2016 Toyota Tacoma

2016 Toyota Tacoma

Episode 3502
Auto Value and Bumper to BumperTire Rack "The Way Tire Buying Should Be"

The compact/mid-size pickup truck segment used to be huge one, with just about every domestic and Asian brand after a piece of it. But cheap gas and low prices for full-size trucks caused most makers to either abandon the segment, or soldier on with badly aged designs. Well things are changing. Gm is back with an all-new Colorado and Canyon, and now the number one truck in the segment, the Toyota Tacoma, is defending its turf.

The 2016 Toyota Tacoma is only the 3rd generation of the Tacoma, with the last gen soldiering on for 10-years. But, other small Toyota pickups like the Stout and Hi-Lux have been on American streets since the 1960’s. 

One area where Toyota’s small pickups have traditionally been superior to rivals is in off road capabilities, and that continues to be the case for 20-16. All 4-wheel-drive Tacomas come with a limited slip differential that we found quite capable. TRD Off Road models up the ante with a full locking rear and A-TRAC traction control. 

As with most modern 4X4s, there’s less to manually control as more electronics handle the situations. Here there are 5-modes to choose from plus Crawl Control. With settings for Mud and Sand, Loose Rock, Mogul, Rock and Dirt, and just Rock, it should be able to get you out of just about any jam better than MacGyver. 

The most logical comparison for the Tacoma is the reborn mid-sizers from GM, and while this interior is highly functional, it’s not as nice as those Detroiters. Materials have softened to the touch and look very nice at first glance, but the more time you spend in contact with them, the less impressive they become.

The seating position has definitely been raised, now feeling more truck-like and less like a Camry. And since nothing really happens these days unless you capture it on camera, all Tacomas come with a GoPro mount ready to help you catch your off- and on-road exploits. 

As before, I4 and V6 power are available. The 159-horsepower 2.7-liter 4-cylinder carries over unchanged, but the V6 is downsized from 4.0-liters to 3.5-liter. Horsepower, however, is up to 278, though torque drops by a single lb-ft. to 265. And it does indeed feel more powerful, and towing capacity increases by 300-lbs to 6,800. 

6-speed automatics are available for both engines; and paired with the V6, it felt much more sorted than on the GMs. Manual transmissions are also still available; a 5-speed in the I4 and a 6-speed with the V6. 

Though NVH has been improved upon throughout the new Tacoma, one area that it clearly falls short compared to the Colorado and Canyon is in interior sound deadening. There’s still lots of noise in the cabin, especially at highway speeds.

Through the roads around Tacoma, Washington of all places, we found the ride to be about what you’d expect in a midsize truck that’s built more for work than pleasure. Solid, but not unforgiving, with a little more float than the GMs. Harsh jolts came only from large bumps. 

As for cab configuration, there is Access Cab and a full 4-door Double Cab; along with 2 bed lengths, 5 and 6-feet. And as before the interior of the bed is made up of fiber reinforced composite.

To our eyes the exterior design is still very familiar. It’s a mixture of old Tacoma from the side, and new Tundra from the front and rear. Along with more squared off fenders followed by domestic trucks, it is indeed tougher looking.

The two most obvious Tundra trickle-downs are the hexagonal grille and stamped branding on the tailgate. Everything from 16-inch steel to 18-inch polished alloys wheels are available; and believe it or not, there are still drums doing the braking at the rears. 

Government Fuel Economy Ratings aren’t final, but according to Toyota they’ll be fairly similar across the board regardless of powertrain; ranging from about 17-City, 21-Highway, and 19-Combined for a V6 manual 4X4 to 19-City, 24-Highway, and 21-Combined for a V6 automatic 4X2.

Keeping base pricing low was a priority, and the still American made Tacomas start at just $24,200; but as before, if you’re not careful with options, you can approach full-size pricing in a hurry.

So yes, a lot of people have been anxiously waiting for the 2016 Toyota Tacoma to arrive; and surely an awful lot of those people will be quickly buying one. But while we may prefer the Colorado or the Canyon for our everyday duties, Toyota clearly knows their customers and has done what it takes to keep them happy and the competition at bay. For now, the Tacoma’s spot at the top looks secure.   

