2021 Toyota Tacoma Trail Review: Simplicity Is Key

There is a quote by a certain Zen author that states, simplicity boils down to two things: identify the essential, eliminate the rest.

If you were to search for a carmaker that embodies that philosophy, it would probably be Toyota. And if you want to be even more precise and apply that idea to a vehicle, the Tacoma would fit the Zen saying like a glove. It’s no secret that the Toyota mid-sizer has been the bestselling truck in its segment for years. Despite its continuous evolution, its core attributes, functionality and reliability have remained constant over the years and are the prime reasons for its success.

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma Trail sticks to those principles. It’s a no-frill mid-size truck that promises a functional package with added off-road capabilities in a straightforward, even if somewhat old-school package.

Our testers are usually top trims equipped with all bells and whistles and more options than a Mcdonald’s menu. It usually translates to a cockpit more akin to a Boeing 737 rather than something that sticks to the tarmac and is used to fetch groceries. By contrast, the Tacoma Trail we have here is the SR5 trim. It slots below the TRD version which is already a less serious version of the TRD Pro. In that respect, the cabin is rather spartan and ironically, a breath of fresh air. You get a clean dash with air-con vents, four dials, and as many dials and that’s it. It really makes you appreciate the simpler times we come from.

Simplistic and distraction-free in design, the front of the cabin is also a comfortable place to be. The seats are upholstered in fabric that is easy to clean and breathable. The front seats, though manually adjustable on the passenger side are really comfortable and supportive . It feels like sitting in the front half of the Toyota 4Runner which isn’t surprising as the two vehicles share a common chassis. Power-adjustable driver’s perch means even the taller drivers can find their optimum seat height.

Unfortunately, though, the roominess of the front doesn’t transfer over to the rear. While the Tacoma is possibly the widest truck in its segment, its legroom is limited. It is 1.9 inches (49 mm) less compared to its closest competitor, the Ford Ranger and adults will feel it. The seatbacks of the rear bench though soft and contoured feel like sitting against a soft wall. Hence, long trips with all adults on board can become uncomfortable for rear passengers rather quickly. Space for small and growing kids though is ample. Installing a child seat too is child’s play and the doors open wide enough for easy assisted ingress and egress. Plus, you get under-seat storage space for minor items on the rear bench.

It does, however, require some effort to drive. Don’t get me wrong, it isn’t cumbersome but since it makes its peak power at 6,000 rpm and torque at 4,600 rpm, you need to be quite deliberate with the pedals. Fortunately, it comes with a sport mode that considerably sharpens up the throttle which really helps when you want to make quick overtakes and for overall highway driving. The six-speed auto while old simply works. There is little to no gear hunting regardless of your throttle position and it even responds well during overtakes. The brakes are superb and progressive. As with the throttle, you need to be deliberate but there is ample bite and feel to help you feel in control.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Tacoma is a far cry from a corner carver and anyone expecting crossover-like dynamics would be setting themselves up for disappointment. It takes a bit of effort to drive compared to a crossover but for a mid-size truck, it’s as effortless as it can be. Rumblers and uneven surfaces induce lateral movement but it is well-controlled thanks to a well-tuned suspension damping. The steering too is set up quite well. While not two-finger maneuverable, the hydraulic setup provides plenty of feel around the city, especially for a vehicle that rides this high. It also weighs up nicely when the speeds climb.

It doesn’t however like corners. Sure the suspension works impeccably in the city and on the highway but doesn’t feel quite as stable in the corners. Despite an e-LSD at the rear, it doesn’t flow from one corner to the next on a long winding road. There is a lot of braking involved. Again, while not unnerving, it feels like exactly what it is, a ladder-frame mid-size truck which requires you to be aware of the speed before you enter a corner.

While I couldn’t test its off-road capabilities to the fullest, a short stint on a gravel road and a steep incline were enough to prove that it is as capable off the road as it is on it. And if the off-road chops of its SUV sibling, the 4Runner–which we recently tested with the Wrangler–are anything to go by, the Tacoma should be able to keep up with the best of off-road mid-sizers out there.

While the Trail isn’t as well equipped as the Limited or the TRD, it packs enough features to not feel shortchanged. You get an analog instrument cluster with a 4.0-inch MID screen in the middle. As with all Toyotas, an 8.0-inch Entune system resides in the middle of the dash and comes with tethered Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. It also comes with satellite radio, something unusual for a trim in the lower rung of a model lineup. You also get dual-zone climate control which is also quite thoughtful.

Very. The one we have here is the double cab with the short bed but in the US it is available with a six-feet bed with the TRD Sport trim which is even more accommodating. It comes with a household 120V socket in the bed along with adjustable tie-down cleats that run the side of the bed walls. There is also a small storage compartment beside the socket but is not lockable.

Also, the heavy tailgate is hydraulically assisted and lowers gently instead of requiring you to literally do the heavy lifting. It even provides a safe place for your kids to play with their toys, provided the truck is parked and they are supervised of course.

In the US the TRD Sport is the closest trim to the Trail we have here and starts from $38,625 ($45,970 CAD) including destination for the access cab version with 4WD. A 2WD version is also available for almost $3,000 less. By contrast, a similarly equipped Ford Ranger with 4WD starts from $35,310. It is also almost $1,000 more than the Chevy Colorado as well.

But where the Tacoma excels, can’t be explained via a spec sheet or a brochure. While not the best equipped, the Tacoma still offers all the essentials you would have in mind while looking for a mid-size truck. Plus, its simplicity coupled with its capability, user-friendly nature, and bulletproof reliability make the extra cost worth paying for its capabilities and hassle-free ownership.

Discuss this story on our Toyota Tacoma Forum

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