Full size trucks are becoming a problem. Not an “environmental impact” problem, but a “Why aren’t these trucks selling?” problem. A full sized truck can really be an underused asset. It’s more the commercial consumer that really knows the potential of a full sized truck – that’s why they buy so many of them. But for the rest of us, we don’t have to be saddled with a whole lot of truck that we really don’t need. In this case, there’s the mid-size option and, for that, the best of the lot is the 2009 Toyota Tacoma.

Following the lead of the best selling truck line in the U.S. – the Ford F-150 – Toyota has combined reliability with a dizzying array of options. You can go from a bare bones truck that will appeal to any fleet buyer to a high grade luxury package called the Double Cab SR-5 with a long bed. Somewhere in this range is the perfect truck for you and the Toyota Tacoma makes it easy to match your needs with the right features.

In addition, you can have an impressive interior that includes a substantial amount of available equipment. With an improvement in the safety features in the 2009 model, the Tacoma can be serviceable tool for the plumber and his crew or a valuable addition to a family of four.

Before, it was easy to dismiss the four-cylinder engine that came with the basic package, as it was evident that the V6 was a far better option for the Tacoma’s bulk. But now, with steadily rising gas prices, the four-cylinder is looking even better. Keep in mind, though, that it only has an output of 159 horsepower and 180 pound-feet of torque. If you’re considering reliability and don’t plan to do any heavy hauling, the fuel savings of that four cylinder is well worth the loss of power. The Tacoma still offers more power than most other four-cylinder trucks, while still giving better fuel economy and being a more complete truck candidate than either the Chevy Colorado, the Dodge Dakota or the Nissan Frontier.

Specifically, both the 2009 Toyota Tacoma Regular and Access Cabs come with a standard 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine that gives off 159 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque. There are also rear-wheel-drive models that come with either a five-speed manual or a four-speed auto. Sadly, the four-wheel-drive model only gets the manual option. The fuel economy for the rear-drive four-cylinder with the automatic is 19 mpg city or 25 mpg highway. Going for the manual will improve those numbers slightly, and getting the four wheel drive version will also cut into it a bit.

At the top of the line, the 4 liter V6 on the Double Cab (an option on the Access Cab) will give you 236 horsepower and 266 lb-ft of torque. However, know that the Double Cab comes as a 4×4 only. Except on the PreRunner Double Cabs, a five-speed manual is standard, with a five-speed automatic optional. Surprisingly, the Tacoma Double Cab V6 will get to 60 mph in just 7.8 seconds, making it one of the fastest among the mid-size trucks. You do, however, trade this extra power for decreased fuel economy – coming in at 16 mpg city and 20 mpg highway for the 4×4 Double Cab model.