Toyota's created a lineup of trucks with far-ranging personalities, from the pool man's truck to a loaded 4x4. A newly configured extended-cab model, the Access Cab, replaces last year's XtraCab and offers dual rear access doors for the first time. These rear-hinged half-doors, available on most competitor's trucks for the better part of a decade, allow easier accessibility to the rear of the cabin. Finally, Toyota's smaller pickup has them.
The Double Cab, now with rear doors that are about three inches longer than last year's for easier ingress and egress, is available with a long bed as well as the short bed. The long-bed Double Cab covers more real estate than a Chevy Suburban and allows the driver the luxury of not having to choose between taking passengers or cargo--there's room for both.
Although the rear seatbacks on Access Cab models are straight and suitable only for children, the Double Cab's seats recline at a comfortable angle with room for five adults. Both cabs feature tumble-flat rear seats with underseat storage, the Double Cab adding more stash space in the rear bulkhead. Most passenger-side front buckets fold flat to form a tray table.
The Toyota pickup was one of the first small trucks (next to the Datsun 1200 pickup) sold in the U.S. and helped popularize that segment in a country accustomed to full-size trucks. Now the new Tacoma keeps the brand's reputation for durability and long-lasting quality, while expanding the model matrix to a wider audience. The new truck proves there is no penalty for buying a reasonably sized, more fuel-efficient truck, especially significant in this time of rising fuel prices. We call that a superior combination and worthy of the mantle, Motor Trend Truck of the Year.