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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  Great Truck - 2002 Toyota Tacoma
  By Jetfuelman - March 30 - 2:00 am

  Where I work I could have gotten a substantial supplier discount on any GM vehicle. However, rather than buying an inferior truck that will quickly lose its value. I decided to spend more money and buy a PreRunner, simply because Toyota builds a much better vehicle than GM.

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  BAD GMC - 2003 Toyota Tacoma
  By Mr Toyota - March 30 - 2:00 am

  just bought my 2003 tacoma, traded in a faulty 2000 cheverolet impala. (that was a bad car) so far the truck is simply great, my wife hugged it the other day. "She was happy about loosing the crappy impala too". seats a little too small, clock in wrong place. Seems very solid and well built so far.

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  My little silver truck - 2004 Toyota Tacoma
  By Shipstein - March 28 - 10:00 am

  I really like my truck. Beautiful little machine on the outside, and a no nonsense vehicle on the inside. I really appreciate the fact that Toyota allows you to purchase a vehicle without all the buzzers and bells, so many other companies make standard, and likewise cause initial sticker price to be so inflated. All my little beast has for options is the enhancement package, which completed the little guy just the way I would have wanted with AC, better stereo system, and a few upgrades on outside such as tires and rims which make the truck perfect for me and my chow chow, Ming, who rides shotgun. Keep up the great work Toyota

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  Did I get a lemon? - 2008 Toyota Tacoma
  By Jim - March 27 - 4:03 am

  Ive been looking forward to getting this truck for some time. I am pleased with a lot of it except the automatic transmission. Been told that Toyota is "looking at the problem". It hangs at 1000 and 2000 Rpms - and the engine continues to race harder and harder but it doesnt pick up speed or shift. Very disappointing.

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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.

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  love this truck - 2013 Toyota Tacoma
  By alex - March 23 - 5:47 pm

  Wont ever drive anything else but a Toyota Tacoma or 4 runner again!

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  Just Aint Got It!! - 2001 Toyota Tacoma
  By old_jr - March 20 - 11:23 pm

  Very disappointing truck. V6 has no power. Engine is noisy; cold idle at 2000 rpm sounds like engine is preparing for takeoff. Shifting from 1st to 2nd provides a nice "clunk"; otherwise it just "whines". Feels like universal joint is shot when lifting foot from accelerator - very jerky!

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  Nice little Truck - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By Tim - March 19 - 9:28 am

  Ive never owned a Tacoma before and I honestly never liked them in the past but I like my 2016! I got a great deal when I bought it, 6k under MSRP as it was a dealer demo with 1500 miles on it. The transmission does shift more frequently than Id like but after 300 miles of me driving it, it improved a lot. The complaints about the vibrations in the trucks has not been an issue in mine and it doesnt do it. It runs down the highway well, hauls my trailer, dirt bikes, kids, and seems to be fairly capable in the dirt, so I cant complain. To everyone who is complaining about the transmission, pretty much all, new/first model years after a revamp have bugs to work out. The computer does in fact "learn" your driving habits and adjusts accordingly; or you could just buy a standard. Ive been averaging 21 mpg out of the truck in mixed driving which is just slightly better than EPA estimates and I expect it to improve as it has been climbing steadily the more I drive it. I sold my Ford today and my other car is for sale too so I must like the Tacoma! I live in the Colorado mountains and I think it will be a great truck for many years to come!

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  Hate the Auto Transmission - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By SCRUFFY - March 16 - 6:33 pm

