It looks likes Toyota is making a mistake to me.

Seems like it's been in a wreck by the look of that passenger side door...all crumpled up... the cab doesn't match up with the bed either.
Poor little truck.

Low, your right, they are making a mistake with this. I don't think toyota would take such a good looking truck, and make it look like that, that thing looks horrible to me.

the tacoma is dead now... after this... all those years of great compact toyotas are gone when it leads to this, oh well... still have my 2000..

Thats no prototype, thats just a beat up truck with a 2001+ tacoma front end, and non-tacoma body parts from a toyota pickup.

It looks like it's missing alot of stuff, like a nice lookin 2000

The reason why all the body parts look jacked is cause this is just a mechanical prototype. It will probably be a while before there is a full prototype being drivin. Another thing, everyone is bitching about it being larger, It's only going to be a couple of inches larger.

Looks like poop!

Looks ugly now, but most prototypes look crappy on purpose.

That truck would not look bad if it was slammed to the floor with maybe a couple mods around the front... I'd still DIP in that S@!T...

looks like a shrunken tundra, heinous. wouldnt look good lowered

The truck does not look good for an advertisement of their new line, it still looks like a compact truck and will probably look better once it goes into production, but I'm sticking with our 01, it wll be the last Toyota (truck) we will very proudly own.

My prayers are with our designers, lets not loose sight of what a beautiful thing we have had for over 30 years now people, lets stick with our roots!

It looks similiar too a Nissan, butt-ugly. Change is not always a good thing. Toyota should get some input from the people who really know what looks good, the members of Custom Tacos.com.

There is no way they could be serious with this. Somebody's got to be joking around. If it is real, I'm almost ashamed to drive my taco!

its sickning how every company wants there trux to look like the new chevys,and pontiacs with there big plastic side panels and fat grills this new millinium style thing we have going looks soft and ugly i still say 96 to 99 tacomas are the best looking trux around

If it comes with a 5-speed and the 4.0L V6 I'm buying one, I don't care how ugly it is. Prototypes always look like shite, it will get better. Just hopefully it won't take the new 2Runner styling cues...

not good not good bad bad bad
but i did say that about the taco
in 1995 now i have a 2002

i agree, it looks like poop, but we should just wait until the actual pictures are released cause i'm hoping there's still a lot of work to be done to it.

You can't tell anything from that pic. They have done an excellent job with the camo so trying to determine the actual lines is impossible. When I worked at NVG, we had a masked X5 before it was released and you wouldn't have expected it to look the way it does now based on its masking. Only time will tell. C'mon V8!!!

Hmm., I have seen a few prototypes for chevys,
before and then after production.
and normaly they just work on electrical, engine,
software and stuff. then they will finish the
body later.

i can never figure out what these things are going to look like. i saw the prowler at a burgerstand outside of bakersfield before it came out and it looked like a pinto.

well remember that the new 4runner has all that plastic SH!T on it... so the body in the pic may not have the plastic stuff.... not saying that it looks good or anything just.. its probably not done yet as far as the body fully intact...

Little can be determined from this photograph. I'm certain that Toyota will do a beautiful job on the real thing, as they always do. Toyota has too many faithful fans to risk any disappointment. The link I've provided seems to be attempting to keep up on the news about the new Tacoma. I'm anxious to see it for real!!!

IT HAS A TACOMA FRONT END THE BED IS FROM A FORD TRUCK

What a piece.....I will be emberressed if i ever have to ride in that hunk of .......long live 2003-below tacomas!

IT WOULD BE ONE UGLY STEP FOR TACOMAS, ONE GOOD STEP FOR THE COMPETITION. I OWNED TWO NEW TACOS '99 AND NOW '02. BOTH LIFTED AND ARE THE BEST LOOKING TRUCKS AVAILABLE. LET'S NOT ALLOW TOYOTA TO MAKE A MAJOR F### UP!!
LONG LIVE TACOMAS!!!!!!!!!!

WOW! I love what they did to it. It looks beautiful!

Fellas c'mon. Why are we spending so much time talking about a very early prototype that is obviously still in the first stage of development? Has not Toyota "always" done the right thing? Let's focus on what's really important, our troops oversea's and their families...

Much respect to all,
Gary Hazher

Mine is on back order

Joey's an idiot... Just joking... I think a truck should look like a truck, not like a car!!! This is the reason why it's a truck.

fugly... just straight fugly. i'll stick with my 98 thank you very much.

