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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  05 Tacoma, V6 Double Cab-Great Truck - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By Tony Lively - February 2 - 9:23 am

  Ive been looking for MY truck for 40years. Finally they made it. TheToyota Tacoma PreRunner V6 fills all my needs and has extras to spare. Size, holds 5 passengers in comfort, Long Bed is plenty large and I love the tie-downs in tracks with a protected bedliner standard. This truck has power and low-end pull and is at home on the Interstate where it often cruises quietly. Safety is included with 2 SRS front air bags, 3 pt. safety belts, overhead roll cage enforcement, ABS brakes. Ive purchased Toyota Camrys since 1988, 92, 01, and one Corolla for my daughter. The quality in the workmanship and low upkeep, good mileage was enough to make me try my 05 Tacoma. Im glad that I did!

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  Extremely POOR Gas Mileage - 2012 Toyota Tacoma
  By johnd38 - January 28 - 12:59 am

  Ive had Tacomas in the past with marginal gas mileage of 25 mpg, but this is terrible - less than 20 mpg. Toyota has gotten worse & does not live up to the high standards that it once had. Very tinny when closing doors & Poor Dealer Maintenance. Probably will not buy again unless they improve much more. They are relying on past reputation instead of making a better vehicle. Seems like there is No Engineering; only Sales & Marketing today. Put some Engineering effort into this: Improve Gas Mileage -30 mpg+ can be done & quit all the electronic giz wiz "features". Get back to basics & make a good, fuel efficient vehicle again.

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  Tacoma Access Cab SR5 2.7L 4 cylinder, automatic - 2006 Toyota Tacoma
  By Terry - January 24 - 3:32 am

  2006 Tacoma Access Cab SR5 2.7L automatic tranny. Mine is used for light hauling and trailering my 16 foot Boston Whaler boat. It trailers the boat just fine . It launches and pulls the boat up the boat ramps with ease. I added the bolt on trailer receiver right to the bumper in the supplied holes and added the plug and play trailer light kit. Love this truck. I only wish that it had aux jack for the stereo( iPhone connect). It is too old to have Bluetooth ( even better). The other stereo issue is that FM/AM radio mode doesnt show text( ie- song name, artist) CD mode does. Great value and plenty of power from the 2.7L four banger. Plan to keep it a long time. Currently has 57000 miles. Only repair was battery replaced. I installed red top Optima( should last a while in this South Florida heat).

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  06 Tacoma - 2006 Toyota Tacoma
  By dws246 - January 23 - 3:03 am

  When I first bought the truck I loved it, it was great and just what I wanted. However after about 5k I started to get a bad clutch chatter like you are about to stall only worse. I brought that to the dealers attention, said it was normal. I have been driving stick shift for a while and that is not normal, even after giving it lots of gas the chatter would still happen. The worst part of the whole thing is that at 26k the clutch blew, I had to have it towed to the dealer where they said it was not covered by the warranty and I would have to pay $1400 to fix it-everything was bad in the clutch,even the springs were broken which they said was because I was a bad driver.

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  Fun, Solid Vehicle On-road and Off - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By Mike - January 19 - 8:14 am

  As stated in the vehicle details, I purchased a 2016 Tacoma TRD Off Road with the 6ft bed and have around 500 miles on it. My buying experience (my first time buying a new vehicle) was regrettably long and stress-filled and, in the end, I ended up having to special order the truck I wanted. However, now that I have my Tacoma, I couldnt be happier with it and would really recommend this vehicle to anyone looking for a capable, dependable truck but dont want to have to deal with the overwhelming size or poor gas mileage of a full-sized. The primary purpose of my Tacoma is commuting (17 miles each way) and it really is a dream to drive on pavement. Ive noticed that, with the softer-sprung Bilstein shocks and higher sidewall tires, my Tacoma really soaks up normal the small road "chatter" and easily handles the bigger bumps as well. There is also none of the bone-jarring or harsh pounding that you normally get with a pickup truck when you hit bumps or potholes. Fuel mileage has been exceptional as well, as Ive been getting anywhere between 18-20mpg in-town and 20-24mpg on the highway, if I keep speeds at or under 70mph. For once, the EPA ratings werent exaggerated. Ive taken my truck off road once and, in my experience, it certainly lives up to its reputation. The "road" that I took it on was more of a snowmobile trail that included muddy washouts and bony/rocky sections and the Tacoma ate up everything I threw at it. I was a bit worried about the seating position and lack of adjustability with the front seats and steering wheel but the Tacoma is actually a lot more comfortable than I was expecting. Im 58" with a fairly small frame and the seats and interior fit me perfectly. The "legs-out" driving position that gets so much flak from reviewers is actually how I normally drive so it was no problem for me. I will end with a word of caution and advise for those looking to buy a 2016 Tacoma: before buying this vehicle, have your dealer check the transmission fluid level because it is likely going to be low. Many, many people have been complaining about harsh shifting, especially when slowing down or going from Reverse to Drive. Its been discovered that a lot of units, especially those who have bought models with the optional Tow Package, are being shipped from the factory with low levels of tranny fluid. Its assumed that the factory techs arent taking into account the extra transmission fluid cooler that comes installed with the Tow Package, which adds volume to the transmission system, thus requiring more fluid. Before I purchased my vehicle, I had my dealership check the ATF levels and they discovered that it was low by a little over a liter. They topped off the fluids and I have not had any problems with the transmission.

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  Tacoma 4x4 Treasure - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By David Becker - January 18 - 6:22 am

  If youre looking for a great looking, great performing, reliable truck with all the bells and whistles, then the newly redesigned 2016 Toyota Tacoma should be your choice. It also has the highest resale value of any truck out there. This is my 4th Tacoma! . I just traded in a 2015 Tacoma and got exactly what I paid for it new! I would not own any other truck.

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  Good Looking Exterior - 2003 Toyota Tacoma
  By Skit - January 18 - 2:00 am

  Purchased my 2003 in Sep 2002 off the lot. Leather package but in my excitement I didnt realize until the next day it had no cruise control. For what I paid cruise should not have been an option. Truck is very roomy and quite powerful.

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  Best Truck (Vehicle) Ever Owned - 2001 Toyota Tacoma
  By polliar1 - January 17 - 7:03 pm

  Besides trying to boost the value of my Toyota Tacoma, I thought Id let you know this is by far the best truck Ive ever owned. 82K miles and still drives better than the day I purchased this used vehicle.

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  Good lil Truck - 2010 Toyota Tacoma
  By tacoma nerd - January 16 - 7:13 am

  I downsized from a full size truck with a V8 to the single cab Tacoma 4 cylinder - I lost interior room but gained great resale value and good exterior styling. The 2.7L has plenty of power for everyday use plus good fuel efficiency, averaging around 22MPG. I got the stripped down model w/ manual transmission - which is fun to drive around town and felt a lot smoother than the Automatic transmission. Overall very happy to be back in a Tacoma.

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  07 Tacoma sport 4x4 - 2007 Toyota Tacoma
  By tyler - January 12 - 12:03 pm

  Love this truck! White double cab TRD sport 4x4 long bed. Drives smooth, great off road.