Written by Marco Carvajal
Test Driving the 2019 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport Double Cab
Created by Toyota, the Tacoma TRD Sport double cabin, is one of the best sport pick up Trucks on the medium size segment, if not the best.
The Tacoma can be driven with confidence on any type of road. The six-speed automatic transmission changes smoothly. It is easy to handle with a smooth and progressive effort as it guides you through the curves. This Toyota truck feels stable and responds well to the driver. The thick leather-wrapped steering wheel feels solid in the hands of the driver.
The Tacoma is build with robust quality, excellent reliability, good style, and modern electronic features.
The Tacoma TRD Sport includes an improved V6 engine and can be built in configurations of extended cabin or double cabin. I am test driving the double cab.
Price for the TRD Sport Double Cab
- Starting at $33,800
Other Tacoma models start at $25,850.
Fuel Economy for the TRD Sport 3.5-Liter V6
- 19 city MPG / 24 highway MPG
The Toyota TRD Sport is my first choice in a segment of mid-size sports trucks, which is increasing rapidly. Toyota cars in general and especially the Tacoma retains most of its value during longer time than its competitors, making it a very smart purchase in the long run. The TRD Sport has a lower and more accessible seat that some of its rivals on the market.
The Tacoma
The Toyota Tacoma is proudly designed in the United States. It is manufactured in the United States since 1995. The first Tacoma generation for years 1995 to 2004, was classified as a compact truck. The second generation was classified as medium size truck.
This truck is designed for travel, better ground clearance, maximal damping and wonderful fade-free performance. It has a very nice size, not too big and not too small, perfect for city or country and perfect for any type of road.
When purchasing a Tacoma there is an impressive set of comfort features such as heated front seats, dual zone climate control and improved JBL stereo available, among many other optional features.
Trim Levels
The Tacoma is offered in six trim levels:
- SR
- SR5
- TRD Sport
- TRD Off-Road
- Limited
- TRD Pro
The Tacoma is available on different cabin and be configurations. It can be ordered with an extended cab, called Access Cab with a 6.1-foot bed, or as a crew cab, called Double Cab, with a 5-foot bed, and you can choose between two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive.
The TRD Sport comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, body-colored mudguards and rear bumpers, turn signals on the mirror housings, a hood, a 120-volt outlet and 400 watts in the bed with a rear Sliding
The TRD Sport can be updated with optional features. Highlighted features include a sunroof, parking sensors, blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert, dual zone automatic climate control, heated seats, leather upholstery and a JBL loudspeaker upgrade and a subwoofer.
Motor and transmission
The TRD Sport is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine with a strong 278 horsepower and 265 pound feet of torque.
3.5-Liter V6 DOHC 24-Valve direct-injection Atkinson-cycle engine with VVT-iW, Variable Valve Timing-intelligent Wide, intake and VVT-i, Variable Valve Timing with intelligence exhaust.
All versions with rear-wheel drive use the six-speed automatic transmission, but buyers with four-wheel drive can choose between automatic and performance-oriented six-speed manual transmission.
Impressive Towing Power of 6,800 pounds
A Tacoma V6 with rear-wheel drive can tow up to an impressive power of 6,800 pounds. The trailer package includes hitch, wiring, additional cooling, a larger alternator and trailer roll control. For those who need strong towing power, the Tacoma is a great choice.
Interior
The interior design of the Tacoma is also well distributed, with user friendly and effective controls. The cabin has a lot of space ahead but very tall drivers might want more space. The head room in the front seat is reasonable.
The 2019 Tacoma feels smoother. Noise insulation on the new Tacoma is better than the previous model and better than its competitors.
The bed of the Tacoma has many intelligent cargo management features, and there is a good amount of space inside the cabin.
Technology
Tacoma drivers can enjoy the touch screen audio system, it has large virtual buttons and uses controls for volume and adjustment tasks. The Tacoma allows you to connect your smartphone with a proprietary application of Entune, instead of the more universal Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Those with a paired Apple iPhone can activate certain commands using the more sophisticated Siri interface.
Bluetooth pairing is simple, but the USB-based smartphone interface requires you to install the Entune application on your phone to use some features. But the application is clumsy to use and blocks the phone for other purposes, even if it is the passenger’s phone.
The navigation and audio system with touch screen is easier to use than the ones from other Trucks.
Safety
Standard safety features on the Tacoma include anti-lock braking, front disc, rear drum with brake assist, stability and traction control, front seats side impact airbags, long-lasting side curtain airbags and active front head restraints. “Hill-Start Assist” and the descent assistant, are available in models equipped with the automatic transmission.
All models provide a frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane change warning, automatic high beams and cruise control adapted as standard equipment.
Conclusion
Some of the Tacoma competitors include the 2019 Chevrolet Colorado and the 2019 Nissan
Frontier.
The midsize pickup truck segment continues to grow and the Tacoma is one of the best choices on this segment. The Tacoma has plenty of cargo space, a great 278 horsepower, good space for passengers so it can serve as a family car or as a cargo truck.
The 2019 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport Double Cab I am driving has a good mid-range price, less than 35K. Nice budget for a very cool truck like the Tacoma.
The Tacoma si very appealing with a very original kind of vintage exterior design that gets a lot of attention on the streets.