THAT IS THE BEST TRUCK I HAVE EVVVVER SEEN. WHO CARES I GOT A PRERUNNER F#@K LOWERED TRUCKS I JUMP MINE IN THE DIRT.............BIATCH!!!!!!!!!

I am not a big fan of the square wheel wells. And there is no way the bed it finished with design yet. The all new FJ Cruiser will be built on this platform too. Looks good to me.

I don't think they'll be using this Toyota in any "Back to the Future" remakes. The cab roof is slanted downward. If they trash this like they did the '03 4Runner, I might have to defect to Nissan or Dodge.

Yuk.

IF THE NEW TACO HAS A 4-RUNNER FRONT END IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES......A V8 TACOMA.

Someone is playing games here. No way is that the future 05 Tacoma. Mike

my shit looks better than that

wat the hell is that shit!!!
thats no prototype.That looks like some crack heads project..
God Damn thats ugly

hahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!lol. lol
IM sorry, that think is so ugly i just have to post my comment agin...

That does NOT look like a 05'Taco.
If it is, in fact, a Taco, Toyota is making a big mistake. Why would they make the tacoma bigger? Thats why they made the Tundra...right?
I may be wrong......

MAd max Style

hey looks like ass
HEY IF ANYBODY IS READING THIS AND NEEDS PARTS
FOR YOUR TACO LET ME KNOW I WILL GET YOU THE
BEST DEAL ON JUST ABOUT ANYTHING.

The new toyota just sucks big ones.Its too high off the ground for one and it looks like its got the new highlanders front end but thas just a proto so they could change the body style.Cya

That shit is uglier than all your moms standing in a line, NAKED!!!!!

4x4, regular cab, trd, v8, 5speed

i'll place an order right now!!!!!

I own an s-10 4x4. nothing more boring than that. except this hunk-a-shat. i'm turning over tacoma. just not this abomination. yes, ford bed on the back. obvious. god bless shaved tacos. no extra cheese for me please.

The tacoma looks like shit. It looks like something that came out of difrrent parts of any toyota truck. whatever I still got my truck low.

if thats the new Tacoma then Toyota need to rethink the truck world that they are in. They have had a great looking truck (tacoma) but that is hideous

Come on people lets be reasonable for a sec. There is a reason that the caption includes the key word "prototype," not "production model." That means it's still a work in progress. I remember when I bought my 1994 Toyota 4x4 in 1994 that people were concerned about the upcoming 1995.5 Tacoma, thinking it was ugly and goofy looking. Now where are we?? People love them to death.
The same thing happened to Subaru when they re-worked the Impreza (WRX) for the 2002 model year. Lots of people on subie forums here in the States thought it was hideous. Guess what happened? It became a raging success story. Now people are poo pooing the 2004 redesign. Basically it's just the same story, a different day. People hate and resist change.
As for the new Tacoma, why don't we all settle down for a spell and wait until the production model has surfaced, been test driven, and base our conclusions on that instead of this photo, eh?

it looks like shit now but once they make some cool shit for it everyone will jump on its sack. You'll see.

sincerely,

a proud tacoma owner.

It looks like a Custom Taco in the process.

I have read on a few sites now that the new TAcoma is supposed to have a bigger V6 and is supposed to grow "incrementally in size."
And then on a Toyota board last night, can't recall the exact address as I stumbled on it by chance, I read somewhere that that the 4.0 Litre V6 which produces 245 Horse power and 283 (I think) foot/lb. of Torque which is found in the 2003 4runner will probably also be the bigger V6 for the next generation Tacoma that has been mentioned. If this is the case, I don't think that's such a bad way to go, aside from some who have already mentioned the need for Toyota to offer the Tacoma in the 4.7 V8. That V6 is pretty peppy too! That is a 50 HP increase and a 63 foot/lb. increase in torque.

Can anyone confirm/deny this?

i think this new tacoma might have some kind of plastic cover that goes on or near the doors like the chevy avalanche but in the picture it might just not be there. i think the front end looks fine and the bed it just doesnt work.

Hey, it is just a prototype. I hope the 4.0. V6 is offered and that Toyota takes a cue from Nissan and offer a real 6 foot bed with the 4 door cab. I use my truck for hauling and would love to have the 4 door, but the short bed would be useless to me. The V8 would be a nice option to, along with a diesel. I'll probably open a can of worms with that one. Please be gentle with me!

I work for a company that supplies some of the body exterior components for the new '05 Tacoma. I do know that it is coming with at least 3 different cab sizes, regular, extended, and double. It will also have a decorative roof top moulding over the cab. I have yet to see a real picture and I deal with the Fremont, CA factory that builds them. I am sure it will rock!!!!

