Toyota Truck Models – A Comprehensive Overview Of The Features

Rolling onto the American streets with potency, trustworthiness, and a heritage that spans generations, Toyota truck models – the rugged Tacoma and the formidable Tundra – proudly embody engineering greatness. These two giants have forged their own way in a market full of options with unparalleled performance and unyielding reliability.

While Toyota may present just a duo of pickups in the American landscape, their influence extends much further, sparking enthusiasm among truck aficionados and establishing a benchmark that rivals strive to equal.

Toyota Truck Models 2023 in the US

Walk with us as we explore the captivating realm of top Toyota truck models, where accuracy harmonizes with intent and the endless highway is conquered with an unconquerable essence.

2023 Toyota Tacoma

The Toyota Tacoma exhibits a unique quality distinguishing it from fellow mid-size pickups such as the Chevrolet Colorado or Ford Ranger; notably, its sales surpass even the brand’s full-size truck. Celebrating its eighth year, the third iteration of the Taco has garnered a devoted following, yet its standard features are showing signs of aging.

Its rather modest 159-hp inline-four engine, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, stands as standard fare, while an alternative 278-hp V-6 can be paired with either the automatic or a six-speed manual gearbox.

In the realm of U.S. pickups, only the Tacoma and Jeep Gladiator provide the option of three pedals. While the Tacoma’s foundational powertrain might rank as the least robust within its category, the budget-friendly rear-drive single-cab model remains notably more economical than both the Gladiator and Honda Ridgeline.

Touting the capability to tow slightly more than the Nissan Frontier at 6800 pounds, the Tacoma does face setbacks in the form of an uncomfortable seating stance, subpar fuel efficiency, and rather basic interior furnishings; these aspects hinder the otherwise highly adept Tacoma.

Toyota Truck Models of Tacoma

The 2023 Tacoma presents an array of seven variants: SR, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited, Trail Special Edition, and TRD Pro. These options also encompass two cab styles: the Access Cab, accommodating four seats, and the Double Cab, which comfortably seats five. Under the hood, drivers can opt for either a four-cylinder engine or a V6.

Engine and Fuel Economy

The Tacoma arrives with a 159-horsepower four-cylinder motor that might seem less potent for various road scenarios. A discretionary 278-horsepower V6 somewhat enhances the situation, but the truck’s acceleration won’t leave you exhilarated.

It stands as the solitary fresh pickup on the market that offers a manual transmission, proving to be a more fitting combo than the somewhat awkward standard six-speed automatic. Yet, the manual alternative is solely accessible in the TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro editions.

The gas efficiency falls short for a small pickup truck, with four-cylinder versions achieving around 20 mpg in urban settings and 23 mpg on highways, whereas V6-powered editions showcase up to 19 mpg in city areas and 24 mpg on highways. The gas mileage experiences a decline, reaching as low as 17/20 mpg in the TRD Pro model combined with manual transmission.

Interior

Remaining loyal to its origins is undoubtedly admirable, but this ethos proves less advantageous when it comes to the interior of Tacoma. The functional arrangement and materials harken back to a bygone era—the previous one, to be precise. Even the upper echelon trims are not immune to the extensive use of rigid plastics and a simplistic design ethos.

Encouragingly, the Tacoma now boasts a driver’s seat with power adjustability. Yet, the constraint of space remains an enduring characteristic of the Tacoma experience. Remarkably, the back seat of the crew cab is a place where Tacoma passengers must learn to accommodate, given the meager legroom.

While the Tacoma’s five—or six—foot—long bed offers abundant volume, it regrettably falters in terms of storage nooks and interior cargo space. The capacity to store within the Tacoma is noticeably curtailed, with the crew cab managing a mere capacity of nine carry-ons for the rear seat. Except for the central console bin, viable storage compartments or cubbies are conspicuously scarce.

The infotainment setup in the 7-inch Tacoma is quite user-friendly. The controls are well-defined and sensibly organized. However, Tacoma doesn’t lean heavily into advanced technology. The display visuals and icons on the screen appear outmoded, and lack crispness, plus the size of both screens falls short compared to the generous offerings of its rivals.

Towing and Payload Capacity

In its most potent form, the Tacoma can haul as much as 6800 pounds using rear-wheel drive, while its four-wheel-drive counterparts can tug 6500 pounds. Opting for the two-wheel drive models equipped with the four-cylinder engine provides access to the maximum payload capacity of 1685 pounds. However, selecting the four-wheel drive and the V-6 engine reduces its capabilities.

