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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  Last Toyota I will ever buy - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By Bgaudry - April 17 - 2:59 pm

  I have been a lifelong Toyota customer until now. This is the 6th Toyota I have owned or leased and its the worst experience I have had with one. Engine sounds like its 20 years old. Shifts hard and lurches at lower speeds mostly during acceleration. I have had it at the dealer no less than 6 times. Rode with a tech that agreed its not right. All the did was reflash the ECU. There have been 2 TSBs they performed and problem persists. I called Toyota customer care and all they did was send me back to the dealer. I should probably go lemon law route but who has the time to deal with it. Really pisses me off every time I get in it.

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  Not Surprisingly Surprising - 2006 Toyota Tacoma
  By Nerl - April 14 - 4:30 am

  I have owned Toyota trucks in the past and will only buy Toyota. This truck has great power with the VVT-I engine. The new 5 speed tranny works great. I have over 6000 miles on my truck. We use it as our family vehicle so I had leather installed and it really made this truck a fine piece of machinery. The ride is surprisingly smooth and quiet. I get a combined driving mpg of 19. I am happy with that. I know 22 mpg will be no problem on a trip. I have experienced no axle wrap on this truck. I am not surprised by how good this truck really is because I didnt just stumble upon Toyota. I want a return for my hard earned money and Toyota delivers with its durability, reliability and residual value.

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  Evaluation - 2001 Toyota Tacoma
  By J. Bell - April 13 - 2:00 am

  The truck rides like as SUV - very smooth. I have done no repair on it yet - there has been no need. This is a great highway and offroad truck.

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  Reliable but not perfect - 2007 Toyota Tacoma
  By Dave - April 7 - 7:26 am

  Its a jack of all trades vehicle. Plenty of room for the kids. Hauls all my stuff. Decent mileage for commuting. Has a somewhat bouncy ride but its a truck and truth be told does ride better than most other trucks I have ridden in. Has really light and easy steering. Real easy to drive. The transmission is a dream. Smooth shifting and usually grabs just the right gear. You can slap the stick for quick acceleration. Tows my boat very easily.

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  I LOVE my Taco - 2003 Toyota Tacoma
  By tacofans - April 4 - 4:26 pm

  I loaded it up 1100 lbs. of bricks, stones, and playsand, and it hummed along with no complaints. I love the V6. In town gas mileage is great, between 19-20 mpg. Highway within the 20-22 mpg range. Best tank was 21.85 mpg with 80% hwy, 20% in-town. Just keep the speed below 69 mph for better gas mileage (but I did go 75-80 mph from time to time). Ride is not bad at all for a truck although I would change the factory tires when they wear out for better traction.

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  Sound System - 2015 Toyota Tacoma
  By mzorn229 - April 4 - 1:29 pm

  The ETune system might sound better if they didnt remove the rear Access door speakers. I have owned five [5] other Tacomas and this is by far the worst sounding radio I have had in any of them. They took out the rear [Access] door speakers and replaced them with two tweeters in the headliner over your head. There is very little bass when you fade to the rear you need to turn up the volume all the way to even here them. I showed this to the dealer and they are helping me with Toyota to see if they will exchange the inside door panels from an older model, which will fit, that have the perforations for the speaker sound to enter the cab. I will take care of putting in the speakers.

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  prerunner - 1999 Toyota Tacoma
  By delawaredrew - April 2 - 10:00 am

  Great truck , but has persistent shake at highway speeds. No work has ever solved it. Still hauls loads, and runs reliably. Sucks on bumps until its moving fast (70 mph +) Never left me stranded in 80000 miles

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  Best In Class...Except... - 2017 Toyota Tacoma
  By Tom M. - March 30 - 1:13 pm

  This really is a best in class vehicle. Ride, handling, comfort, well thought out in all respects except one. Why Toyota cant get this right is a mystery to most...still underpowered but now we have a transmission that cannot hold a constant speed going up a hill. Even the slightest incline causes the transmission to downshift, upshift, downshift, upshift and so on. Only way to avoid the constant shifting is to manually downshift and keep the lower gear manually used and not depend on the automatic transmission. Unfortunate as this vehicle is outstanding in almost every other aspect of a light truck ride. Wishing and hoping Toyota someday brings the Helix (diesel) platform to the USA. Overall happy but when going uphill the transmission is really annoying.

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  Problems with Tacoma 4x4 from start - 2007 Toyota Tacoma
  By SharEd - March 30 - 6:23 am

  Makes clunk noise as you pull forward every time (sounds like transmission) and several times we were told that was normal. Now it is being looked at. Brakes squeeled and entire neighborhood laughed at new truck when backing up. Now has squeal in steering when turning either direction and car only has 7200 miles on it. Hate it already. Dont know what will happen next.

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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). :(