1994 Toyota Pickup Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Shoppers who visit a dealership to check out a current-generation Toyota Pickup are sure to notice a strong resemblance between today’s truck and past models. Granted, some of the old boxy, sharp edges have been softened a bit, and the interior has a more modern look, but the overall impression hasn’t changed a great deal.

The interior continues to serve as host to hard plastic surfaces that are easy to clean and feel more durable than anything you'd find inside of a Chevy S10 or Ford Ranger. The claustrophobic cabin makes a strong case for looking at the larger Dodge Dakota, if not Toyota’s own T100, which attempts to cover the spread between compact and full-size.

In regular-cab form, the Pickup offers enough room for two people (three if you’ve ever wondered what it feels like to be a packed sardine), but the upright seatback and limited travel will leave many occupants feeling cramped. Of course, all compact trucks are hampered by their small cabs, but the Toyota feels especially confining. For that reason, if you’re planning on spending lots of time behind the wheel of a new Toyota Pickup, we suggest splurging for the added space and breathing room offered in the extended-cab model. Or, start checking the Yellow Pages for local chiropractors.

"Adequate" would be the best word to describe the Toyota Pickup’s engine specs. Starting things off is a standard 2.4-liter, fuel-injected four-cylinder that puts out 116 horsepower and 140 pound-feet of torque. Transmission choices include a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic with overdrive. For those who want a bit more muscle at their disposal, Toyota offers a 3.0-liter, fuel-injected V6 boasting 150 hp and 180 lb-ft of torque, along with the same gearbox options. A part-time 4WD system with manual-locking hubs is offered with the four-cylinder engine, while SR5 V6 models can be equipped with the company’s 4WDemand shift-on-the-fly system. The latter uses automatic-locking hubs so you don’t need to step out in foul weather or muddy conditions to engage the front axle.

Regardless of how you configure the 1994 Toyota Pickup, performance will never get your heart racing, though that’s not really the selling point of a compact truck. There’s sufficient power to get the job done, and both engines can border on entertaining when mated to the manual transmission.

In terms of ride and handling, the 1994 Pickup proves to be fairly compliant with its independent torsion-beam front suspension and rear leaf springs. The one-ton payload package has been scrapped, along with the decidedly rigid ride that accompanied it (payload now peaks at 1,820 pounds for the DX regular-cab RWD model with the four-cylinder engine). Recirculating ball steering (power steering is standard with the V6) is responsive enough for a truck application but doesn’t provide much feedback.

Though they can be fitted with a growing variety of creature comforts, pickup trucks are really about utility and functionality. The 1994 Toyota Pickup is a prime example. Inside, you get a glovebox and dash-mounted cubby, but little else. That’s especially evident in the regular-cab version, which offers very little storage space behind the seat. By contract, the extended-cab model can be equipped with a couple of tiny rear seats, but more important—and useful—is the added space to keep items safe and dry within the cab. Just keep in mind that you’ll need to tilt the front seat to gain access, so there are limitations on what can be placed back there.

Of course, the bed is the Toyota Pickup’s most obvious nod to utility. As noted above, all versions come with the same standard bed that measures 75 inches long, with an internal width of 59.7 inches and just 40.9 inches between the wheel wells. If you frequently need to haul several 4'x8' sheets of plywood, a full-size truck would be a more suitable choice, but with the Toyota you’ll get a lighter and more manageable tailgate, not to mention a relatively low bed that an average-size adult can easily load or unload from the side.

New for 1994, the Toyota Pickup comes with standard side door-guard beams and a federally mandated third brake light that has been mounted just above the rear window. While we appreciate the focus on safety, we wish the end result was a bit more comforting. In National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash tests, Toyota’s compact truck scored only three out of a possible five stars for front driver-side protection, though passenger-side protection did earn four stars.

In addition to the few features mentioned, the Pickup does come with power brakes that include vented front discs and rear drums. If your budget allows, we suggest opting for rear antilock brakes that are standard on the SR5 V6 and optional on other configurations.

Prices for the 1994 Toyota Pickup start at about $10,000 for the base RWD version with the 5-speed manual transmission, with the DX trim tacking on another $1,000 and $1,600 for the extended-cab body style. If you want the V6 engine, be prepared to shell out an additional $1,110, or about $4,000 for optional 4WD. You’ll pay about $16,000 for the RWD SR5 V6, or just a tick under $20,000 for the top dog, which is the SR5 V6 extended cab 4WD.

By comparison, Toyota’s new, larger T100 truck starts at about $13,000 in regular-cab guise with RWD and a four-cylinder engine. Other full-size offerings, like the Chevrolet C1500 and Ford F-150, are on par with the T100. Direct competitors, such as Nissan’s compact truck and the Ford Ranger, are priced hundreds less than the 1994 Toyota Pickup.

From a fuel-economy perspective, the compact Toyota also lags behind to varying degrees. The most efficient version of the Toyota, the base RWD truck with the four-cylinder engine and manual transmission, achieves EPA estimates of 19 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. That’s very close to figures published for the Chevrolet S10 and Dodge Dakota, and actually betters the Ford Ranger (as well its corporate twin, the Mazda B2300). Unfortunately, when it comes to 4WD models equipped with a V6 and automatic transmission, the Toyota manages just 12 mpg city/16 mpg highway compared to the S10’s 16/20 mpg. Plus, the Chevy produces an extra five horsepower and 55 lb.-ft. of torque.

That said, the Toyota has a well-earned reputation for durability, with thousands of owners reporting over 200,000 trouble-free miles with nothing more than routine maintenance (including timing chain replacement). The domestic brands, and even Japanese rivals, have had difficulty measuring up in that respect.