by Cheryl Eldridge
The Toyota Tacoma has come a long way. Not only does it bring sexy back to the Toyota family, it has everything that a driver needs at the touch of a button. The touchscreen infotainment offerings have been enhanced, and the available rearview camera now broadcasts to the touchscreen display on all eligible models (the Access Cab previously used a small screen on the rearview mirror).
My family is definitely a part of the Toyota family, thanks to the Camry XLE, Tundra and Yaris, which are all dependable automobiles. You won’t go wrong if you purchase one.
The big news two years ago was the introduction of Toyota’s touchscreen interface with “Entune” mobile apps and navigation, but availability was limited to the pricey Double Cab V6. Last year, a basic 6.1-inch touchscreen (sans mobile apps and navigation) became standard on all Tacoma models, even the stripped-down 4×2 Regular Cab. For 2014, the standard touchscreen is joined by an optional enhanced version for both Access and Double Cabs, and these models also offer mobile apps and navigation. The only bummer is that the Regular Cab’s touchscreen can’t be upgraded from the standard, no-frills specification.
The 2014 Toyota Tacoma is a midsize pickup truck offered in three cab configurations: Regular Cab, Access Cab (an extended cab with small rear-hinged doors) and Double Cab (crew cab). Regular and Access Cabs feature a standard 6-foot, 1-inch bed, while Double Cab models offer either a 5-foot short bed or the standard bed.
Standard features on the rear-drive (2WD) Tacoma Regular Cab include 15-inch steel wheels, a limited-slip rear differential, air-conditioning, a composite bedliner, a bed utility rail system, a cloth bench seat, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, a 6.1-inch touchscreen display and a four-speaker CD audio system with iPod/USB connectivity and an auxiliary audio jack. A sliding rear window is optional.
The 2WD Access Cab adds upgraded cloth upholstery, full carpeting, power locks and windows, front bucket seats, a center console, an overhead console, fold-up rear seats with under-seat storage, and dual rear cupholders.
My tester, the 2WD Double Cab adds black fenders, power mirrors, adjustable driver lumbar, a 60/40-split rear bench seat with adjustable headrests, rear bulkhead storage and rear climate vents.
Specifying four-wheel drive on any base Tacoma brings an increased ride height, 16-inch steel wheels, black fenders (already standard on Double Cab), an engine skid plate and front mud guards.
The PreRunner, offered in both Access and Double Cab configurations, is a rear-wheel-drive Tacoma that otherwise shares the standard features found on the 4WD Tacoma.
All Access and Double Cab models are eligible for two packages. The Convenience package adds power mirrors (Access Cab only), keyless entry, cruise control, a tinted sliding rear window and steering-wheel audio controls. The SR5 package includes those items plus chrome grille and rear bumper trim, color-keyed front bumper and fenders, fog lights (V6 only), adjustable driver lumbar support (already standard on Double Cab), unique seat fabric, variable intermittent wipers, metallic-look instrument panel trim, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and (automatic-only) shift knob, dual sun visors with mirrors and extenders, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and a rearview camera.
The SR package (PreRunner, 4WD Access Cab and 4WD Double Cab only) adds extended color-keyed exterior trim, exclusive black 16-inch alloy wheels, mirror-mounted turn signals, smoked headlights and (on V6 models) fog lights.
V6-powered PreRunners and 4WD Tacomas are additionally eligible for the TRD Off-Road package, which includes the SR5 package plus a heavy-duty suspension with Bilstein shocks, a locking rear differential, Hill-Start Assist and Downhill Assist (4WD automatic models only), 16-inch alloy wheels, TRD graphics, a 115-volt power point in the bed and sport seats. Alternatively, these models can be equipped with the TRD Sport package, which features a sport-tuned suspension (also with Bilsteins), 17-inch alloy wheels, a hood scoop, extended color-keyed exterior trim, the bed-mounted power outlet and essentially the same interior features at the TRD Off-Road package.
Finally, the Limited package (V6 Double Cabs only) includes the SR5 package’s items plus 18-inch chrome wheels, extended chrome exterior trim, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with an outside temperature gauge and Homelink, heated front seats, synthetic leather upholstery and a higher-resolution touchscreen with HD radio, satellite radio, a navigation system and the Entune mobile-app suite.
V6 Double Cabs can also be equipped with a premium JBL audio system that includes a subwoofer. The upgraded touchscreen is available separately on both Access and Double Cabs, with or without navigation and Entune mobile apps.
My tester was equipped with with rear-or four-wheel drive and a choice of two engines: a 2.7-liter four-cylinder or 4.0-liter V6.
All Tacomas except 4WD Double Cab models come standard with the four-cylinder engine, which is rated at 159 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed manual transmission is standard on Regular and Access Cab models, while the rear-drive-only PreRunner Access and Double Cabs get a standard four-speed automatic that’s optional on the others.
A Tacoma with the four-cylinder and five-speed manual returns an EPA-estimated 23 mpg combined (21 city/25 highway) with rear-wheel drive, dropping to 21 mpg combined (19/24) with the automatic. Adding four-wheel drive yields 19 mpg combined (18/21) with either transmission.
The V6 is rated at 236 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. It isn’t offered on Regular Cab models, but it comes standard with the 4WD Double Cab, and it’s optional on the 4WD Access Cab and both PreRunner configurations (Access and Double Cab). The PreRunner V6 models come only with a five-speed automatic transmission, but the V6-powered 4WD Access Cab and Double Cab come standard with a six-speed manual (the five-speed automatic is optional).
My tester, the V6/automatic team yields 18 mpg combined (16/21) with four-wheel drive. The V6/manual tandem (a 4WD-only proposition now that the X-Runner is gone) returns 17 mpg combined (16/19).
On the safety side, standard safety equipment on the 2014 Toyota Tacoma includes antilock brakes (front disc, rear drum) with brake assist, stability control, front-seat side-impact airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and front active head restraints. A rearview camera is optional.
According to Edmunds, in government crash testing, the 2014 Toyota Tacoma Access Cab received an overall rating of four stars out of five, with four stars for frontal impacts and five stars for side impacts. The Regular Cab scored the same except for side impacts (four stars).
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Tacoma its top rating of “Good” in the moderate-overlap front and side crash tests, but its second-to-worst rating of “Marginal” in the roof strength test. Its seat/head restraint design was rated “Good” for whiplash protection in rear impacts.
The 2014 Toyota Tacoma has a straightforward dashboard layout that puts practicality first, including simple three-dial climate knobs that are easily turned by gloved hands. Most panels are made of hard plastic, but build quality is perennially strong. Feature content is generally impressive, headlined by the standard touchscreen display with iPod/USB and Bluetooth connectivity, which makes the Regular Cab’s crank windows and manual locks seem highly out of place.
The front bucket seats offer firm support, though some drivers may find that their low mounting points relative to the floor hampers comfort. While the Access Cab’s rear jump seats are only fit for small children or cargo, the Double Cab’s backseat is surprisingly adult-friendly, especially compared with the cramped crew-cab Nissan Frontier. In both cases, the rear seats flip up or fold down to provide an enclosed storage space.
The Tacoma’s utility is enhanced by the standard composite bedliner, which guards against the dents and dings that typically accumulate in a truck bed. The optional bed-mounted 115-volt power outlet can be a real asset when you’re on the job, and it’ll also win you friends and admirers when camping or tailgating.
The cost of my tester, $32,768.
Until next week, drive safe, buckle up, and don’t text and drive, it’s the law.
