Review: The Toyota Tacoma is a charming pickup truck — which makes up for its imperfections

• The 2023 Toyota Tacoma is one of the last in this generation of the mid-size pickup truck.

• We drove one from the top-of-the-line TRD Pro trim, and it came to $52,188 after options and fees.

• The Tacoma wasn't perfect, but it charmed us anyway.

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma is one of the last of its kind. The current generation of the truck, which debuted in 2015, is on the way out, and a new one — likely with powertrain upgrades, more modern components, and a nicer interior — will soon take its place.

But I've always had a soft spot for the current Tacoma. After driving one for a week, I understand why.

The Tacoma is Toyota's mid-size pickup, which slots in under the full-size Tundra at a base price of $27,750. For the 2023 model year, buyers can choose a 159-horsepower, four-cylinder engine or a 278-horsepower V6, and both offer the option to send power to just the rear wheels or all four. The truck also comes with either a six-speed automatic or a six-speed manual transmission.

Toyota's lineup is in a transition period, with new generations of its vehicles either here or on the way. The aggressive new styling package for its trucks and SUVs — big, square grilles and angular headlights — can be seen on the new Tundra and Sequoia, while the Tacoma and 4Runner still have the softer, rounder looks of their outgoing generations. New models are expected in the next year or two, with full performance, appearance, and technology makeovers.

My loaner Tacoma, which I drove for a week, was a TRD Pro. The "TRD" stands for Toyota Racing Development, and the TRD Pro is the most expensive trim on the Tacoma with a base price of $47,185. My truck had the V6 and an automatic transmission, and with a few minor optional features and fees, it came to $52,188.

The first time I saw my loaner Tacoma, it looked like a glow stick. Its bright-orange paint and black accents — including a giant black hood scoop with "TRD Pro" etched into it — were so visually jarring that I had to stand there for a second just to get used to them, and the truck looked so much like a Cheez-It box that I drove it straight to the grocery store and bought one. (If orange isn't your thing, the $36,000 TRD Off-Road trim has a lime-green paint option.)

I love how the Tacoma looks. To me, the rounded edges all over the truck — the body panels, headlights, and everywhere else — have aged so gracefully since 2015, while other automakers shift to a more angular aesthetic that will be out of style in a few years.

I'm not a truck person, but I've always thought that if I bought one, I'd consider a Tacoma from this generation for two reasons: the looks, and the fact that you can get one with a manual transmission (even today!). Considering how few new cars come with manual transmission in America, and how only 4% of Tacoma buyers choose the stick, that's a huge plus.

I'd never driven a Tacoma until this one, and the first thing I noticed when I got in was how open it felt. The cabin was surrounded by big, upright windows, making the truck feel even more spacious and giving me all the visibility I needed. Whenever I maneuvered or changed lanes, I could see everything behind and next to me.

That did not apply to the front of the truck. The hood didn't just protrude into my line of sight; it was ungainly, making it hard to park or get a sense of what was around me. This made me — a bad parker — even worse at parking.