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By Jim Bray
Tuesday, March 21, 2006
If the "garden variety" Tacoma isn't butch enough for you, you can go upmarket to a couple of TRD versions that, depending upon which one you choose, add extra off road or sport capabilities. Or you may be intrigued by the Tacoma X-Runner V6, a mucho macho machine that's as much of an eye and ear grabber as it is a practical hauler. It sports no TRD labels, but it sure "sports".
And as a practical hauler it hauls more than just your stuff! The X-Runner also hauls butt!
The Tacoma X-Runner V6 includes a bunch of very un-truck like things such as a 6-speed manual transmission, aero stuff, a chrome tail pipe, a hood scoop (well, it looks like a hood scoop), sport seats up front and 18-inch alloy wheels. It's a handsome package, though to these middle aged eyes it appears aimed at the twenty or thirty somethings.
And that's fine, though it makes me feel decidedly old.
The rear wheel drive X-Runner's engine is a 4.0 liter DOHC, 24 valve 6 cylinder monster with intelligent variable valve timing. Toyota says it puts out 236 horses @ 5200 rpm and 266 lb. ft of torque @ 4000 rpm. It seems like more than that, though, because this truck goes like heck! It still feels like you're driving a truck, but this is as close to sports car performance as I've experienced in a truck - though, I've undoubtedly missed driving a few worthy competitors.
The X-Runner is low, with low profile tires you also wouldn't expect to see on a truck, and that gutsy V6 emits a wonderful growl when spurred, a seductive sound that makes you want to keep the gas pedal floored.
I was floored. Driving the X-Runner is a gas! It's a lot more fun than it has any right to be!
The truck's suspension is independent double wishbone up front, with leaf springs in the rear. The shock absorbers are Bilsteins. The beast also gets a limited slip differential.
Brakes are power assisted vented discs up front and drums in the rear, with ABS all around and Electronic Brake Force Distribution. They stop the truck straight and true; you may not be able to stand this beast on its nose, but you can stop capably and experience good pedal feel.
My tester had 235/50R 18 inch mud and snow tires installed. Standard equipment (summer) tires are P255/45R18, Performance Summer Radials. You also get a full size spare.
Steering is variable assist power rack and pinion, with good road feel. The steering wheel also tilts and telescopes.
If you own an X-Runner no one will be able to accuse you of being shiftless, because that 6 speed manual transmission is a fine gearbox that shifts very well. Okay, its throws aren't sports car short, but they're short enough to make running up through the gears very entertaining.
The interior is very truck-like, which will undoubtedly surprise few people. The HVAC controls work fine but have a decidedly old tech look and feel and offer no automatic setting. But overall it's a very comfortable compartment for the two people up front. Both seats are very sporty buckets that are comfy and supportive and which hold you in nicely in the twisty bits. It's a seat the likes of which you'd expect in a sporty car, not a pickup truck.
The news isn't nearly as good for anyone cursed with being a passenger in the rear compartment. Getting in and out is pretty good, thanks to a pair of rear-hinged suicide doors (oops, we aren't supposed to call them that, are we?), openings that remind me of those on the Mazda RX-8. But the bench seat itself reminds me of the cheap bleachers at the local stadium, and once your butt's there, the back support catches the spine at precisely the wrong place. Clearly, this is a seat for emergency use only.
On the upside, there's quite a bit of room to haul stuff back there, as long as what you're hauling doesn't have nerve endings.
The audio system is okay. It's an AM/FM CD changer with 6 speakers and steering wheel-mounted controls but, as is unfortunately typical of many Toyotas, its weakest parameter is its sound quality. I had to lower the bass and crank the treble to make it passable. It played plenty loud enough, though.
Power door locks and windows are standard on the X-Runner, as is keyless entry. There's plenty of storage space, dual vanity mirrors (for the really, really vain!) and a sliding rear window that, alas, doesn't offer a defogger. You also get variable intermittent wipers, which is optional on most other Tacomas.
Trucks are generally about carrying stuff, of course, and the X-Runner's six foot double walled bed comes already lined and there's a nifty 400 watt (125V) power outlet that would undoubtedly come in darn handy at a tailgate party. There are also tie downs mounted along the bed's edge.
Safety equipment includes dual stage airbags and three point lap and shoulder belts.
I never thought I'd spend a week with a pickup truck and be sorry to give it back. But this Tacoma X-Runner is a blast! I can see it fitting well into the lifestyle of a young couple who want sporty performance and the ability to haul stuff quite often - even if only to the stadium.
Who'd have thunk?
The Toyota Tacoma X-Runner sells for $23,745 U.S./ $31,855 Canadian.
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