I do think it is good Toyota has added the crawl feature and mulit terrain feature. But is this unique?

What Toyota hasn't done with the Taco and GM has done with the Colorado/Canyon is improve the vehicle to be as refined as a full size. This is where I think GM has the lead.

The features I mentioned above are not extraordinary here in Australia and many base model 4x4s seem to be "loaded" with off road features that are options even on your full size 4x4s.

Toyota has done to this Taco what it had done to the Hilux in Australia on the release of the Ranger/BT50/Amarok. It is just playing catch up.

Will the Taco be better off road than the Colorado with the equivalent features? I doubt it.

The Taco is still one notch down from the Colorado/Canyon. Maybe the release of the new Hilux would have made the difference.

But, even then we must wait and see how good the new Hilux is. The next Ranger/BT50 is supposed to up the ante again.

The Taco is a good pickup and Toyota will maintain it's sales lead and make a good profit out of the truck.

Why? Because it is a Toyota, you will always pay more for less. Not that it is any better.

I wouldn't call the MPG stunning. I get that all the expensive fuel-saving technology goes into the full size trucks first but the 2 mpg increase is hardly "stunning"

"What Toyota hasn't done with the Taco and GM has done with the Colorado/Canyon is improve the vehicle to be as refined as a full size. This is where I think GM has the lead."

Refinement in a truck should be in its abilities AS a truck, not its abilities to emulate a luxury car. This article makes it quite clear that the Tacoma has managed to meld comfort and ability in a way as to emphasize that it's a truck first, that is reasonably but not outrageously comfortable.

"I do think it is good Toyota has added the crawl feature and mulit terrain feature. But is this unique?"
Unique? Perhaps not. But the point is made that the Tacoma is meant to have more off-road chops than merely being a speed demon. Any pickup truck can handle a desert, but can it handle a mountain pass? Maybe you'd like to try a Raptor through Black Bear Pass some time. Forget the purpose-built challenge trails; try driving some of the very real trails that opened the West for Americans in one of those things.

Personally, I think Toyota would be smart in re-merging the Tacoma with the Hilux. They would save money and probably garner a much more loyal following.

I was hoping the new tacoma would make me want a midsize truck. The colorado diesel almost does. As for the tacoma, I see no advantage whatsoever over a full size truck. The mpg isn't impressive. Stunning is a ridiculous thing to say. It's downright disappointing.

My likes? For the first time in over a decade I like the Tacoma better than the Hilux style wise, although I like the Hilux, and you can get it with a diesel. But I agree with merging the Tacoma/Hilux design like Nissan did with the Frontier/previous Navara or the Chevrolet Colorado.

I also like that the Double Cab gets an optional sunroof.

The off-road lacks the chin spoiler that comes in other models so that's great for non-asphalt adventures.

If they could have at least beat the GM v6 in fuel economy, and replaced those darn drum brakes, then the Taco would be a no brainer for me in a year or so when I'm in the market.
As it stands, I think it's still a toss up between the 2, and I'll have to get some seat time to decide.

I like both the GM trucks and this Toyota. That said they are two differant trucks. The Toyota has real ground clearance with great off-road capability so it's mileage is not as high, along with the fact it's tuned to deliver power at a low rpm. The Chevy is set for fuel economy as its number one focus, you have to rev it all the way up to get those 300 hp, and it's ground clearance is much lower, not just because of the chin spoiler but the frame and rear spare tire. That said it's got a better seating position.

I was hoping for more, especially in a greater than 2 mpg increase in the V6. Even though there is an increase in HP and torque I was hoping for 25 mpg combined after a 10 year wait. A new grill and stamped tailgate are just cosmetic, no big deal. Locking and dampening the gate aren't revolutionary. I do like the new interior though. As for crawl control, the tacoma never really had a problem with off road prowess. This just seems like new toy. I guess I can't criticize until I try it though.

It is laughable to call the Taco's MPG stunning. Goes to show that most journalists are clearing houses for corporate PR.

Lou_BC go F*** yourself. Your obviously misinformed.

RoadWhale,
I don't normally disagree with you regarding these types of paradigms.

But, just look at the MDT and HDT segments. They have made vast inroads in ergonomics and comfort for the operator.

Why can this not be achieved with the smaller and lighter commercial vehicles?

Why can't manufacturers aim to produce the best possible products?

Gone are the days of rough riding pickups and light commercials unless you are in some developing nation.

Remember many of these vehicles are second family vehicles. Why do you want to have a tractor when you can have a more pliant and better handling ride.

Refinement doesn't necessarily equate to "carlike" capability. Just look at the new Navara, it has a 1 tonne payload and rides like a Maxima. Even Mercedes Benz wants to use the platform. That does say something.

