Latest news with #Tacomas
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Kia Is Building an EV Pickup Truck, and It's Headed to the U.S.A.
Kia made waves late last year when the brand introduced its first-ever pick-up, a strange-looking mid-sizer called the Tasman. That new entry is primarily meant to compete with the Ford Ranger in Australia, Korea, and emerging markets. Meaning, in other words, that it's not planned to head towards American shores. As it turns out, that doesn't mean American buyers will miss out on a truck from Kia, however. During an investor day presentation on Wednesday, the brand announced plans to bring a new pickup truck to the U.S. market — and it'll be electric. Details are scarce at the moment, but Kia says that the truck will be based on a new EV platform that is "designed for both urban and outdoor use." That could describe just about any truck on the market today, but those hoping for a Toyota Tacoma-sized electric truck (at least, one not from Toyota) have some reason for hope: Brand CEO Ho Sung Song said just last week that the brand wants to bring a mid-sized entry to America. Combined with the news that the Tasman will not be headed Stateside, Song's words suggest that the electric truck will effectively serve as America's equivalent product. The choice to develop a unique vehicle on an electric platform means that development should take slightly more work than a retooling of the existing Tasman platform would have required, but the resulting truck will fit squarely with Kia's plans to be a major player in many segments of the U.S. EV market going forward. Kia claims that the new truck will " feature best-in-class interior and cargo space, a robust towing system, off-road capabilities, and advanced infotainment and safety features." The brand is targeting annual sales of 90,000 units per year. For comparison, Toyota sold 192,813 Tacomas in 2024; on the EV side, the Ford F-150 Lightning moved 33,510 units. You Might Also Like You Need a Torque Wrench in Your Toolbox Tested: Best Car Interior Cleaners The Man Who Signs Every Car
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
A Nissan 240SX Prerunner Is The Dumbest, Best Idea I've Ever Seen
Prerunners have a pretty standard definition: Pickups (or what's left of them) with tall tires and taller suspension, meant to shoot across the desert at terrifying speeds to scout the route ahead of a race truck. What if you wanted to do a prerunner's job, but your mind was stuck in the world of Tokyo Drift? Well, you might build this Nissan 240SX prerunner, which is one of my favorite cars I've ever seen. To be clear, this is a dumb build. S-chassis cars are built to slide around corners endlessly, never driving straight, turning tires into smoke the whole time. Building an S14.5 (an S14 with an S15 front end) up to have this kind of suspension travel should be a fool's errand, but it's an errand Jake O'Donnell decided to cross off his to-do list. I'm thankful he did, because this Silvia is one of those genres of dumb that loops all the way around to being incredibly cool. Read more: You Can Buy One Of The Best Modern Sports Sedans For Less Than A Toyota Corolla Why build a prerunner out of such a small, low car? Because it's hard, and because doing so leaves you with a build that no one else out in the desert will have. There are a million Tacomas done up in this style, and one of those can be made with plenty of off-the-shelf parts — not so with an LS2-powered S-chassis. This is a very custom build, and all the time spent on it (the car's been drivable in some state for years) paid off by making something truly unique. Plus, putting out 700 horsepower doesn't hurt. Yet, somehow, this isn't the first off-road 240SX we've seen. A Japanese garage called Top Rankaz put one together a decade ago, with a Rocket Bunny Boss body kit and plenty of lift to fit the dirt tires. That Silvia lacked this 240's long-travel suspension, though, and certainly lacked the desert playgrounds of the United States to hoon around in. This is my new favorite off-road vehicle, bar none. Read the original article on Jalopnik.
Yahoo
21-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Thinking about buying a Toyota Tacoma? Here are other top choices to consider
If you're looking at a mid-size truck, the Toyota Tacoma is impossible to ignore. The truck touts a reputation for reliability and holds its value incredibly well, all while doing everything a good truck should. But a new model introduced in 2024 raises longevity questions that nobody has answers to quite yet —and this may have some shoppers considering the competition. Fortunately, there's a lot to look the Tacoma, the Frontier started out as a much smaller truck before growing into the larger model we see on the roads today. Around the mid-2000s, both models switched gears to compete in the mid-size segment rather than the compact segment. It probably comes as no surprise, then, that the two trucks cost within $500 of one another and offer five- or six-foot bed lengths. The Frontier, unlike the Tacoma, relies on a naturally aspirated V6 engine as its sole offering. The 3.8-liter mill churns out 310 horsepower and 281 pound-feet of torque, considerably more than the Tacoma's base turbo-four, which makes 228 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque. That alone could sway some shoppers, especially when you consider that even stepping up to the optional Tacoma engine will still leave the truck winded by comparison, with an output of 278 horsepower. Hybrid off-road and limited models, all of which cost considerably more than any Frontier trim, do offer a superior 326 horsepower. Nissan's rig continues to demonstrate superiority thanks to its towing capacity, which tops out at 7,150 pounds compared to the Tacoma's 6,500 (hybrid models tap out at 6,000 pounds). The trade-off comes in fuel economy, with four-wheel drive Tacomas getting 20 mpg city/23 mpg highway, while four-wheel drive Frontiers manage just 17 mpg city/22 mpg highway. For dedicated off-roaders, the Tacoma offers Trailhunter and TRD Pro trim lines starting from $62,735. The Frontier PRO-4X comes with less extreme but functionally similar accouterment for $20,000 both trucks offer similar equipment. An 8.0-inch