Toyota Tacoma X-Runner is a sporty version of the famous pickup and it was made with the idea of a muscle truck with toughness. Whatever specifications or features you need, there is a Tacoma for everyone. Indeed, Toyota did a great job with Tacoma and its reliability and unique exterior design. The mid-size Tacoma has a reputation for durability and performance. This nameplate was initially released in 1995 as a successor for the Hilux, the original Toyota pickup.
In contrast to Hilux, they concentrated on personal usage performance, handling, ride quality, and comfort to meet the demands of the US markets. The first-gen Tacoma was sold as a smaller model, before slightly growing in size. Now, we are coming to the X-Runner variant and hopefully, the manufacturer will return this famous treatment.
What Is It?
Japanese automaker introduced Toyota Tacoma X-Runner to remain competitive in the muscle truck industry. The package X-Runner, a sporty version of the Tacoma, debuted with the second generation. It’s one of the fastest non-American pickups, sprinting from 0 to 60 mph below ten seconds at the time. It was designed to compete with the Ford SVT Lightning.
The V6 engine, manual six-speed gearbox, and standard limited-slip locking differential were the most significant upgrades in the package. The engine produced 236 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. Those who wanted more power could opt for a potent TRD supercharger to increase the power to 304 horsepower. With this powerful unit, X-Runner was able to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in six seconds flat.
So, Why Did Toyota Discounted the X-Runner?
Tacoma is becoming more and more popular. However, Toyota X-Runner did not perform as predicted in the market. This model was produced from 2005 through 2013, with an estimated 3500 vehicles produced per year. Because they lacked off-road capability, mainstream truck customers were uninterested in purchasing them. The X-Runner was fast, especially with the TRD Supercharger.
However, this truck wasn’t a great hauler or an off-roader. Still, for those who enjoy speed or muscle trucks, X-Runner was perhaps the best option. The competition was strong, with rivals such as Silverado SS, Ford SVT Lightning, and Colorado SS. Generally, the price was the problem. The X-Runner was too expensive, for a truck that is all about speed and sportiness.
Is Toyota X-Runner Coming Back?
At this moment, this is very unlikely to happen. This model was destined to die, unfortunately. Moreover, there is no place for such a truck nowadays. Toyota offers an impressive TRD Pro trim level, along with the Trail Edition. Still, we are hoping to see some sort of limited edition. The thing is, there are still a lot of people who are in love with the X-Runner truck. For some people, a truck is a workhorse that gets the job done. On the other hand, you can still find a lot of fans that are into sporty muscle trucks.