By Tacoma is going strong into next season. The truck is finally getting a diesel engine after years of rumors. That will make it more competitive and off-road oriented. Imagine what this kind of powertrain can do in combination with a TRD Pro suite. The new TRD Pro! The 2020 Toyota Tacoma will be unstoppable. Mud, sand, forest, desert, snow… it will take you everywhere. The good thing is that the price is not going to be affected by these upgrades.
The return of the Ford Ranger woke up the entire mid-size truck segment. FCA already plans the return of the Dodge Dakota, and the company already released Jeep Gladiator. Chevy will develop the new generation of Colorado, and 2020 Toyota Tacoma is going to add some versatility to the lineup. The pickup already offers four-pot and V6 engines. New additions will be diesel and hybrid. Yes, that is right – the same combination that comes for the new Highlander will be under Tacoma’s bonnet.
2020 Toyota Tacoma Engines, Specs, Towing Capacity
Let’s start from the base configuration. The 2020 Toyota Tacoma will use a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine as the standard setup. This drivetrain is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission that routes power to two or all wheels. The combo is good for 160 hp and 180 lb-ft of power. It is still a respectable output that is capable to tow 3,500 lbs. The engine is not so fuel-friendly, with only 21 mpg combined.
Compared to this gas mileage, it seems like V6 is a better choice. The larger displacement is capable to develop 280 hp and still make better mpg rating. With 19/24 mpg for city/highway, it is hard to believe the V6 consumes less gasoline. But, it is thanks to a different setup. Also, the engine can also get a six-speed manual transmission as a power router. In this case, the mileage drops to 19 mpg combined for 2WD and 18 mpg for 4WD. The detail that can make you choose this model over others is the towing capacity of 7,000 pounds. Except the Chevy Colorado Diesel (and its twin GMC Canyon), no other mid-size truck can tow more.
2020 Toyota Tacoma Diesel
It’s been few years since we are listening about the diesel engine for the new Tacoma. It is finally happening. Many things mad the Japanese company to speed up the release date of the 2020 Toyota Tacoma. First of all, there is a return of the Ford Ranger, which will also get a diesel engine in the US. European and Australian buyers can already buy this truck with such configuration. Also, full-size trucks from all major companies are getting diesel, so Toyota has to react to stay competitive.
As one of the best-selling models in the mid-size segment, Tacoma can only benefit from the diesel engine. On the other hand, the scandal caused by VW and Audi fake reports made EPA control more strict. So, the pickup will have to wait until 2020 to get a green light from this association.
According to rumors, the 2020 Toyota Tacoma Diesel will be powered by a 1KD-FTV engine. It is a 3.0-liter displacement that will be able to match the output of Tacoma’s major competitor – Chevy Colorado. Total 180 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque should be good for at least 7,500 pounds of maximum towing capacity. Fans are sure the company will go after 8,000 lbs (300 pounds more than the segment-best Colorado).
The other possibility is a 2.8-liter D-4D engine we can find in HiLux truck. This model is not available in the US, although there are rumors that Toyota could bring it overseas from Europe. A D-4D engine is capable to produce between 150-190 hp and 295-320 lb-ft of torque. We will see what kind of setup will be prepared for the 2020 Toyota Tacoma Diesel.
Hybrid Rather Than a Diesel?
With another season without a diesel engine, experts started to speculate about the hybrid truck. We can’t say these are shots in the dark, since the pickup is using the same petrol drivetrain as the Highlander, and the SUV is available with a hybrid setup. Furthermore, the scandal with diesel engines could reflect on sales and the entire automotive industry is being electrified recently. With such trucks expected to appear sooner or later, Toyota must be ready.
The 2020 Toyota Tacoma Hybrid will be a turnaround. A greener truck will get a 3.5-liter engine mated to a battery pack and delivers 310 hp. Well, this kind of configuration is not the best option for towing. The hybrid setup drops the capacity to 3,500 pounds. Truck’s configuration could make it up to 4,000 lbs. An eight-speed transmission sends power to wheels. The truck will gain more miles and go up to 28 mpg for city drive.
2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro
Tacoma, Tundra, and 4Runner SUV are only three vehicles that offer the TRD Pro package, an upgraded version of an off-road suite. The new set of features will include special suspension and shocks that make the 2020 Toyota Tacoma unstoppable. When we add a torque of the diesel engine, it is really hard to imagine how competition is going to deal with it. Chevy Colorado ZR2 and Nissan Frontier Pro-4X are going to respond definitely. This promises an interesting season for mid-size truck fans, especially Tacoma’s fans.
Skid plates are there to protect the underbody. The 2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro will also get all-terrain tires and unique wheels. Fox suspension and shocks are tuned for the toughest conditions – deserts, snow, mud, sand, cold, and hot weather. Of course, there is also a lot of TRD Pro badging all around the truck.
2020 Toyota Tacoma Release Date
The new 2020 Toyota Tacoma will debut in mid-2019. We believe the diesel version is going to be ready by then, while fans will have to wait for slightly more for the hybrid model. Other changes will include minor cosmetic updates and interior modifications. Of course, the infotainment system and dashboard will receive upgrades of outdating features. Finally, the pricing list is not going to be available before the release date, and it is hard to predict the cost of diesel and hybrid models. The standard offer will bring similar prices.
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