![]() With full autonomy over gear selection, you’ll find yourself in the right gear more often than not. For those willing to be the minority, the 6MT Tacoma is a better experience. It’s interesting to see how much difference a gearbox can make. Don’t get us wrong, this is still no sports car, but the added engagement of participating in the process is a novelty that didn’t seem to wear off. There’s a considerable bit of extra high-end oomph to be had for those inclined to venture up towards the 6000 PRM redline. Run the V6 up past 3500 RPM and the variable valve timing adjusts and the engine perks up. First gear is designed to help tow 6,400 lbs from a standstill, which means dropping the clutch with no throttle input will whisk an unencumbered Tacoma away at a brisk walking pace. It’s not spongy, but there’s no sense of the bite point through your left foot. The clutch pedal has very little weight or feel. It’s a motion that evokes the memory of driving an old four-on-the-floor pickup. Changing gear requires a long but defined throw. The Tacoma’s shift lever sits high above the center console. There’s also a new front grille for 2018. Our truck did, however, feature an inferno red interior dash trim that broke up monotone interior with a welcome splash of color. The same Bilstein shocks and all-terrain tires handle the rough stuff with ease. What else has changed in the last two years? Not much. Our tester does, however, have a clutch start-cancel switch which lets you start the truck without depressing the clutch pedal as long as the truck is in neutral. Opting for the manual transmission eliminates the multi-terrain select system, which is standard on other TRD Off-Roads. For 2018, the 5-speed manual has been retired on four-cylinder models, but the 6-speed manual remains an option with select trims. In our Winter 2016 test of the TRD Off-Road, we found that, “the 6-speed automatic was the letdown of this truck, it sapped any fun that you could have…” and that, “shifting manually fixed the problem completely, but most people won’t want to be bothered.” Well, we’re not most people and we jumped at the chance to test a manual-equipped Tacoma. We spent a week with the 2018 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road, a truck we’ve tested before, to see just how much impact a transmission choice can make. Unlike competitors, Toyota doesn’t force you into the base trim level if you want to row your own. Did you know you can still get a manual transmission in a pickup truck? There are a handful of trucks in 2018, mostly midsize, that still have an optional 3rd pedal.
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