![]() ![]() It’s the same story for the manual transmission: the shifter is precise, with a crisp engagement. The upgraded exhaust from the TRD Pro package is a nice touch as it only slightly amplifies the decibels. Toyota’s V6 is always smooth, likes to rev (although gearing is short with the manual and emits a satisfying snarl at hard throttle. I have nothing to say about the drivetrain though. It’s an ergonomic detail, sure, but its rivals can do without it. The lifted, but low cabin also makes it hard for tall people to get in, since you need to climb first, and then crouch. There’s the seating position, which has your knees up high due to a high roof. I could barely keep the thing under 15L/100 km. It’s a jittery truck, bouncy, not so comfortable and absolutely not fuel efficient. This is particularly apparent in the Tacoma’s road manners. Even though the truck was refreshed in 2016, its core platform dates back to 2005. Yes, the Tacoma is a sturdy truck (since Toyota fixed the weak frame issues of early models), but when facing its rivals, things like the Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon, Ford Ranger, Jeep Gladiator, Honda Ridgeline and soon, an updated Nissan Frontier, the Tacoma is just old. The Tacoma is the truck you want to face an apocalypse. Remember Marty McFly’s Toyota in Back to the Future? And by now, we’ve all seen videos of African or Islamic terrorists riding in the box of one of these bad boys. It’s the one we all want to own, mostly due to social association or entertainment. This is by far the coolest looking small truck on the market. With the Tacoma TRD PRo, Toyota really shows that it’s capable of manufacturing a desirable toy. Perhaps, even worst, is that it’s about the same price as the much more extreme Colorado ZR2. By comparison, you could get a full-size Ford F-150 or Ram 1500 for similar money. ![]() The model you see here is $54,330 after options. The 2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro kicks off at $47,679. If you’re willing to lose an arm and maybe a leg, then perhaps you’ll be fine. In other words, the manual transmission is for people who prefer doing all of that themselves. The only thing you’ll miss with the manual transmission is the Crawl Control feature, which is a sort of cruise control system that helps you get out of tough situations. My tester had the latter, which made it even more desirable. It can either be mated to a six-speed automatic or six-speed manual. It’s still powered by a tried and tested 3.5-liter V6 good for 278 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque. Power remains unchanged for the 2021 Toyota Tacoma, and the TRD Pro package alters nothing underneath the hood. There’s also Rigid Industries–branded fog lights, and a TRD exhaust system, just to make sure people know you’re coming. Upgrades include Fox 2.5-inch-diameter internal bypass shocks, a one inch lift up front, progressive-rate leaf springs in the back, beefy off-road tires, an electronic locking rear differential, a front skid plate and a ton of TRD Pro logos, as well as the infamous classic TOYOTA grille. All TRD Pro models are Double Cab four-door, four-wheel-drive short-bed rigs. There are also LED blinkers, new from last year, that blink in a sequence a bit like on a Ford Mustang or some Audi vehicles, as well as new wheels and slight cabin updates. A minor facelift was applied to the truck’s front fascia, affecting mostly the bumper and the now standard LED headlights. The 2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro gets a new color this year called Lunar Rock (every model year gets a unique theme color). But since every model year has sold out before the third quarter, with consumers coming back for more, Toyota would be foolish to stop. Toyota never intended the package to be as popular as it is now. Remember, the TRD Pro lineup was originally a test of the waters. And Toyota knows this, which is why it’s still milking the TRD Pro cow. Even if there exists more capable trucks out there, some with a more comfortable cabin, more towing capability and a more comfortable seating position, Toyota’s rig is still the unquestionable king of “I need one in my driveway”. The Tacoma really reminds me of those cool kids in high school that received all the intention for no apparent reason. ![]()
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