2008 Toyota Tacoma

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Summary

In a field of outstanding trucks, the Toyota Tacoma stands out as one of the best, perhaps the best, of a very good bunch. It comes in a wide range of configurations to please a wide range of buyers. As a result, the Tacoma dominates the market for mid-size pickups.

2008 Tacoma Full Review

The Tacoma offers a comfortable cab, a refined ride, and quality construction. Its on-road handing is responsive, its off-road capability is proven. Models range from a $15,000 work truck with a four-cylinder and 2WD to a $31,000 V6 4WD Double Cab Long Bed with all the candy. The base model is among the few regular-cab pickups still available, as the market has moved to extended-cab and crew cab styles; it excels at durability and reliability.

New for 2008 is the Rugged Trail package, with locking rear differential, specially tuned off-road suspension, skid plate, 16-inch black Baja wheels, black overfenders, and unique graphics. For 2007, Toyota upgraded the front seats for enhanced interior comfort, while chrome-rimmed instruments and new audio head units brightened its two-tone instrument panel.

Trims and Styling 2008 Tacoma

The 2008 Toyota Tacoma is available in 18 different configurations, including 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 ($1,555) on 4WD Access Cabs. It is paired with a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic ($880).

The Tacoma 2WD Regular Cab ($14,280) comes standard with cloth upholstery, AM/FM/CD four-speaker sound system, tachometer, digital clock, two 12-volt powerpoints, fuel warning light, tire-pressure monitor, service reminder indicator, dome lamp, rear mudguards, 15-inch steel wheels and a full-size spare tire. Access Cab ($17,720) and Double Cab ($24,735) 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. Access and Double Cabs also get upgraded six-speaker audio systems, and offer an in-dash six-CD changer ($200); Double Cabs offer a premium JBL system ($560) with CD changer and amplified subwoofer. Both audio upgrades feature steering wheel controls.

PreRunner models are 2WD only, but feature the high stance and general appearance of a 4WD truck. Regular Cab PreRunners ($15,150) must make do with four-cylinder power. The V6 is optional ($1,455) on PreRunner Access Cabs ($18,480) and of course standard on Double Cabs ($22,540). X-Runner ($24,045) features unique styling cues and a chassis tuned for on-road performance. SR5 packages ($1,525-$1,860) bundle styling and comfort features, including color-keyed overfenders and front bumper, chrome grille surround and chrome rear bumper, bucket seats with center console, and other upgraded interior features and trim.

Three TRD packages are available, named for Toyota Racing Development, which engineers and distributes high-performance parts for Toyota.

The pavement-oriented TRD Sport Package ($3,220-$3,915) starts with SR5 Package 2 equipment and adds or substitutes P265/65R17 tires, limited-slip differential, sport-tuned suspension with Bilstein shock absorbers, sport seats, overhead console and power point, plus a hood scoop, lots of body-color trim, and its own graphics package. TRD Sport is available on any Tacoma V6.

The TRD Offroad Package ($3,045-$3,755) 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.

Exterior and Interior Design 2008 Tacoma

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.

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 have long, conventionally hinged rear doors that open 80 degrees for ease of entry or loading 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.

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.

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 seat is split 60/40. The Access Cab has rear seats, but they're pretty hopeless for humans.

First Drive 2008 Tacoma

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

EPA estimates are 20/25 mpg with 2WD and the five-speed manual, and 19/25 mpg for 2WD with the four-speed automatic. The Tacoma feels big on the road when compared with older compact pickups and, in fact, it is relatively large. 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. Off-road, a 4WD TRD model is smooth and highly capable. The TRD suspension is excellent on rough, rugged terrain. 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.

2008 Tacoma Conclusions

Toyota Tacoma is among the best of the latest generation of midsize pickups. The Tacoma features a comfortable cab trimmed with quality materials. "The Toyota Tacoma may be the best pickup in its class." says Automotive.com in a recent review. 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.