Three ways the 2016 Toyota Tacoma will be number one

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For 2016, the Toyota Tacoma is all-new. Here are three ways the new Tacoma will be tops in the mid-size truck category.

The Toyota Tacoma is all-new in 2016. In a recent interview with PickupTrucks.com at the 10th Annual Lone Stare Toyota Jamboree, chief engineer for the Tacoma, Michael Sweers revealed some interesting tidbits about the new truck. We picked out three things we didn’t know before that we thought readers might find of interests.

2016 Toyota Tacoma – Lowest Drag of Any Mid-Size Truck
Better fuel economy turned out to be the top request by current Tacoma buyers. Of course, Toyota is improving the efficiency of the new Tacoma with a new Atkinson-Cycle V6 and two new transmissions to go with that engine. However, Toyota didn’t stop there. Sweers talked about how Toyota focused on making the new truck as aerodynamic as possible, saying, “…we focused on reducing the drag coefficient of the truck and making it more aerodynamic — which isn't easy to do when you have a vehicle that sits so high off the ground. But we managed to do it. As a result, it has the lowest coefficient of drag of any truck in the segment. And it did help improve fuel economy.”

2016 Tacoma – Best Approach and Departure Angles In Midsize Market
Speaking in the context of off-road versions of the 2016 Toyota Tacoma, Mr. Sweers puts to bed one worry that some Tacoma lovers had expressed in the comments under our preview story about the new truck. Mr. Sweers says, “So our approach and departure angles are still best in class for both the standard and off-road models. Our brake-over angle overall is 29 degrees, with a figure of 21 degrees in back and 31 degrees in back, both best-in-class figures.” In addition, Sweers mentioned why the new truck has the bumper and front-end design it does. It is to address coming pedestrian-impact safety standards.

2016 Tacoma – Best V6 Fuel Economy
Mr. Sweers didn’t come right out and say that the new Tacoma V6 would have the best fuel economy in the segment. It would be premature since the truck’s numbers have not yet been announced by the EPA. However, with its all-new V6 engine that is not shared with any other Lexus or Toyota, the new Atkinson-cycle V6 looks very likely to top the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon’s 3.6 liter V6. Sweers did say, “Another change we made to improve fuel economy was to add a more efficient 3.5-liter Atkinson-cycle V-6 engine. Not only is it more efficient, we are mating it with two new transmissions — a six-speed automatic and a new six-speed manual.”

Please see the entire interview at PickupTruck.com at this link.

Main story image courtesy of Patrick Rall.

Submitted by Elmore Frank B… (not verified) on June 18, 2015 - 9:26AM

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If it comes out can I buy a Tacoma 2016 Sr5 2x4 double doors for $20,000? The dealerdealership is in Fredericksburg VA Rosner Toyota. Please let me know? Thanks.

Submitted by Elmore Frank B… (not verified) on August 5, 2015 - 9:28PM

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I just want to know if I Can by 3016 2x4 double doors with v6 for undrer $20,000 and the tires size is 15? What color is available?

Submitted by Larry Selna (not verified) on August 12, 2015 - 7:21PM

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We still don't know anything about drag comparisons. Probably wishful thinking on fuel mileage. We do know that in 2016 they are still using rear drum brakes. Saw the video on "crawl control" not super impressive; the video shows it on hill backing up, most mini vans do that. Hope they have the frame rust under control.

Yep. Tacoma brakes are marginal to begin with, and drum brakes on a rig this expensive is BS. Not thrilled with the direction Toyota is taking the Tacoma. HP and mpg are not the only things I look for in a truck. After my '14 double cab as worn out I'm not sure what I'll get.

Submitted by Larry Selna (not verified) on August 23, 2015 - 1:10PM

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Mileage numbers are not competitive with the GM twins. The ancient carryover 4cyl. gets worse mileage than last year. This is not progress. Toyota is not what it used to be.