The Toyota Tacoma manual is a gem that will make you question the decisions of those who've traded in their stick shift for an automatic. With its 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, this six-speed manual is a beast that can handle both on-road and off-road excursions with ease. In this review, we'll delve into the features, performance, and capabilities of the 2025 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab 4x4 Manual. The Tacoma's manual transmission is available only on four-door, four-wheel-drive models with the five-foot bed, and is offered on multiple trims: the basic work-truck SR ($38,700), as well as the TRD Sport and TRD Off-Road (both $44,110). On the SR, the manual and automatic versions cost the same, but the manual gets 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, while the automatic trucks make do with 228 horses and 243 pound-feet. One of the standout features of the manual Tacoma ...
The Toyota Tacoma manual is a gem that will make you question the decisions of those who’ve traded in their stick shift for an automatic. With its 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, this six-speed manual is a beast that can handle both on-road and off-road excursions with ease. In this review, we’ll delve into the features, performance, and capabilities of the 2025 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab 4×4 Manual.
The Tacoma’s manual transmission is available only on four-door, four-wheel-drive models with the five-foot bed, and is offered on multiple trims: the basic work-truck SR ($38,700), as well as the TRD Sport and TRD Off-Road (both $44,110). On the SR, the manual and automatic versions cost the same, but the manual gets 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, while the automatic trucks make do with 228 horses and 243 pound-feet.
One of the standout features of the manual Tacoma is its no-clutch start, a mode that’s intended for tight trails where you want to get moving without an inch of potential rollback. To use the clutchless start, your foot needs to be on the brake, so instead of clutch-throttle footwork you have to modulate the brake as the truck starts moving or you’ll stall it.
In our testing, the manual Tacoma was slower than the 2016 V-6 equivalent, with a 0-60 mph time of 10.4 seconds. However, its rev hang at upshifts made it feel like the flywheel was the size of Stone Mountain. To adapt, we kept revs low and paused a breath before selecting the next gear.
The Tacoma’s dogged rev hang during upshifts makes it feel like the flywheel is the size of Stone Mountain. So you adapt, keeping revs low and pausing a breath before selecting the next gear—drive it like a diesel with blown synchros, and all is simpatico.
In terms of performance, the manual Tacoma is a force to be reckoned with. It earns EPA-estimated fuel economy of 18 mpg city, 23 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined, representing a 1-mpg drop across the board versus the automatic. Horsepower and torque also are slightly down, with the manual trucks’ 270 horsepower and 310 pound-feet trailing the non-SR automatic variant’s 278 horses and 317 pound-feet.
Despite its slightly lower power output, the manual Tacoma is a serious off-road contender. Its 16.1-second quarter-mile at 87 mph lags the automatic’s 15.3-second run at 92 mph, but its 7.9-second 60 mph time is still respectable.
Overall, the Toyota Tacoma manual is a must-have for any serious off-road enthusiast. With its unique blend of power, torque, and handling, it’s a beast that will leave you grinning from ear to ear. Whether you’re tackling tight trails or simply cruising around town, the manual Tacoma is a joy to drive.
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