2012 toyota Tacoma Prerunner V6

Our 2005 Vehicle of the Year face-off included some challenging competitors, but from the beginning, we knew the new Toyota Tacoma was going to be a serious gamer: larger and also bolder appearances, a strong powertrain, a huge renovation over the previous design. In the long run, it took home the just honors, which earned it an area in our long-term fleet for an one-year assessment - 2012 Toyota Tacoma Prerunner V6.

We opted for the PreRunner with a TRD package-it supplied the tough appearances of a determined 4 × 4, sans the weight of a transfer situation, additional driveshaft, and all the front-axle parts that would've added virtually 400 extra pounds. The weight savings provided a good quantity of extra throttle reaction and also far better general fuel economic situation. Regrets? Choosing the runningboard step rails ($ 369). They weren't practical, really did not fit with the vehicle's stance, as well as left dirt on the back of a motorist's pant legs.


2012 Toyota Tacoma Prerunner V6


2005 Toyota Tacoma Prerunner V6

In its initial six months, our Radiant Red RWD Tacoma showed so popular, the odometer clicked up another 5000 miles every two months, with journeys to Reno and also Phoenix metro, and it spent hours of torture duty in Southern California traffic. Testers noted the vehicle felt tight and also solid from the start, with only a single remark made concerning the seals around the back doors, an usually tough location in which to avoid extended-cab air leaks. Beyond that, the majority of logbook entrances focused on exactly how solid the engine as well as transmission felt, noticeably increasing the front end when beginning with a full stop. One driver created that the PreRunner advised him of a sprinter at a begin line, tensely waiting for the weapon to fire. The indoor obtained high praise from all staff members, with its countless cupholders and also huge lockable storage bin, with even a couple of covert compartments under the rear fold-down seats. Staff professional photographers liked the integrated 115V inverter, which allowed them to connect in their laptop computers to download and install pictures right away complying with a shoot. It likewise assisted maintain video camera batteries charged-though a plug inside the taxicab, along with the one in the bed, would've been even more practical.

The Tacoma performed several pulling stints, coming across marginal tail wiggle despite a 3500-pound Fleetwood camper in back. The vehicle's soft back springs meant taking preventative measures concerning tongue weights so regarding not point fronts lights into approaching traffic during night driving. Fuel economic situation balanced 13.8 mpg when hauling, the facility console shifter creating very easy maneuvering in between third and fourth gears to help maintain the engine revs in the strongest part of the powerband-a good idea towing up qualities at elevation. Various other towables included a rented U-Haul trailer (from Sacramento to Los Angeles) and a microsize foldout camper. A lot of camping gear, colders, and mountain bikes have been packed right into the bed, dragged and banged around, without making a substantial scratch, thanks to the weight-saving composite bed.

The Tacoma's very first service at 5000 miles was regular, costing regarding $45; however at the 10,000-mile mark, a few concerns had to be taken care of under guarantee. Initially, some brake resonance as well as a slight "clunk," after that one of the home window networks began to stick, and also finally, the A/C recirc light blinked, then headed out totally, making us think the whole air-conditioning system (not a good idea during a L.a summer season). Turns out the brake rod required adjusting, the home window network required some lube, and also it was just a burned-out recirc light in the A/C (which indicated the whole A/C control device had to be replaced since there was no way to just alter the recirc bulb). The 10,000-mile service expense $45 also.

No surprises at 15,000 miles, either, although the home window channel once again needed to be relubricated with the typical service costing $138.45, due to some much deeper upkeep checks. After 20,000 miles, the brake pedal resonance returned again, but after a front-disc resurface, all returned to regular. Expense: $68.08.

Tires were turned at every service interval (5000 miles) and our BFGs appeared as if they would last at the very least 40,000 miles. About fuel economy, a lot relied on that was driving (lead- versus featherfeet), but the Tacoma balanced simply under 18 mpg, with a finest long-haul highway cruising average of 22 mpg.

There's plenty of truck right here for $25K: The Tacoma held up under substantial use and also abuse and showed significantly prominent with our personnel during its time below. Not surprising that it's ended up being the best-selling portable or midsize pickup truck in the United States Ford and GM, Nissan and Honda, are you taking notes?

From The Logbook
" I such as how they've slotted third and 4th a simple slide from each other on the shifter-makes it excellent for people that tow to keep the engine accelerates. We kept a constant 75 miles per hour up Donner Pass (7500-foot altitude), with a 3500-pound Fleetwood no problem."
- Brian Vance

" Chassis does a good work of keeping points silent underneath you on a long freeway drive (we travelled to Arizona), however saw on some high-wind sections, the seals around the back doors obtain loud."
- James Dryden

" Can not really call this a portable any longer. Tons of area. And for the engine-what a good shock when you jump on the throttle. It actually rises as well as scoots. Weight savings on the 2WD appears to help. A lot of individuality for $25K.".
- Julia LaPalme.

" Simply invested three days of prerunning for a future truck test-this TRD package is a lot more in the house on a truck-wide dirt roadway compared to it gets on a concrete freeway-you can almost feel its sigh of alleviation when it leaves the sidewalk.".
- Mark Williams.

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2006 Toyota Tacoma Prerunner V6
2012 Toyota Tacoma Prerunner V6
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