Pricing of Toyota Truck Models

2023 Toyota Tundra

The latest iteration of the full-size 2023 Toyota Tundra pickup follows a recent revamp in the last year. This version showcases notably enhanced power, capabilities, and comfort compared to its predecessor from the previous generation. However, this outcome was somewhat anticipated given the prolonged tenure of the previous model since 2007. One of the noteworthy enhancements involves the introduction of a modern turbocharged V6 engine, offering power levels roughly akin to the former Tundra’s V8, yet delivering greater torque for improved towing functionality, alongside notably improved EPA-estimated fuel efficiency. Moreover, an elective hybrid V6 powertrain is available, amplifying the Tundra’s brawn beyond the standard V6.

Toyota Truck Models of Tundra

The 2023 Tundra comes with a range of choices for buyers. It presents two types of body styles, namely the Double Cab and the Crew Cab. Besides, 8 feet 1 inch, 6 feet 6 inches, and 5 feet 6 inches are the available bed sizes. When it comes to powertrains, there are three V6 options, among them a hybrid. The model lineup encompasses seven variants: the SR, SR5, Limited, Platinum, 1794 Edition, TRD Pro, and Capstone.

Engine and Fuel Economy

The Tundra comes with a pair of powertrain choices. The Toyota i-Force twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 generates around 348 to 389 horsepower. The hybrid model combines the V6 motor and an electric counterpart for a total of 437 horsepower (known as i-Force Max). The powerplants pair with a 10-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive (standard). Four-wheel drive is available.

In case you’ve enjoyed the Tundra before, it’s quite likely that you won’t feel nostalgic for the previous truck’s V8 engine. The recently introduced twin-turbo V6 performs with seamless tranquility, capably propelling the pickup both from a standstill and up to higher speeds. It possesses abundant power for towing trailers, smoothly joining swift lanes of traffic, and overtaking other automobiles. Accelerating from 0 to 60 mph is achieved in a lively 6.5 seconds.

The i-Force Max powertrain enhances the enjoyment, with an electric motor situated between the mill and gearbox that adds extra power at lower speeds pre-turbo activation, and this electric support maintains strong performance as velocity rises, resulting in a sensation akin to a “muscle truck” rather than a hybrid.

In urban settings, the 2023 Tundra achieves an EPA-estimated 18 mpg, reaching 24 mpg on highways with its standard V6 and rear-wheel drive. If you opt for a four-wheel drive, the numbers slide to 17/23 mpg city/highway – essentially typical fuel efficiency for a full-size truck.
Introducing the i-Force Max hybrid system nudges these figures to 20/24 mpg (or 19/22 mpg for four-wheel drive). However, it falls just a bit short in comparison to competitors like the Ford F-150 Hybrid in terms of overall efficiency.

Interior

Within the Tundra’s interior, there’s a robust dashboard adorned with noticeable air vents and a substantial, sleek middle part that links the door panels. The materials employed on the central console, dashboard, and doors exhibit a higher caliber compared to those utilized in the prior iteration.

Naturally, the refinement amplifies in accordance with the different trim tiers, and the highest-tier 1794 Edition showcases appealing wooden embellishments. Without exception, all versions incorporate a versatile central console, abundant cubby storage, and an expansive central compartment.

While a duo of analog gauges accompanied by a compact driver-information exhibit constitute the conventional instrument array, the supreme trim echelons highlight a 12.3-inch digital gauge compilation.

Huge touch displays, spanning over 12 inches, have been integrated into nearly all full-size pickup trucks, except for the Nissan Titan. The Tundra includes an 8.0-inch touchscreen as its standard option, which has the potential to be replaced by a 14.0-inch horizontal touchscreen, surpassing the competition.

This enhanced screen boasts convenient volume adjustments and wireless compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, it lacks a tuning knob, and the steering wheel controls are somewhat restricted in functionality.

Towing Capacity

The Tundra can haul anywhere from 8,300 to 12,000 pounds, contingent on its setup. This range proves ample for towing standard campers or boat trailers. However, it’s prudent to acknowledge that a few larger pickups boast the ability to tow slightly higher weights.

Pricing of Toyota Truck Models