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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  Awesome Truck! - 2006 Toyota Tacoma
  By bruce - August 13 - 2:53 am

  I have the access cab with the SR5 package. I use it primarily as a commuter vehicle (100+ miles/day) and household projects. So far, I have hauled one load - approximately 900 pounds of bricks. I did not lose any power, nor did I experience a decline in performance with the increased payload. It struggles going up steep hills. My gas mileage so far (under 600 miles) is approximately 20 MPG HWY. I typically drive 80 MPH at 3k RPM, so I am probably not getting the mileage the truck is capable of. The ride is smooth. Fairly quiet inside. Lots of storage space. Excellent truck for the price!

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  Downsized - 2006 Toyota Tacoma
  By Tom Godwin - August 12 - 8:03 pm

  Got out of Chevy 4 door crew cab. Good truck but 5.3l 8cyl was only averaging 13.2 miles for driving habits. Got 18 on first tank with Taco. 10 gallons less a week. Old truck was very comfortable because of size but I didnt really loose much here. It is actually very comfortable for its size. Prerunner has nice high-ride feel too. Plenty of power.

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  The smartest truck out there - 2007 Toyota Tacoma
  By esteyskal - August 12 - 7:26 pm

  It doesnt have as much hp as the frontier or ridgeline. However it tows more, has a higher payload rating and accelerates better than both of them. All the while it gets better gas mileage. Off road it is tough yet comfortable. The tacoma is the best compact truck out there period. It is expensive. You certainly get the value for what you are paying however a frontier becomes much more lucrative when it is $7k less.

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  too many gimicks, and no way to turn em off - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By James r - August 12 - 2:43 pm

  An accident that totaled my 2004 Tacoma extra-cab prerunner, caused me to need another vehicle. I liked my 04 Tacoma so much, I decided to replace it with the newest version of the same thing... a 2016 Tacoma trd sport access cab. The 2016 Tacoma sure is pretty, and it is a Toyota, I will give it that much. Like the history of the automotive industry in general, there comes a point where, (how do I say this?), advancements achieve a point of critical mass, and what are intended as advancements are actually something more like a de-evolution where the latest greatest may mark change, but not necessarily change for the better. Where there used to be a simple radio in my 04, the 2016 has a thing called a "head" which to me is little more than a glorified TV screen in the dash. The head is basically a touch screen operated onboard computer, with all kinds of the latest techno junk: Satelite, navigation, audio, weather, apps, and on and on and on. All I wanted was a reliable truck, not a computer, not a social networking tool, (and, oh joy) stock market info and a portal to buying movie tickets. Welcome to the future. No thanks. Maybe its "just me", for expecting a better version of what I had in the 04, because what I ended up with "in my opinion" is a truck loaded with the latest... unnecessary, annoyingly distractive, sound and light polluting... technology. Where to start with how this truck just isnt working for me, (and it seems more like Im working for it). Advanced blinding light features- I back out of my garage when its dark out, the head screen lights up the interior of the truck so much, it makes it really hard to see anything outside of the truck. I know what your thinking: just turn the screen off... right? Did that, it requires interaction on the touch screen... by the way, not one move, but a few, to make it go black. And yeah, I adjusted the back up screen to its lowest brightness, still too much light in the interior to see outside. Putting it in reverse automatically engages the back up camera, which automatically lights up the head screen. Turning off the head screen off under general settings does not keep the back up screen from coming on automatically when put in R. Turning off the back up camera requires an independent and separate set of moves. I just want to put it in reverse and be able to see outside of my vehicle in the dark conditions, not devote time to having to a bunch of fidgeting with all this electronic button pushing junk, just to kill this TV screen thing from blaring light that is making next to impossible to see beyond the interior of the cab. Annoying! In daylight conditions, the screen light does not present this issue. I like the back up cam, its really handy. But guess what? If moves were made to turn it off, moves are required for turning everything back on again. So again, rather than just putting it in gear, gotta play with the damn technology again. This is what I mean as the difference between the truck working for me, and me working for the truck... too much technology interaction by the driver required. Anybody reading this whos a hunter can relate to how the following features are less than desirable: Annoying sounds that come standard, and no shut off controls, on my brand new 2016 Tacoma- Mine is the push button, keyless ignition, version. If youre really into annoying sounds, I highly recommend you go for this version! Oh yeah, its cool to be able to grab the handle and it automatically unlocks... and to simply touch the handle and it locks... that part is awesome! Heres the catch though, an audible "beeping" and running lights flashing happens every time, no option to off those ... wa wa wa, not cool. Lights and sounds, a great feature intended to impress innocent bystanders how cool you are to be keyless? FYI- the lock mechanism functioning all by itself is audible enough, and you can feel the mechanism move too. So why the added beeping and the lights flashing?... and why no way to turn off the lights and sounds? Okay, maybe thats not entirely fair. There is a little sliver of a key in the electronic fob that can be used to open the door with no sound and lights involved. I wonder if the silence with the key has anything to do with not needing to advertise an old technology? the key is so miniscule, it like a high tech toothpick. The keys primary function is as a back up if the keyless technology fails, you can still get inside the truck. But if you have to use the key, good luck with the push button start. Can o worms! Door ajar is another annoying beeping sound effect. Yeah, I want my door open, okay? Theres nothing wrong with that. The beeping though... there is something wrong with that... its annoying! Seat belt not fastened sound effects- my dog sitting on the passenger seat triggered this one. Yeah, I know, the dog is not wearing a seat belt... slow beeps evolving into rapid beeps.

