Toyota Set to Launch the 2016 Tacoma at the Detroit Auto Show

2016 Toyota Tacoma Teaser Image (Credit: © Toyota)

The midsize pickup truck segment is the next big thing for automakers, as truck buyers are looking to grab smaller, more fuel-efficient models that they can still use to tug around a loaded-down trailer. The latest additions — the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon — blew the lid off of the segment with their mix of power, fuel efficiency and style, leaving the one-time segment leader, the Toyota Tacoma, scrambling to play catch up. Apparently, this game of catch up will take place at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show.

That’s right, the all-new 2016 Toyota Tacoma will debut on January 12, 2015 at the Detroit Auto Show. The details on the new Tacoma are fairly scarce at this point, but Toyota did release a teaser image that shows off the new tailgate and bumper. The latter will feature recessed “TACOMA” lettering, similar to what the 2015 Tundra has on its tailgate. Other than that single detail, the rest of the new Tacoma’s body is a complete mystery.

We have seen plenty of spy shots of a Toyota Hilux testing, which could possibly be the basis for the American Tacoma. Many moons ago, the Hilux was available in the U.S., but the name was dropped in 1976, leaving the pickup literally unnamed until the Tacoma name arrived midway through the 1995 model year. So it is quite possible that Toyota could merge the Hilux and Tacoma like it did the Hilux and the unnamed Toyota pickup of yesteryear.

Under the hood, things are a bit of a mystery, but it is well-known that one of the new Tacoma’s main focuses needs to be increased fuel economy. At just 25 mpg highway from its base, four-cylinder engine, the Tacoma is worse off than the 3.6-liter, V-6 version of the Colorado, which gets 26 mpg highway. Chances are we’ll see a smaller-displacement, direct-injected four-cylinder take the place of the ancient 2.7-liter, and we’ll likely see the range-topping 4.0-liter get a nice makeover to increase its power and boost fuel economy.  Additionally, Toyota can boost economy with more modern transmissions, including a seven- or eight-speed auto.

This leaves just one gaping hole between the Tacoma and the Colorado, and that is in the diesel-power department. The Colorado will soon offer a 2.8-liter, four-cylinder Duramax diesel and even the next-generation Frontier is reportedly getting diesel power, but the chances of Toyota offering a diesel are slim, according to TruckTrend’s report on the new Toyota. Then again, given the huge success of the Ram Ecodiesel and the clamoring for the Colorado’s diesel engine, maybe Toyota sees some value in adding one to its Tacoma lineup.

We’ll find out all of the details soon enough, as the Detroit Auto show is just around the corner. Keep it locked here for all of the updates.