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2009 Toyota Tacoma Quality Review

May 30, 2009

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

front occupants have ample space
Cars.com

generous sound insulation hushes the cabin
Car and Driver

the rear bench has a low cushion and bolt-upright seatback
ConsumerGuide

Tacoma still drives very much like a truck
Kelley Blue Book

ConsumerGuide criticizes the Access Cab body style as having “very little room even with the front seats well forward,” and further complain, in the Access Cab body style, “the rear bench has a low cushion and bolt-upright seatback, so even those who fit will grumble.” Edmunds calls the Tacoma’s interior “a spacious cab with Camry-like comfort and ambience.” Interior room isn’t at a premium in the large 2009 Toyota Tacoma, but the rear seat in the Access Cab draws its share of complaints from reviewers around the Web.

As to arrangements in the front, reviewers at Cars.com attest that “front occupants have ample space. The seats are snug, supportive and well-cushioned. Depending on the model, buyers can choose a front bench seat, bucket seats or sport seating.” The Double Cab’s legroom, angled seatback, and “easy entry and exit through fairly large doors,” are appreciated by ConsumerGuide and many other reviewers. Motor Trend backs up the rear seat accolades: “Accessed through large doors, the back seat feels comfier than in some compact sedans, an achievement in this class of cramped quarters.” Car and Driver editors also commend “the large rear seat that has a slightly reclined seatback and accommodates adults in comfort.”

Comparing the Tacoma to car-based entries such as Honda’s Ridgeline, Kelley Blue Book considers the Tacoma’s ride a bit rough around the edges. All agree, however, that Toyota selects nothing but first-rate materials and switchgear for the interior. Furthermore, innovative touches such as the standard fiber-reinforced sheet-molded-compound truck bed add value and durability to the Tacoma’s design.

Motor Trend praises the subtle details in the Tacoma, stating, “Toyota has found a way to make the patterns, colors, and surface textures on the dash, console, and door panels look engaging, something you might see in a considerably more expensive near-luxury sedan.” Car and Driver notes, “generous sound insulation hushes the cabin against wind noise and pebble spray from the wheels.”

Conclusion

The 2009 Toyota Tacoma is characterized by a rather noisy cabin and truck-like drivability, countered with a roomy interior and thoughtful details.

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:front occupants have ample spaceCars.comgenerous sound insulation hushes the cabinCar and Driverthe rear bench has a low cushion and bolt-upright seatbackConsumerGuideTacoma still drives very much like a truckKelley Blue Book ConsumerGuide criticizes the Access Cab body style as having “very little room even with the front seats well forward,” and further complain, in the Access Cab body style, “the rear bench has a low cushion and bolt-upright seatback, so even those who fit will grumble.” Edmunds calls the Tacoma’s interior “a spacious cab with Camry-like comfort and ambience.” Interior room isn’t at a premium in the large 2009 Toyota Tacoma, but the rear seat in the Access Cab draws its share of complaints from reviewers around the Web. As to arrangements in the front, reviewers at Cars.com attest that “front occupants have ample space. The seats are snug, supportive and well-cushioned. Depending on the model, buyers can choose a front bench seat, bucket seats or sport seating.” The Double Cab’s legroom, angled seatback, and “easy entry and exit through fairly large doors,” are appreciated by ConsumerGuide and many other reviewers. Motor Trend backs up the rear seat accolades: “Accessed through large doors, the back seat feels comfier than in some compact sedans, an achievement in this class of cramped quarters.” Car and Driver editors also commend “the large rear seat that has a slightly reclined seatback and accommodates adults in comfort.” Comparing the Tacoma to car-based entries such as Honda’s Ridgeline, Kelley Blue Book considers the Tacoma’s ride a bit rough around the edges. All agree, however, that Toyota selects nothing but first-rate materials and switchgear for the interior. Furthermore, innovative touches such as the standard fiber-reinforced sheet-molded-compound truck bed add value and durability to the Tacoma’s design. Motor Trend praises the subtle details in the Tacoma, stating, “Toyota has found a way to make the patterns, colors, and surface textures on the dash, console, and door panels look engaging, something you might see in a considerably more expensive near-luxury sedan.” Car and Driver notes, “generous sound insulation hushes the cabin against wind noise and pebble spray from the wheels.” ConclusionThe 2009 Toyota Tacoma is characterized by a rather noisy cabin and truck-like drivability, countered with a roomy interior and thoughtful details. 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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