If you own a 2017 Toyota Tacoma 4x4, I can tell you from personal experience that you need not feel intimidated when meeting the off-road crowd for the first time.
When parked alongside a full-size pickup, with a jacked-up suspension and tires that wouldn鈥檛 look out of place on a jumbo jet, one can get a sense of inferiority.
I felt small even though I was in a Double Cab version, rather than the smaller Access Cab.
I soon learned that my preconceptions were all wrong. While the midsize Tacoma was dimensionally smaller, it didn鈥檛 mean that it didn鈥檛 stand just as tall.
In fact, all the drivers of the big rigs gave the Toyota a thumbs-up 鈥� much to my surprise.
When I complimented them on their rigs, they came back with noting but praise for what they have witnessed the smaller 4x4 accomplish 鈥� to get in and out of more difficult terrain.
To my surprise, they talked more about their positive encounters they, their families and friends have had with Toyotas than their own trucks.
The reason they seemed so enthusiastic might be because my 2017 tester was equipped with the newly available TRD Pro equipment package.
This $12,850 option comes with some genuine off-road components that take it to the next level. Among the items are Bilstein shock absorbers, a TRD remote reservoir suspension kit, TRD-tuned front coil and rear leaf springs, 16-inch alloy wheels.
Just so you won鈥檛 mistake it for a more run-of-the-mill Tacoma, the TRD Pro comes with a 鈥渉eritage鈥� grille in smoke grey, LED fog lamps, 16-inch gloss-black TRD wheels and an honest-to-goodness hood scoop.
Although I am not a fan of the new Cement Grey colour, everybody else gave it a thumbs up.
If you are one who will take it far off the beaten trail, there is also insurance that you will come home, in the form of a TRD front skidplate made of quarter-inch aluminum.
Serious off-roaders will no doubt swap out the all-terrain, all season tires for rubber appropriate for the terrain they plan to play in.
Many manufacturers slap a 4X4 label on their vehicles. Toyota has refined the breed, equipping the Tacoma with four-wheel crawl control (especially appreciated when descending demanding steep grades). With the wheel-crawl option engaged, the truck (well, the computer and sensors) deftly applies all the necessary braking and throttle inputs, leaving only steering to the driver.
Rounding out the equipment package is a selector for different terrain encountered, a rear differential lock and hill-start assist.
There is also trailer sway control, in case you bring other toys to the backcountry as well.
Toyota has left its trusty 3.5-litre V-6 under the hood, producing 278 horsepower and 265聽foot-pounds of torque. It might not impress those who have a need for speed, but typically a buyer of an off-road vehicle doesn鈥檛 fall into that camp.
The engine is mated to a six-speed automatic (a six-speed manual is available, but you give up the crawl control) and a lockable rear differential.
The Tacoma comes in a number of configurations, starting with a 4X2 Access Cab. My tester was the Double Cab version, which is available in either short- or long-box models. I drove the short version, with a five-foot composite cargo bed (the long version adds an extra foot to the bed, along with a longer wheelbase).
My tester came equipped and ready to tow up to 2,900 kilograms, boasting a class-IV receiver, engine oil cooler, trailer sway control and trailer wiring harness.
The rear bed had operator adjustable anchors to customize tie-down points.
Even with the stiffer suspension, the Tacoma wasn鈥檛 overly harsh on the pavement, a pleasant surprise.
Just because you spend time off-road doesn鈥檛 mean that you have to give up creature comforts the rest of the time. The TRD Pro package ensures that the cabin is very well appointed, with leather seats and steering wheel (with contrasting red stitching to boot). There is dual-zone climate control, navigation system, a premium sound system, a sunroof and power rear sliding window.
The package also includes a blind-spot monitoring system and rear cross-traffic alert (great for backing up in a shopping centre).
If the Toyota Tacoma was a competent off-roader before the introduction of the TRD Pro package, it is even more desirable now.
Its sharp looks (thanks in no small part to that Cement Grey colour) and desirable factory off-road equipment kit will help owners make new friends on or off the road.
THE SPEC SHEET
Type: Short-box four-door mid-sized pick-up, front engine, 4X4
Engine: 3.5-litre V-6, 278 hp at 6,000 r.p.m., 265 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,600 r.p.m.
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Dimensions (mm): Length, 5,392; width, 1,910; height, 1,793; wheelbase, 3,235
Curb weight (kg): 1,975
Price (base/as tested): $40,445/ $55,155 (includes $1,760 freight and PDI and $100 AC tax)
Options: TRD Pro $12,850 (details in story)
Tires: 265/70 R16 on alloy wheels
Fuel type: Regular
Fuel economy (L/100km): 13.2 city/ 10.7 highway
Warranty: Three years/60,000 km new car, five years/100,000 km powertrain