  OK, I love the truck, handling, features, engine, wish it were a bit smaller actually(like the older models), but because of the size it does tow things well. I HATE my automatic transmission. Perhaps from the engineers point of view it is supposed to downshift two gears and rev up to 3000 rpm, but as an operator who has driven mostly manual trannies this is mentally exhausting. I would be happy if there was a way to put it in 6th or 5th or even 4th if you need that, and make it stay there. Just like a manual transmission. Let the engine pull a little. If I am stupid enough to let it pull too much thats my problem. I live in an area with small gentle hills and the constant shifting is insane. Also the locking torque converter decouples too quickly. Now perhaps with the new Atkinson Cycle engine it cant handle loads as efficiently so it bumps the rpm,idk. But its annoying. I would recommend an automatic transmission similar to what Hyundai uses. In the manual mode if you have it in 6th gear it will stay in that gear until the vehicles slows below 40 mph, then downshifts to 5th. It does this in all gears until you come to a stop. Then it is in 1st. As you accelerate you have to do your own shifting. But on small hills it will hold its gear or you can make the decision to downshift and normally the torque converter doesnt decouple either. It acts as if it is a manual transmission. So why didnt I just get the manual? Because the final gear ratios are not as good. If the manual had the same overall ratios I would have stayed with that. As to why they gear them that way I dont know. This thing has plenty of power so it cant be that. Maybe they dont think Americans can shift or handle a clutch very well. A manual should be more efficient in both power and economy but because of the ratios it is not as good in highway mpg. HATE THIS TRANSMISSION!!!!!!!!!!NOT HAPPY Update 1-30-17 Put some Goodyear "FierceAttitude 265/75/16 on it. Rides a little stiff and noisier but not as bad as I expected. Awesome in the snow. Love the 4 wheel drive and the limited slip rear end. Some people are complaining about not enough power. I disagree. With this new Atkinson cycle engine the power is there but at a higher rpm. Not real happy with the gas mileage. Used to have an 86 4-Runner and it would get 24-27 . Just cant do that with this bigger vehicle. I still DO NOT like the Auto Tran. The other day it shifted 17 times accelerating up to 65 mph up a small incline/hill.....REALLY? I would LOVE to be able to manually control my gears. Get rid of the S-mode and make it a manual override. Maybe if you are racing the S mode is important....Maybe. But for a working type truck it is truly worthless IMO. I want economy and I want power when I want it not when the Tranny senses something. Tranny cant see the hills and doesnt know what my brain is anticipating. Hope that helps guys

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  OK truck, but pretty small once you get down to it - 2017 Toyota Tacoma
  By PowerDawg - March 12 - 9:16 am

  To be honest, I was not in the market for a mid-size truck when I started shopping for a new vehicle, but after a ton of research, the Taco offered the best "bang for the buck" so to speak. My 2007 Avalanche was stolen, so I was forced into the new vehicle market. That Avalanche was the best truck I ever owned hands down, so I was pretty biased going to the various dealer lots. After driving the new GMs, and Fords and in seeing their cost, I opted to go to a used car lot. They had a 2015 Tacoma TRD PRO that I test drove and I felt really good in the truck. Since the cost of the 2015 was only $4k cheaper than what a 2017 brand new one was,(gotta love how these hold value) I went for the new. After 4 months of ownership, I thought Id throw this review out. First out, the truck is really a good truck. It does the daily commuter routine really well, and the V6 has the oomph to get out in front of traffic when you are merging if you really get on the gas pedal. The off road capability is incredible and really impressed me on some back country fire roads on my occasional fishing trips. I havent used it yet, but I really do like the piece of mind the "Crawl Control" gives me. The gas mileage is as advertised, but Im a bit of a lead foot, so you may even beat the estimated if you are light on the gas pedal. All the "technology" features are user friendly and intuitive. The real problem I have with this truck is the size. Im a pretty big guy, 61" 240, so the truck with me, the wife, kid and dog makes for a pretty cramped feeling that I never got with the full size truck. If you are coming from a full size to this class of vehicle, definitely work with the dealer to see if you can test it out over a weekend so you fully grasp the space you are going to lose. My other big issue is the carpet is a pain to clean dog hair out of. For some reason it acts like velcro when you try to vacuum it up, but that isnt that huge of an issue because duct tape works wonders for this task. It just takes a lot longer to clean out than my old vehicle did, so again, Im biased. My third gripe is the seats. Ive tried every setting they have and I cant get that comfortable, its almost like Im between settings - either my back is too upright or Im too laid back. Also, not being able to lower the seat brings me to bump my head on the roof on bumpy terrain. This is annoying but not overly so. Toyota really needs to have a power seat function. For the money, you cant beat this trucks functionality and of course they hold their value really well. The amount of accessories you can get from both Toyota and 3rd parties is incredible, and they add even more functionality to a very capable and functional truck. Overall Im happy with my purchase.