touchscreen, cloth seats, keyless entry, and a basic four-speaker sound system are all you get as standard equipment. The dimensions are similar, but the Tacoma is three inches longer and wider. Both offer identical front headroom, but the Tacoma is more generous to backseaters, albeit barely. With the guaranteed reliability of old Tacomas no longer in play with this new generation, the Frontier has a better case than ever. The Ranger is another former compact truck that left the US market for nearly a decade before returning in 2019 as a mid-size truck. Since then, it's been a fairly competent rival to the Tacoma, although it only offers a five-foot bed and a cabin for five—likely not a problem for most buyers. Possibly more surprising is that its base MSRP of $33,080 is actually slightly higher than the Tacoma's $31,590 price tag. However, the Ranger builds value quickly. All-terrain tires come standard instead of the all-seasons most Tacomas come with. The base 2.3-liter EcoBoost engine is time-tested and fairly stout, offering considerably more power and torque than the base Tacoma powerplant. The Ranger's 10-inch central display is a cleaner install and larger than the 8.0-inch unit you find in Toyota's truck. The Ranger measures up nicely, too, being three inches shorter and two inches wider with more front head and leg room and almost identical second-row space. Even at the top of the trim lineup, the Ranger makes a remarkable case for itself. The Ranger Raptor starts at $55,820, which is eight grand less than the top-dog Tacoma TRD Pro. It gets a twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 making 405 horsepower, 80 more than the TRD Pro's four-cylinder. The max towing capacity does get trimmed down to 5,510 lbs, though, which is 490 pounds less than the TRD Pro. Like the TRD Pro, the Ranger Raptor enjoys off-road-ready dampers, a moderate lift, unique fender flares, and an all-terrain wheel and tire the entry-level and higher trim levels, the Ranger consistently offers a better value than the Tacoma, with better standard equipment on base models and a significantly lower price tag higher up the trim ladder. No matter what your budget is, the Ranger deserves a seriously close look. The Chevrolet Colorado is yet another compact-gone-midsize. It was sold as a compact truck until 2011, when it left the US, only to return in 2015 in its current guise. Today, its base price is almost identical to the Tacoma's and, like the Ranger, only offers a 5-foot bed/crew cab setup. When it comes to performance, there's hardly any question of which truck reigns superior. For 2025, the Colorado comes standard with a 2.7-liter four-cylinder making 310 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque, handily besting every Tacoma except the hybrid models. Its max towing capacity is 7,700 pounds, 1,200 more than Toyota's rig. At the top of the lineup, the ZR2 with the optional $12,000 Bison Edition add-on matches the TRD Pro and Trailhunter variants with AEV add-ons, beadlock-capable wheels, and lots of other rugged running gear for a few thousand dollars less. Value continues to build when you consider that even the base WT trim – which literally stands for "work truck" – beats out the Tacoma in a few key areas. The larger 11.3-inch touchscreen dwarfs the tacked-on 8.0-inch unit in Toyota's truck. The Chevy has four more inches of front legroom, too, despite similar overall dimensions. Both trucks offer similar driver aids as standard and lock their lightest off-road offerings behind a $40,000-ish price Colorado gives up a bit more to the Tacoma than some of the other trucks discussed here, but it's still a worthwhile rival. Its clear-cut advantages lie in its aggressive standard engine and towing specs, both of which are the best, or tied with the best, across the trucks compared here. Jeep's reentry into the mid-size truck segment happened in 2019, breathing new life into the defunct Gladiator nameplate that ran from the 1960s until the mid-1980s. Its biggest selling point for most enthusiasts was an available manual transmission, but today's truck doesn't offer it anymore. Similar to the other American trucks on the list, the Gladiator is only available as a four-door truck with a shorter, 5.5-foot bed. Things start off well since all the Gladiators rely on a familiar Pentastar V6 under the hood. The 3.6-liter mill makes 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, which is better power but less torque than the four-cylinder Tacoma's 317 pound-feet. Sadly, there are no other engine options, but there is something to be said for the simplicity and familiarity of the Pentastar. The Jeep is tied with the Colorado for best towing at 7,700 Jeep is perplexingly more expensive than the Tacoma. Its starting price is $38,695, which is on par with the $38,120 Tacoma TRD PreRunner but $7,000 more than the base truck. However, it makes up some ground in terms of personality, thanks to removable doors and a soft top exclusive to this truck segment. The Jeep is five inches longer and over an inch taller. It offers more front headroom and significantly more space for second-row passengers. However, being a few inches narrower means the hip and shoulder rooms are slightly down. While both trucks have a cult following, Jeep probably has the more active community and will likely be cheaper to modify over time. These perks can offset the higher start price, but only for the right buyer. The Gladiator doesn't really compete with trims lower than the PreRunner, and for that reason, it's a great pick for serious off-roaders or die-hard Jeep fans who plan on frequently venturing off the pavement. All four of these trucks give the Tacoma a solid run for its money, but the Ranger certainly seems to stand head and shoulders above the rest. The Frontier, too, offers a commendable value proposition, especially if you aren't interested in everything the TRD Pro and Trailhunter models offer on the trails. No matter what you value, one of these trucks is bound to do something better than the Tacoma, so choose wisely. Love reading Autoblog? Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get exclusive articles, insider insights, and the latest updates delivered right to your inbox. Click here to sign up now!