Specifications

  • Engine: 3.5 liter
  • Horsepower: 278
  • Torque: 265 lb-ft.
  • EPA: 19 mpg city/ 24 mpg highway

Long Term Updates

We haven’t even put a thousand on our new 2016 Toyota Tacoma 4X4 yet, but already this midsize brute has come in handy; helping staffers get chores done around their house, and even packing things up for moving to another one. 

Things inside have certainly gone up-market in the latest Tacoma, especially in this Limited example we’re pampering ourselves with. 

But true comfort is still in short supply, and one of our staffers wished for more seat adjustment. 

The jury’s still out on this new 3.5-liter V6 as well, with some finding torque delivery not as immediate as expected. But our 21.5 miles-per-gallon average is a worthy tradeoff. 

Mileage: 5,000

These last few weeks have been busy ones for our long-term 2016 Toyota Tacoma; hitting just about every point on the compass and racking up 5,000-miles since our last report. 

And with all of those miles behind us, we’ve come to the realization that despite its all-new design, it’s not really all that different from what it has always been; a rough-and-ready, highly capable 4X4 pickup. 

There’s a lot to like about it; it handles well, it’s enjoyable to drive, and despite slipping a little this report, we feel 20.5 miles-per-gallon is quite good. 

As for the negative side of the coin, we still find interior comfort just satisfactory; and radio reception, whether AM, FM, or Satellite is poor. 

It appears our early engine impressions were warranted, as peak torque delivery in this new 3.5-liter V6 does indeed come 600 RPM later than before. And while at 265 lb-ft. it’s only 1 lb-ft. less than the previous 4.0-liter, it sure feels like it’s even lower. 

Of course the eco-minded 6-speed automatic transmission plays a part in that as well; as at highway speeds, heading up even minor hills requires a downshift of two to maintain pace.   

It is a fairly high climb up into the cabin, but the space itself is packed full of just about every amenity a family could want; so we can easily see the Tacoma converting a few SUV people into truck people. 

The control layout is good, as is the tech interface; and we all appreciate having volume and tune knobs for the radio, just be careful you don’t trigger the touchscreen as you’re cranking the volume.  

We wonder how many will make use of the standard GoPro camera mount. Still, the Tacoma has always been designed more for the youthful buyer, or at least those that want to portray that image. 

Mileage: 6,600

A pickup truck is always handy to have around; so we’ll sure miss having this 2016 Toyota Tacoma 4X4 to rely on. 

While only with us 4-months, we packed in a years’ worth of moving, hauling, and vacations, and the Taco held up fine.  

And while a longer bed would have been nice, the flexible rear seating area makes up for a lot of the difference. 

Over 6,600 miles; we averaged a pretty good 21.1 miles-per-gallon with its 3.5-liter V6.

One more reason midsize trucks are having a resurgence, and this Toyota Tacoma is at the front of the pack. 

2024 Lexus TX 2

2024 Lexus TX

Built To Please Luxury-Minded American Families On The Move

Episode 4328
Auto Value and Bumper to BumperTire Rack "The Way Tire Buying Should Be"

Lexus sells SUVs in just about every shape and size, but until now has never had a true large three-row family-style crossover in their lineup. Well, the new TX is just that. So, let’s find out if the seventh SUV to enter the Lexus brand is also able to usher in a new era of big-family luxury.

Lexus has been in the SUV game longer than most luxury brands, but the all-new 2024 Lexus TX is their first purpose-built, large three-row crossover utility. Looking equal parts enormous and luxurious outside, it’s a big jump up from the no longer available RX350L, as far as space inside front to back, but especially in the third row when it comes to legroom, but also in flexibility and ease of use compared to their other current three-row offering, the truck-based LX600.

The TX’s 20.2 cubic-feet of space behind that third row is a real bonus too. That space expands to 57.4 cubic-feet when you fold the second-row seatbacks, with a 97.0 cubic-foot max with all seats stored and folded. And of course, there are charging ports just about everywhere you look inside, ensuring families are as connected as they are comfortable. And it is a very comfortable family hauler with seating arrangements for either six or seven passengers.

