Toyota continues to offer a six-speed manual transmission in the Tacoma TRD Off-Road, making it the sole remaining new pickup truck with a stick shift in the United States. This option caters to a niche group of buyers who value driver engagement, but comes with slight performance tradeoffs.
The Vanishing Manual Transmission
The manual Tacoma is a response to declining demand for manual transmissions in vehicles. With Jeep discontinuing the manual Gladiator, Toyota now holds the exclusive market for stick-shift trucks. The decision to keep the manual option reflects Toyota’s willingness to serve a small but dedicated enthusiast base, even as the automotive industry shifts toward automatics.
Trim Levels and Power
The manual transmission is available on four-door, four-wheel-drive models across several trims: SR, TRD Sport, and TRD Off-Road. The SR trim offers the most affordable manual option at $38,700, while the TRD Off-Road costs $44,110. Power output varies between the manual and automatic versions. The manual SR produces 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque, whereas the automatic SR has 228 horsepower and 243 lb-ft. Higher trims see a smaller power difference, with the manual TRD Off-Road making slightly less than its automatic counterpart.
Features and Upgrades
The TRD Off-Road can be upgraded with a $4,825 package including heated seats, a premium JBL stereo, and a trailer brake controller. Additional options include a $1,230 front anti-roll bar disconnect for improved suspension articulation. The Tacoma also features 400-watt AC outlets in the bed and cabin, as well as a detachable Bluetooth speaker integrated into the sound system.
Performance and Efficiency
The manual Tacoma’s performance lags behind the automatic model in acceleration tests. It reaches 60 mph in 7.9 seconds, 0.9 seconds slower than the automatic version. The quarter-mile time is also slower at 16.1 seconds versus 15.3 seconds for the automatic. Fuel economy is slightly worse with the manual, averaging 18 mpg city, 23 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined, compared to the automatic’s 19/24/21 mpg.
Driving Experience
The manual Tacoma’s driving experience is characterized by a noticeable “rev hang” during upshifts, requiring drivers to adapt by shifting earlier to maintain smooth acceleration. The transmission’s design prioritizes a progressive torque curve, peaking at 2800 rpm, while horsepower peaks at 5400 rpm. Despite the performance tradeoffs, the manual offers a unique driving feel that many enthusiasts appreciate. Toyota also included a no-clutch start feature for off-road situations, allowing drivers to engage first gear without rolling backward.
Towing Capacity
The manual Tacoma maintains the same 6,400-pound towing capacity as the automatic model, ensuring it remains a practical choice for hauling and work applications.
In conclusion, the Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road manual is a last-of-its-kind vehicle that caters to a shrinking but passionate enthusiast base. It offers a unique driving experience at the cost of slight performance compromises, making it an ideal choice for those who prioritize engagement over pure speed.