USA Today
17-02-2025
- Automotive
- USA Today
Toyota Tacoma truck recalled for excessive dirt build-up
Toyota Tacoma truck recalled for excessive dirt build-up The recently redesigned Toyota Tacoma pickup is still a sales darling for the Japanese automaker, and it remains one of the most popular trucks in the country. Now, however, it seems you can play too hard with one, and cause some braking issues in the process. That's the latest according to a recall notice filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this week, claiming over 106,000 pickups could have mud or dirt build up — you know, not an uncommon scenario for Toyota's more adventurous customers — and wear down an important part. Here's what we know: So far, NHTSA documents show 12 warranty claims and five field reports of issues potentially related to the recall. According to NHTSA documents, Tacomas equipped with 16-inch brake systems positioned inside 17-inch wheels have a tight tolerance, and if mud and dirt build up on the interior of the wheels when off-roading, eventually contact can be made with the components and the intruding mud, which could lead to damage and wear through the brake lines, causing a fluid leak, and eventually a decline in braking performance and stopping distance, which could lead to a gnarly crash. Toyota trucks: This is the FJ Cruiser pickup truck that Toyota should have built In case you missed it: Toyota pushes back EV production plans in America Toyota says it's still investigating this issue on its other braking configurations for the Tacoma but has nothing to report so far. Again, it's only four-wheel drive Tacomas equipped with 17-inch wheels and the 16-inch braking kit in the rear; Toyota specifies that it's exploring "2-wheel drive and a combination of 16-inch brakes with either 17-inch or 18-inch Toyota wheels, and other 4-wheel drive Tacoma vehicles with 16-inch brakes and 18-inch Toyota wheels to determine whether there is a potential for a brake fluid leak." Toyota says it was first alerted to a potential issue back in July of 2024. Owner notifications will be sent out by April, and the remedy is to reattach the brake lines or move them. It goes without saying almost that this sprays a little mud in Toyota's face, since, well, the Tacoma — like other midsize trucks — is marketed as a rugged, go-anywhere personal adventure machine. On the other hand, though NHTSA's posting is somewhat confusing. No Tacoma has 16- or 17-inch brake rotors, the braking components most often referred to by a measurement in inches, at either end, only 12.6- or 13.4-inch front rotors or 12.2- or 13.20-inch rears, so the measurement's size reference is odd. Extrapolating a relative comparison, though, from NHTSA's filing, we take it to mean trucks with the smaller of the two available brake packages, 17-inch wheels, and four-wheel drive are affected. Diving into the Tacoma's specs, that suggests this issue affects only certain basic SR and SR5 trim levels, which aren't off-road-specific variants like, say, the (rear-drive) TRD PreRunner or four-wheel-drive TRD Off-Road, TRD Pro or Trailhunter models.
Yahoo
13-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Toyota Recalls 106,061 Tacoma Trucks for Rear Brake Hose Problems
2024 and 2025 Toyota Tacoma 4WD pickups equipped with 16-inch brakes and 17-inch wheels can develop leaks in the rear brake hoses. Abrasion from accumulated mud and dirt is the root cause. Toyota says affected owners will be notified by mail on April 7, 2025, to return their vehicles to a Toyota dealer to have the rear brake hoses replaced with upgraded units. One of the most important parts of hydraulic brake systems is, well, the hydraulic brake fluid. Apparently, certain 2024 and 2025 Toyota Tacoma pickup trucks can develop brake fluid leaks when mud and dirt abrade the rear brake hoses. A recall report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says Toyota is recalling 106,061 examples of 2024 and 2025 Tacoma pickups. The popular midsize rig just entered its fourth generation and might have some early production teething problems. Toyota says 1% of vehicles are slated for this recall. The affected trucks are four-wheel-drive Tacomas that come with either 17-inch wheels or 16-inch brakes. The report says mud and dirt can accumulate inside the wheel and contact the brake hose. This contact can abrade the brake hose and cause it to leak, reducing your braking power and increasing the chances of a collision. Fortunately for affected owners, there is a solution. Toyota will replace the affected trucks' brake hoses with upgraded hoses. As with most recalls, this will be free of charge to any affected owners. Toyota is still monitoring two-wheel-drive versions of its Tacoma and models equipped with 18-inch wheels. The company also says Tacoma pickups with 17-inch brakes shouldn't be affected by this issue. Toyota will send notice to affected owners on April 7, 2025, but you can also use the NHTSA recall or Toyota recall tools to see if your vehicle is affected. Have you ever had a brake system failure? Tell us about it below.
