Overview & Reviews

Since its introduction in 1995, the Toyota Tacoma has been a mainstay of the compact and midsize pickup segments. The original Tacoma fell into the compact category, while the second-generation truck's 2005 debut marked the transition to midsize dimensions. Typical advantages to a new or used Tacoma include a variety of body styles to choose from, useful off-road abilities, strong resale value and a better than average reputation for reliability.

Downsides are few. Even when modestly appointed, this Toyota often costs more than competing trucks and prices are high on the used market as well. In addition, taller drivers might feel cramped inside the first-generation Tacoma's compact cab. Otherwise, the Toyota Tacoma is a very capable pickup that's highly recommended for nearly all truck shoppers.

User Reviews:

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  Barely a truck - 2009 Toyota Tacoma
  By jequines - May 26 - 7:41 pm

  Have put 50,000kms on now with not too much trouble. Stereo went dead within 2 months of buying it, dealership replaced. This truck is terribly underpowered, drove it through the mountains and I was down to 60kph in 3rd gear full throttle. Frame seems weak if I drive down a gravel road I can see the box shaking and twisting independant of the cab quite violently. Box wont hold much wieght, at 600lbs rear suspension is almost fully compressed. Truck gets awesome gas mileage and the styling is great.

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  TRD Sport Crew Cab 4x4 5.0" bed - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By Joe Darvish - April 24 - 12:25 am

  After waiting out 2005-2015 body style, I bought the 2016. I do not find the seat uncomfortable, but I agree with others comment on engine/transmission mismatch. I expected the engine to be a lot more quiet. We have a 2010 RX350 with a different 3.5L V-6 engine which is exceptionally smooth and quiet. Tacomas downshifts at highway cruising with a slight uphill when I dont expect. It makes you think you are driving a 4 cylinder engine when it down shifts. The gas mileage should be evaluated when the engine breaks in at about 5K miles. The rest of the truck is fine. I have a 2009 Honda Accord EXL and a 2009 Mercedes E350 sport. Road/wind/tire noise at highway speed is very good. Fit, Finish, and feel are excellent As the time goes by and Toyota learns how customers evaluate the truck, they will come up with transmission shifting programming update that will improve the shifting. If I were you, I would not run to GM trucks yet. GM is known for having issues down the road. Dont be fooled by GMs truck of the year awards.... 5-10 year GM trucks are not reliable or are worth that much.

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  TOUGH TO GET IN - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By Tony Salmonson - April 19 - 9:13 pm

  I am 6 foot and 200 pounds the door opening is too small very hard to get in my head almost hits the roof when I am sitting in driver’s seat

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  Major Driveline Problems, wont buy another, Toyota offering arbitration - 2012 Toyota Tacoma
  By 12tacoowner - March 2 - 12:31 am

  I have a 2012 double cab v6 TRD Off-Road, 100% stock. Lemon?? My first Toyota. Bought new from dealer out of state, arrived by transporter and immediately had major drive line vibration. Been to local dealer 3x; in contact with Toyota USA because the dealers cant fix. Read up on this at TacomaWorld, there are many 2012s with this prob, sad. If you must buy, test drive from a dead stop through 30mph, up hill if possible. Putting a load on it makes the prob especially noticeable if its there at all. Toyota modern day quality is sub-par, unfortunately theyre the only mid-size truck with a v6, 4x4, double cab w/ manual trans option. btw, manual trans is made by Aisin = not goo

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  Suspension Problems - 2010 Toyota Tacoma
  By john1961 - March 1 - 1:32 pm

  I am very disappointed with the weak suspension caused by poor design. This is my 3rd Toyota truck and after poor response from Toyota Canada probably my last. For the sake of $350.00 for a solution they are willing to lose a longtime loyal client. If anyone has had success with Toyota to correct the problem I would like to know. Toyota were once known for their quality and durability but now I feel its all about money

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  Entune must go - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By Jason Burke - February 14 - 5:22 am

  *ive now had the truck for 10kmiles and while overall I like it, I dont know if Id buy it again. The Entune system is really aweful and does all sorts of odd and annoying things. I usually use my phone for navigation because the build I. System is so bad. The locking tailgate is a nice feature but it requires a separate key and cant be unlocked remotely. The drivers seat is not very adjustable and can be uncomfortable on long drives. --------------—------------------------------------------ Ive had my truck for two months and 4000 miles. The truck looks great drives great and is far more capable than Ill ever need it to be. That said the Entune infotainment system is awful. As in so bad I sometimes regret buying the truck. One common issue is that it will not allow you to type in an address while the car is in motion. That means your passenger cant either. You are supposed to be able to use voice recognition to do it but the voice recognition is so bad that the level of rage it generates in the user negates any safety benefit of not being able to manually enter an address. Btw the nav system is not as good as what you have in your phone. Finding radio stations has been made as complicated as possible. But dont take my word for it, read the online reviews of Entune. Read the App Store reviews. Customers HATE Entune and Toyota doesnt care. Remember there are better options out there right now from Apple and Google that work the way youd expect them to work. I suspect Toyota doesnt want to pay for the use of the software or something. I for one would happily pay for the upgrade!

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  2002 Tacoma - 2003 Toyota Tacoma
  By marc golden - January 24 - 2:00 am

  Traded in my 95 F-150 4x4 for this truck and that was the worst mistake I ever made... Within in the first 2000 miles I had that great dash rattle, door panel loose and other annoying sounds coming from the interior. Had the rear brakes replaced at 3000 miles b/c I was getting a vibration through the steering wheel. The truck is terrible when there is any kind of wind blowing, feels like your gonna be blown off the road. This is also one of the worst trucks I have ever driven in the snow. First and last

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  Unpleasant Toyota Experience - 2007 Toyota Tacoma
  By Dirtydog1776 - January 20 - 3:40 am

  Purchased this truck to get better mileage than my old 1999 Dodge Dakota. So far gas mileage has been terrible ( I am a careful driver!), the engine is under powered and the rough downshifting on even slight inclines makes the cruise control useless. Ride is spongy, steering is loose, lots of noise from the engine and road.

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  Toyota Tacoma - 2003 Toyota Tacoma
  By Dane Coleman - January 13 - 10:00 am

  The plain Tacoma truck run okay. Not enough of power in the 4cyl. Just little more torque. Cheap seats and interior doors. Thin metal bed and box. The truck should be about 2" higher off the ground. Could be quieter in the cab while the engine is running/ 4cyl

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  Not very happy with my 3rd new 4WD Taco - 2009 Toyota Tacoma
  By gw8 - December 29 - 8:38 pm

  I have a more positive review earlier by GW7. Now the 3rd radio in my Tacoma is malfunctioning. It will be replaced again under warranty but I now have to question some of Toyotas quality, they just seem to want to keep replacing defective radios until the warranty expires. I have been loyal to Toyota because of reliability, but my patience is wearing thin on this issue.