Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road essentials: Easy to drive, but this ain't no 'compact' pickup

Gallery: 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off Road

What is it: A compact truck only by today’s standards, the Tacoma TRD comes with some factory added off-road chops. The TRD Off Road models are midgrade among the Tacoma trim lines, above the SR, SR5, and TRD Sport, but below the Limited and TRD Pro. Under the hood is a 3.5-liter V6, which is good for 278 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque.

Key Competitors: Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon, Honda Ridgeline, Nissan Frontier

Base Price: $36,475 As-Tested Price: $40,617

Highlights: Toyota introduced a new Tacoma in 2016 -- 2017 brought a fresh batch of TRD Pro models replete with lift and a skidplate, as well as off-road springs, shocks and tires. This being a TRD Off-Road model, it has Bilstein shocks but not the other flashy bits. All 4x4 Tacoma models come with an electronically controlled transfer case and an open differential with software to use the brakes to mimic a mechanical limited-slip diff. Toyota calls it an automatic limited-slip. This Tacoma came equipped with the Premium & Technology Package, which includes things like blind spot monitoring, an upgraded stereo and dual zone climate control.

Our Opinion: The combination of a double cab and long bed in this Tacoma results in a 225.5-inch truck -- that’s nearly 19 feet long! So this particular model is not parallel-parking friendly, and you have to stop and chuckle at the fact this is technically considered a small truck. It’s a truck. One with an over 6-foot-long bed capable of carrying 1,120 pounds. And one that can tow 6,400 pounds. Those numbers are big enough that full-size trucks bragged about them 20 years ago.

Fortunately, the double cab also includes a fifth seatbelt and plenty of room for people and stuff. The seats are fabric and comfy. The controls are well laid out, easy to find and use. The Bilstein shocks help make the on-road ride plenty soft and pleasant. It’s a simple machine that goes about its business without concern.

The V6 and six-speed automatic work well, chugging down the freeway trouble free. Fuel economy is 18 city, 23 highway, 20 combined. And this is perhaps the biggest irony. I recently drove a Ford F-150 with a smaller turbo V6 and 10-speed automatic that achieves better official fuel economy numbers. Fans of the show "Stranger Things" would recognize this as the Upsidedown. Regardless, this Tacoma checks all my truck-needs boxes in an easy to manage, fine to drive package.

--Robin Warner, managing editor