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2009 Toyota Tacoma Review

May 30, 2009

STYLING | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

straightforward controls situated right where fingers are trained to find them
Car and Driver

It no longer looks like a small truck
Motor Trend

might be mistaken for a domestic truck
Kelley Blue Book

consumer rating of “4.7 out of 5.0
Cars.com

Toyota eschewed bland, utilitarian styling for the 2009 Tacoma, awarding design duties to its Japanese heavy-duty truck division, Hino. The emphasis seems to be on big and bold, with strong lines, prominent fender arches, large wheel cutouts, and aggressive circular headlights glaring out behind upswept plastic covers. This helps Toyota’s little guy do battle with the traditionally splashier Americans trucks; Kelley Blue Book feels that the Tacoma’s styling “succeeds by blending classic Toyota truck styling with design features of some larger domestic models.”

Comparing the Tacoma to its previous-gen forebear, Motor Trend comments that it no longer resembles a small truck, “thanks to a wider stance, large fender bulges surrounding upsized wheels and tires, sweeping headlamps, and a larger windshield.” Car and Driver remarks that Hino’s styling handiwork “[turned] up the Tacoma’s testosterone with square shoulders, fender arches, and a Kenworth-compatible grille.”

Car and Driver asserts that the Tacoma’s cabin contains “straightforward controls situated right where fingers are trained to find them.” Deeply recessed gauges, each with its own tunnel, alongside a rather avant-garde silver center stack, are a far cry from the generic, boxy truck interiors of yore. Said silver treatment might be a bit polarizing (Car and Driver: “it may seem dated when the industry finally tires of plastic painted like naked aluminum”), but this is mitigated by Toyota’s first-rate ergonomics, simple and sizable dials for HVAC, and high-quality switchgear throughout the cabin.

Conclusion

The 2009 Toyota Tacoma blends exterior bravado with a simple, conservative interior.

STYLING | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:straightforward controls situated right where fingers are trained to find themCar and DriverIt no longer looks like a small truckMotor Trendmight be mistaken for a domestic truckKelley Blue Bookconsumer rating of “4.7 out of 5.0Cars.com Toyota eschewed bland, utilitarian styling for the 2009 Tacoma, awarding design duties to its Japanese heavy-duty truck division, Hino. The emphasis seems to be on big and bold, with strong lines, prominent fender arches, large wheel cutouts, and aggressive circular headlights glaring out behind upswept plastic covers. This helps Toyota’s little guy do battle with the traditionally splashier Americans trucks; Kelley Blue Book feels that the Tacoma’s styling “succeeds by blending classic Toyota truck styling with design features of some larger domestic models.” Comparing the Tacoma to its previous-gen forebear, Motor Trend comments that it no longer resembles a small truck, “thanks to a wider stance, large fender bulges surrounding upsized wheels and tires, sweeping headlamps, and a larger windshield.” Car and Driver remarks that Hino’s styling handiwork “[turned] up the Tacoma’s testosterone with square shoulders, fender arches, and a Kenworth-compatible grille.” Car and Driver asserts that the Tacoma’s cabin contains “straightforward controls situated right where fingers are trained to find them.” Deeply recessed gauges, each with its own tunnel, alongside a rather avant-garde silver center stack, are a far cry from the generic, boxy truck interiors of yore. Said silver treatment might be a bit polarizing (Car and Driver: “it may seem dated when the industry finally tires of plastic painted like naked aluminum”), but this is mitigated by Toyota’s first-rate ergonomics, simple and sizable dials for HVAC, and high-quality switchgear throughout the cabin. ConclusionThe 2009 Toyota Tacoma blends exterior bravado with a simple, conservative interior. 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA STYLING | [7 out of 10] Car and Driver: “straightforward controls situated right where fingers are trained to find them” Motor Trend: “It no longer looks like a small truck” Kelley Blue Book: "might be mistaken for a domestic truck" Cars.com: consumer rating of “4.7 ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

Both the Colorado and Ranger feel inferior and outdated compared to the Tacoma, with subpar interior appointments and a lack of safety features, but the Ranger makes a strong case as one of the only true compact pickup designs left—and it's very fuel-efficient in basic four-cylinder form. Then there’s the Dodge Dakota, which is a little closer to full-size than the Tacoma and has available V-8 power for towing. The 2009 Toyota Tacoma rides harder than the comparable Nissan Frontier models but doesn’t handle quite as well. The Nissan has a better-looking interior, with more comfortable seats and appointments, as well as sprightlier performance from its 4.0-liter V-6. But the Tacoma has a more enviable reputation for reliability.

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See the Toyota Tacoma in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997

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