The majority of automobile enthusiasts haven’t even had a chance to get a proper eye-to-eye with the 2016 edition, but people are already speculating about the Toyota Tacoma 2017 – that’s how you know that a brand is successful and on point. However, I’m happy to say that the very first exhibition of the long-anticipated 2017 edition, as well as the Tacoma 2017 TRD model took place at the Detroit Auto Show 2016. And the great news is we’ve got a lot of new and exciting developments from the engineering team and I can tell you right now that this mid-size pick-up truck will be the talk of the town in 2016. So, if you’ve been saving up some lunch money for the 2015 or 2016 edition, me and many folks on the web (experts included) advice to wait out a year or two, keep that money in the box, and get ready for the 2017 edition – many changes are in order and the price-tag is promised to be roughly the same. That’s been Toyota’s key element in the world-wide success: never raise the price too high so that even the most loyal fans can’t pay for it anymore. That’s pretty smart, and that’s why we – the customers – love the Japanese.

A Mighty Line-Up For 2017

Alright, so, I’ve been to the Detroit Show, and can tell you first-hand that it’s not gonna be a big-time revolution; rather a serious improvement on the good-old second gen. It’s ok, though, as for the last several years Toyota has been perfecting the truck to a point where you can’t really think of anything new. True, they’ve been a bit lazy in 2015 and 2016, but the company has the ideal combination of a mighty powertrain, edgy, up-to-date looks and a hunger for anything wild and free. Both the Toyota Tacoma 2017 and the TRD edition are being manufactured in Michigan, so, we’re back to the roots again. Both trucks will be available late 2016/early 2017 and will follow a huge line-up of upcoming releases. That’s right, despite the fact that 2017 is a year away from now, the majority of the automobile giants have already announced the 2017 editions of their world-famous models.

Toyota Tacoma 2017 Engines

And the upcoming Toyota Tacoma 2017 is, obviously, shaping up to be one of the hottest rides in the nearest future. As y’all might already know, Toyota’s trucks are super popular here in America and they rival fiercely against the mighty pick-ups from Ford, Dodge and Chevrolet. Thanks to the now-legendary reliability, durability and exterior design, the Tacoma is one hell of a truck to conquer those US jungles, forests and deserts with. I have to mention that there was some talk about Toyota finally introducing that mighty 5.0-lit V8 turbo-diesel engine from Cummings, but don’t get it confused: The V8 is for the Tundra, not the Tacoma. For the best-selling mid-size truck the company has a variety of engines in store for us.

The first one is the good-old 2.7-lit 4-cyl unit that’s good for 162HP, 180 pound-feet of torque and combined fuel-efficiency of 21MPG (23 miles per gallon on the highway, 19MPG in the city).  I’m not really sure about the mighty 3.5-lit V6, because Toyota never said anything about it. My guess is they’ll stick with it for a while, but are going to let go of in 2017. However, it’s quite a strong engine: you’ve got 278 horsepower, 265 lb-ft of torque and 21MPG combined. Both engines will be available in RWD (rear-wheel drive) and FWD (four-wheel drive). As for the transimisison, the RWD editions will come with a 6-speed automatic, while the 4x4s will also be available with two manual transmissions: a 5-speed for the 4-cylinder and a 6-speed for the V6).

Atkinson-Cycle + A Truck? Why Not!

Alright, so, what about the other engine that everybody’s been talking about? Well, embrace yourselves, because with the Toyota Tacoma 2017 the company is starting a riot on the market of pick-ups: the first-ever Atkinson cycle engine, implemented into a walking-talking truck! It’s basically the same hybrid technology that’s been at the heart of the Prius for the last 15+ years. Yeah, that’s how long it took the company to “befriend” this tech with the Tacoma! If you think about it, that’s actually a big breakthrough, because even though the Prius and all the other hybrid cars out there have proven their worth to the community, to pack a legendary truck with the Atkinson-cycle engine is a whole another story. The good news is, Toyota finally introduced it at the Detroit show and it’s called 2GR-FSEV6. The unit is a 3.5-liter and good for 300HP. It’s mated to combined fuel injection and feels great on the road.

