The 2007 Tacoma was launched at the 2004 Chicago Auto Show for the model year 2005. The 2007 Tacoma offers an option of eighteen different configurations. It is available in two-wheel-drive (2WD) and 4-wheel-drive (4WD) versions and can seat up to five passengers.

The 2007 Tacoma is offered in two bed lengths and in three body styles: Regular Cab, Access Cab, and Double Cab.

The Tacoma Regular Cab is available in three trim options: 4X2, PreRunner, and 4X4. The Tacoma Access Cab is available in four trim options: 4X2, PreRunner, 4X4, and X-Runner. The Tacoma Double Cab is offered in two trim options: PreRunner and 4X4.

The 2007 Tacoma comes with some improvements in comparison to its previous version. It has a revised seating system and a new engine which runs on any type of gasoline except diesel and delivers better fuel economy than the previous models. Toyota also added two new interior colors for the 2007 model year.

Designed on the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado layout, the 2007 Toyota Tacoma gives competition to the Toyota Hilux, Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, Toyota 4Runner/Hilux Surf, Toyota Tundra, and the Toyota FJ Cruiser.

The 2007 Tacoma comes with a powertrain warranty for five years or 60,000 miles and a bumper-to-bumper warranty for three years or 36,000 miles.

The Access Cab X-Runner and all trims of the Double Cab derive power from a 4.0-liter DOHC EFI V6 engine that delivers 236 hp and 266 lb-ft. of torque. Equipped with the V6 engine, the Tacoma can tow cargo weighing up to 6,500 pounds.

Both the engines come with the advantage of Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i), a technology that continuously varies the timing of the intake camshaft, or both the intake and exhaust camshafts depending on application.

A choice of 4-speed automatic transmission (AT) with overdrive, 5-speed AT with overdrive, 5-speed manual transmission (MT) with overdrive, and 6-speed MT is offered on different trim options of the 2007 Tacoma.

With the 4-speed AT overdrive transmission, the Tacoma can be driven for 21 miles in the city and 27 miles on the highway per gallon of fuel. The fuel economy with the 5-speed AT overdrive is 18 and 22 mpg for city and highway respectively. The 5-speed MT overdrive accomplishes 19/28 mpg (city/highway). With the 6-speed MT, the Tacoma can cruise for 16 and 21 miles per gallon in city and highway respectively.

Tacoma’s front fascia is dominated by big crystal clear headlights and a bold grille.

Standard features on all the trims are extremely basic except for Access Cab X-Runner which comes standard with fog-lamps, overfenders, grille surround, door handles, power mirrors, and a body kit. The Access Cab PreRunner/4X4, Double Cab PreRunner/4X4, and the Regular Cab PreRunner/4X4 feature standard Black overfenders.

The Regular Cab 4X2 and Access Cab 4X2 stand on 15-inch steel wheels with P215/70R15 tires. The Regular Cab PreRunner/4X4, Access Cab PreRunner/4X4, and the Double Cab PreRunner/4X4 come standard with 16-inch styled steel wheels with P245/75R16 tires. The Access Cab X-Runner comes standard with 18-inch alloy wheels of 255/45R18 Bridgestone Potenza RE 050A tires.

Fuel capacity of the trims fitted with the 2.7-liter engine is 17.5 gallons while that of the trims powered by 4.0-liter engines is 21.1 gallons.

The Regular Cab comes standard with a cloth-faced tilt-forward bench seat along with adjustable headrests. The Access Cab 4X2, PreRunner/4X4, and Double Cab come standard with fabric-trimmed front bucket seats with passenger-side fold-flat seat, adjustable headrests and center console. These seats are available as an option package on the Regular Cab PreRunner/4X4. The Access Cab X-Runner offers comfort with its sport fabric and a driver’s-seat adjustable lumbar support.

The Access Cab comes standard with tumble-flat rear seats with under-seat storage. The Double Cab features standard driver’s seat with adjustable lumbar support and 60/40 split rear bench seat with adjustable headrests and under-seat storage.

The Regular Cab is available with the option of a defroster-linked air conditioning, which comes as a standard on the Access Cab and the Double Cab. An overhead console with map-lights, garage door opener bin, and sunglass storage is common to the Access Cab and the Double Cab.

The Double Cab and the Access Cab X-Runner come standard with power windows, door locks, and outside mirrors, available as part of an option package on the Access Cab 4X2 and PreRunner/4X4. The Access Cab X-Runner also gets a standard leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift lever, available as an option package on the other trims of the Access Cab and the Double Cab.

All Tacoma trims feature LED-illuminated gauges with speedometer, tachometer, coolant temperature/fuel level gauges and warning light, digital clock, and tripmeter. A tilt/telescopic steering wheel is common across all the trims. For added convenience, all trims come standard with dual 12V auxiliary power outlets and cup-holders.

For entertainment, the Regular Cab, the Double Cab, the Access Cab 4X2, and PreRunner/4X4 come with an AM/FM/CD player. The Regular Cab comes with four speakers while the Double Cab and the Access Cab feature six speakers each.

However, the Access Cab X-Runner boasts of an AM/FM/CD system with a 6-disc changer, six speakers, and steering wheel audio controls, optional for the other Access Cab and Double Cab trims.

While the 2.7-liter engine produces sufficient power, the 4.0-liter V6 engine is certainly a better option. It employs dual overhead camshafts (DOHC) and VVT-i to improve the delivery of power as well as torque. The 4.0-liter engine gives refined and responsive performance. It also offers better fuel economy than the 2.7-liter engine. Its V6 engine offers sufficient power, agile handling, appreciable ride comfort, and an overall refined performance.

All Tacomas are maneuvered by a variable-assist power rack-and-pinion steering, which is highly responsive. It detects the amount of assist required to maneuver the vehicle, depending on the road condition and makes the Tacoma cruise well and nicely.

Both, the 4-speed AT and the 5-speed AT are very responsive and smooth. They downshift quickly when the throttle is mashed and offer four and five ratios respectively to maintain the engine at its most favorable rpm. They also offer better fuel economy than the MT. The 6-speed MT also shifts easily but its first gear leaves a broad stretch to the second one.

All the trims ride on coil-spring double wishbone suspension in the front and leaf spring suspension with staggered outboard-mounted gas shock absorbers in the rear. With these kinds of suspensions, the 2007 Tacoma is not just good on-road, but does extremely well in off-road conditions as well. However, based on the payload, it may behave differently.

Power-assisted ventilated disc brakes in the front and drum brakes with tandem booster in the rear provide ample stopping capability to the Tacoma’s wheels. These brakes are sharp yet smooth and can bring the Tacoma to a quick halt, when applied.

The Access Cab comes standard with a front passenger airbag cutoff switch. The Access Cab X-Runner features a cruise control and remote keyless entry system. The Double Cab and all Access Cab trims with the exception of the 4X2 come standard with an engine immobilizer to prevent theft of the vehicle.

Besides these features, all Tacoma trims come standard with a 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist to prevent any mishap.