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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  Turtle - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By timbo - December 6 - 7:21 pm

  Compared to the 2012 Tacoma I owned this truck is like a turtle, It has no power and when you use cruse going up a slight incline will shift to different gear. In my 2012 towing a boat up hill it would not shift like the 2016 does with out a boat behind it. Very sluggish do not buy this truck if you want a truck with average power. Im a Toyota man but will not buy another truck un Toyota addresses the issue with motor and transmission does not compare to the 2012 Tacoma that I traded for this one, I wish I had my 2012 back.....

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  Could do better... - 2015 Toyota Tacoma
  By Jared - December 6 - 1:28 pm

  Ok, Im comparing this to my 2010 Ford Focus. It may not make sense, but in this case Im just comparing technology, because a newer vehicle should have newer/better technology right? My Focus had automatic locking doors over 15MPH, a display of MPG, how many miles till empty, which door was left ajar, and which tire was under deflated, an almost fully lit door controls panel to include lock/unlock and all four windows, outside temperature, and a compass. Ill tell you what my 2015 Tacoma has out of all of those items. None of them. As soon as my eyes turn away from the center touch screen (only really needed for the backup camera) all I see is a cheap design. Awesome, great, theres a light that tells me my headlights are on. Why do I need that when the headlights shut off automatically anyway? If you dont have an HD radio your screwed from outside temperature. If you need to make a quick change on your route and need an idea of what direction youre going, you cant know that either. Finally, the truck bed doesnt lock. Are you joking? Id rather know whats going on with my vehicle than have a TV attached, and, you know, be able to keep things safe in the bed... As you can see from the bubble fill in review, this is my only complaint. And a side note, SYNC by Microsoft is a better voice recognition/command program.

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  uncomfortable - 2008 Toyota Tacoma
  By bob1971 - October 31 - 1:17 am

  This is a reliable great quality truck and all but they put these adjustable lumbar supports in them that kill my back . After a while of driving this thing I can feel the bar pressing against my back . If you turn it the other way ( to take the pressure off ) there is a big indention there which is just as bad . It is so bad , I sold the truck .

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  A Future Recall for Inadvertent Accelaration - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By George Camacho - August 24 - 8:42 pm

  My prior truck was a 2008 4x4 Double Cab Tacoma, which to this day regret trading it in for the 2016 SR5 4x4 Double Cab Tacoma. The 2016 was advertised as an improvement. I believe this model looks better and the interior was an improvement, but the 3.5 engine is a step back from the 4.0 liter engine. Im pretty sure the transmission is not doing the engine justice. And I understand that its a 4x4 therefore its going to perform different, but most of the time I drive on the highway not off road. I dont see any problems with Toyota incorporating the shift points that we are all complaining about when its in 4x4, the technology is there. And yes the engine is very noisy contrary to how its advertised. Gas mileage is no better because I find myself stepping on the gas pedal more just to get out of my own way. But besides re-iterating other reviews, the most alarming problem to me is the inadvertent acceleration while parking, whether its backing up or pulling forward. The engines behaves as if its going to stall then catches itself by fluctuating the RPMs. This is problematic when parking in tight spots.

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  Excellent truck with a few fatal flaws - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By Jeff - July 21 - 9:47 pm

  So wanted to buy this truck. Like the looks, interior and hope of excellent reliability. Rented it for a day and took it on a long trip. Within an hour my backside was sore and after 2 hours I could feel my right foot going a little numb. Im in excellent health so its not that. My wifes CRV has hard seats too and Im fine in that car. The seats in the Tacoma are so hard and adjustability is minimal as many have noted. And after two hours I realized that the force needed to keep the accelerator down is significantly greater than my other truck or any of the many cars I drive at work. Long trips are very fatiguing. Ruined the truck for me. the Colorado is nice but every GM truck Ive owned has had so many issues that Im not sure I can go there.

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  2005 Tacoma - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By 05 TACOMA - July 4 - 5:30 am

  I think the build quality of the previous generation tacoma is much greater. I have had dashboard problems with mine, engine ticking problems, cigarette lighter port problems, and door panel problems. All of this within the first 10,000 miles. My 1997 tacoma had 147,000 miles on it when I sold it, and I had not as much as one problem.

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  Top of the line its not - 2012 Toyota Tacoma
  By kmann51 - May 28 - 4:27 am

  Ive had this about 10 months now and get more aggravated with it each time I drive it. First, you get neither power or fuel economy. Traded an FJ for this which had gobs of power to this that seems woefully underpowered and it gets 15-17 mpg while driving it like miss Daisy is my passenger. Mine is the TRD crew cab, and it has no heated mirrors, many of the interior switches are not back-lit so driving at night or in cold weather the truck is a pain in the neck. The most recent insult was the ENTUNE update they sent on a USB drive. Now none of the functions are working even though my phone shows a good bluetooth connection.

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  Dont be fooled - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By Dan - May 10 - 3:43 pm

  My father always said, never buy the first year of a new model or redesigned model and I didnt listen to him. This truck has had so many problems I cant even count them. It has been in the shop repeatedly since day one. To this day, I still cant get anyone to admit that the exhaust sounds like it has a leak. I thought I was buying quality, but I was fooled. Dont be. Buy a 2007 or later. By all they have learned about mine, those next years should be great!

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  overrated - 2001 Toyota Tacoma
  By george d - March 30 - 2:00 am

  for the price the truck is a total rip off. i have a dash rattle that will not quit. broken sway bar link which the dealer will not fix. my corner lenses are taking in water every time it rains. the toyota factory bedliner is destroying the paint on my bed. my rear end "clunks" every time the truck is put back into gear because of what toyota and many other loyalists call "axle wrap". the timing belt idler pully is chirping now. all in all im extremely displeased with the truck as a whole besides it offroad ability. never will toyota see another penny from me. early age to lose a customer (18 years old). :(

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  Does The Job - 2011 Toyota Tacoma
  By mitchelld - March 25 - 5:32 am

  Previously owned a Ford F150 with V-8. After 7 years, I made the decision to down size to the Tacoma. The Ford was more comfortable and much easier to get in/out of. Additionally, (and somewhat incredibly) the Tacoma only delivers about 1.5 better MPG. However, the Tacoma is much easier to park in tight spaces and rides on a par with the larger F150. Brakes on the Tacoma are adequate in spite of feeling as though there is air in the brake line (mushy). Also, be aware, the brakes squeak/squeal & you will be told by Tacoma that this is "NORMAL" If you are down sizing, be willing to accept less vehicle in interior/exterior space, ride, and hauling capability with little MPG improvement.