2024 Lexus TX 3/4 Front
2024 Lexus TX Dead Front
2024 Lexus TX Profile
2024 Lexus TX Taillight
2024 Lexus TX Dead Rear
2024 Lexus TX Grille
2024 Lexus TX Wheel
2024 Lexus TX Gas Engine
2024 Lexus TX 3/4 Front2024 Lexus TX Dead Front2024 Lexus TX Profile2024 Lexus TX Taillight2024 Lexus TX Dead Rear2024 Lexus TX Grille2024 Lexus TX Wheel2024 Lexus TX Gas Engine

It’s easy to make things bigger inside, much more difficult if you’re Lexus to make them vastly better. And while the TX interior is very nice, it’s not as big of an upgrade from platform mate Toyota Grand Highlander as we expected. Though considering our Premium trim tester is just one step up from base, there’s lots of standard content, but also a lot going on when it comes to controls and touch-sensitive surfaces. It did take some getting used to, with many dash controls looking very similar, and the steering wheel controls being somewhat temperamental.

There are plenty of choices when it comes to the powertrain. Standard is this 2.4-liter I4 turbo in the TX350 rated at 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. It works with an eight-speed automatic transmission and comes in front- or all-wheel drive. An available 500h adds hybrid assistance to that 2.4-liter, and at the top of the lineup is Lexus’ first-ever V6-based plug-in hybrid, the 550h+, which packs 301-total horsepower and delivers 33-miles of EV range. Both hybrids are all-wheel drive, and all TXs are rated to tow 5,000-lbs.

There are charging ports just about everywhere you look inside, ensuring families are as connected as they are comfortable.

Our all-wheel drive 350 had a nice little jolt of power for getting a nice little jump off the line at our Mason Dixon test track, and then after a slight pause, power began pouring on in full force, ushering us to 60 in 7.5 seconds. The engine was plenty willing to keep dealing out the power, but the ultra-smooth automatic shifts were a tad sluggish, creating a noticeable drop-off in momentum as we worked our way down the track. Still, a 15.6-second 92 miles-per-hour quarter-mile is quite acceptable for a family hauler.

The TX is almost 17-feet long, but it sure doesn’t feel that big when you’re driving it around, and it scooted thorough our slalom course with the ease of a vehicle half that size. Its predictable nature allowed us to easily manage its luxury-minded steering feel and carry quite a bit of speed through the cones. While the TX shares the same basic suspension design as the Grand Highlander, tuning is unique.

2024 Lexus TX Dashboard
2024 Lexus TX Shifter
2024 Lexus TX Front Seats
2024 Lexus TX Second Row Seats
2024 Lexus TX Third Row Seats
2024 Lexus TX Cargo Area Behind Third Row
2024 Lexus TX Full Cargo
2024 Lexus TX Door Handle
2024 Lexus TX Sunroof
2024 Lexus TX Dashboard2024 Lexus TX Shifter2024 Lexus TX Front Seats2024 Lexus TX Second Row Seats2024 Lexus TX Third Row Seats2024 Lexus TX Cargo Area Behind Third Row2024 Lexus TX Full Cargo2024 Lexus TX Door Handle2024 Lexus TX Sunroof

Government Fuel Economy Ratings are 20-City, 26-Highway and 23-Combined; we averaged a great 25.3 miles-per-gallon of Premium, and it only goes up from there with either of the two available hybrids.

Pricing starts reasonably for a luxury SUV with the TX350 beginning at $55,050 and all-wheel drive a $1,600 option, but things can escalate quickly from there.

While not their first three-row utility, the 2024 Lexus TX is their first dedicated three-row platform aimed squarely at the heart of the American market. Clearly, they’ve hit a bullseye, as it makes us want to pack up the family and hit the road. But this is also the first Lexus to be built in Indiana.

While most of the car business seems to revolve around novelty, wow-factor, and gadgetry these days, Lexus continues to deliver quality, calm, and comfort, all while keeping the luxury experience remarkably attainable.

Specifications

As Tested

  • Engine: 2.4-liter I4 turbo
  • Horsepower: 275
  • 0-60 mph: 7.5 seconds
  • EPA: 20 City | 26 Highway | 23 Combined
  • Transmission: 8-speed automatic
  • Torque: 317 lb-ft
  • 1/4 Mile: 15.6 seconds at 92 mph
  • MW Fuel Economy: 25.3 mpg (Premium)