Lou,
I do believe the Taco's FE is not stunning. But it is quite good for a V6 gasoline pickup.

To me average FE for a midsizer would be 30-33mpg on the highway.

Even that Cummins powered Tunland is getting 36mpg on the highway.

Stunning FE for a midsizer is 40mpg plus. We do have a couple of midsizers that do get around 40mpg on the highway. Apparently the new Navara is supposed to achieve that, but the motoring journalist/reviewers have yet to realise.

Ranger HiRider
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btxTKGughuY

RoadWhale,
It would be pointless to merge the Tacoma with the Hilux.

Toyota's US market for midsizers is small compared to it's global market.

What Taco features would you use in merging the two vehicles?

There are none. The Taco is a lightweight like the US Colorado is a lightweight in the Global Colorado/Dmax/US Colorado platform.

US pickups are built down to a price more so than the globals. US pickups are nice, but wouldn't last too long in some far flung nation with very little road infrastructure.

Just look at the Taco chassis, not good.

no way a truck of this size and capability will get 40 mpg with a gas motor. Not even a low to the ground, lighter Camery gets that.how do you expect a truck too? Toyota is usually very honest with mpg numbers unlike ford with its ecochug engines

I agree with some that say the Tacoma and Hilux should be the same truck. Toyota could save money in having a global truck and have a truck that has the best features of both the Tacoma and Hilux.

i don't hate the Tacoma but I would much rather have a Hilux. As for more refinement in a midsize truck that would be what most consumers would want. It does appear that the new Tacoma has some refinements as well. The Tacoma is not ground breaking in its newness but it should sell very well and except for the new V-6 and a new automatic it should have the same reliability. Even with the new engine and transmission these should not effect the reliability since they are not really new except to the Tacoma. The Tacoma will still retain its high resale value so this should satisfy most who will buy it.

john,
doh, Homer!!!!!!!!!!

john,
There are midsizers that are returning 56mpg (UK) average!

I don't know what or where you get your info from.

Also, did anyone specifically state gasoline????

Comprehension is marginal today...........isn't it?

Big al from oz,their may be in the UK, but they won't sell here, people want reasonable acceleration in the U.S., we have differant tasts

I have a 2006 Tacoma PreRunner I would not trade it in on the new model there are not enough significant changes to justify getting the new model

john,
Read your original comment. Hmmmm.....doh.....another Homer moment. If you want to have a decent "chat" look at what you are putting on the screen.

You guys will soon have a midsizer that could easily pull 32mpg on the highway.

The world is a big place and much of your vehicle technology, especially your midsize pickups is drawn not from the US but globally.

Some very odd comments. I put 38k into a loaded Taco and it is amazing. I could have spent a bit more on a Tundra but didnt need added weight or hauling. Taco has pulled me through rivers and over ice and is just so rock solid. I like the chevys too but you really cant F with a taco. With that said, this new 3rd gen might introduce probs... but frankly Toyota has proven solid as a mofo so I'd guess this will be another rocking midsize.

@Big Al: "RoadWhale,
It would be pointless to merge the Tacoma with the Hilux.
"Toyota's US market for midsizers is small compared to it's global market.
"What Taco features would you use in merging the two vehicles?
"There are none. The Taco is a lightweight like the US Colorado is a lightweight in the Global Colorado/Dmax/US Colorado platform.
"US pickups are built down to a price more so than the globals. "US pickups are nice, but wouldn't last too long in some far flung nation with very little road infrastructure.
"Just look at the Taco chassis, not good."

You just made all my points for me, Big Al. The US simply does not NEED a separate model when the HiLux is far more popular world wide. The Taco offers nothing over the HiLux except a different appearance and a weakened structure. The price of a HiLux in the US would probably be equivalent to the Taco itself and to be quite blunt, the HiLux would probably last longer as a model, just as the old 70s and 80s vintage Toyota pickups did.

I just met a woman who was on her third 80s vintage Toyota who flat refuses to buy a newer model. She considers today's Tacoma simply too big to use as her daily driver. This mindset seems to be almost universal for the people hanging onto their old version 'mid-sized' trucks. This past weekend I drove through some decidedly heavy pickup-truck-owning country in my little old Ranger and got a LOT of stares from people driving full-sized trucks. They seemed surprised to see the little Ford cruising right along with them on the highway and would have probably been surprised to discover it gets notably better gas mileage than most of them despite its 18-year age.

I think the hand parking brake is stupid. That's where the transfer case lever is supposed to be!