Toyota Tacoma 2017 – Better In Every Sense

Overall, the Toyota Tacoma 2017 is going to be a giant evolutionary step for the brand. Expect a redesign of everything, including the exterior, the interior, the dashboard and the layout. I’m not saying that you’ll be amazed by a completely restyled and updated Tacoma. On the contrary: it looks and feels pretty much like the 2014, 2015 and 2016 editions, but there are some pretty important updates and upgrades. Even though the truck has been sharing the same platform with the 4Runner SUV, that’s gonna change in 2017. Right now, everybody’s excited about the brand-new Kaizen platform (sounds really Japanese, doesn’t it?) that Toyota is cooking up in its factories. Ambitions are high, as the company is trying to achieve a lighter bodyweight with light-weight materials that aren’t even a public knowledge yet.

Yep, it’s not going to be the same aluminum architecture that Ford is using in the latest F150 truck and all the SUVs – it’s something different. However, as you can see, both companies are working towards the same goal: light-weight materials that will drop a couple of mighty pounds and thus make the trucks faster, stronger and more fuel-efficient. I’m sure General Motors and Dodge are working on something in the same direction as well, they’re just not that quick to share any news with us

The Interior – Making Baby Steps

So, after 11-12 years on the market of mid-size pick-up trucks, the Toyota Tacoma 2017 looks a bit old and outdated on the inside. You can almost feel that each part of the cabin was designed in a way to achieve maximum durability, with little to no concern about luxury. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still pretty great to be behind the wheel, and your buddies on the back will have tons of funs – that wolf-pack kind of fun, if you know what I mean And after a decade it’s still the best pick for camping out somewhere in the wild with your friends and telling scary stories and fairy tales under the moonlight. The dashboard looks sleeker than ever, with a 6.1-inch touchscreen (7.0-inches if you go with the highest trims), user-friendly buttons, knobs and a very “masculine” attitude. Plus, expect dual-zone (automatic) climate control, heating for the front seats and keyless ignition.

Toyota Tacoma 2017 – New Headlights, New Upholstery And 3 Trims

Everything else, including the seats, the leg-room/head-room and the cargo capacity in the Toyota Tacoma 2017 is redesigned as well: the cargo room is as good as new, and we’ll get leather upholstery as standard from now on. Now, judging by the sales, the customers really loved the old layout, but it’s time to move forward! There’re gonna be three trim levels to choose from, including the world-famous Double Cab, the Access Cab, and the “Cab Long Bed”. The brand-new platform will feature new steel outer body panels, new headlights and slightly redesigned front and rear bumpers. So, as you can see, the Toyota Tacoma 2017 is going to be one hell of a mid-size truck. With the 2016 edition’s high standards for reliability and safety, and the new features promised, we’re looking at a prime pick-up truck that only a very small bunch will be able to compete with.

Toyota Tacoma 2017 – Summing Up

So, at the end of the day, the new Tacoma is gonna be a 100% workhorse: lean, mean, and ready to rumble. Now, as I told you, me and a lot of cool people predict the Toyota Tacoma 2017 to have a mighty impact on the industry, thanks to the new platform and, of course, the Atkinson-cycle engine. That’s two major upgrades for one model year, folks! I’ve got my fingers crossed for Toyota and am really excited to test-drive this thing in real life. However, I’m not worried, because all I can say at this moment is – this is Toyota, and they will find a way to make just the perfect move with this model – they seem to always do that. No info on the pricing, though, but it’s predicted to be the same as for the 2015 and 2016 editions – starting at 21-22K – that’s fair. Alright, guys, stay tuned and stay frosty – you never know when the magic’s gonna happen.

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