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  The Big Red Tacoma - 2006 Toyota Tacoma
  By Marc Smith - August 11 - 5:56 am

  The only issue that I have is that this model does not come in the automatic transmission. I have had some difficulty in learning on how to drive a manual again but that has not taken away from my overall enjoyment of this truck so far. This truck has a superb ride and feel.

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  They dont make them like they used to - 2000 Toyota Tacoma
  By Alexnovia - August 11 - 2:00 am

  This is the 2nd Tacoma my husband and I have owned. We bought the 2000 because we loved our 92 so much, but they sure dont make them like they used to. The inside isnt as comfortable as our other toyota. The clutch squeeks, fenders have faded & rubber between truck & fenders has come completely off one and is coming off of the other three. The interior has cheap components. Bought a Dodge Ram for myself, paid the same price as the Toyota and my Dodge is by far a better quality truck. I told my husband when we get rid of the Toyota that is it for us, no more Toyotas.

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  Cant believe this is the highest rated - 2003 Toyota Tacoma
  By troy2 - August 11 - 2:00 am

  Traded in my wifes 1998 Tacoma XTra Cab to make it easier to move the kids in and out of. While roomier, the interior build materials seem to be of lower quality, especially the seats. The cruise control is over reactive often dropping two gears and adding 5 MPH on roads where I can maintain speed without downshifting. Shop others first. We only bought ours because of the resale value.

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  High marks for 2000 Tacoma XtraCab 4WD - 2000 Toyota Tacoma
  By Hunk - August 8 - 2:00 am

  Have had no problems with this truck since new except a water leak (wet rug) which the dealer managed to diagnose & fix on the first try (a grommet located on the fire wall was leaking.) I previously owned a 94 Tacoma (hilux) Reg Cab 4wd and found it to be a nice little truck; but Ive found the 2000 to be much more refined and comfortable, by a long shot. The 2.7L 4 cyl has surprisingly good pick-up with the automatic trans, just dont plan on moving too fast with the bed loaded.

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  Tacoma Double Cab Pre-Runner - 2002 Toyota Tacoma
  By joeld - August 8 - 2:00 am

  After comparing all of the competition, this is the best truck for the money. Everything about it is smooth and well built. If you like the looks of a 4x4, but the price of the 4x2s, the TRD package is the way to go. The only way to tell that its not a 4x4 is to look under the truck.

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  Thank god for toyota - 2011 Toyota Tacoma
  By mark150 - August 8 - 2:00 am

  When looking for a small truck very few options existed. I owned a Toyota Tacoma before a few years ago, and checked out Chevy Dodge, Ford, Nissan. Besides hefty price tags, low resale values, bare bones options for $25,000 or less, no other truck compared to Tacoma. I was further surprised at the addition of the 4 cylinder with double cab offered this year. The truck is awesome, decent power, great ride and surprisingly quiet. To me their is no competition out their to compete with the Tacoma.