Toyata Tacoma 4WD Double Cab long term test

[Webwader]

The last issue of Car & Driver had a report of their long term (40,000 mile) test of a 2006 Toyota Tacoma 4WD Double Cab. While they generally liked the truck, they had two big issues. The first was squeaks and rattles due to a lack of structural rigidity. Quite a contrast to the RL with its extremely rigid body. The second was a spongy brake pedal that persisted for the length of the test.

[bigdave269]

I read that reveiw, too. They did say it towed more than the Ridge, but the trade-off was ride quality. After testing them both, the Ridge was my choice, anyway.

[Rodek]

The front seating sold me on the Ridge. The Taco's floor seemed to be too high or the seats too low.. An awkward seating arrangement. I've actually owned the Double cab Tacoma and can say that I like the Ridge better as it's ride is much nicer, interior ir roomier, quieter while driving and the truck handles better than the Taco. The Ridges 4WD system is also nicer as it's automatic. The Taco however, is probably better suited for heavy offroad use.

[Gadget Magnet]

I just came home from test driving the Tacoma:

I noticed the low seat and the high hood... Odd..
The engine felt "rough" compared to the Honda engine. (I own 2 Odyssey's, so I'm quite familiar with the 3.5V6).

Weird about the spongy brake pedal, I noticed the same thing and initially, I thought there was something wrong with the brakes!

Well, the deal breaker was that the Tacoma long bed won't fit in my garage and the short bed is only available with a manual tranny.. so... I guess the Ridgeline is in my future, but I want to check out the Nissan Frontier.

I don't need a "tough" work truck, I just want a truck to haul my dirt bikes and in winter, not got stuck in the deep snow.