Toyota Tacoma Earns 2005 Motor Trend Truck of the Year Award

MOTOR TREND magazine, recently announced the selection of the Toyota Tacoma as the 2005 MOTOR TREND Truck of the Year. Each year, MOTOR TREND evaluates all new eligible pickup trucks and awards the truck that most clearly raises the bar in the category, specifically in terms of superiority, significance value. The Toyota Tacoma pickup truck beat out its competition that included the Dodge Dakota, Ford F-250/F-350 Super Duty, Nissan Frontier and Hummer H2 SUT.

"The new Tacoma is a good example of Toyota listening to its customers and delivering the best materials, fit and finish for its price class," stated Angus MacKenzie, editor in chief of MOTOR TREND. "Buyers get Toyota's legendary durability and quality in a beautifully built little truck. Proving there is no penalty for buying a reasonably priced, more fuel-efficient truck, especially significant in this time of rising fuel prices, the 2005 Toyota Tacoma is truly deserving of the title of MOTOR TREND Truck of the Year."

Factors contributing to Toyota's first place award include the 2005 Tacoma's interior and exterior designed as more engaging, while preserving affordability. The new base 2.7-liter VVT-i four-cylinder engine produces 164 horsepower and 183 pound-feet of torque, while the optional 4.0-liter V6 engine outputs 245 horsepower and 282 pound-feet of torque. Buyers also have a choice of three cabin configurations, two bed lengths and two or four wheel drive to configure a Tacoma to suit their individual needs.

"Toyota came out swinging from the get-go with a huge a roster of truck variants," continued MacKenzie. "With 18 different configurations, the Tacoma is the broadband of the segment and full of surprise and delight features."