2000 Toyota Tacoma

By Bob Storck

Toyota's Tacoma has been lauded by its owners for its quality, value and performance, but trails the segment in the door race. While others are offering four doors, Tacoma is making do with only two. Not only that, but it is tall to enter, which limits its appeal to women and families.

The truck features gas-filled shock absorbers for ride control. The rear suspension on all models is a live axle located by leaf springs with staggered hydraulic shocks.

Inspired by Toyota's successful Desert Racing Program, the special Toyota Racing Development (TRD) Off-Road package, available on 4WD Xtracab models, offers Bilstein shock absorbers, locking rear differential, increased-rate springs, a larger stabilizer bar, larger white-lettered Goodyear tires, and a special Off-road graphics package. A Pre-Runner model offers the rugged off-road appearance in a thrifty 2WD package.

A four cylinder is standard and the optional 3.4 liter, 24-valve, twin-cam, V6 engine produces 190-horsepower. An add-on supercharger can make it a rocket. Most buyers order the four-speed electronically controlled automatic but Tacoma also is available with a five-speed manual transmission.