The 2016 Toyota Tacoma TRD 4x4: Pavement is a necessary evil

[MUSIC] Go! Look we all know the 2016 Toyota Tacoma is excellent off road. I mean people bomb these things through the desert but You know, often you've got to go on the pavement to get to the dirt. So we're going to test this truck in the most unlikely of places. On the road. And from the street you just might make some heads turn because this is one mad looking truck. The Tacoma's got a new front facial with a taller hood, streamlined headlights featuring LEDs and new for this year is an easy touch tailgate. You've also got an available locking bed cover for securing all of your gear. And the TRD Off Road gets a few touches all its own including its special 16 inch wheels and a tin spoiler delete because really? Who needs a spoiler eating into your approach angle? [MUSIC] Under the hood I've got a 3.5 litre V6 but a 2.7 litre is available on the [UNKNOWN] models. However this larger engine is going to knock out 278 horsepower and 265 pound feet of torque. Now when the truck Not in four wheel drive power goes to the rear wheel via six speed automatic transmission. But get this, you can get six speed manual and it's $1600 less to boot, yay! EPA fuel ratings combined for the automatic are 20 miles per gallon. And, what is the trademark laundry basket rating? Well, I've got a five foot bed here and that includes a light and, check it out, It's a 120 volt outlet right here. So I can plug in my hairdryer and fix my hair after all this windy day of shooting. Behind me I've got five laundry baskets, this one makes. Six. And, that is a most excellent trademark [UNKNOWN] rating. Inside the cabin, it's a pretty comfortable place to be, for an off-road truck. My heated seats are most excellent. I've got a multi-functional steering wheel. Front and center, here, is a little digital display where I can scroll through to see things like a compass, a pitch and roll, monitor my speed, my radio But what I really like is the Entune system, because the inputs are super crazy quick, I mean check it out, I can get myself to Disneyland 13, 13, okay Harbor, h,a,r,b,o,r. I mean check that out, super fast very, very responsive to my touch. I also have satellite radio, iPod connectivity, in terms of driving aids there's blind spot monitoring which is really great to have on a higher truck like this. And there's a wireless charging system. Which, unfortunately, my iPhone is about 1,000 years old. But all you need to do is put it down right here on the platform and it will charge right up. [MUSIC] Of course this is the off road model, so you do get a fair amount of off road goodies like a locking rear hitch, you get a terrain select system, [UNKNOWN] control, and build in shock. But does that help or hinder me when I'm on the road? Well, I gotta tell you The [UNKNOWN] shocks, it's set up really soft, right? Have you ever seen a trophy truck out in the desert, in like the Baja 1000, and the wheels are just going like this, and the cab stands straight? This isn't quite that extreme, but the suspension is set up very, very soft, so it soaks up the bumps very nicely. Here's what I don't like about it, and that is the transmission. I've got a six speed automatic, and it's just Searching all the time and cannot figure out what gear it wants to be in. Now I can shift it manually which helps because then I am in complete control of the truck but I feel like this truck should be able to work on its own in the transmission. I really should only have to use The sport mode, when I really, really want control of the truck. Not in everyday driving situations. Acceleration on this, not quite so good, and that's fine for off-road where you're really feathering the throttle, but on this if you're trying to get on the highway, you really do have to give it the beans, and often times the transmission just can't handle it What I do like about the Tacoma is the steering. It's got a great on center feel. It's got nice build up as you get up to speed and it's very precise. I mean you know exactly where you're placing your wheels. Which is great for off and onroad. One thing I do wish this truck had is a trailer back up assist. You can get that on the Ford 150 Can't get it on this and as someone who knows how to drive a trailer forward, but maybe not so much backwards, that would be a big help in this truck. [MUSIC] There is Is a fair amount of competition in the mid size pickup, the Chevy Colorado and the GMC Canyon are both just dying to take a bite out of this taco. The 2016 Toyota Tacoma TRD 4x4 off-road double cab starts at 33,730, but our optioned up vehicle is just over 37. Now for me, I really love the off-road capabilities, I love the looks. I'm just not in love with the transmission. So I think I'd go ahead and go with the six-speed manual. That's it for today, I'm Emme Hall. Thanks so much for watching, we'll see you soon. [NOISE] [MUSIC]