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| Editors' Most Wanted Vehicles for 2002 |
Small Pickup
 Winner: Toyota
Tacoma
"A rugged, dependable, pickup for the discerning pickup buyer."
If we had to choose a compact pickup to park in our own garages, Toyota's Tacoma
would be our first choice. With the 2001 release of the cool S-Runner Xtracab
and the practical Double Cab, Toyota now has an incredibly varied small pickup
lineup, and no matter which one you choose, you can feel confident that it's solidly
constructed and will likely provide years of reliable service. Tacomas are available
in three body styles — regular cab, Xtracab (that is, extended cab) and Double
Cab (crew cab) — with either two- or four-wheel drive. For those who don't
want the added expense and weight of a four-wheel-drive system but still want
a measure of off-road functionality and styling, Toyota offers the PreRunner models,
which have benefited from considerable suspension tuning and development work
with Toyota Motorsports desert racing truck program. You can buy a Tacoma with
one of three engines. Two-wheel-drive trucks get a 2.4-liter four-cylinder base
engine, rated at 142 horsepower and 160 pound-feet of torque. Tacoma 4x4s and
2WD PreRunners earn a 2.7-liter four with 150 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque.
Standard on Double-Cab and optional on Xtracab models is a DOHC 24-valve V6 that
whips out 190 horses and 220 lb-ft of torque; the S-Runner sport pickup gets this
powerplant with 2WD and a manual gearbox and is, therefore, a rather intoxicating
drive. Additionally, a fully warranted supercharger is available from Toyota Racing
Development (TRD) for the 3.4-liter, boosting output to 260 horsepower. When properly
equipped, the Tacoma can tow up to 5,000 pounds. Optional SR5 and Limited trim
packages increase the allotment of modern-day amenities in these pickups, and
4WD Tacomas with the TRD Off-Road package are unbeatable on rocky trails. Greatness
doesn't come cheap, of course, but we think it's worth it to spend a little more
for the proficiency and dependability of the Tacoma.
Honorable Mention: Dodge
Dakota
While Dodge's Dakota isn't backed by legendary reliability, we consider it one
of the most well-rounded small pickups on the market. Larger than most of its
compact competitors, the Dakota is more of a midsize pickup and thus provides
roomier accommodations for driver and passenger(s). And with V8 engine choices,
it's better suited to towing and hauling tasks. The Dakota comes in Regular, Club
and Quad Cab body styles with two- or four-wheel drive. A fuel-efficient 120-horsepower
2.5-liter four-cylinder is standard in 2WD Regular and Club Cabs, but all Dakotas
have access to a 3.9-liter V6 that cranks out 175 horsepower and 225 lb-ft of
torque. Optional V8s include a 4.7-liter good for 230 horsepower and 295 lb-ft
of twist and a 5.9-liter that pumps out 250 horses and an earth-shaking 335 lb-ft
of torque. Certainly, Dakotas aren't fuel misers, but they generally deliver a
comfortable ride whether on pavement or off-road, and when optioned with one of
the V8s, they're incredibly powerful, too.
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