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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  TRD w/ Bilsteins - 2009 Toyota Tacoma
  By Norm Silver - February 15 - 4:00 am

  I was aware of the transmission complaints so the first thing I did was go to an aftermarket tranny shop and had them service the automatic and put in Royal Purple full synthetic fluid and also check it out on their computer. Then I installed a cold air intake and took it to the tire shop where they let the air out of the tires and pumped in Nitrogen. This one has the 16 inch tire option and I can see there is already some inside tire wear. Ill be rotating tires every 5,000 miles to assure good tire wear. The acceleration is good, fuel economy is 22-24 hwy and 18-20 in town. Would I do this again? Yes. It is a decent truck and I like the size and appearance. I plan to replace the radio soon.

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  Great truck! - 2013 Toyota Tacoma
  By Brian Brown - February 14 - 2:05 am

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  200,000 mile report (Automatic Trans) SR5 - 2001 Toyota Tacoma
  By cst010 - February 14 - 12:06 am

  Wanted to report that the Tacoma has reached the 200,000 mile marker. Normal maintenance so far: belts, timing belt, water pump, and cat converter. Oil changes performed at 3000 miles every 3000 miles. Truck runs great. Body and interior holding out great. I do take care to keep it clean and waxed. Dome light has failed (constantly burns them out) and one light for the fan switch has failed- I have not replaced. Miles are mostly highway and the truck has not been off-roaded. I hope to be able to write a 300,000 mile review. No rattles to date! Great truck so far. Couple of more years and maybe I will have gotten my monies worth outta it.

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  Love/Hate relationship - 2006 Toyota Tacoma
  By pamela - February 12 - 6:16 am

  I have only owned Toyotas and I loved my last two Tacoma trucks so much I went for the new 2006. I loved the room of a four door and I have a 66 son who needed to fit into it with his size 18 shoe. The long bed was a must because I ride bikes and wanted to throw them in the back. I wanted a navigation system and bluetooth but they were not avaliable. The hate part... at almost $5 a gallon, I put in $85 at every fill up! It is killing me! The gas mileage is the worst, 340 miles for every $85 and rising. Toyota needs to make a fuel efficent truck soon! Please!

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  Loving It - 2007 Toyota Tacoma
  By Dustin - February 11 - 8:06 am

  I have experienced so far with my Tacoma that they have got everything the way that it should be. The truck runs like a sports car, and handles as well as anything I have driven. The part I enjoy most is the raw power of the truck, I have owned pickups with V-8 motor that would not outperform this pickup.

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  Midsize Champ? - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By Russell Watts - February 7 - 9:26 am

  On my third tank of gas and loving the truck more with every mile. Very smooth, quiet and comfortable. My wife and I test drove many midsize/compacts and a few full size trucks before this one but we both knew the new Tacoma was the truck for us when we saw/drove it. Weve always wanted a midsize truck with room for adults in the back seat and with a six foot box. Finally, that truck arrived. Thanks Toyota! Nissan, if you listening, put a six foot box on your redesigned Quad Cab Frontier if you want to compete. Dodge missed the boat on this one again with the 05 Quad Cab Dakota.

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  Good Solid Truck - 2003 Toyota Tacoma
  By polar bear - February 4 - 10:00 am

  Bought this truck this summer and thus far Im very happy with it. Solid, reliable and well engineered truck. For my purposes, the 2.4 litre engine is just fine. Ive used it to haul lumber and other loads of junk to the dump. Gas mileage has been consistently at 23 mpg in city driving. Havent taken any highway trips yet. Highly recommend this truck.

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  Resale value sells cars - 2003 Toyota Tacoma
  By Troy2 - February 4 - 10:00 am

  We looked at the Subaru Baja and Nissan Frontier as well as the Ford Explorer Sport Trac. At initial impression of ride and interior, we both liked the Ford and Subaru better, but chose the Toyota because of its historically high resale value. Interior cloth that does not seem as durable or nice as our 1998 model. Both were SR5 models, Im assuming it was some cost cutting by Toyota.

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  2002 Toyota Tacoma - 2002 Toyota Tacoma
  By Ask sm1 who owns 1 - February 2 - 11:30 pm

  This truck is great. Good MPG and quality. Wish I opted for 4x4. 133,000 miles and all I have done is routine maint, front brakes (rear brakes are original), 3 sets of tires and a muffler.

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  Not what I expected? - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By Bruce - February 2 - 3:07 pm

  Like the truck but very disappointed in the engine & transmission. It shifts at very poor power curves and seems to very weak. In the electronics transmission control mode, it performs better but still feels weak. My wifes car has the 3.5 eco boost Ford engine and its like night and day performance difference. Yes I recognize the turbos make a difference but the performance of the 2016 Tacoma feels like a weak 4 cylinder. When you push the pedal down it will shift into a lower gear and start to move fairly rapid but is very abrupt shift. Im not wanting a race car and not a off-road enthusiast just disappointed in the engine performance. Like the looks and quality and have had no problems with the truck. Pulled a small utility trailer with my lawn mower and it only shifted to 6th gear a couple of times driving on a level road.