Toyota's redesigned 2016 Tacoma mid-size pickup will offer increased power and towing capability when it arrives at dealer lots in the middle of September.

Toyota has increased the capabilities of the truck that's powered by the 2.7-liter four-cylinder and added a more powerful V-6 to replace the earlier model. The 2.7-liter Tacoma will produce 159 hp and 180 lb.-ft. of torque, while the new 3.5-liter V-6 will produce 278 hp, an increase of 42 hp over the prior model, and 265 lb.-ft. of torque.

The rear-wheel-drive 2.7-liter Tacoma with an automatic transmission provides an EPA-rated 19 mpg in the city, 23 mpg on the highway, and 21 mpg combined. These ratings are comparable to the outgoing model. A similarly equipped 2015 truck reached a highway fuel economy of 24 mpg.

Equipping this truck with 4x4 results in an EPA-rated 19 mpg city, 22 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined. This Tacoma's fuel economy fares better compared to the outgoing model, which provided 18 mpg city, 21 mpg highway, and 19 mpg combined.

The rear-wheel 2016 Tacoma powered by the 3.5-liter V-6 and equipped with an automatic transmission provides an EPA-rated 19 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined. The similar outgoing Tacoma provided 17 mpg city, 21 mpg highway, and 19 mpg combined.

The 4x4 V-6 model with automatic transmission provides 18 mpg in the city, 23 mpg on the highway, and 20 mpg combined. Toyota has improved fuel economy from the outgoing model's 16 mpg city, 21 mpg highway, and 18 mpg combined.

2016 Tacoma buyers can add a towing package to the V-6 model that allows the truck to tow 6,800 pounds, an increase of 300 pounds over the prior model. The 2016 Tacoma meets the SAE J2807 tow standard, according to Toyota.