Toyota have been taking the midsized pickup market by storm, and there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight for the company’s progress – which, certainly, is not a bad thing by any means. They are now preparing to launch the 2016 Tacoma on the Canadian market, with the truck about to be unveiled at the Edmonton Motorshow this year.
A lot has been done to the 2016 Tacoma to improve its performance and overall experience on the road, and the truck has been given new powertrains and new suspension tuning, making it a more comfortable, stable ride that should also deliver the kind of aggressive performance that people have come to expect from the model.
The truck’s frame has been made tougher and more durable in order to endure higher stresses, and the company’s engineers have integrated high-strength steel into the main shell of the body, by using a special new manufacturing process that makes the overall frame lighter and, reportedly, slightly easier to manufacture as well.
As for the suspension, the truck should now perform much better on long road trips that don’t involve going off-road too much, such as riding on the highway for extended periods of time. At the same time, the truck can handle its off-road challenges much more efficiently now as well, again thanks to the brand new suspension system.
Buyers will be given a choice between a 2.7 liter 5-cylinder engine, or a 3.5 liter Atkinson cycle V6 which is a debut for the segment. For both engine options, buyers can pick between a 6-speed automatic transmission with electronic shifting, or a manual gearbox. According to Toyota, the new powertrains do more than just add to the performance of the truck, as they also improve its fuel efficiency significantly and make it a better choice for budget-conscious buyers who want to get something with good gas mileage.
Which is not a very common offer on the truck market, so it’s definitely worth commending Toyota on the effort they’ve put into making the new truck more efficient. In the end, they’ve also made the model more convenient and comfortable in various aspects, such as by making its tailgate easier to lower, introducing an integrated spoiler for better aerodynamics, and more.
It should go without saying that the interior of the 2016 Tacoma matches the exterior completely, as the truck looks very stylish on the inside, but also offers a very comfortable riding experience in every way possible. The truck will be offered in two configurations, 4×2 and 4×4, and each will have a distinct appearance, making them easy to tell apart – however, buyers will likely not be able to pick one of the two specific visual styles and combine it with the drivetrain configuration that they’re interested in.