For 1998, the interior has been updated with new fabric and full door trim with cloth inserts. Two power outlets have been added under the cigar lighter, the dual cupholders are more conveniently located. It's a nice interior. The instruments and switch gear are laid out well and new rotary-type ventilation controls have a nice feel. A driver's dead pedal provides a place to brace the left foot.
The regular cab seats two in comfort. Xtracab models add a 60/40 split front bench seat and rear jump seats with a special restraint system designed for children. Xtracabs can carry four people in relative comfort, but the primary practical benefit of the extended cab is to provide security and shelter for smaller items. It also adds another inch of front legroom. The Xtracab comes with tilt-out quarter windows and a folding table with cup holders.
Our 4WD Tacoma seemed to be happiest when bouncing down muddy two-tracks, slogging through snow or bounding over major moguls. The suspension has plenty of travel to deal with these hazards and the four-wheel-drive system pulled it through situations where a two-wheel-drive truck might have gotten stuck.
If we weren't expecting to bounce, slog or bound very often, though, we'd think about ordering one of the two-wheel-drive models. The four-wheel-drive truck feels a little out of its element around town with a relatively choppy ride quality. Like almost any pickup, a load in the bed improves the ride quality and handling balance considerably.
Also like most pickups, the performance and ride of a Tacoma will vary considerably from model to model. The four-cylinder engine provides adequate acceleration and the five-speed gearbox shifts well. The basic 2.4-liter engine isn't as smooth as the 2.7-liter engine in the 4X4 models.
Smoother still is the V6 that was fitted to our Limited. It provides lots of power and worked well with the automatic transmission.