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! - 2008 Toyota Tacoma
  By George - March 16 - 10:00 am

  The 4 cyl does all I need it to do and more. Its been up and down the mountains, through tough places, hauls loads, pulls moderate trailers and just keeps going without problems. The first truck Ive owned that gets better MPG than the window sticker. Rarely less than 20 and rarely more than 23 MPG.

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  Best Truck Ever - 2011 Toyota Tacoma
  By axtran - March 16 - 10:00 am

  I love the 2011 Tacoma. I went for the biggest 2WD I could get! The 4.0L V6 actually gets better mileage than my old car did (a 4 cyl at that!). The car is very nice for a truck, rides smoothly and the features and creature comforts are wonderful. This Tacoma is pretty large though, almost feels like youre driving a Tundra. Ride isnt bad through California traffic and on California highways.

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  Only one problem. - 2004 Toyota Tacoma
  By Roye - March 12 - 9:53 pm

  I get 19-21 mpg its ok. Clunking noise after stopping and then taking off agian. Doesnt do it every time, but it drives me nuts when it does. Feels like drive line is binding up. Sounds like I dont like the truck, but I do. Can say Ive ever had a real problem. Rough ride, gas mpg, and that clunk only complaints. Its a truck and I guess I might be comparing it to the Toyota Highlander my wife drives. I had 2 Chevy Silverados (2001&2003)had to take them both back to the dealership to many times for minor problems. Havent taken this truck back once. The best build quailty out there. I usually only buy American but I finally gave up and went with Quality.

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  05 Tacoma DC-LB 4x4 - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By jknutson - March 10 - 1:00 pm

  This is my second Tacoma (first was a 97 ext. cab 4x4), and WOW what a machine! The 97 was rock solid, and so far, the 05 has been just as good. The ride is smooth (w/ long wheelbase), the 4.0L and 5spd tranny is awesome, the 4x4 system works flawlessly, the interior/exterior styling is so much better than the competition IMO. It is everything you would expect from a 28K truck. The only minor complaint I would have is some wind noise at speeds of 65+. MPG is very good for a truck this size (18-20 mpg). Would highly recommend any Tacoma truck!! Tacoma = workhorse.

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  2008 Tacoma 4 dr 4x4 - 2008 Toyota Tacoma
  By jay - March 9 - 1:20 am

  The best truck on the market. The ride is amazingly comfortable, its easy to forget youre driving a truck. I traded in a 2001 Tacoma ext cab and I thought that was a great truck. The 2008 is leaps and bounds better. The only knock would be the sound system. I paid the extra money for the "premium" sound system. The performance/sound is disappointing.

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  This new truck is garbage - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By David A - March 7 - 9:57 am

  I have a 2016 TRD 4x4 off road, bought it with (7) miles on it about 2k it started shaking when driving on the highway I thought it was a balance issue, nope, its been 10k miles, replaced tires, replaced wheels, balance done 8 times.....the steering wheel shakes the whole truck shakes, everything in the truck shakes its comical, "not when its yours" anybody who goes for a ride mentions it, it feels like a salvage truck, the dealership tells me "oh its a truck" BS My last truck was a 2013 Tacoma it was totaled hit a center divide, the frame shifted, I fixed it that truck felt better then this "clean title" 25k update Transmission feels like it has sticky gears, down shifts are very hash, dealer did a ecu reset, which went back to same feeling in couple days Engine to me feels like it lost power, feels very sluggish Oil changes never gets above 5.5k Engine feels very outdated, my wife drives and tells me "this truck is hella slow, everybody passes me up" 36k miles now transmission feels to be getting worse, dealership is terrible does not acknowledge it, when I bring it in its like I did something wrong and get nasty attitudes from the service advisors. Brakes The rotors get warped way to fast, I already changed the front rotors and the second set is already terribly warped the truck even when driving in the city the brakes pump very noticeably and to top it off the the 2nd to 1st down shift pushes the whole truck forward with a bang, Im very very disappointed in this truck.

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  Bought this vehicle November 2017 - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By nckhlbrk - March 6 - 11:14 am

  Driver seat is very comfortable for long trips. Truck is smooth riding and quiet on interstate trips. Got model with premium sound and navigation - very nice! Like voice command feature. Navigation is very easy to program and use. 6.1" touch screen is adequately sized. Steering wheel controls for radio and voice command features selections are easy to use. Programming center info panel between tach and speedometer is a bit puzzling but manageable. Literally dozens upon dozens of electronic warning and info signals that can be generated. Has backup camera with warning buzzer. Can easily program about a dozen or so maintenance messages that will pop up at your specified mileage or date settings. Hands free cell phone pairing using bluetooth is great feature. Cruise control is easy to use. Like the power door locks, windows, and exterior mirrors. Three moveable cargo hold downs on each side of bed are very handy. Bed comes with bolt-in liner that covers top rails all around bed. Wish seats were power and that heavy hood had spring loaded hinges that would hold it up. 4WD Hi engages and disengages smoothly on fly. Automatic transmission shifts very smoothly and has a MT like feature that allows selecting and shifting gears. Access cab doors make putting stuff into back easy. Access cab rear seats are totally inadequate for seating. Rear seat headrests block rear view; but, can be lowered easily. Has a button to turn on exterior mirror heater. Touch screen has dozens of programmable features that are reasonably intuitive to find and set. Center console has 3 cup holders plus there are 2 bottle holders on each door.

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  GREAT TRUCK - 1995 Toyota Tacoma
  By Glenn Lightcap - March 5 - 10:00 am

  I also have purchased my truck new and I could go out and buy a new toyota. I ask myself why this one is running so well, why go out for a new one. I still like the every thing about my truck!!!!

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  great - 2006 Toyota Tacoma
  By John - March 4 - 10:43 pm

  I have been through many vehicles and nothing compares to the Tacoma, the quality is great and is good on gas for a truck. It also has a car like ride. The rust proof deposit bed is a really nice feature. I highly recommend the Tacoma.

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  I Like it overall - 2001 Toyota Tacoma
  By PJED - February 26 - 2:00 am

  I have had problems with the rubber between the plastic fenders and the body coming off. The dealer has fixed this twice, now with some new kind of glue.Other problems are, a rattle somewhere around the back seats?, the clock needs to be moved, the engine seems to cranks longer than it should after sitting for a while. Now for the biggie. The 4x4 shift lever is positioned so that my right knee is constantly resting on it. This is extremely annoying because of the vibration coming through it. This alone makes me want to get rid of the truck but I cannot find anything that I can trust for dependability but a Toyota.