2013 Toyota Tacoma X-Runner – QUICK TAKES

The Toyota Tacoma remains the best-selling compact pickup truck in the U.S. market and further ensures its leadership for 2013 by offering a new Limited Package for a touch of luxury in a hard-working pickup.

Restyled and upgraded with new interior comfort and audio/multimedia features just last year, the Tacoma returns for 2013 positioned to continue its market dominance. The 2013 Tacoma is available in a wide variety of configurations and models, and this focus on customer choice has been instrumental in the vehicle’s continued market leadership. The Tacoma line offers a choice between four-cylinder and V6 engines, and 2WD and 4WD drivetrains.

The new available Limited Package equips the 2013 Tacoma with a sense of refinement, while also adding a more sophisticated exterior appearance. The package’s amenities include SofTex-trimmed heated front sport seats; four-way adjustable driver’s seat; variable speed windshield wipers; metallic tone instrument panel trim; leather-trimmed steering wheel with audio controls; dual sun visors with mirrors and extenders; auto-dimming rear-view mirror with rear camera display and outside temperature gauge, plus a HomeLink^® universal transceiver.

The Limited Package dresses up the Tacoma with 18-inch chrome-clad wheels with 265/60R18 tires; chrome grille surround and rear bumper; along with chrome outside mirrors with integrated turn signal indicators; chrome door handles, and fog lamps.

Exterior Design

Tacoma configurations are based on three cab types: Regular Cab, Access Cab, and the four-door Double Cab. The rear doors on Access Cab models open to 80 degrees to give passengers easy ingress and egress.

Bold overfenders distinguish PreRunner and 4×4 models. PreRunner models combine the 4×2 drivetrain with the 4×4’s raised riding stance and styling. Double Cab models offer a roof rack system with crossbars that deploy from the roof rails.

Tacoma Regular Cab models are built on a 109.6-inch wheelbase; Access Cab models ride on a 127.4-inch wheelbase. The Tacoma Double Cab with the standard five-foot bed shares the 127.4-inch wheelbase, while the Double Cab long-bed models use a 140.6-inch wheelbase.

The Tacoma Regular Cab and Access Cab models feature a 73.5-inch-long bed. The Double Cab is available with a choice of a 60.3-inch bed or the 73.5-inch bed. The Tacoma’s composite inner bed is made from a sheet-molded composite (SMC) deck and tough, durable walls that are 10 percent lighter than steel. The bed deck features two-tier loading and an integrated deck-rail utility with four standard adjustable tie-down cleats. The rails are compatible with Genuine Toyota Accessories, including cargo bed cross bars, a fork-mount bike rack, and diamond-plate storage boxes. An available 115V/400W power point further extends the bed’s utility.

Performance

The 2013 Tacoma model line offers two engines: a 2.7-liter Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) four-cylinder that produces 159 horsepower and 180 lb.-ft. of torque, and a 4.0-liter DOHC V6 that provides 236 horsepower with 266 lb.-ft. of torque. In both engines, variable valve timing with intelligence (VVT-i) ensures strong low-end and mid-range torque. An Electronic Throttle Control System with intelligence helps optimize performance and fuel economy.

The V6 can be teamed with either a six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic transmission. Four-cylinder models offer a choice between a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic transmission. When equipped with a V6 Tow Package, Access Cab models boast a maximum tow capacity of up to 6,500 pounds.

T|X Packages for the Hardcore Pickup Fan

The T|X and T|X Pro Packages, available in conjunction with the TRD Off-Road Package, add a concept-truck look to the Tacoma V6 Access Cab or V6 Double Cab PreRunner and 4×4 models. The T|X Package gives the Tacoma a menacing look and additional sportiness with TRD 16-inch black-alloy bead-lock wheels and 265/70R16 BFGoodrich Rugged Trail tires.

Black tube side steps, a stainless steel exhaust tip and unique exterior graphics give the T|X the aesthetics of a custom truck. The T|X Pro is the performance-oriented package by also including a TRD cat-back performance exhaust system that gives the V6 a throatier sound and a bit more power.

The T|X and T|X Pro Packages offer a strong value compared to offering the contents as separate accessories, especially considering that they are covered under Toyota’s standard three year/36,000-mile comprehensive vehicle limited warranty and can be included in vehicle financing.

The TRD Off-Road Package underlying both T|X editions provides a carefully tuned balance of off-road performance and on-road handling. Chassis modifications include an electronic locking rear differential, progressive-rate front springs, specially tuned Bilstein shock absorbers, a 28-mm front stabilizer bar and BFGoodrich Rugged Trail tires. Fog lamps top off the package for a tough, sporty appearance.

Both the TRD Off-Road Package and TRD Sport Package have a 400W/115V power point in the bed; sport seats with adjustable lumbar support and unique fabric, and an overhead console with a compass and outside temperature display. Double Cab and Access Cab models also offer a back-up monitor system.

X-Runner: A Unique Sport Truck

The Tacoma X-Runner performance truck, unique in the entire compact truck category, features the 4.0-liter V6 engine with a specially tuned chassis. With a six-speed manual transmission, the X-Runner can accelerate from 0-to-60 mph in less than seven seconds. Just as impressive, the Tacoma X-Runner can achieve lateral acceleration in excess of 0.9-g, which is comparable to some performance cars.

The X-Runner’s Access Cab design incorporates a full body kit, a hood scoop and integrated fog lamps. The color-keyed monochromatic exterior comes in three colors – Barcelona Red Metallic, Black, and Nautical Blue Metallic.

To take performance even higher, the available TRD supercharger kit boosts the engine’s output to 304 horsepower and 334 lb.-ft. of torque, and this package is also available for other Tacoma V6 models.

