When I first started here, I ended up having to review quite a few trucks as a rite-of-passage. From the Ford F-150 XLT, Chevy 1500 Silverado Bison Edition, to the full-blown luxury truck that is the GMC Sierra Denali Ultimate, what I found common with each truck was how isolated and refined each felt, especially for a vehicle specifically designed first and foremost for heavy utility. It’s like that phrase that tends to be tossed around in the automotive space; you can have your cake and eat it too. With the growing expectations of the modern consumer, even trucks kind of have to do a little bit of everything to stay relevant and competitive. But to be honest, sometimes a simple Taco on days other than a Tuesday night is all you really need. 

The 2026 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport - especially with this long-throw manual transmission - actually reminded me of what trucks used to feel like; simple. Does it have a screen for Gen-Z drivers to hook up their phone to? Sure. Does it have a full safety suite that even less experienced and occasional drivers can still fall back on? Indeed. Can you still get a Tacoma with a transmission that forces you to row your own gears? Heck yeah. While the Tacoma has evolved into a far more refined and advanced truck compared to previous generations, it still provides that old school, no-frills feel that people remember when trucks were far more simple machines. 

TRD Sport

For 2026, Toyota has made only minor updates to the Tacoma lineup following its complete redesign last year. Our tester in this TRD Sport trim is the more street-focused version of the bunch, being equipped with regular all-season tires, while the TRD Pro and Trailhunter models cater to the niche that wants a lot more off-road capability in their midsize truck. Considering the majority of trucks we see here in the Greater Toronto Area are used to primarily haul people and carry stuff to and from Canadian Tire or Home Depot, the TRD Sport is the goldilocks version of the Tacoma lot.

Under the hood

Power comes from the standard output, turbocharged i-FORCE 2.4L inline-four cylinder motor producing 270 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque when paired with the six-speed manual transmission. While the automatic-equipped versions make slightly more horsepower and torque, the difference is hardly noticeable during everyday driving. For a gasoline motor, this feels very diesel-like, especially with the 5400 rpm rev limiter, meaning most of the power delivery is low in the range. Try to use all of the 5400 revolutions however, and the mariachi band runs out of steam. 

Fuel economy is respectable rather than exceptional. It’s officially rated (L/100km) at 13.2 City, 10.3 Highway, and 11.9 Combined. I averaged a thirsty 14.3/100km during our stint with it, slightly better than the previous generation’s 2GR V6. 

DIY gearbox

This particular manual transmission - though very rubbery feeling even for a truck transmission - is fairly approachable for even the most novice of stick-shift drivers. Thanks in part to the iMT (Toyota’s rev-matching feature), it allows drivers to not worry about abruptly upsetting the vehicle motion while downshifting, something that all beginner manual drivers struggle with.

Admittedly, I’ve used it for times where I feel too lazy to rev-match myself. The clutch is surprisingly light, making stop-and-go traffic easier and less intimidating than you'd expect. With a heavy flywheel, this truck wants you to take time with your shifts and doesn’t like being rushed, an old school character trait that encourages you to have some mechanical sympathy. 

Ride

The TRD Sport’s suspension tuning distinguishes itself from the more off-road-focused TRD Pro and Trailhunter models. The dampers are optimized for street-use, with these 18-inch wheels on all-season tires providing noticeably sharper steering response while reducing body roll through corners. Although it is still unmistakably a body-on-frame pickup truck, the TRD Sport Tacoma makes the most sense for the use cases for people that primarily commute in the city and occasionally go out in the country. 

Interior & Cargo Space

Interior quality marks one of the Tacoma’s biggest improvements over the last generation. The cabin now feels slightly more upscale with improved materials, a modern digital dashboard layout that changes with the various drive modes, and an overall quieter cabin thanks to the increased use of sound insulation.

Physical controls remain for many frequently used functions, a welcome decision for those that loath interacting with screens for every vehicle function. The TRD Sport also comes generously equipped with heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a premium JBL audio system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and Toyota’s latest infotainment system. 

Rear seat space is respectable, but slightly cramped due to the limitations of a midsize, body-on-frame chassis. Adult passengers will find sufficient room for shorter trips, although competitors such as the Honda Ridgeline - though on a unibody platform - offer a more spacious rear cabin.

Cargo versatility also remains somewhat limited by the five-foot bed that accompanies the manual transmission, meaning buyers who frequently haul longer building materials or recreational equipment may wish for the six-foot bed available elsewhere in the lineup, but will have to give up the manual altogether. 

Money & wrap it up

Pricing for the Canadian Market 2026 Toyota Tacoma for the base model SR5 starts at $48,895. Our tester in this TRD Sport trim with the Double Cab comes in at $54,269 before all applicable fees. 

The 2026 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport is not the fastest midsize truck, nor is it the softest riding or most technologically advanced in its class. Some rivals outperform it in outright acceleration, refinement, or interior space. Yet none combine reliability, durability, capability, resale value, and old school driver engagement quite like the Tacoma. For buyers who appreciate the satisfaction of rowing their own gears while still needing a dependable truck capable of handling everyday commuting, cottage weekends, and occasional heavy hauling, the Tacoma in my eyes is still the benchmark in this segment.