Though by name the Tacoma was first sold in 1995 with the introduction of a made-in-America model, Toyota actually started selling pickups in the US in 1964. Since then, they have won numerous awards from the automotive press and have developed a loyal following among consumers. But with a host of new or newly remade competitors-including the Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon twins, Dodge Dakota, and Nissan Frontier-Toyota knew it had to reinvent the Tacoma by adding size and power while at the same time, somehow increasing maneuverability, fuel economy and improving ride comfort and handling. It was an ambitious undertaking, to be sure. Based on a day-long drive along the winding roads and rutted trails on the outskirts of Alaska's largest city, Toyota has managed to pull it off.
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