2011 Toyota Tacoma Compact Pickup Trucks

2011 Toyota Tacoma

The 2011 Toyota Tacoma Compact Pickup Trucks. Reviewers are nearly unanimous in saying that the 2011 Toyota Tacoma is one of the best compact pickup trucks you can buy. The Tacoma isn’t perfect. Several reviewers say that the only credible alternative to the Toyota Tacoma is the Nissan Frontier. The 2011 Toyota Tacoma sees a few changes for the new model year. The "Toyota Tacoma" is available in regular, access, and double cab; the double cab is the trim with a full-sized back seat. Four- and six-cylinder engines are offered, and the Tacoma offers a performance-tuned X-Runner trim.

Air-conditioning is now standard on every Toyota Tacoma, while all but Regular Cab 4x4 models get bucket seats.
The 2011 Toyota Tacoma is a midsize pickup offered in Regular Cab, Access Cab (an extended cab with small rear-hinged doors) and Double Cab (crew cab with four full-size front-hinged doors) configurations. Both Regular and Access Cabs are joined to a 6-foot bed. All Tacoma body styles are available in either two- or four-wheel-drive form. When equipped with four-wheel drive and an automatic transmission, the Regular Cab gets front bucket seats. The Access Cab gains power locks and windows, upgraded cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, a rear bench (includes under-seat storage) and two more speakers. The Toyota Tacoma Double Cab adds 16-inch steel wheels, a front skid plate and driver lumbar adjustment.

The Convenience package adds power mirrors, keyless entry, cruise control, a sliding rear window and steering-wheel audio controls. The on-road-oriented TRD Sport package includes 17-inch alloy wheels, a hood scoop, a sport suspension and sport seats.

The 2011 Toyota Tacoma is available with rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. A five-speed manual transmission is standard on the Regular and Access Cabs, while a four-speed automatic is optional on those cabs and standard with the Double Cab. When properly equipped, the Toyota Tacoma can tow 6,500 pounds.

Standard safety equipment on all 2011 Tacoma’s includes stability and traction control, antilock brakes (disc front, drum rear) with brake assist, front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and front active headrests. For better or worse, the 2011 Toyota Tacoma drives like a proper pickup truck.

The Toyota Tacoma, the No. 1 selling compact pickup five years running, reminded me how versatile and useful these trucks can be. They can carry a lot of stuff — up to 1,435 pounds — nearly matching the payload capabilities of a few full-size trucks. Small should equate to small in stature, small in price. Ryan Sea crest is a pretty big shot, but still can't ride most roller coasters at Cedar Point.

My test vehicle was the Toyota Tacoma PreRunner Access Cab with the SR5 trim package, which falls in the middle of the five different Toyota Tacoma body styles. It still felt big and its $25,163 price tag felt steep.

Options aside, the PreRunner Access Cab offers a nice set up. The truck also offers a fairly smooth ride. The rear leaf springs are not too jarring, even when the truck's bed is empty. The best part of the Toyota Tacoma is its riding position.