2005 Toyota Tacoma Published 05/26/2005

Worldwide Toyota sold nearly 7.3 million vehicles last year. With $30 Billion of cash on hand, nobody doubts Toyota's goal of ultimate worldwide dominance. The $8 Billion dollar profit made by Toyota last year was more than GM, Ford and Chrysler put together.

Toyota made much of that money right here in the good ole US of A. While Toyota may be a Japanese company, they employ over 30,000 Americans and are completing work on plants that have the capacity to produce 1.4 million American made cars and trucks each year.

Toyota's success in the United States has often been singularly attributed to their perceived quality of vehicles. In reality American automakers virtually abandoned the car market to imports in the mid 1980's. Choosing to focus on higher profit pickups and SUV's where they held a distinct advantage, the American automaker has seen their car market share shrivel. Toyota was one of the few foreign automakers that continued to offer a truck after a 25% protectionist tariff was slapped on imported trucks by the US government over forty years ago.

Originally, Toyota pickups were introduced as very economical utility compact trucks complete with metal dash and thinly padded bench seats. Very affordable and reliable the Toyota Compact Truck became a starter vehicle for many teenagers and young commuters.

Aiming for the entry-level buyer with limited cash has been a successful model for Asian manufacturers. Inexpensive models offer very low profit incentives for domestic manufacturers and dealers alike, and imports aim for this soft underbelly while big established automakers concentrate on more profitable cash cows.

This strategy offers at least two reasons for success. Inexpensive models often are less complicated with fewer parts to fail. Establishing a reputation of economy and reliability is a desirable springboard for higher profit models in the future.

But it is the youth market that is really important. Building brand loyalty early offers a lifetime potential for future profits. Profits from "getting them while they are young" far outstrip the immediate reward of selling to consumers near the end of their buying days.

But no company can achieve their ultimate goal by continuing to only offer basic inexpensive products. American youth is more affluent and now they want style, choice, performance and luxury. So the 2005 Toyota Tacoma is a distant evolution of the cheap truck of Toyota's humble entry.

No longer can the 2005 Toyota Tacoma be considered a "compact truck" as it has grown squarely into the "mid-size" arena. Available in three cab styles, the 2005 Toyota Tacoma can have a regular cab, slightly larger Access Cab or full size Double Cab.

Engine choices include a beefy 2.7-liter Double Overhead Cam Electronic Fuel Injected 4 cylinder engine that produces 164 horsepower and awesome 183 lb.-ft. of torque. Choose the 4.0-liter DOHC EFI V-6 with Intelligent Variable Valve Timing and you get 245 horsepower with 282 lb.-ft. of torque.

Manual transmissions can be either a 5 or 6 speed and the automatic will be either a 4 or 5 speed. Two wheel drive models include the standard rear wheel drive configuration or the beefier Pre-Runner. The extreme X-Runner is designed for the performance minded driver with sports car like handling.

Four Wheel Drive versions are available in a Regular, Access or Double Cab Version.

At nearly $30,000 my test truck was a far cry from the plain trucks of an earlier time. This new design is sophisticated containing all of the emerging technologies modern financially secure youth want. This is not the economy starter truck that struggling teenagers once were forced to endure. This is a truck for a wealthier generation that can afford a plethora of entertainment options.

Loaded with unique features like the composite bed and deck rail system the 2005 Toyota Tacoma represents the logical evolution of the compact truck into a true sport truck. Toyota dealers have access to a catalogue of accessories engineered to personalize the truck to individual taste and increase dealer profits.

General Motors and Ford have every right to be concerned. This 2005 Toyota Tacoma is no longer nipping away at the low profit economy line, this truck represent a direct attack at the heart of the rich American truck market.

2005 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab

Mid Size Pickup Truck

Electronic 4 Wheel Drive 2 Speed Transfer case
245 hp 4.0L DOHC 24V Engine w/VVT-i
5speed ECT-I Automatic Transmission

Option Package -C

MSRP as Driven $29,210

EPA MPG 17/21

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