Since when did Homer Simpson start designing for Toyota??? Designers always wind up "F"-ing up good design. Just look at what they did to the new Siverados. TACOS POR VIDA!

i think that truck is the most horriable looking truck ever!!!! it look like a tiny japaneese man ate to much sushi craped that damn thing out and slaped it on the table! im sorry, that shit wont fly.

oh my gosh that is a piece of shit that is not a prototype that is some idiot that fucked his truck up

I HOPE YOU ALL KNOW THAT IT IS TRYING TO BE DISGUISED, SO IT PROBABLY WILL NOT LOOK THAT BAD, BUT IF IT DOES THEY SCREWED UP, BUT AT LEAST IT WILL HAVE A BIGGER ENGINE, THE 4.0L V6 W/ 245 HP, THAT MAY MAKE UP FOR THE LOOKS.

anyone consider it could be the next gen TUNDRA prototype...? just a stab.. considering the bed looks identical to the current tundra's, and it looks about that size too..

Ever meet up with one of them city folks head on on a narrow woods road and they dont have a clue that somebodys gotta find a cut to get over ?? I bet they will be driving these. YUCK !!

Check this site out.
ww.toyota.co.th/thai/hilux/sport_cruiser.asp
This is the new Tacoma, not bad!

I am showing that Thai site once again, make sure all you Taco lovers check this site out. You will change your mind about the new Taco once you get a peek.
www.toyota.co.th/thai/hilux/sport_cruiser.asp

i'm sorrt Gene, but the new truck doesn't look decent to me. they changed sumthing and it doesn't look rite i barely took a look at the site to and it just doesn't look rite. and if that picture up there is gunna be the american version well shit, i mite as well go get me a del sol my other car i wanna fix up.

u all shud know i meant SORRY* not sorrt hehe.

gene, that is NOT the new tacoma. that is the toyota hilux, which is, i guess you could say, the overseas version of the tacoma. the tacoma is only manufactured and sold in north america, the rest of the world gets the hilux if they want a compact toyota pickup.

Sorry! Just trying to help Taco people. Over in Thai they call the Tacoma, "Tiger," are you sure you looked at the "Sport Cruiser" and the extended cab model 4WD? I thought they looked pretty good. Oh well? I here through my GM at the local dealer Tacoma will sit on 4-Runner frame and look like the Tundra front and side, With a V-8 option, 4.0 standard. He claims new Taco will come out in March 04. Until then, I am keeping my 4-Door, 4WD, 01.
See Ya! Gene.

C'mon, the new design will look good when it comes out, it will have a 4L V6 or the 4.7L, supercharged, it'll outrun the 350Z and the Boxster S, it'll be great (hoping).

Not! "SuperCharged" ! "TurboCharged" !

That photo might just be of the '05 4 cylinder 2 wheel drive. I think it's called the Srunner? 2005 is a redesigned model. Toyota will try to keep all secret until it's release date. Nevermind that photo, Toyota knows what they're doing.

toyota knows what their favorite seller is and they know that the looks of the tacoma is 99.99% of the reason this site was created if this is the prototype then lets remember the meaning of the word PROTOTYPE, first of its model, i trust toyota their not going to mess up thier profits by making exact copies of this nissan wannabe and selling them at your local dealership

toyota knows what their favorite seller is and they know that the looks of the tacoma is 99.99% of the reason this site was created if this is the prototype then lets remember the meaning of the word PROTOTYPE, first of its model, i trust toyota their not going to mess up thier profits by making exact copies of this nissan wannabe and selling them at your local dealership

sorry double posted dial up is the worst

Take a look at this link: The Toyota Hilux from Australia. I think this is just their version of the Tacoma, but an interesting and appealing look:

http://www.hilux.toyota.com.au/Hilux/Portal/0,1224,7-173,00.html

This truck looks like the same old worn out version of the Taco. Same frame, same old 3.4. In the states I here from my local GM at the Dealership, that Toyota is going to use the same frame and all for the 04 version, with a few face lifts. He claims that in March 04, thats when the 4-Runner frame will be utilized and the engine changes will come into effect, 4.0 V-6/4.7 V-8. So hold your pants on for the real changes to come in 04 March.

I don't think there is going to be a 4.7 V8 option on the new Tacoma because Toyota recently announced the creation of a new 4 cylinder engine plant to build engines for the Tacoma, which suggests the Tacoma will have a base 4 cyl engine with an optional V6. What size/hp/torque ratings these engines have still has yet to be announced. What I would hope is that the new 4 cyl engine provides a worthy base(IE maybe something with 175-200 HP? with comparable torque) and I'm just guessing the V6 will be the same V6 found in the new 4runner IE 4.0 with 245 HP and 283 lb/feet torque.

