab Long Bed with all the candy. The base model is among the few regular-cab pickups still available today as the market has moved to extended-cab and crew cab styles.

Trims and Styling 2007

Toyota Tacoma comes in Regular Cab, Access Cab (extended cab) and Double Cab (crew cab) body styles. Regular and Access Cabs come with six-foot beds; Double Cab comes with the choice of a shorter five-foot bed or a standard-size six-footer.

The base engine is a 2.7-liter inline-4 mated to a five-speed manual transmission; a four-speed automatic is optional ($900). A 4.0-liter V6 is standard on Double Cabs and optional ($1555) on 4WD Access Cabs. It is paired with a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic ($880).

The entry-level Tacoma 2WD Regular Cab ($14,080) comes standard with a full-size spare tire, AM/FM/CD four-speaker sound system, tachometer, coolant temperature gauge, digital clock, two powerpoints, fuel warning light, tire-pressure monitor, service reminder indicator, dome lamp and rear mudguards. The Convenience Package for Regular Cab adds cruise control; a sliding rear window; remote keyless entry; and power windows, door locks and mirrors.

Access Cab ($17,520) and Double Cab ($24,535) models add more standard features, including air conditioning and functional consoles for the floor and ceiling. Double Cabs come with upgraded seat fabric plus power windows, mirrors and door locks. Both audio upgrades feature steering wheel audio controls.

PreRunner trucks are 2WD models with the high stance and general appearance of a 4WD truck. Regular Cab PreRunners ($14,950) must make do with four-cylinder power; the V6 is optional ($1455) on PreRunner Access Cabs ($18,280) and of course standard on Double Cabs ($22,340). Interestingly, buying a PreRunner is the only way you can get a 2WD Double Cab, as 4WD is standard on base Double Cabs. And all Double Cab PreRunners come with automatic transmission.

X-Runner is offered only in the Access Cab style, and only with the V6 and six-speed manual.

The SR5 packages bundle styling and comfort features, including color-keyed overfenders and front bumper, chrome grille surround and chrome rear bumper, bucket seats with center console, intermittent wipers and upgraded interior features and trim.

The TRD Offroad Package ($3045-$3755) starts with SR5 Package 2 equipment and adds or substitutes BF Goodrich P265/70R16 OWL tires, locking rear differential, off-road suspension with Bilstein shock absorbers, engine skidplate, sport seats, overhead console with compass and outside temperature, heavy-duty front tow hook, 115v/400w deck-mounted powerpoint, and unique TRD graphics. TRD Offroad is available only on V6 models, but not on Double Cab Long Beds.

TRD Sport is available on any Tacoma V6.

The Toyota Tacoma is an attractive truck, though not as stylish as its competitors from Nissan and Dodge. Big headlights and a bold grille highlight the Tacoma's front end. PreRunner and 4WD models are distinguished by bold overfenders.

Exterior Style and Body

Overall length of the Tacoma varies by body style: Regular Cabs are the shortest and most maneuverable, measuring 190.4 inches overall on a 109.4-inch wheelbase. Access Cab and Double Cab short-bed models have a 127.2-inch wheelbase and 208.1-inch overall length. Double Cab long-bed models are quite long at 221.3 inches overall on a 140.9-inch wheelbase. All models have six-foot beds except the Double Cab short-bed, which has a five-foot bed. 

Regular Cab models pack lots of cargo space in a relatively small package, good for maneuverability in the big city. Access Cabs feature large dual rear auxiliary doors, not good for people but very good for gear. Double Cabs offer the people-carrying comfort of a sport-utility. Long-bed Double Cabs can carry more stuff but are unwieldy in tight places.

Interior Style and Features 

New for 2007: Tacoma's seats are larger. The manually adjustable seats include lumbar adjustment but no adjustment for seat height or the angle of the seat bottom, whereas the power seats on the Nissan Frontier have these features.

Overall, the Tacoma provides the driver with a good driving position. Models with automatics come with a foot-operated parking brake.

The rear seats in the Tacoma Double Cab are particularly comfortable for the class, offering good legroom and shoulder room and decent headroom. The rear-seat area in the Double Cab is also good for carrying cargo. The Access Cab has rear seats, but they're pretty hopeless for humans.

First Drive 2007

The Toyota Tacoma drives well and cruises nicely. Off-road models offer better capability over rugged terrain than previous-generation models as well as improved ride comfort.

The four-cylinder does offer. EPA estimates of 21/27 mpg with 2WD and the five-speed manual, and 20/27 for 2WD with the four-speed automatic. Toyota recommends 87 octane for the four-cylinder. It's wider and longer than previous-generation models. The Tacoma Double Cab long bed requires 44 feet to complete a circle, while a Double Cab short bed needs closer to 40 feet. A base Tacoma Regular Cab boasts a turning circle of less than 37 feet.

On pavement, the 4WD and TRD Offroad models seemed smooth and refined. A 4WD TRD model is smooth and highly capable off road. The Tacoma TRD easily handled an off-road course that featured steep ascents and descents, moguls and a log step. In short, we'd feel comfortable tackling just about any terrain in a Toyota Tacoma. Switching into 4WD and 4WD Lo is as easy as twisting a rotary knob. Toyota Tacoma is among the best of the latest generation of midsize pickups.

2007 First Conclusions

Toyota Tacoma is among the best of the latest generation of midsize pickups. The Tacoma features a comfortable cab trimmed with quality materials. "With rising gas prices gluing full-size trucks to dealer lots, folks who still need a pickup's utility should find that the midsize and more fuel-efficient 2007 Toyota Tacoma is an ideal alternative."  says Edmunds  "The Toyota Tacoma may be the best pickup in its class." adds Automotive.com The 4WD models offer crisp handling, a nicely balanced ride quality, and excellent off-road capability. The TRD Offroad models are terrific trucks for rugged terrain. The X-Runner drives and performs like a sports car.