If you are thinking of a new mid-sized truck, the 2012 Toyota Tacoma is for you. On the outside, Toyota changed the grille, fog lights headlights and bumpers. It also has two new colors. On the inside, Toyota redesigned the instrument panel, giving it a sleeker look. The Tacoma also has a new center stack and steering wheel.

Additionally, you can order the Tacoma with heavy-duty floor mats and on the double cab V-6, the optional Entune. Entune uses the vehicle owner’s Bluetooth-connected phone to link device-based content and cloud-based content. It also uses voice-recognition controls to help keep drivers safe. Entune also uses smartphone applications for navigation, movie information, reservations at restaurants, fuel prices, weather, real-time traffic, sports and stocks.

Engine Power and Fuel Mileage

The engine is carried over from 2011. Toyota kept both engines that it used — the inline four and the V-6 engines. The inline four 2.7-liter engine has 159 horsepower. The V-6 features 236 horsepower. The engine is a good balance between horsepower and fuel mileage. It’s tank holds 21.1 gallons, which allows it to go about 443.1 miles in the city and 527.5 miles on the highway per tank of gas. This figures out to about 21 mpg city and 25 mpg highway, according to Edmunds.com.

Security and Safety Features

The 2012 Toyota Tacoma features four-wheel ABS brakes, which keep the brakes from locking up. As soon as the ABS computer senses a lock up, it releases the pressure of the fluid for that wheel, then re-establishes the pressure to brake that tire again. It also features emergency braking assist, ventilated front disc brakes and rear drum brakes.

Other safety features include front and rear head airbags, dual front side-mounted airbags and child seat anchors to ensure the safety of all passengers in the Tacoma. Front seatbelt pretensioners and headrests also provide for extra security. If you need to put a child seat in the front seat, you can deactivate the passenger side airbag with the airbag deactivation switch.

Stability control keeps the truck on the road when taking sharp curves and traction control helps keep the truck from spinning out in less than favorable conditions. Daytime running lights allow other drivers to see you, especially on days with poor visibility, or if you run into heavy fog or smoke form the fires.

All of this is backed by a basic three-year, 36,000-mile warranty, a five-year, 60,000-mile drivetrain warranty, and roadside assistance and complimentary maintenance for two years or 25,000 miles.

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