Skip to main content

Toyota’s redesigned 2016 Tacoma cuts low-end model variants and will start at $22,200

Toyota revealed its 2016 Tacoma back in January, but beyond its redesigned body, information about the midsize truck has been limited.

Thanks to a leaked document that was published on Tacoma World’s forums, however, pricing information has become available. Not only do we now have a price range, we can see that Toyota has trimmed the, uh, trims for the 2016 model year. Most notably, the single cab Tacoma is not listed, nor is the TRD Pro variant (though TRD Sport and TRD Off-Road versions are listed).

A two-wheel drive manual version is also not in the cards this time around. There will still be about 28 permutations of the Tacoma, including a mix of two or four-wheel drive, short or long bed, access or full four-door cabs, and four or six cylinder engines.

The entry level Tacoma, the Access Cab SR 4×2, will start at $22,200 and will come with a six-speed automatic transmission and a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine. The new starting price is approximately $1,200 more expensive than the entry level 2015 Tacoma.

On the other end of the spectrum, the most expensive Tacoma version will be the Limited, which comes with a V6, four-wheel drive, and a $39,375 price tag. Expect the burlier TRD Pro to return sometime in the future with a bigger price tag, but for now, the Limited wears that crown. Keep in mind that these prices don’t include destination and delivery, which costs an additional $885 on the 2015 models.

The documents also reveal that Toyota must sell 30% of its Tacomas with a bed-cover to meet CAFE requirements. Apparently, the fuel economy ratings are different enough with the cover that Toyota wants to advertise them, and the only way to do that is if less than 1/3 of its 2016 Tacoma models are sold with the accessory. It will cost $650 on most versions, but is included on Limited and TRD models with the Premium and Tech package.

The 2016 Tacoma is distinguished from the current generation by its reinforced frame for better rigidity, redesigned interior and exterior, updated infotainment system, new 3.5-liter V6, LED running lights, a wireless phone charging pad, and new safety features.

Miles Branman
Miles Branman doesn't need sustenance; he needs cars. While the gearhead gene wasn't strong in his own family, Miles…
This week in EV tech: Audi exemplifies auto industry’s EV holding pattern
Close-up of 2025 Audi SQ5 grille, headlight, and badge.

The road to the future runs through the present, and it’s not a straight line. This week, we’re focusing on how Audi is negotiating the twists and turns on the way to an electrified future. EVs are here to stay at Audi, but a gasoline crossover SUV is still the automaker’s bestselling model, and it’s not ready to risk those sales just yet. That’s why the 2025 Audi Q5 received a top-to-bottom overhaul for this model year, bringing its tech features and styling up to date without altering the what has proven to be a very popular package. By maintaining parallel lineups of electric and internal-combustion cars, Audi hopes to give customers more choices. But that doesn’t completely level the playing field. The new Q5 may have yesterday’s powertrain, but Audi isn’t holding back on tech. It features the same electrical architecture, operating system, and three-screen dashboard display as the latest Audi EVs, like the Q6 e-tron. So aside from a little engine noise, there’s little difference in what you can see and interact with from the driver’s seat. It’s not just the infotainment systems. The Q5 and Q6 e-tron are close in size, with similar space for passengers across their two rows of seats. The Q6 e-tron has a bit more cargo space, but not as much as you’d think given the lack of a bulky engine, transmission, and driveshafts. The two SUVs also have similar styling but, having now driven both, we can say that the Q5 is the more pleasant of the two.

More than a difference of powertrain tech

Read more
Take a peek inside the factory making tomorrow’s ride
A Zoox robotaxi.

Amazon-owned Zoox has opened its first facility producing fully autonomous robotaxis. 

A video (above) released by the California-based company offers a peek inside the factory, which, when it reaches full capacity, could roll out as many as 10,000 autonomous vehicles per year.

Read more
The week in EV tech: 900 miles, 12 minutes—EV charging just hit warp speed
byd 900 miles 12 minutes seal

Welcome to Digital Trends’ weekly recap of the revolutionary technology powering, connecting, and now driving next-gen electric vehicles. 
If you’re hesitant about electric vehicles (EV), it’s likely that your top concerns include how far you can drive in a single charge, how long it takes to charge the battery, and how much this advanced tech will cost you. And you're not alone.
According to Deloitte’s 2025 Global Automotive Consumer Study, nearly half of U.S. consumers (49%) still say that available battery driving range is their biggest worry about EVs. That’s followed closely by the time required to charge (46%) and the lingering cost premium (44%) associated with battery electric vehicles.
But that narrative may finally be flipping. Just this past week, two developments showcase how much EV technology has evolved over the past decade: China’s BYD is breaking new grounds on just how far you can drive an EV on a single 12-minute charge. Meanwhile, the Nissan Leaf, seen as the first mass-market EV in 2010, is getting an impressive upgrade even as it remains one of the most affordable options on the market.

BYD’s bold battery bet
Chinese auto giant BYD, already the world’s top-selling EV manufacturer, may have just redrawn the limits of battery performance. According to Chinese media, and other reports, the company is testing a new solid-state battery that can add 900 miles of range in just 12 minutes of charging.
Let that sink in. That’s nearly four times the range of many current EVs—enough to drive from New York to Chicago —and charging that’s as fast as a coffee stop.

Read more