Why The Toyota Tacoma X

Jun 30, 2023

The Toyota Tacoma X-Runner is an unlikely product from the Japanese manufacturer, a street-focused pickup that can rival muscle cars.

When Toyota launched the Tacoma back in 1995 it was supposed to be a practical, compact, and affordable pickup truck for the masses. But with the second generation Tacoma unveiled in 2004, Toyota decided to give the model a unique trim level. The X-Runner variation took the Tacoma and gave it an edge on the street. The X-Runner is low, slick, and embodies the traits of a muscle car while offering most of the convenience that pickup trucks are known for.

When Toyota released the Tacoma X-Runner, it was actually the fastest car that they produced, as the company had little involvement with performance at the time. This fact makes the existence of the car all the more intriguing, it seems extremely unlikely that Toyota would create it, but maybe it shouldn't be so surprising. Toyota designed the Tacoma specifically for the North-American market, where people tend to use pickup trucks as personal vehicles. So, Toyota shifted the focus from ruggedness and off-road driving found in their old Hilux to comfort and safety for the Tacoma. With this in mind, a street-focused pickup makes sense for the market.

Related: 10 Things We Love About The Toyota Tacoma

The X-Runner was only available in rear-wheel drive with an access cab configuration, so only two doors. The car was much lower to the ground, sitting on 18-inch wheels with street-performance tires. The X-Runner also had a limited-slip differential, which would make it more capable on the track. As for the powertrain, it had a 4.0-liter V6 that made 236 hp mated to a 6-speed manual transmission.

The X-Runner not only offered additional street performance over the regular Tacoma, but it also added some stylish features so that the car could look the part. This included a body kit, and its most distinguishing trait, the hood-scoop. Prior to the X-Runner, there was the Pre-Runner model, a car that was similar to the X-Runner but did not go all the way with its street-car nature, it also was rear-wheel drive with a V6, but it didn't have any other changes over the original.

Unfortunately, the Tacoma X-Runner did not sell as well as Toyota had hoped, so they discontinued the car after the 2013 model year, meaning that X-Runners were only sold between 2005 and 2013. Nevertheless, the car has some serious appeal, especially in today's market. With a naturally aspirated engine and manual gearbox, the X-Runner is part of a dying breed of cars. Also, when considering how unusual of a configuration the car is overall, it does present itself as an enticing alternative to some muscle cars, especially those with similar power.

Related: Here's Why Toyota Needs To Bring Back The Tacoma X-Runner

The Tacoma X-Runner is simply fast, managing 0-60 mph in 9.7 seconds. That might not sound so impressive today, but for being a pickup truck from 2005, it is admirable. But if straight-line speed is not your thing, no need to worry, the X-Runner is not just a lowered truck with rear-wheel drive, this car is a possible contender for sports car status. Toyota put in the extra effort to make sure that the X-Runner was not just an unruly nightmare to drive, after all the brand is known for creating nimble and agile-handling sports cars.

Along with the limited-slip differential, the X-Runner has stiffer suspension which is 2 inches lower. The entire chassis is upgraded for handling, Toyota added a rear stabilizer bar, double wishbone suspension in the front, improved leaf springs in the rear, and Bilstein shocks all around. On top of this, the entire frame is stiffer due to the addition of an "X" brace, hence the name X-Runner. Has it paid off? Well, the results speak for themselves. The X-Runner can benchmark a Nissan 350Z and pull 0.9 lateral g on the track. This kind of performance is not only exceptional for a pickup truck, but frankly, it outperforms lower, smaller, drag-focused muscle cars.

Related: What's The Best Toyota X Runner To Buy?

There are some examples of Tacoma X-Runner models which sell for a little over $10,000 on Cars & Bids. This is a very low price for such a unique muscle truck, granted these examples have over 100,000 miles. An X-Runner with lower miles will sell for over $20,000. These prices still appear to be quite low considering just how much of a car is on offer. Also, Toyota's fantastic record in reliability alone suggests that a prospecting used Tacoma X-Runner owner will have few issues to worry about. Several Tacoma owners report having examples with over 400,000 miles that work just fine, so a used Tacoma is a fair option.

With all these points in mind, you might think that a comparable muscle car of the same era might struggle to justify itself compared to an X-Runner. A Mustang from 2006 with a V6 engine will only produce 210 hp, 26 fewer than the X-Runner. It will cost about the same according to Edmunds. In this case, a V8 car might seem like the way to go, but still, the X-Runner will paradoxically outperform an older muscle car on the track, despite its truck proportions. This makes a serious case for the X-Runner as the strangest muscle car slayer ever, it is a very original creation indeed.

That being said, the unusual nature of the X-Runner can make it more of a love-it-or-hate-it kind of car, it lacks some of the practicality that comes with the regular Tacoma, and it cannot appeal to the more traditional muscle-car crowd. As for those who are not interested in pickup trucks, it doesn't compete. But for anyone who is interested in the more outlandish options available, the Tacoma X-Runner has proven itself against muscle cars, and even sports cars as a strange but unique alternative.

A dedicated writer with an insatiable love of all things on four wheels. With a degree in Philosophy and experience doing freelance copywriting for small businesses, words are his craft. He is extremely knowledgeable about automotive history and the current climate of the car industry. He will endeavour to deliver that knowledge through his writing.