I really think you guys should have saved the "stunning mileage" for the new (I will agree nice and improved taco), for when the mileage is released for the new Duramax GM twins! I am sure that will fill the meaning a lot closer than the taco does. I will be in the market for a new truck in a year or so, and intend to go from full size (2011 Chevy ext cab Z-71 4x4) to a mid size pickup, with that said, and so far means either the Tacoma, or Colorado/Canyon, as the Nissan so far does nothing for me. But the new GM/Duramax sure does look nice, but I will have to drive each before I make up my mind. I also refuse to spend more on a mid size than I will be able to get a full size at the time, which means around 35K or so.

@Roadwhale
As I have posted before the " small" Midsizers have died globally, everyone wants the Tacoma sized ones. The exceptions are the " mini Pickups" coming from Brazil and Mexico.
As far as large HD US Pickups go, they are compact compared to some of the " behemoths" on Australian roads. I had an almost brand new Silverado Dually behind me two days ago, it looked quite compact in the rear vision mirror

I think the front is now very flimsy. The current bumper of the Tacoma seems much sturdier to me. The new bumper is all looks and fantasy. It will get major damage in a very low speed crash and it will cost more than $3000 to fix.

There was a Hilux model in the US back in the 70's and 80's and there was a 1 ton long bed model. There were also diesel Toyota pickups as well. I don't see any global trucks getting any smaller nor do I see midsize trucks getting smaller. There might be room for a front wheel drive compact truck such as the one Hyundai is considering building, the Santa Cruz. I don't really think there will be any issues with this new Tacoma since the V-6 and auto transmission is not new to Toyota just to the Tacoma. Toyota is a conservative company and will not make any drastic changes only evolutionary changes. The Tacoma is a safe choice for the buyer but not the most updated one.

Funny to see @ freddy's comment.

2016 Tacoma - 19/24/21

2015 Tacoma - 17/21/19

2015 Colorado - 18/26/21

Stunning EPA numbers?

Mark Williams needs to thumb through a dictionary to find a better word.

Drum brakes in the rear in 2016 IS stunning.

for all the nitpicking, one thing is clear, this truck smokes the GM twins now, and will continue to do so.

"Stunning EPA MPG Numbers for V-6"

Huh? Wasn't the combined MPG the same (or worse) than the V6 Colorado with a traditional engine? Am I missing something here? Oh right, its a "new" Toyota, Mark and all his autowriter friends are still down on their knees waiting for the special sauce.

What a joke.

Both the Colorado and Tacoma are rated 21 combined. But the Tacoma will really get the 21 and then some while the Colorado will fall short. Just check fuelly on 2015 Colorado/canyon owners and also the forums

I agree with Lou. And this does NOT smoke anything. DREAMER.

@Robert Ryan: "As I have posted before the " small" Midsizers have died globally, everyone wants the Tacoma sized ones. The exceptions are the " mini Pickups" coming from Brazil and Mexico."

You give the lie to your first sentence with your second sentence. There is very clear evidence that SOME people--a minority maybe, but still a significant number--that simply don't want a large pickup truck and the current Colorado/Canyon are still considered large compared to the mid-sized trucks of even the 90s, much less the 70s and 80s. I personally know several people who want a small truck with an open bed, not a crossover-enclosed vehicle. I expect that if the Hyundai Santa Cruz does arrive here in the States, they'll do about as well as the current batch of mid-sizers if not better, to the detriment of the overall crossover market. True, the Hyundai may not do it alone, but if it hits even as hard as the Colorado/Canyon, I believe we'll see the Fiat Strada/Ram 700 and the Chevy/GM Tornado/Montana make an appearance.

@Road Whale--Hyundai might surprise everyone if they bring the Santa Cruz to the US. I would like to see Hyundai do it.

@Road whale,
Inside the U.S. , yes but almost non- existent outside. Brazil and Mexico have a niche for small car based Pickups, possibly true for the U.S.,
They do sell the tiny Scamp Travel trailers in North America, but it would not go anywhere here

This truck looks pretty much like the one it is replacing. Poor construction resulting in tinny doors, tailgate, and hood. Better MPG but not good enough. Compared to the GM twins it is a loser and in time the consumer will prove that in the sales numbers.

For those who are looking to Hyundai for product innovation and leadership in small trucks, consider looking somewhere else. So far the only thing they do is successfully and creatively imitate the successful product designs of others.

Their swoopy little pickup in the cute pictures, you ask? Ahem, those are pictures, not trucks--artists renderings of an idea.

So, that your picture of the cute Hyundai pickup to a print shop and enlarge it.

Then cut a hole near the steering wheel where the driver's head should be. Stick your head through the hole and take a selfie. That's YOU lookin' real cool in the new Hyundai pickup!

