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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  Disappointment for a Toyota - 1997 Toyota Tacoma
  By Josh C. - January 10 - 10:16 am

  Within a year of purchase my Tacoma overheated twice on a flat interstate at normal speeds and once in West Virginia. Auto trans prevents effective use of already limited power and gas mileage has never been above 22. Under load, it sinks to around 12. It now has 106k miles and Ive repaired the transmission linkages 4 times and had numerous electrical problems. Very disappointing for the reputation of a Toyota.

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  Dependable Tonka - 1996 Toyota Tacoma
  By Thai - January 8 - 9:46 pm

  I have had this truck for a few years. The only major maintenance was the starter. I have started to take it from LA to San Francisco. Tight fit on the inside. I agree I feel the bumps in the road. Mine is automatic and it is starting to feel rough in fourth gear.

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  Sporty and rugged - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By David Swaciak - January 6 - 6:16 pm

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  Awesome mid-size design! - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By wind_dog - January 6 - 8:10 am

  The larger mid-sized truck is the design compromise I’ve been waiting for. It gets far better mileage than a full-size and it’s definitely easier to park in the ever-shrinking spaces. It’s a comfortable ride with power to spare driving around town and it has the beef to pull a trailer up the mountains. I’ve added a new fiberglass topper and now I get 19/22 plus mpg. The TRD package provides remarkable factory off-road performance with locking differential, skid plates, ample ground clearance, and suspension. The on-board generator, composite bed, and yes - the cup holders are the attention to detail I expect from a well-built truck. The styling and dark blue color turn heads everywhere I go!

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  Good Body, Very Poor Drivetrain - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By Josh - January 5 - 12:33 pm

  The new Tacoma is a great looking truck with a very smooth ride and excellent off road capabilities, but it has one very serious flaw that makes all the good features pointless. The engine and transmission in this truck are terrible. The transmission never selects the correct gear, the engine has zero low end torque and the combination goes together like oil and water. I absolutely hate driving this truck anywhere but on the trail off road. Sure the ride is fantastic and the braking and handling are good but whats the point when you constantly have to smash the throttle to go up any kind of incline. Im not sure what the engineers were smoking when they developed the engine and transmission for this truck but it must have been really good. Dont buy this truck with a V6 and automatic transmission.

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  Happy - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By vic wojnowski - January 3 - 6:07 am

  Tipical toyota, firm ride & steering, simple controls, solid feel, good storage . Navigation screen hard to see in bright light, transmission shifts out of lower gear to quickley. Gas milage for a truck is good. Size of veh. is perfect, not to big or small.

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  19 years of tacoma - 2004 Toyota Tacoma
  By sn00py1680 - January 2 - 10:00 am

  I started rideing in the tacoma series of from 1985, and started to drive that same truck in 2000, and recently purchased the 04 Tacoma. What is most surprizing is that both trucks drive exactly the same, even with the 19 year differnce in age.... Good job Toyota

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  Want a truck the rest of your life? - 2000 Toyota Tacoma
  By Donald - January 1 - 7:10 pm

  Do you want a pickup/truck that, with maintenance will last you for the rest of your life? Do you like having a bond with your vehicle? Well if you dont get board with having the same vehicle, this truck (can only speak for 1995 up to 2000) will last the rest of your life. Its not invincible, and It still is a machine. But a very well made machine. The 2RZ (2.4L straight 4) is a solid engine. A Toyota Master Mechanic once told me from his experiences and what he has seen, he feels that this engine is in the top 10 best engines in the entire world. Not just Toyota engines. If you love this truck, it will love you back. This truck will always start for you. Unless the started dies, but if you have a manual you have an easy way around that to at least get somewhere to get the new part. At the very least, this engine with maintenance it will always be capable of turning over. This truck (2.4L) is not a maintenance free truck, but the maintenance is consistent (other words you wont have to many surprises), fairly cheap and easy to do most of the time. Buying a truck like this saves you money driving it. It does not wear tires unevenly, with the 2.4L you can push 30mpg if you dont drive it hard (trying to push 80 on the freeway, hard acceleration from stops, etc...) Almost every part on the car can last you to at least 200K before needing replacing (specifically ball joints. DO NOT go past 200K on upper Ball Joints). This truck (2.4L) can take a beating and will happily do it, because it wants to see you succeed. It wants to help put you in a possession that someday you can pass it onto a Son or Daughter. This truck will help you work hard, or at the the very least get you from point A to B consistently. It doesnt try to be the fastest, the strongest, the best looking, the most luxurious, the smoothest, it just tries. and tries and tries. It may not get an A++ in school, but it tries. and its participation bumps its grade up. This truck (2.4L) will be around a long time, and its a damn shame they dont make them with kind of personality like this anymore. If you are in the market, and happen to be reading this. 5/5, 10/10, 100/100, what ever you go buy. This truck (2.4L) has and always will have my recommendation.

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  Vibrating Tacoma - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By kdea - December 31 - 1:10 pm

  I am overall happy with my Tacoma, unfortunately my vehicle has an on going engine vibration problem. I have been back to the dealer 5 times with no end in site. I have only had the truck for 3.5 months. Dont believe that imports are trouble free.

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  Taco Time - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By bill55 - December 29 - 3:13 pm

  The perfect truck for my family. Roomy and comfortable on long trips and at the same time sporty and with good acceleration for passing. It is a good all around truck and well built as well.