Tacoma 4x2 pickup an affordable workhorse

Tacoma 4x2 pickup an affordable workhorse

Wheels

2008 Toyota Tacoma 4x2 Access Cab
By: Neil Moore

The pickup truck has undergone an extreme makeover during the last couple of decades. Once looked upon as a capable, but plodding workhorse, the pickup has evolved into a luxury hauler with massive power, monster alloy wheels and a passenger cabin outfitted better than some five-star hotels.

And sticker prices have followed suit, with some of these trucks topping 60-grand at the upper trim levels.

While it may appear that manufacturers have snubbed the small tradesperson in favour of upwardly mobile soccer parents and horsey types, you can still buy a basic work truck. You know – the kind you’d actually drive to the construction site to drop off some equipment, and maybe even toss in a small load of old bricks and shingles.

The Toyota Tacoma is one such truck. Although you can get it with V6 power, four wheel drive, and loaded  with content, you can also order it bare bones with a four cylinder engine driving the rear wheels, adding only automatic transmission and air conditioning – like the 4x2 Access Cab tested here.

At $22,760 (plus $1,000 for auto and $550 for air), the base Tacoma offers few perks, but taking a ‘glass is half full’ approach, that also means fewer items to break on the job site.

It’s been a while since I’ve had to roll down my own windows, but the Tacoma 4x2 Access Cab gave me that opportunity, along with manually adjusting each side mirror, and locking and unlocking each door. Thankfully, there are only two of them, as the rear ‘access’ doors swing open on a rear hinge, and are locked via the front doors.

Inside, the Tacoma is laid out smartly and efficiently, in high-quality fabrics and plastics (of varying shades and textures), with all displays and controls easy to read and reach. A basic trio of gauges is recessed beneath aluminum-finish rings, and the centre console is efficiently designed with a simple, but hearty, sound system atop the easy-to-use HVAC controls.

Seats are comfortable and supportive up front, but are best reserved for occasional use in back. The jump seats are simple cushions, fixed on a right angle, and this space is best used for groceries, gym bags and other stuff you don’t want exposed to the elements.

Flip up the rear seats, and you’ll find storage below – great for hiding larger valuables. And speaking of interior storage, the Tacoma has plenty more, including the front and overhead console boxes, front and rear cup holders, overhead sunglass compartment and door map pockets.

Other standard features include a six-speaker AM/FM/CD sound system, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, tire pressure monitoring system, accessory power outlets, engine immobilizer and rear step bumper.

The base 4x2 Access Cab is powered by a competent 2.7L 16-valve DOHC 4-cylinder engine (with variable valve timing with intelligence) that generates 159 hp and 180 lb/ft of torque. With the four-speed automatic, power is delivered smoothly. There’s just enough oomph for everyday driving, but I’m not sure how well it would pull at the 3,500 lb. towing capacity under full load.

Still, the silver lining to this is fuel economy. With the inline four, this truck is rated at 11.1 L/100 km city and 8.0 L/100 km highway (25/35mpg) with automatic transmission. Manual is even thriftier at 10.1 L/100 km city and 7.7L/100 km highway (28/37 mpg).

Brakes are front disc/rear drum with ABS, electronic brake force distribution and break assist.

With the Access Cab, you get a five-foot, double wall composite cargo bed. I didn’t toss in any concrete blocks, but it appears tough as nails. The box also includes a set of four tie-down cleats that you can slide along a rail system, making it easy to adjust for a variety of cargo.

As mentioned earlier, you can option up the Tacoma, with the next step being the SR5 Power Package. This adds such features as air conditioning, driver’s lumbar support, fold down front passenger seat, power windows with sliding rear window, power locks with keyless entry, power mirrors, cruise control, and more. SR5 adds $3,320 to the truck’s base price, bringing the automatic version up to $27,080.

The Tacoma tops out at $39,080 for the content-rich 4x4 Double Cab V6 with TRD Sport Package plus Towing Package. This includes a 236-hp 4.0L DOHC V6, full back seat and loads of amenities, demonstrating how quickly a pickup truck, even a mid-sized one, can grow in price and personality.

Sure, a luxed-out pickup can be a joy to drive, and if your destination is the office, it may be a good fit. But life in the trades takes its toll on your ride. If you wince after every scratch in the cargo bed, or have the urge to detail your truck after each coffee run, consider something less lavish.

The Tacoma 4x2 Access Cab – in basic trim – still offers the comforts you’d expect in a daily driver, along with fuel efficiency and work truck utility, at a price you can afford.

2008 Toyota Tacoma 4x2 Access Cab at a glance:

• BODY STYLE: mid-size pickup truck
• DRIVE METHOD: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
• ENGINE: 2.7L 16-valve DOHC 4-cylinder engine (159 hp, 180 lb/ft of torque)
• FUEL ECONOMY: Automatic: 11.1 L/100 km city and 8.0 L/100 km highway; Manual: 10.1 L/100 km city and 7.7L/100 km highway
• PRICE: Base $22,760 (add $1,000 for automatic transmission and $550 for air conditioning – as tested)
• WEBSITE: www.toyota.ca

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