Will Electric Cars Destroy Your Neighborhood...
Green
Trucks
Luxury
Family
Brand
Muscle
See more sites from  HighGear  M E D I A  >>
Compare this car to others like it Try our car compare tool now

2009 Toyota Tacoma Safety Review

May 30, 2009

SAFETY | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Five stars, frontal impact
NHTSA

Good,” frontal offset
IIHS

built to passenger-car safety standards
Automobile

curtain side airbags are an important safety plus
ConsumerGuide

With many safety features standard and stability control an option, the 2009 Toyota Tacoma scores well on safety tests.

In the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash tests, the 2009 Tacoma scores five stars for driver and passenger side frontal impact, as well as five stars for both front and rear occupants in side impacts. In rollover resistance, it manages a rating of four stars. In the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) frontal offset tests, the Tacoma scores that agency’s top “good” rating. Tacomas with bucket seats manage a “marginal” for rear crash protection, a comment on headrest design and whiplash protection.

Automobile Magazine notes, “ABS with brake assist is standard. You can add stability control with traction control, as well as hill-start assist to prevent rolling back from an uphill stop.” Regarding the effectiveness of the standard brake assist feature, which incorporates a valve that increases vacuum assist when the brake pedal is enthusiastically applied—as in a panic situation—Car and Driver finds that their test Tacoma “conduct[s] four rapid stops from 70 mph in less than 190 feet, fleet performance for any pickup.”

Conclusion

The 2009 Toyota Tacoma ups the ante with a host of active and passive safety features.

SAFETY | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:Five stars, frontal impactNHTSAGood,” frontal offsetIIHSbuilt to passenger-car safety standardsAutomobilecurtain side airbags are an important safety plusConsumerGuide With many safety features standard and stability control an option, the 2009 Toyota Tacoma scores well on safety tests. In the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash tests, the 2009 Tacoma scores five stars for driver and passenger side frontal impact, as well as five stars for both front and rear occupants in side impacts. In rollover resistance, it manages a rating of four stars. In the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) frontal offset tests, the Tacoma scores that agency’s top “good” rating. Tacomas with bucket seats manage a “marginal” for rear crash protection, a comment on headrest design and whiplash protection. Automobile Magazine notes, “ABS with brake assist is standard. You can add stability control with traction control, as well as hill-start assist to prevent rolling back from an uphill stop.” Regarding the effectiveness of the standard brake assist feature, which incorporates a valve that increases vacuum assist when the brake pedal is enthusiastically applied—as in a panic situation—Car and Driver finds that their test Tacoma “conduct[s] four rapid stops from 70 mph in less than 190 feet, fleet performance for any pickup.” ConclusionThe 2009 Toyota Tacoma ups the ante with a host of active and passive safety features. 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.

Next Steps:

Get a free price quote

for the 2009 Toyota Tacoma from a dealer near you

Check Insurance Rates

for the 2009 Toyota Tacoma

Check Financing Rates

for the 2009 Toyota Tacoma

Check Local Classifieds

for a 2009 Toyota Tacoma near you

See the Toyota Tacoma in Other Years:

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

Comments (0 total)

Be the first to post a comment

Post a comment

Post anonymously, or
(Required)
(Required - will not be published, sold or shared)
(Optional - your 'posted by' name will link to the URL)

Remember Me?

I have read TheCarConnection.com's privacy policy