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Automobiles

Quick Spin: 2013 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport

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By Dan Roth

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“Oh yeah, Toyota still makes the Tacoma.” Admit it, that’s what you just said to yourself. It’s a perfectly natural reaction, but the Tacoma has been quietly anchoring its segment for years, outselling every other compact pickup without making too much of a fuss. Toyota hasn’t neglected the Tacoma – it was updated in 2012 with a revised nose and interior as the most noteable changes.

In a world awash with high-value fullsize pickups all vying for your attention, the Tacoma still charms more than a few buyers out of their cash. I hooked a Tacoma for a week to see whether it still has enough to recommend it.

Driving Notes

  • The size of the Tacoma is nice. While fullsize trucks can feel a bit like the automotive equivalent of relaxed-fit jeans, the Tacoma does the Goldilocks “just right” thing for my purposes.
  • Yet the cozy cockpit of the Access Cab I drove can become uncomfortably tight if you’ve got adults using the jumpseats regularly. If you travel in a pack, get the Double Cab. That goes double if you’ve got kids still in child seats, it’s the better choice.
  • You have to be really committed to buying a compact pickup to ignore the extra value that goes along with the usually useful size available in the hyper-competitive fullsize class. The Tacoma starts at $21,260 with a four-cylinder engine, but the one I drove was a V6 4×4 with an automatic and the $4,035 TRD Sport Extra Value Package, not to mention a few other options to drive the price up to $32,791.
  • You do get a pretty heavily loaded Tacoma for your money, though. To compare, a Ford F-150 STX SuperCab 4×4 rings in at $32,145, but doesn’t come with the navigation, hitch, cargo-management features in the bed, running boards and TRD Sport package goodies like foglights, hood scoop, TRD graphics, alloy wheels and specially tuned suspension of the similarly priced Tacoma.
  • Still, the 4.0-liter V6 and five-speed automatic combo is just as thirsty here as a larger truck would be, returning only 18 mpg in my hands.
  • Despite its big V6, the Tacoma feels sluggish, too. The 4.0 V6 in the Nissan Frontier feels a lot more eager.
  • The interior was updated for 2012 too, getting water-resistant seat fabric with the TRD Sport package, along with black center console and door trim. It’s hard plastic and shows scuffs easily, but it otherwise looks nice, and it’s not like the rest of the class is any better.
  • The classic Toyota small-pickup traits remain. You sit low to the floor with your legs splayed out a bit, just like you always have, and the steering is tight and direct. Keep your boot out of it, and the V6 and five-speed auto are smooth operators, too.

2013 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Apr 2013 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms

From: http://feeds.autoblog.com/~r/weblogsinc/autoblog/~3/azJQghmW68g/

Automobiles

Quick Spin: 2013 AEV Brute Double Cab

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By Michael Harley

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These are the guys who bring a M777 howitzer to a knife fight. In terms of overall rugged utility, the all-new 2013 Brute Double Cab from American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) is about as overkill as they come, and we can’t seem to get enough of the beasts that this company produces. Unlike most aftermarket firms, always striving to lower cost and increase volume (but at the expense of quality), Michigan-based AEV takes pride in its OEM-quality design, engineering, manufacturing and testing. Everything is as good, or better, than the stuff from the factory, and they have been doing it this way for more than 15 years.

Launched at the recent 2012 SEMA show was the 2013 AEV Brute Double Cab. Its debut marked the company’s expansion to a four-door Brute on the newer JK platform (drawing inspiration from the Land Rover Defender 130). I recently spent a few hours with the new truck in sunny Southern California, though unfortunately, due to time constraints, I was limited to pavement-only driving impressions.

Driving Notes

  • The vehicles are assembled in a facility in Wixom, Michigan. To build the Brute Double Cab, AEV stretches the chassis of a four-door JK Wrangler by 23 inches and extends the rear frame to accommodate its custom composite honeycomb pickup bed. Overall vehicle length grows by 30 inches, to bring it to 216 inches overall.
  • Unlike AEV‘s first vehicles, designed to appeal to off-road enthusiasts seeking something different, the Double Cab targets those seeking the same capability but with added interior room and more room for cargo, all with the improved capabilities of the JK platform. It is not meant to replace a traditional pickup, but rather serve the overland market with more utility than a Jeep.
  • My red test vehicle was a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon 4×4 ($35,090) fitted with AEV‘s DC350 package – basically the same as the JK350 package, but on the Brute chassis ($39,999). In addition, it was equipped with a snorkel ($534), splash guards ($114), Warn winch ($250), 37-inch tire upgrade ($400), 4.5-inch suspension upgrade ($100), beadlock wheel upgrade ($850) and a rear slider ($311). Figure about $77,650 for its as-tested price.
  • Upon close scrutiny, it appeared that AEV‘s craftsmanship and materials were top-notch and the fit and finish of the company’s assembly work was impeccable. Note the little details like the fresh water storage tank in the rear bumper and the beautifully integrated engine intake snorkel.
  • As expected from a vehicle raised considerably higher than stock, the step-in is a stretch and the driving position is commanding. Despite its high center of gravity, the Double Cab didn’t feel tipsy or nervous during maneuvers. Handling is secure, but a wheelbase stretched to 139 inches all but destroys the stock Jeep’s turning radius.
  • The 3.6-liter V6, making about 285 horsepower, was mated to a five-speed automatic transmission. The added weight from the conversion and oversized tires do slow acceleration. While still perfectly adequate for on-road performance, those wanting more power for deep sand, snow drifts or more challenging conditions should consider AEV‘s 6.4-liter Hemi conversion.
  • Our spectacular pictures don’t do the Double Cab justice – it looks impressive brightly polished, but even better caked in mud. Next time.

2013 AEV Brute Double Cab originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Jan 2013 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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