2016 Toyota Tacoma TESTDRIVENOW.COM FIRST LOOK. The best-selling pickup’s first redesign in 10 years.

2016 Toyota Tacoma FIRST LOOK

Posted on January 28, 2015 by Car Critic Steve Hammes

2016 Toyota Tacoma FIRST LOOK

Whenever you have the best-selling vehicle in a segment, designing the next generation model is a precarious proposition. So with this all-new 2016 Tacoma – the pickup’s first redesign in 10 years – Toyota is making sure to preserve what customers love while evolving the truck to make it even better. High strength steel has been added to the frame to enhance rigidity and overall strength while weight has also been shed. The suspension has been further tuned to deliver a smoother on-road ride while extending off-road capability. Under the hood is either a 2.7-liter 4-cylinder or Toyota’s new 3.5-liter V6 featuring the company’s innovative fuel injection system and other gas-saving measures. Both are paired to 6-speed automatics while the V6 can be mated to a 6-speed stickshift. This new powertrain makes the 2016 Tacoma the most powerful and fuel efficient ever. Toyota designed the Tacoma to be serious, yet fun with a style inspired desert racing. There’s a new locking tailgate with an easy lowering feature and for the first time, a tri-fold hard tonneau cover is available. The quieter interior conveys a sport truck image while offering premium features such as Qi wireless charging, smart key with push-button start, leather seats, a power moonroof, blind-spot monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. And every Tacoma comes standard with a GoPro mount near the rear-view mirror. Equipped with 2- or 4-wheel drive, the Tacoma comes in 5 grades; SR, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road and Limited with the Off-Road model benefitting from Multi-Terrain Select, an Automatic Limited Slip and Locking Differential, Hill Start Assist and Crawl Control.