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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  Out of the box, works like a Porsche - 2006 Toyota Tacoma
  By firstoyota - February 5 - 2:06 pm

  A head turner. The indigo ink access cab 4x4 is great looking. Made me look into pickups (I had a 1989 two-door Montero that is an awesome BEAST) as a new means of transport. Drives like a car, interior is spartan beauty (oxymoron, but it works), storage is phenomenal, and instrumentation is thoughtfully placed and effective. Performance with the 6 spd manual trans. is responsive and throaty. Yes, a throaty pickup. Went with the sport package, and glad for that -- great price package through USAA buying service with the dealer. They through in a little lagniappe: the slidable D-rings in the bed. The orange lighting is a little 1980s, but hey, thats not entirely bad, is it?

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  Big step up from my 1999 taco - 2009 Toyota Tacoma
  By Montana RRT - January 27 - 6:43 pm

  Well, it has only been 3 days but this truck is awesome, way better than my 99 taco x-cab 4 banger 4x4. Fit and finish are excellent. Ride rivals that of my wifes grand Cherokee (car like). Only thing I am having trouble with is you cant hear the engine and it is a manual tranny. I have always just shifted on instinct and now I have to use a tach. I guess the trade off is the very quiet ride. All the standard safety features are nice (6 airbags, trac cont, 4 wheel abs all base model stuff now). I will get the monitor for the tailgate cam, will help with hooking up the trailer. This is my 8th Toyota vehicle, and it appears they have hit yet another grand slam.

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  The illusion of reliability. - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By Brian - January 27 - 3:48 pm

  When you think of the name Toyota one of the first things that may come to mind may be reliability, well the 2016 tacoma is far from that. For having the truck for over a year and now 25k, it is now clear to me that this truck was not ready for its release, Ive had issues with the truck ranging from the transmission delaying to getting several recalls done on a brand new truck, not to mention the current famous recall for a quarter million trucks that has had my truck and thousands of others Tacoma sitting at the dealership for over 2 months. If you do your research make sure you hear it first-hand from actual people who own the truck, websites such as tacomaworld.com are very informative and will give you first-hand reviews coming from actual Tacoma owners who own the truck. Thousands of owners share my disappointment for what the Tacoma could have been, due to its recalls, and problems with the truck and the unfortunate part has been that all of us have been ignored by Toyota about the problems we have been having with the Tacoma because they are still going to sell thousands of them regardless of the customers being unhappy. Do yourself a favor before you buy and really research what people are saying about the Tacoma, not just magazine authors, or professional reviewers.

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  The 2005 Taco - A very nice truck indeed - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By Bob S. - January 24 - 2:40 am

  A very nice small truck with a mid size truck feel. The power is vastly improved, I like the room in the cab.After my 1990 Toy, I experimented with a 99 Ranger 4WD - yuck, a 98 Mazda and a 98 Nissan. Its sure nice to get back to owning a Toyota!

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  Expected More of Toyota - 2013 Toyota Tacoma
  By brw115 - January 23 - 1:47 pm

  After owning a troubled GM truck for a decade, I had high hopes for this truck. Unfortunately it seems that Toyota has dropped the ball. Though a smaller engine than the 6 cylinder S-10 I owned, this 4 cylinder gets worse gas mileage. The ride is very choppy and the Dunlop installed tires seem very cheap. Why not Michelin Toyota? The exterior of the truck is stylish and the seats on the prerunner are very comfortable, but what is the deal with that cheap Entunes crap stereo? The sound is awful and the so called voice activation rarely works. I do like the space in the access cab and the warranty offered was excellent, but Toyota could do better.

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  life long ford owner - 2008 Toyota Tacoma
  By jim - January 21 - 11:10 pm

  First Toyota truck, have driven Ford f150s all of my 52 years, the brakes on the Tacoma seem to be some what weak, should be disc on the rear and the transmission feels like it downshifts a little hard. Like the storage space and ground clearance. Like interior of the truck. Plan on keeping this truck a long time.

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  Tacoma - 2004 Toyota Tacoma
  By Luvinlops2 - January 20 - 10:00 am

  I love this truck, It had been my dream truck for a while and now I finally own one. It is really a great truck.

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  Proud of it! - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By Billy Bob - January 19 - 5:26 am

  I love my not-so-little red truck! Gas mileage is excellent! Never been under 24 for me, and sometimes is as high as 28. The 4 cyl has plenty of power as well. 4WD is easy to engage and provides extra pull in 4 low. The composite bed is an improvement. Plenty of space on the interior, even for me at 62" 230 lbs. This is a great buy for the price, assuming that it is as reliable as a Toyota should be.

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  2016 Limited = SR5 with Leather - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By TJ - January 18 - 12:55 pm

  If you are like me and want the TRD off road performance with the luxury of leather, dont purchase the limited. Get the TRD off road and have a third party install the leather. After purchasing a 2016 Tacoma 4x4 limited a couple weeks ago with all the options including the tow package, I was very disappointed to discover the limited doesnt have the TRD off road performance options. The website and brochure say under the description of the limited, "adds or replaces features on the TRD off road." It does none of this and basically replaces the TRD off road features with the SR5 features. Love the truck, but disappointed the limited doesnt have the TRD off road performance.

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  Love this truck so far. - 2007 Toyota Tacoma
  By GBinFL - January 17 - 8:06 pm

  Traded in a 2003 VW GTI for this truck, as we needed a more family-friendly vehicle. Bought with TRD Sport Pkg#1. Truck looks great, handles great, fun to drive. There are some minor design issues that would make a difference. Looks awesome with hood protector, stainless tube steps, and Lund tonneau cover. Love the 115v power outlet in the bed, but worried that composite bed material will scratch very easily. Need to find some carpet or something to line the bed with. Also wish you could get a factory sunroof in double cab models. Like any vehicle, not perfect, but pretty darn good, and hope the reliability is as good as our Sienna.