Toyota announces price jump for base 2012 Tacoma

The base Manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) for the 2012 Tacoma will range from $16,875 for the Regular Cab 4x2 equipped with a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine and five-speed manual transmission, to $27,835 for the Tacoma Double Cab 4x4 long bed with a 4.0-liter V6 and five-speed automatic, reflecting price increases ranging from $10 to $645. The MSRP for the 2012 Tacoma does not include the delivery, processing and handling (DPH) fee of $810. The DPH fee for vehicles distributed by Southeast Toyota (SET) and Gulf States Toyota (GST) may vary.

It is the base model that sees the biggest percentage price increase at $510 or 3.1 percent. The largest price increase for the 2012 Toyota Tacoma is the X-Runner V6 that jumps $645 in cost from $25,735 to $26,380.

The most expensive 2012 Toyota Tacoma, the long-bed V6 with four-wheel drive, sees a 1.1 percent increase from its 2011 model year price of $27,525 to $27,835.

For the higher price, Toyota says the 2012 Tacoma gets a fresh face with a redesigned hood, grille, headlamps, upper and lower front bumper, fog lamps, headlamps and antenna. Expect a full product refresh to come in a couple of years as Toyota seeks to regain its position of world dominance and recovers from the earthquake and Tsunami in March 2011.

Inside, customers will find a new center instrument panel design with a revised gauge cluster, as well as a new steering wheel. A redesigned center stack adds new air conditioner/heater controls and power point locations. Tacoma will also offer two new exterior colors, Spruce Mica and Nautical Blue Metallic.

As Toyota says, the Tacoma is primarily a work truck, which is why Toyota is trumpeting things like new heavy-duty all-weather flooring and water-resistant seat covers. (Water-proof seat covers are called leather seats.) But that doesn’t mean Tacoma owners don’t want to have a little fun.

The 2012 Toyota Tacoma will be one of the first Toyota vehicles to offer the Entune multi-media system. The Toyota Entune system is a collection of popular mobile applications and data services, with three years of complimentary access. Once a smart phone is connected to the vehicle using Bluetooth wireless technology or a USB cable, Entune’s features are operated using the vehicle’s controls or, for some services, by voice recognition. Entune includes Bing and Pandora; real-time info including traffic, weather, fuel prices, sports and stocks. Apps available in spring 2012 at no cost.

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