New Compact Tacoma in Future?

Tacoma compact truck (1995-2004)
Tacoma mid-size truck (2005-present)

One and a half years ago I bought a new 2008 Tacoma Access Cab Pre-Runner and am extremely pleased. However, as a previous 1986 Nissan King Cab owner, I really prefer the compact truck. Just a bit smaller in size, but still has the great benefits of a truck.

Do you think Toyota will bring back the compact truck? Are there rumors of one in the future?

 

I have a gut feeling they are going to get bigger, and i hate it. I like having compact and great on gas truck

 

i hope they do. i think thats what were missing is the compact truck. now we have the compact "mid size" truck

 

The 05+ is still a compact truck. Mid-size is just a buzz word dealers and magazines like to throw around.

 

When I was researching the compact Tacoma before my purchase, I discovered some bad and good news. The bad news is if someone wanted to buy a used compact Tacoma, it usually had 75,000+ miles and was around the $15K+ range. The good news was that if you owned a compact Tacoma, they really retained their value. That says it all right there, that the Tacoma is/was a very well built truck.

If the compact Tacoma came out again, I'd seriously consider trading for one. The mid-size Tacoma isn't quite as large as a Tundra, but it's noticeably larger than the previous compact truck.

As with anything, it's a personal preference.

 

but in comaprison an 05 is larger than an 95-04 or the pre95 pickups

 

The new issue of Petersons 4 wheel and off road has an interview with toyota and it said they wouldn't rule it out but there are no current plans to make a smaller truck like the older tacos and pre-tacos.

 

Having just gone from a 2000 to a 2010, there are things I like and things I don't about the bigger 2nd gens. One thing I do know, if they still made the 1st gen size I would have chosen that over the 2nd gen in a heart beat.

 

I dont know that I would like the Tacoma smaller than it is right now. I think the 1st gens may have been to compact for my liking and I love all the room in the newer generations. I think going smaller would be a step back for the tacoma and least in my opinion.

 

I like all the room in the newer version myself.

 

Kinda like I tell my girl. I was 'full sized' when she met me. Now I'm my current 'full sized!'

 

Sorry I didn't see that. Danzer you are too quick! - Good meeting you in AZ. Let me know when you come to HB and we'll go wheeling.

 

What about the toyota A-BAT that was shown a year ago? That was a compact concept truck. Although its a uni-body design, but if you want to save on gas and just haul crap around wouldn't that be the best bet? A small uni-body truck would be much lighter, and could have the 2.7 I4 in it and get 30+MPG. Or even come in a plug in Hybrid version... I would hop on that deal real quick. But i would still need me a 4x4 tacoma in the driveway!

 

Kinda looks like and Acura MDX and a Honda Ridgeling collided and forged this. Im not a fan.

 

It would be a good idea to have a smaller truck, and have the midsize. now if someone wants a compact truck, they pretty much have no choice but to buy a Ford Ranger.
There are far more people who buy the Tacoma as a DD/weekend warrior that the extra space sells better than the smaller more nimble truck would IMO.

 

yeah my '09 reg cab is alot bigger than my '88 reg cab was...i would say the taco is mid sized now...i am a fan of small compact vehicles....like i hate driving or parking my dad's dodge ram 1500....it's so long and wide enough to take up the whole lane while driving....i liked the compacts cuz you can see the edge of the road while driving and fit into smaller areas when parking and such....it's the same reason why i didn't like my bro's 350z when i drove it...it seemed too long....like the hood just went on forever and i was sitting way back in the car....my mitsu evo ix mr is totally opposite...like i can see everything in the road and the driving feel is so much better and the hood is short....then again i'm 5' 9"...i'm sure people that are 6' and taller like the bigger cars for the room.....i prefer the compacts but for some reason cars just seem to get bigger and bigger

 

Don't get me started on the honda ridgeline...

 

It's the size of previous gen Tundra. It's the size of many 90s era and earlier half-tons. It has over a half-ton of payload itself. The term "half-ton pickup" originated from payload. Most modern full size trucks have over 2000lbs payload or close to it.

America has gotten fat and so have the vehicles driven here. Full-size is the new mid-size, and enormous is the new full-size. Line a current F-150 up next to a 1995 F-150 and see what kind of size difference you notice.

The Tacoma is definitely "mid-size" insomuch as mid-size arguably exists. Calling it compact is hilarious.

As for returning to the compact market, I think Toyota is letting Nissan test those waters, as Nissan intends to go back to the compact market with the next generation Frontier.

 

I believe they will have to come back with a compact truck. Especially if they plan on using hybrid technology! I just don't see how they can sustain sales on TACO's with gas prices and CAFE requirements put on them by the government.