2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro

MSRP: $44,325

Specs: 3.5 Liter V6 / 278 HP & 265 TQ

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Guy who did stuff: Yousef Alvi

This current generation Toyota Tacoma shouldn’t work in today’s world. Comparing it to the likes of it’s closest competitor, the Ford Ranger, it comes up short in almost every category. From horsepower, torque to fuel economy and even NVH…the Tacoma get it’s sculpted butt walloped!

Because, this Tacoma has something that no other midsize truck has right now…soul.

You can boil it down to how analog everything is in this Tacoma. From it’s gauges down to it’s HVAC controls, the Tacoma doesn’t suffer from the digitalfication (a word I just made up but will soon Trademark) of everything. It’s sheer analog nature is what makes this truck so damn special! Everything has a feel to it! From it’s buttons, knobs and down to the simple gear selector…the Tacoma has that warm physicality to it’s controls that breds an affection to it.

In other words, as the automotive world veers itself into that cold sterile digital display void, the simple act of twisting a physical knob or pushing a button becomes something special. Because that act is storing ‘touch, weight, feel, tacility and placement’ to your memory and muscles. It helps one to actually bond with a vehicle instead of learning a vehicle.

So, let’s go ahead and break down the 2021 Toyota Tacoma: