Toyota Tacoma Pickup – 30 Years on the Factory Conveyor
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Toyota Tacoma Pickup – 30 Years on the Factory Conveyor

The Japanese automobile company Toyota has long been known in our country. And if Soviet fans could only dream of models of this brand, then in recent decades everything has changed noticeably. Now, as they say, if only you had the money.


At all times, Toyota has been and is considered an excellent choice for lovers of travel and adventure. After all, the manufacturer produces cars – this is not only a reliable, but also a technology with good potential.

Toyota Tacoma Pickup – 30 Years on the Factory ConveyorToyota Tacoma has been produced since early 1995. Photo: youtube.com

This is how things stand today, and a similar situation existed three decades ago. For example, at the end of 1988, the fifth generation of the popular Toyota Pickup entered production. And already at the beginning of the next year, the company's engineers began developing another new product. Design work was carried out at Calty Design Research (California) from 1990 to 1992.

As a promising alternative for the American market


In the end, the exterior design by Kevin Hunter was chosen. It became the basis before the car went into production. For this purpose, a Japanese patent for production design was received in April 1993. Six months later, it was also duplicated for the USA.

The Toyota Tacoma pickup truck from the Japanese company was released in 1995. It had compact dimensions and was offered to a wide range of consumers.


True, it was preserved in this form only within the framework of the history of the first generation (1995-2004). Later, the manufacturer significantly improved the design, increasing its dimensions and characteristics. Later, Tacoma was positioned as a mid-size pickup (and according to Motor Trend in 2005 - as truck). The successful design has over time won a very wide range of clients, gaining a solid geography:

✅ USA
✅ Canada
✅ Costa Rica
✅ Mexico

These reliable workers are also known in Bolivia, Bermuda and New Caledonia. The fact that the appearance of this car retains a noticeable "American trace" is confirmed by its name. Tacoma is the Indian name for Mount Rainier, located in Washington State.

It is not surprising, because the American market was the target from the very beginning. And the new product was planned as a profitable replacement for Hilux. The developers tried to make it have a number of advantages over the latter:

✅ as a ride
✅ controllability
✅ comfort
✅ security

At the same time, the strength of the structure or its load capacity faded into the background. This was the philosophy of North American users, for whom the pickup is most often not a commercial, farm or off-road vehicle. transport, and personal. For the initial version, three main types of engines were used:

✅ 2,4 l/144 hp, consumption 9 l/100 km
✅ 2,7 l/152 hp, consumption 12 l/100 km
✅ 3,4 l/ 193 hp, consumption 11 l/100 km

Almost all classic versions of the car (2WD) had five-stud wheel mounting schemes and the first or third version of the power drive. All-wheel drive (4WD), like the PreRunner, featured six-stud mounts and two more powerful types of engines.

Further design improvements


The 1997 model year saw changes to the engine control unit. This opened up the possibility of installing a Toyota Racing Development (TRD) supercharger kit for the most powerful power unit. This, in turn, significantly increased its power – up to 258 hp (with the addition of a seventh fuel injector – up to 262 hp).

The cargo platform is one of the most important elements of the design. Photo: youtube.com

While the PreRunner and Double Cab models were initially offered with automatic transmissions from the factory, for others they were only an option. The rest of the models were equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission as standard.

The first generation featured side members with a closed rectangular cross-section (box type). The TRD Off-Road package for all-wheel drive versions allowed a rear differential lock. It became available starting in 1998. ABS as a standard for the entire line was already used at the end of the history of No. 1 (2003).

Second generation and further development


The beginning of the new millennium was marked for the model by its extensive modernization and preparation of the second generation of the car. The developments were carried out under the leadership and control of the chief engineer of the enterprise Chikuo Kubota. And their main part fell on Hino in Japan.

The radiator grille has changed its design several times. Photo: youtube.com

The design competition for the model was won by the sketches of Shigei Hattori and Hideo Karikomi. Patents for the new product appeared in mid-summer 2003. The first prototypes appeared a little later. The development of the second generation was fully completed by the second quarter of 2004. The presented car had the following variability:

✅ 18 different combinations for three cabin configurations
✅ two types of power units
✅ two body lengths
✅ 4 types of transmission

Introduced in February 2004 at the Chicago Auto Show, the Toyota Tacoma II was superior to its predecessor in terms of exterior dimensions and power characteristics. Eight months later, the car was already in serial production as a new product for the next model year.

Given the initial radical changes, the model underwent only minor cosmetic revisions in the following three years. Such as the appearance of two new colors in the interior design or the transition of some options to the standard category. But in 2009, the need for a small facelift matured, which included:

✅ modified radiator grille
✅ new LED taillights
✅ tinted headlight trim for TRD Sport and two other premium trims

The cargo versions were equipped with new ceiling speakers and a backup monitor. Four new color schemes were added to the car body design. Safety was improved, and the mechanical limited-slip differential was taken out of use. But all SUVs, as before, were equipped with a locking rear.

One of the Toyota Tacoma powertrain options. Photo: youtube.com

By 2012, a more thorough restyling was in place, including updated headlights, grille, and front bumper. The interior was also changed, and the antenna for SiriusXM satellite radio received the appearance of a shark fin. But the following year, with the advent of the touch screen, they decided to abandon this element. In 2014, a new SR trim appeared, and at the end of history No. 2, the classic cabin disappeared from the offerings.

From 2015 to 2023, the company produced third-generation pickups. They received a revised exterior design, but in terms of their parameters and mechanical parts, they were largely consistent with their predecessor:

✅ length – 5,4 (for double cabin – 5,73) meters
✅ width - 1,91 m
✅ height - 1,8 m
✅ wheelbase – 3236 (with double cabin – 3571) mm

Just over a year and a half ago, the company moved into production of the fourth generation of the popular pickup. According to Calty President Kevin Hunter, it was styled with “iconic Tacoma-ness.” That included huge, high-rise tires, a slim body, and a muscular, athletic look inspired by Baja racing. One of the best versions was the Tacoma Trailhunter.

Tacoma Trailhunter with maximum cross-country capability


This SUV was created specifically for driving on the most difficult routes. At the same time, it is capable of transporting a solid supply of equipment and food supplies, designed for spending a long time outside of civilization. It is also suitable for confidently towing a solid trailer, thanks to:

✅ Trailer Backup Guide with Straight Path Assist
✅ integrated brake controller
✅ Blind Spot Monitor, which expands the trailer detection area

In addition, the i-FORCE turbocharged versions offer a petrol engine with a turbocharger that increases power. It also provides fast acceleration and high performance. In hybrid versions (with i-FORCE MAX), it is paired with an electric motor, adding efficiency to the overall performance.

Modern instrument panel with several displays. Photo: youtube.com

For monitoring metrics, the Tacoma has a full-color 12,3-inch digital instrument cluster with selectable gauges. It is paired with Tacoma's available next-generation Multi-Terrain Monitor (MTM) system, which lets you switch between cameras, and a 14-inch audio and media display.

In conclusion, it is worth noting that at the end of 2024, there were eight main types of Toyota Tacoma trim levels. Their prices start at $33 (usually 3,6 million rubles). In the premium version, the car can cost $53,6 or 5,88 million rubles.
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