Wait for the upcoming story in PUTC about the test drive.

Well "Jack" lets just see. the current model "smokes" the GM twins now, the new and improved one will continue this trend and likely widen the sales gap. The GM twins were cooked before they launched.

@mark49- Speaking of T-case shifters... AFAIK no one has seen the manual trans trucks yet. Since they're constrained to a few enthusiast models, if wouldn't be inconceivable to offer them with a J-shift case. There would be f'n parades held over that.

The Toyota Tacoma not only has the best resale value for trucks, but the best resale value of any type. The nay Sayers can say what they want but it's a built tough truck and it is in high demand.

"@Road whale,
Inside the U.S. , yes but almost non- existent outside. Brazil and Mexico have a niche for small car based Pickups, possibly true for the U.S.,
They do sell the tiny Scamp Travel trailers in North America, but it would not go anywhere here
-- Posted by: Robert Ryan | Aug 25, 2015 12:48:30 AM

Robert, IIRC you're in Australia and I'll admit you have a lot of wide-open territory out there. However, Australia does have campers like the Cub and the Vista which, while shaped a little differently are not all that unlike the Scamp you mention. In fact, it seems you have quite a market for tiny 'teardrop' campers which are hitting it off pretty big here as well. Campers like these are designed to be pulled behind smaller cars--and yes, even smaller Utes. So honestly, I believe you're wrong.

Yes, there will always be a market for bigger pickup trucks and utes; but there will also be a market for smaller as a combination of weight savings, economy and simple maneuverability in tight quarters. I get a laugh every time when I do a U-turn (legal) at a four-lane intersection and watch the full-sized one have to back up to complete the turn within the curbs.

"For those who are looking to Hyundai for product innovation and leadership in small trucks, consider looking somewhere else. So far the only thing they do is successfully and creatively imitate the successful product designs of others.
Their swoopy little pickup in the cute pictures, you ask? Ahem, those are pictures, not trucks--artists renderings of an idea.
So, that your picture of the cute Hyundai pickup to a print shop and enlarge it.
Then cut a hole near the steering wheel where the driver's head should be. Stick your head through the hole and take a selfie. That's YOU lookin' real cool in the new Hyundai pickup!
Wait for the upcoming story in PUTC about the test drive."
-- Posted by: papa jim | Aug 25, 2015 6:18:54 AM

Um... Papa? Did you forget that that "swoopy little pickup in the cute pictures" was actually on the show floor at more than one American auto show where people could actually touch the thing? Granted, it wasn't a production model, but there is apparently at least one drivable version that garnered enough interest that Hyundai itself has come very close to giving it the green light--if it hasn't already.
I'll agree with the 'wait and see' statement, but they've come closer than anyone else so far in saying it will be at least partially intended for the US market. Meanwhile, FCA and GM both have similar models already running in S.A., C.A. and Mexico.

The fact Toyota stayed away from a diesel version is a plus for them. The demand is still for gas motors. Do you see diesel cars taking over the market. NO you don't. And people don't buy a midsize to strictly pull; its the last thing on their mind when purchasing a midsize. And fuel economy comes with a price, those diesel motors have no acceleration, no HP, don't heat up the cab, cost more, have to add def fluid and stink. Did you see how well the 3.0 eco diesel did against the 2.7 ford gas motor. Its a complete destruction. The 2.7 almost matches the fuel economy but blows it away in every other power category. The extra torque did nothing for the eco diesel. The gas motor blew its doors off when it went by with a full trailer load up the gauntlet. If you want fuel economy than your performance is going to suck and that's the bottom line.

A note for those who don't believe the Hyundai Santa Cruz exists:

https://www.hyundaiusa.com/about-hyundai/news/corporate_hyundai-santa-cruz-named-2015-concept-truck-of-the-year2-20150727.aspx

Are they kidding, fuel-economy (19/24/21 mpg city/highway/combined) ?
That is only marginally better mileage than my 1990 v6 4x4 gets.

I expected much better numbers.

@Greg Yeah and the Tacoma will last, and last, and last and will have an excellent resale value!!!! Those are the facts!!! See GM uses Toyota's lean manufacturing techniques, Six Sigma, Kazien, 5S, and being an owner of a GM product and current owner of a 2007 Tacoma prerunner and 2011 4Runner. HANDS DOWN THE TOYOTA'S ARE BUILT WAY BETTER!!!

http://www.autonews.com/article/20150826/OEM04/150829926/ford-uaw-in-talks-to-revive-ranger-sales-output-in-u-s

Yes, it appears that Ford has realized that there really is a market for a smaller truck. How long will it take them to realize that there is an un-tapped market for an even smaller model strictly for personal use?