Used 2008 Toyota Tacoma Access Cab

At first glance, equipping a pickup truck body with the ride and handling of a sports car might seem like an odd pairing. But consider that many compact pickup buyers use their trucks only for light-duty hauling, and the idea is not so far-fetched. The 2008 Toyota Tacoma Access Cab X-Runner features a full-length bed and a roomy cab, which gives a great combination for hauling sports gear and showing up at tailgate parties. The lowered sport suspension rides on 18-inch alloy wheels and performance tires. Reinforced frame bracing provides a stiffer chassis for better handling and, while the truck’s lightweight rear end isn’t exactly conducive to slalom course maneuvers, the X-Runner’s handling is far better than the average Tacoma pickup.

The 2008 Toyota Tacoma Access Cab X-Runner has Toyota’s strong 4.0-liter V6, a six-speed manual transmission and limited-slip differential. Put the pedal to the floor and you can feel and hear the powerful V6 working, conveying a refined note worthy of any sports car. The X-Runner’s extensive suspension rework (gas pressurized shocks, stiffer front and rear springs and a rear anti-roll bar) provides a comfortable and capable ride. On the highway our X-Runner displayed impressive cornering ability and precise steering feel and feedback. The six-speed manual transmission, however, is still a truck transmission, with long throws that detract from the X-Runner’s sporty nature.

Getting into and out of the X-Runner is easy, and the seats are designed with pleasant bolstering and adjustability to fit most body types and sizes. A recessed, three-ring instrument cluster looks handsome and is in clear view. Controls are easy to reach and operate, and there are available steering wheel-mounted controls for the sound system. Overall, the mid-size X-Runner feels very roomy and our test vehicle’s rear-hinged access doors made it easy to reach gear stowed behind the front seat. When lowered, the tumble-flat rear seats form a level platform and permit easy access to the recessed floor storage compartments.

The X-Runner has a bold look, blending familiar Toyota styling with the larger body panels of some domestic trucks. Oversized headlights and a wide trapezoidal grille dominate the X-Runner’s assertive-looking exterior. A wide hood scoop and color-keyed bumpers accentuate matching ground effects, grille surround, door handles and mirrors. Massive 18-inch wheels with P255/45R18 Bridgestone Potenza performance tires finish off the look. The overall exterior of the X-Runner is well done, and an impeccable level of fit and finish is a known characteristic of Toyota products.

Six-Speed Manual
The Tacoma’s six-speed manual transmission helps take full advantage of the available 236-horsepower V6.

Functional Bed
All Tacomas feature a composite inner cargo bed with built-in storage compartments and four rail-mounted sliding tie-down cleats.

The two-wheel-drive Tacoma Access Cab X-Runner features a 4.0-liter V6 engine, six-speed manual transmission, anti-lock brakes (ABS), AM/FM stereo with six-disc CD changer, 18-inch alloy wheels, defroster-linked air conditioning, sport bucket seats with driver’s-side adjustable lumbar support, tilt/telescopic steering wheel, power windows, keyless entry and a sliding rear window. The X-Runner also includes a versatile composite inner bed that’s 10-percent lighter than steel and more durable.

Options for the X-Runner include Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), a pickup bed extender, first-aid kit and a number of dealer or port installed accessories. Some Toyota accessories are limited to specific regions in the United States, so be sure to ask your dealer as to what options are available in your area.

The X-Runner’s 4.0-liter V6 engine features Toyota’s VVT-i technology (Variable Valve Timing with intelligence) that minimizes the compromises between low-end torque and peak horsepower. The 4.0-liter V6 is nearly flawless in the areas of noise, vibration and harshness, but fuel economy figures are not all that much better than for some full-size V8 models.

4.0-liter V6
236 horsepower @ 5200 rpm
266 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 15/19