Let’s dispense with a fiction about the 2016 Toyota Tacoma pickup: this is not a compact or even midsize rig. By historical standards, the Tacoma is a full-size pickup in every way.

That is, the latest updated version of the Tacoma has essentially the same towing capacity as a 10-year-old Ford F-150. The Toyota and the Ford share about the same length, width and height (in four-door, four-by-four form) – and they have about the same wheelbase. These two have equal front and rear legroom, and headroom is about a wash, too.

Yes, smaller pickups have become quite buff in 2016. That is, once-smaller pickups have blown up to be as big as full-size rigs were a decade ago. The Tacoma can do almost everything a 2006 F-Series could do and it’s just about as tricky to squeeze into a parking space at your typical underground lot.

This Tacoma is about as big and capable as a 10-year-old Ford F-150 — and it looks more aggressive. The cabin owes its design to the Toyota Camry, but the seats are too flat and badly padded for long drives.

The Tacoma is many things, then. But it’s not cheap. The base rear-drive, stretch-cab (Access Cab) model starts at $27,995 – and you can load up this Toyota to $44,275 or more (four-by-four Double Cab Limited). The least expensive 2016 F-150 sells for $2,600 less than the cheapest Tacoma.

And yes, that 4×2 Ford F-150 is bigger, can tow a bigger trailer, has a much more powerful V-6 (282 horsepower) than the puny (159 hp) four-banger in the base Tacoma. On paper, Ford gives you more in its full-size F-Series than Toyota in the slightly smaller Tacoma.

So what’s the Tacoma advantage? Three words: it’s a Toyota. That Toyota brand is golden with a big chunk of the marketplace and nothing is going to change that. As well, the Tacoma is all the truck most people will ever need.

This handy charging pad is perfect for smartphones. The cabin has flexible seating, too — very good for carrying different types of cargo, especially.

Which brings us to General Motors’ rival smaller pickup duo, the Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon. These siblings are another option if you want a smaller rig. However, one brassy Toyota engineer suggests that GM’s entries have the off-road abilities of a Toyota Camry. KA-POW!

The story here is that Toyota wants buyers to embrace the Tacoma as serious off-roader/work truck. The “re-engineered, redesigned, re-equipped” Tacoma is the real deal, not some sissy truck.

On an off-road track near Tacoma, Wash., we tested the new Tacoma’s bona fides – playing with the five different settings of the computer-controlled Multi-Terrain Select system – mud and sand, loose rock, mogul, rock and dirt and rock. We couldn’t get stuck, even in sand up to the axles.

We eased down a 37-degree grade using one of the milder settings of the five-setting Crawl Control. The more rigid body and frame – not fully boxed so that the Tacoma has greater wheel articulation (if you must ask) — didn’t squeak, twist or bend. The new 3.5-litre V-6 mated to a new six-speed gearbox had enough low-end grunt to climb steep, soft and slippery grades.

The no-scratch bed is a work-truck bonus.

We also took the measure of the cargo box with its no-rust composite deck. Useful. There’s a 120-volt outlet for running a mitre saw or such. And a no-scratch bed.

The cabin looks inspired by the latest Toyota designs in the Camry and the Corolla. The materials are an upgrade over the ancient and outgoing Tacoma and the full-on infotainment interface is very Millennial. Seat comfort remains mediocre, and the undersized steering wheel tilts but doesn’t telescope – a massive mistake.

For the record, that 2.7-litre four-cylinder is a non-starter for virtually everyone. It’s soft and weak. You can also get a six-speed manual gearbox, but almost no one will want it.

So if you’re looking for a Toyota pickup almost as capable as a full-size rig, the Tacoma should be on your list. But don’t expect to get a bargain compared to, say, one of Ford’s full-size pickups.

THE LOOK: Toyota should be ashamed for putting a non-functional air scoop on the hood of the otherwise macho looking 2016 Tacoma. This truck has 9.4 inches/2,685 mm of ground clearance, a 32.1 degree approach angle, projector headlamps with LED daytime running lights, an integrated spoiler on the locking tailgate, big wheel arches and cut sheetmetal.

THE DRIVE: The 3.5-litre V-6 is solid. There are new six-speed automatic and manual gearboxes, too. The V-6 operates for fuel efficiency in the Atkinson cycle (it delays the valve timing) but most of the time you’re driving in the normal auto cycle. Toyota’s engineers argue the rear leaf springs are best of serious outbacking, but they don’t deliver the ride comfort of coil springs – which you get in the Colorado/Canyon.

THE NUTS AND BOLTS: Inside, you can re-charge your mobile without a plug using the Qi cycle; there’s a standard rear camera; and the list of off-road and towing features is long – electronically controlled locking rear differential, Hill Start Assist Control, Craw Control, Multi-Terrain Select, and a maximum tow rating of 6,500 lbs/2,948 kg.

THE CABIN/STORAGE: The new materials don’t feel cheap like those in the outgoing Tacoma and the layout is as clear and sensible as you’ll find in a Toyota Corolla. The seats are not particularly well-padded for long rides. The steering wheel tilts but does not telescope. A colour display within the instrument cluster is very useful. The infotainment interface and all the off-road system controls are dead easy to manage. You’ll be able to load a 4×8 sheet of plywood back there, the tailgate locks, there’s a standard 120V outlet and the composite bed won’t rust.

THE BRAND: In Consumer Reports’ latest brand report card, Toyota’s strong reliability score was enough to balance its middling road test score. Toyota finished eighth among all brands overall. Seems like these testers have taken the measure of the new Tacoma.

WHY BUYS? Toyota Camry and Corolla buyers who want a pickup.

Price range: $27,995-$44,275

Engines: Engines: 2.7-litre four-cylinder, 3.5-litre V-6.

Transmissions: five- and six-speed manual, six-speed automatic.

Fuel economy (litres/100 km): 13.1 city/10.5 highway for 4×4 Double Cab with the V-6 engine.

Comparables: Nissan Frontier, Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon for sure, but also any of the full-size pickups out there.