Sacramento,
California -- Toyota sells a bunch of Toyota Tacoma pickups, and I've enjoyed
my share of various reliable midsize Tacomas over the years.
The recently
tested 2018 Toyota
Tacoma TRD Off-Road 4X4 Double Cab pickup was a different animal. It too was enjoyable, for different reasons.
OK, I'm not an
off-roading jockey who likes to take a full day smashing through mud, streams
and fallen logs on some remote Sierra Nevada foothills trail. But I was completely convinced that my Tacoma
was more than up for that task.
With a tall ride
height and imposing-looking tires that seemed capable of leveling a national
forest over a long weekend, the tester was all menace and monster machine, made
even more intimidating in "Barcelona Red" paint. The most reckless off-road warrior would be
challenged to get high-centered or on his lid in this model, equipped with a
blizzard of state-of-the-art driving assists for climbing up and over rocks,
hills and through fast-moving waters.
Impressive? Very.
Even for a comparatively civilized pavement driver like myself.
Speaking of
that, the Tacoma was a smooth suburban driver and remarkably nimble when I put
it through some quick-lane-change maneuvers and urban slalom runs. Those muscular tires did make some major
noise on freeway surfaces, but hey, they're supposed to do that. I wouldn't whine about tire noise if I was on
the Rubicon Trail, believe me.
For all its
brutish off-road charms, the tester's interior was comfortable and classy. Lots of room for beefy adults in the cabin
and a nice layout of comfort/convenience features within easy reach of the
driver's seat. A strong list of safety
features made me feel secure in all conditions.
Fuel mileage is not so hot at only 18 miles per gallon in the city and 22 mpg on the highway.
I sometimes
have dreamed of being a Northern California rancher big shot, living in a
sprawling, comfortable rock house with a fireplace the approximate size of
Vermont. I've fantasized about all that
would require.
Take it from
me: Number one on that list would be purchasing this off-road-worthy Toyota
Tacoma.
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