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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  Tacoma 2005 - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By john - August 6 - 3:23 pm

  Im a medical technician and have to drive it anywhere and quickly, also I dont like to spend a lot in fuel.

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  Going Foreign - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By kimberly - August 6 - 1:36 pm

  This truck rides corners like no truck i have ever driven. its like its meant to stay 4 on the ground. my previous truck was a 4.3liter while this one is a 4.0 and it seems to have alot more power. sitting next to a dodge ram my truck is only 2 inches shorter looks the same width and is the same length. i really feel like im a giant in this thing. compared to the tundra its not much smaller either. but alot less. i love the next interior i fell in love with it. and the access cab doors the open up will really be a help to put things in the back. headlights are nice they turn off when you open your door and the engine is off. cant lock door while key is in ignition. tons of pockets.

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  Cant beat a Toyota - 2002 Toyota Tacoma
  By autiger - August 6 - 10:00 am

  My main problem is being a large man, the passenger side room for the knees is poor. It is not comfortable to ride as a passenger, therefore i always drive long distances myself. The clock is hard to view from the drivers perspective. Otherwise, a great truck and no regrets on buying it except that I wish i would have waited one more year for the lower prices.

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  Dream turned nightmare - 2007 Toyota Tacoma
  By Bill - August 4 - 11:20 pm

  Purchased new 07 Toy to replace a 03 Honda Oddy after much research. Wanted 4 wheel drive. We love driving it when it runs. It has been back to the dealership 4 times and they cant figure out what is wrong. It just will not start. We park it, go to bed and get up in the morning to a truck that wont start. We really like the back country but now we are afraid to go there as we never know whether our toy will run or not. This is our 4th Tacoma, so we thought we were getting quality.

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  Best Truck on the Market!!!! I LOVE IT! - 2004 Toyota Tacoma
  By JacksonDean05 - August 4 - 10:23 am

  This is the first NEW vehicle I have ever bought. Ive now put 5,000 miles on my truck without a single problem. No sqeaks, rattles or anything. I think the gas mileage is great for a truck. Try to find an extended cab 4x4 truck now adays that gets 20 mpg in the city!! Fit and finish is top quality. I love the compact size and Im 64". I think there is plenty of room. Lots of storage area in the cab believe it or not. The reason I got this truck was because of the cult following they seem to have with them. Now I know why. I dont know about the new redesigned 05s but I am sure they will be just great. Great Truck off road it will handle anything you can through at it.

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  A Solid Ride and a Lot of Fun to Drive! - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By Dennis Gale - August 4 - 2:22 am

  I was looking to replace my 2005 Avalanche (which I loved) but the size and price of new full-size trucks really turned me off. Started looking at the mid-size trucks and settled on a Tacoma. I looked around and found a good deal on a TRD Off-Road, 6.1 ft bed, 6 cyl model Tacoma with the automatic transmission. Had read all of the early reviews about the transmission/engine combo and the gear hunting. My truck did the gear hunting as well for the first 500+ miles but now it is smoothing out nicely. What previous reviewers failed to mention (or check out) is that the transmission is an adaptive transmission and it will adapt to the drivers driving habits. I called the dealership where I purchased my Taco and a service specialist explained the adaptive break-in of the transmission. He told me to drive the truck like I normally would and he was right. The transmission has smoothed out and the truck is performing well - certainly meeting my expectations. When I punch it, it responds nicely. It is a real pleasure to drive - feels very solid and has plenty of power for what it is. What it isnt is a full-size behemoth that surrounds you in a huge cabin with bell-and-whistle overload and handles and feels like a boat. Im fascinated with the amenities that it does have - navigation and sound system is great. Love the auto stick which allows for upshifting and downshifting like a manual but without having to push a clutch pedal (more leg room). Interior and controls are laid out nicely however I am not crazy about the position of the 4wd knob - too close to all of the other similarly shaped control knobs and easy to mix up and put in 4wd when you are not looking at it and think that you are turning on the fan. My first towing experience has also gone smoothly. Those who tow will love the back-up camera which is positioned in a manner that allows the driver to easily position the hitch ball exactly under the trailer hitch without exiting the cab. This is my first Taco and I couldnt be happier. The mpg is climbing and I have experienced as high as 23-24 mpg on the flat at 65 mph. Around town I am getting about 20-21 mpg. Towing about 3,000 lbs my mileage dropped to about 17 mpg but that also included a 1,000 ft gain in elevation. Some reviewers complained about headroom but I have found that there is plenty of headroom - I am 510" and have several inches to spare above my head. the room behind the seats in the double cab is huge - they fold down flat and create a very spacious platform for carrying gear, luggage, etc. Overall, this truck is very well-engineered and if you are looking for a truck that is solid, practical, responsive, fun to drive, and that wont break the bank, the 2016 Tacoma is the way to go!

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  Great Truck - 2006 Toyota Tacoma
  By David - August 1 - 1:46 am

  I bought this truck after trading in a small sports car and realizing I really do need a truck. What can I say, the truck gives me great gas mileage and provides me with all the things I need in a truck.

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  Not quite a LEMON - 2001 Toyota Tacoma
  By old_jr - July 31 - 2:00 am

  Toyota Tacoma 4WD V6 5SPD extended cab. This pickup is a big disappointment. It has NO power. The drive train is sloppy and the manual transmission "clunks" when shifting from to 1st to 2nd. The differential and transfer case were only half full (checked by private mechanic). This was found after I noticed a high- pitched whine on the highway. Dealer said all fluid levels were okay??? Rear bumper rusted severely first winter. Noisy - cant hear the radio above 45 mph. This Tacoma cant compare at all with the 1987 SR5 4cyl 5spd I owned for eleven years. I made a mistake and bought the 2001 Tacoma based on my experience with the 1987.

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  Nice but.... - 2004 Toyota Tacoma
  By David M - July 31 - 2:00 am

  Nice truck. Ive only been driving it for 800 miles now. Ride is a little bumpy, but having said that it is a pre- runner. Build quality very good. Interior look is called "dated", but go and compare it to a new Nissan. If the Nissan is more "current", Ill live in the past thank you. They a very proud of them, so negotiate hard to get a good deal.

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  My 2nd yota - 2002 Toyota Tacoma
  By NAD - July 30 - 10:00 am

  Decent power for a 4-banger, although I wish the V6 was offered at this trim level. Comfortable ride quality, superb ergonomics, solid build, and Toyota finally put some 15" rims on its 2WD trucks. Handles great with a load in the back, no noticeable change to braking characteristics. Transmission very solid, this thing feels like it could easily handle a V8. Second gear is way too high, especially compared to the fairly low-geared first. You can tell that the build quality is much cheaper on the 2002 compared to my 1986 yota, yet it is still very solid compared to anything else. Gas mileage a bit lower than expected, 21 mpg street, 23 mpg highway. Nice truck, worth the money.