At a time when pickups are becoming almost as refined as modern automobiles, it is almost refreshing to drive something completely old-school like the Tacoma.

The 2013 Toyota Tacoma leads a shrinking midsize pickup class in terms of size and capability, but as the latest crop of full-size trucks becomes more fuel-efficient without any loss of hauling and towing ability, the real benefit of selecting a smaller model is a lower price tag. On this front, the Tacoma delivers, saving Toyota truck buyers thousands of dollars while returning better fuel economy compared to the bigger Tundra. However, unless Toyota invests in the 9-year-old Tacoma soon, especially with regard to improving gas mileage, new full-size models from competing companies are likely to further erode its appeal.