The design uses Eaton Roots-type rotating components in a one-piece supercharger plenum/manifold casting. The supercharger is fully warranted for up to five years or 60,000 miles, or the remainder of the powertrain warranty at the time of installation when installed by a Toyota dealer.

Safety

Standard on all Toyota models is the Star Safety System™, which includes Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC), an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), and Smart Stop brake override technology (SST). Every Tacoma has standard three-point seatbelts for all seating positions, front seat-mounted side airbags, roll-sensing side curtain airbags (including a cutoff switch), and a front advanced dual-stage airbag system. A front passenger cutoff switch is standard on Access Cab models.

Access Cab and Double Cab models feature standard active headrests for the front seats, which move up and forward almost instantly in the event of certain rear-end collisions to help reduce the distance between the occupant’s head and the headrest.

Capability, Handling and Ride

The TRD Off-Road Package, available for 4×4 V6 automatic models, includes Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) and Downhill Assist Control (DAC). HAC operates by independently controlling the brakes at each wheel as needed to help prevent the vehicle from rolling backward or slipping sideways during a transition from a stopped position to climbing a grade. An Automatic Limited-slip Differential (Auto LSD), which uses brake intervention to help reduce tire slippage at the rear wheels, is standard on all Tacoma models.

DAC uses engine braking to regulate downhill speed and independently control the brakes at each wheel to help improve directional control. DAC automatically de-activates if the driver depresses the brake or accelerator pedals, presses the DAC button, or shifts into neutral.

The TRD Off-Road Packages feature a locking rear differential that can be activated by a switch in the cab. An electronic rear differential is available on 4×4 models and the PreRunner.

Comfort and Convenience

The well-equipped 4×2 Regular Cab model features standard air conditioning; a full-size spare tire; Display Audio with a 6.1-inch touch-screen, AM/FM CD four-speaker sound system, Bluetooth and USB;  tachometer; digital clock; two instrument panel power points with a lighter; dome lamp, and mudguards.

Access Cab and Double Cab models add more standard features, including power windows and door locks, bucket seats and a center console. Power mirrors and driver seat adjustable lumbar support are also standard in Double Cab models.

With owners using their trucks for hard work and play, Tacoma offers heavy-duty all-weather flooring in the Tacoma Access and Double Cab models, while the more specialized TRD Sport and Off-Road models offer water-resistant fabric protection seats. Access Cab models feature a useful rear-console storage box and an available backup camera.

High-Performance Audio

The DoubleCab V6 models continue to offer a more advanced Display Audio system with today’s most in-demand connectivity features. These include 6.1-in. touch-screen [with integrated backup camera display], AM/FM CD player with MP3/WMA playback capability, seven JBL^® GreenEdge™ JBL Synthesis® speakers including subwoofer and amplifier, SiriusXM Radio with 90-day complimentary trial, HD Radio^TM with iTunes^® Tagging, auxiliary audio jack, USB port with iPod^® connectivity and control, and hands-free phone capability, phone book access, advanced voice recognition, and music streaming via Bluetooth^® wireless. GreenEdge technology helps reduce fuel consumption by lowering the electric power demand on the vehicle.

The Toyota Entune system is a collection of popular mobile applications and data services, with three years of complimentary access. Once a smart phone is connected to the vehicle using Bluetooth wireless technology or a USB cable, Entune’s features are operated using the vehicle’s controls or, for some services, by voice recognition.

Entune includes Bing^TM, iHeartRadio, MovieTickets.com, OpenTable^® and Pandora^®; real-time info including traffic, weather, fuel prices, sports and stocks. Access to Entune® services is complimentary for three years.

Interior Design

A redesigned instrument gauge panel lends a sporty look in all models for 2012. The center console (standard on Access Cab and Double Cab models) flows into the instrument panel for a unified appearance. The console integrates three cupholders, two of which can accommodate extra-large containers.

Tacoma’s interior provides durability and comfort with high-grade fabric and generous standard equipment. Sound absorption material in the headliner and behind the rear seats, along with insulating carpeting, help to provide a quiet cabin. All Tacoma models provide dual bottle holders in driver’s- and passenger’s-side doors. Audio controls are mounted high for easy access.

Higher-grade models feature fabric-covered sun visors, an overhead console with map lights, and compartments for sunglasses and a garage door opener. Interior storage is maximized in Access Cab models with fold-up rear seats and under-seat storage. Double Cab models feature 60/40 split rear seats with adjustable headrests and under-seat storage.

Options

For Tacoma Access Cab and Double Cab models, the available option combinations are built on five core packages. The SR5 Package bundles styling and comfort features, including color-keyed over fenders and front bumper, chrome grille surround and chrome rear bumper. The package also adds intermittent wipers and upgraded interior features and trim, including a leather-wrapped steering wheel and automatic transmission shift lever.

The TRD Sport Package is road-focused and features its own specific suspension tuning and lower-profile 265/65 R17 tires on 17-inch alloy wheels. This package also gives Tacoma a sporty look with fog lamps, hood scoop, TRD graphics and color-keyed rear bumper, mirrors, grille surround and door handles.

The dealer-installed TRD Big Brake system was developed by Toyota Technical Center and TRD engineers. Engineered to provide effective braking performance under sustained heavy use, the Big Brake system uses 13 x 1.25-inch semi-floating vented rotors with directional internal fins, forged aluminum four-piston fixed calipers, larger pads with high coefficient-of-friction material and braided steel lines.

Limited Warranty

Toyota’s 36-month/36,000 mile basic new-vehicle warranty applies to all components other than normal wear and maintenance items.  Additional 60-month warranties cover the powertrain for 60,000 miles and corrosion with no mileage limitation. The Tacoma will also come standard with Toyota Care, a complimentary plan covering normal factory-scheduled maintenance and 24-hour roadside assistance for two years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first.