Compact pickup truck; Built in USA, Japan
  • ext. cab
  • reg. cab
  • longitudinal front-engine/rear- or 4-wheel drive
Good condition price range: $1,000 – $3,200*


1992 Toyota Pickup DLX 4WD regular cab


1990 Toyota Pickup 4WD Xrtacab extended cab


1994 Toyota Pickup 4WD Xrtacab extended cab


1993 Toyota Pickup 4WD regular cab


1991 Toyota Pickup Xrtacab extended cab

Pros:
  • Acceleration (V6)
  • Reliability
Cons:
  • Engine noise
  • Price

While payload and towing capacities are better than the Japanese norm, they don’t quite measure up to the domestics. When comparison shopping, Toyota may have an advantage in the fact they have perceptibly higher quality of workmanship, which might offset possible higher prices.

Overview

Compact Toyota pickups gained a restyling for 1989, with shift-on-the-fly part-time 4-wheel drive and rear antilock brakes. The new ABS system was standard on SR5 V6 models, optional on SR5 4-cylinder pickups. Standard powerplants in 1990 included both a fuel-injected and carbureted 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, plus an available 150-horsepower 3.0-liter V6. The two 4-cylinder engines provided 102 horsepower and 116 horsepower, respectively. Standard on SR5 V6 models and optional on Xtracab Deluxe pickups was the 3.0-liter V6. The carbureted engine offered a 4-speed manual gearbox, while the other two came standard with a 5-speed manual, with an available 4-speed overdrive automatic.

Yearly Updates

1991 Pickup
For ’91 rear-wheel antilock brakes continue as standard on the SR5 models, but are optional on all other Toyota pickups. Standard on the SR5 V6 4×4–and newly optional on all of Toyota’s 4WD pickups for ’91–is a system the automaker calls 4WDemand. This system has automatic-locking front hubs. Shifting a floor-mounted transfer-case lever engages the front differential and drive shafts, permitting shift-on-the-fly between 2WD and 4WD High at any speed up to 50 mph. Gone for ’91 is the carbureted 102-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine.
1992 Pickup
All models get a new front valance panel and a new grille that incorporates the Toyota logo; grilles continue to differ slightly between 2WD and 4WD models. Also added this year is a dashboard storage compartment below the radio.
1993 Pickup
Toyota shelves the heaviest-duty versions of its compact pickup in deference to its new T100 midsize truck and juggles some equipment on the remaining models. Gone for ’93 is the long-bed 4WD model; all other models remain available with 2- or 4-wheel drive. Also dropped from the lineup is the 2WD long-bed workhorse, the One Ton model. It had a payload of 2520 pounds, just 50 pounds less than the new 2WD T100’s One Ton. Also, new exterior graphics are added and cruise control is no longer available on the 2WD DX. Finally, the 4WD SR5 V6 now has 31-inch tires only when alloy wheels are ordered.
1994 Pickup
Toyota’s line of compact pickups return for ’94 without a long-bed body style, but with new safety features for the remaining regular cab and extended cab models. New safety features include side door-guard beams and a center high-mount stoplight, both now required on pickups.

Engines

longitudinal front-engine/rear- or 4-wheel drive

Standard powerplants in 1990 included both a fuel-injected and carbureted 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, plus an available 3.0-liter V6. The carbureted 4-cylinder engine provides 102 horsepower. The carbureted version provides 116-horsepower at 4800 rpm and 140 pound-feet of torque at 2800 rpm. The carbureted engine is dropped in ’91, with the fuel-injected 4-cylinder engine becoming standard on the base model. Standard on SR5 V6 models and optional on Xtracab Deluxe pickups is the 3.0-liter V6. It provides 150 horsepower at 4800 rpm and 180 pound-feet of torque at 3400 rpm. The carbureted engine offers a 4-speed manual gearbox, while the other two come standard with a 5-speed manual, with an available 4-speed overdrive automatic.

ohc I4
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 2.4/144
Engine HP 102
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 132
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
4-speed manual

19/23

ohc I4
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 2.4/144
Engine HP 116
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 140
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
5-speed manual
4-speed automatic
22/26
22/23
ohc V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 3.0/181
Engine HP 150
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 180
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
5-speed manual
4-speed automatic
18/23
18/23

Road Test

When behind the wheel, we discovered that Toyota’s 150-horsepower 3.0-liter V6 is a little smoother than its Nissan counterpart, though neither has nearly the torque of the sixes in the domestics, such as the Ford Ranger or Chevy S-10. Nonetheless, performance from our 5-speed 4WD Xtracab SR5 V6 was good: 13.1 seconds in the 0-60 sprint–not bad for the heaviest model in the line. Braking also was laudable, with short stopping distances and good resistance to rear-wheel locking.

Cab comfort, quietness, and driving ease all rate high. Even the ride is comfortable, especially for a tautly sprung 4WD model. It provides stable cornering and feels confident and surefooted. Toyota’s 4WDemand system is easy to use and much more convenient than the other Toyota system. Less impressive is the tighter rear-seat room in Toyota’s Xtracab, versus the Nissan King Cab or Isuzu’s Spacecab.

Ratings

Model Tested: 1994 Toyota SR5 ext. cab

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 3
30%
Fuel Economy - 4
40%
Ride Quality - 3
30%
Steering/Handling - 3
30%
Quietness - 3
30%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 4
40%
Room/Comfort Front - 4
40%
Room/Comfort Rear - 1
10%
Cargo Room - 2
20%

Other

Value - 4
40%

Total: 31

Specifications

ext. cab
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
121.9 199.0 66.5 61.4
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
1700 17.2 5
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
38.4 35.5 42.8 27.2
reg. cab
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
103.0 180.5 66.5 61.0
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
1860 13.7 3
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
38.2 NA 41.7 NA
Safety Ratings

Model Tested: 1994 Pickup reg. cab

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - 2
40%
Front Passenger Injury - 4
80%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - N/A
N/A0%
Rear Passenger Injury - N/A
N/A0%

HLDI

(A score of 100 is average. Lower is better)

Collision 108
Injury 90
Theft 146

Trouble Spots

Automatic transmission
Description: The column-mounted shift lever on trucks with automatic transmissions may bind requiring replacement of the shift interlock cable, end rod holder, and return spring. (1990-91)
Clutch
Description: If the clutch-throwout bearing squeals, it must be replaced with a redesigned one. (1990-91)
Exhaust system
Description: In compliance with emission-control regulations, the oxygen sensor will be replaced free at the 80,000-mile maintenance. (1993-94)
Transmission noise
Description: A high-pitched whistling noise at speeds below 50 mph may be caused by the driveshaft. (1990)

Recall History

1990-94
Description: If steering wheel is repeatedly turned under high-effort conditions, fatigue crack may develop in steering relay rod, which could eventually fracture.

Equipment Lists

Equipment lists are only viewable on larger screen sizes.

Pricing

Used-car pricing varies widely depending on local market conditions. Therefore, we recommend visiting websites that list used cars for sale to get a better idea of what a specific model is selling for in your area.

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