2016 Toyota Tacoma Double-Cab 4x4 - First Look

This is the 2016 Toyota Tacoma, completely uncovered and shot on location in Michigan ahead of the 2015 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

It brings a lot of the 4Runner's aggressive angularity to the front end, without aping that design. What's similar: the large grille and a massive lower element. The difference is that in the Tacoma, the two are separated by a small horizontal grille opening. It's frankly a much more attractive and cohesive front fascia.

Significant sculpting to the wheel arch and a character line at headlight level on the fender are evolutionary, rather than revolutionary, themes carried over from the old Tacoma.

The front end is characterized by framed elements like the grille trim. The chrome-bezeled fog lamps are particularly attractive.

Simpler two-element taillights are much cleaner and more contemporary than the multi-element units in the 2014 model.

The classic Toyota script on the tailgate handle is a nice touch. The huge, set-off "TACOMA" script at the bottom of the tailgate is just par for the course in modern pickup branding. Clearly, this one's a V6.

It's a well-proportioned truck, but so was the outgoing model. Now that we think about it, they're awfully similar in basic proportions and greenhouse. No one was allowed to take a tape measure to anything, but you can take a hint. This is looking like a major restyling rather than a clean sheet design—a Toyota tradition in the vein of the Corolla and Camry updates, although there may be serious changes under the skin that we can't see.

Whether it'll be enough to compete with the all-new Colorado and Canyon twins, both sharply competitive trucks with diesel engines in the offing, remains to be seen. Still, this is a handsome redesign, and aesthetics are hugely important.

It's a good bet that more will be revealed as we head into the auto show early next week. Does Toyota hold any surprises for us? It's anyone's guess. But the small truck market has some life in it yet with a new Tacoma on the way.