Here is the link about the 4 cylinder engines being standard on the new Tacoma:

http://www.motorportal.com/Toyota_Lexus%20news/2005_tacoma_engines.htm

Also take a look here for the latest updates on what has been heard:

http://www.motorportal.com/2004_toyota_tacoma.htm

Nope! The Tacoma will have a V-8 4.7 option just like the 4-Runner, like it or not. The 4c will go in the small Taco not the Prerunner of 4WD. I hear this from Toyota Lot owners and Fleet Truck folks.

nothing looks right untill its jacked up 6 to 10"
with some 35s and som dents or am i wrong

TACO ONLY NEEDS 2 FIXES: THE SEATS AND A V-8. OTHER THAN THAT, LEAVE IT ALONE!

UMMM, HOW ABOUT NO. IF MY YOTA LOOKED LIKE THAT, I WOULD NEVER HAVE GOT IT.

Just looks like a smaller Tundra, they should keep the front bulkier and less aerodynamic like the prev models. SSGT. HAINES USMC

Anything should be an improvement over the 95-03 Tacomas which were terrible looking, especially the 01-03 models. If Toyota was smart, they would bring back either the 84-88 or 89-95 trucks with upgraded internals. Now those were good looking trucks.

you guys should make srunner tacomas for 2005 or a six speed tacoma $$$$$$$$$ moneys worth think about it

Toyota should make a fast truck.Ford,chevy,doge have made fast trucks and i dont understand why toyota wont make fast trucks you guys are going to drop alot.Oh and what the hell happened to the supra .You guys use to make good cars,not anymore.thats sad

toyota should make the tacoma a six speed,come on if a car can have six speeds.Why cant a tacoma have six speeds.I just feel that toyota is just gonna die for a long long time.

the new tacoma is pretty much the new 4runner with a bed. its gonna be cool. it'll be bigger than the tacomas now, but a little smaller than the tundra. plus a bigger & stronger engine. i think it'll look big n sexy. you guys are trippin.

see check this out. someone made this picture. http://www.jwinteractive.com/taco/2004taco.jpg

Gary Hazher... I'd like you to email me.... please do.

toyota tacomas look very nice please do not screw up the tacoma.If you guys make six-speed tacomas i will be the first one to by it, with a turbo charger in it.

I think the prototype looks pretty good.Obviously it may not look great now but i'm sure the finished product will be pretty tight. Especially with the bigger engine. I always wished that my 03' taco would have a little more power . so i'm pretty excited.

If Toyota wrecks the Tacoma design, I think loyal customers should build a case and sue them!

The bed a from a tundra extended cab.V8 most likly in 06.Front end from an 03 4Runner, as is the platform.4.0 most likely.My toyota insider confirms this as much as possible without losing thier job

The finished 05 tacoma looks great.I've seen it.

you DUMB ASSES are YOU'ALL F*#KING STUPID this truck is totaly coverd up with pannels to hide it from you dumb asses so it will be a suprise when it comes out IF YOU SAW THE X-RUNNER AT THE DETROIT AUTO SHOW YOU COULD SEE IT IS A BIG IMPROVEMENT LOOKS WISE this truck will blow away every other compact truck on this planet,you'all will be cumming in youre pants to get one when you see one blow youre doors off going down the road.F*CK THE REST TOYOTA IS THE BEST!!!

I think the tacoma X-Runner is really cool but only thing it really lags is the power they should of thought of putting a 4.7 V8 in it to give it a much more meaner look and so it can compete with dodges new dakota coming out with a high output 4.7 V8 which has 250hp and 300tq and is also a midsized pickup other than that the trucks perfect i'm just waiting to see how much the price is for it hopefully not over 30 grand.

Ok, this truck sucks, I fell in love with the tacomas because of the front-end and the sporty-ness look of it, this looks like c-r-a-p. Now, if Toyota makes the new '05 Tacoma with the X-Runner front-end like I think they might do, than it will look better than this POS. Even tho I love the style of the 01-04 Tacomas. But I'm not sure this is the new Tacoma, Toyota wouldn't make their vehicles this ugly...would they?(atleast not the Tacoma) Hmmm...guess we'll have to wait and see.

I will stick to my 2004 pre-runner

its a new 4 runner with a bed. couldnt toyota have thought of something new?