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 - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By Timothy Fortney - October 18 - 4:50 pm

  What a great vehicle. Well designed and executed. A real pleasure to drive. Turning radius is better then axpected for a truck this size. Previously owned a 97 Tacoma 4x4 went with the prerunner this time. Ill have this truck for a long time.........No doubt!

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  Love my Tacoma! - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By Lee - October 14 - 12:30 am

  This is my first Tacoma. TRD Sport double-cab automatic with tech package (except no JBL). Gray with tonneau cover. Im in my early 50s and havent had a truck since my late 20s. Since then Ive driven small SUVs, but wanted to get back in a truck. I ordered it in late December and it arrived in early March and couldnt be happier. The first thing I noticed when driving it...is that is definitely a "truck" and feels very substantial which is exactly what I wanted. After ordering it, I read quite a few negative reviews and was a little worried. But Im not having any of the negative issues that some people have listed. No vibration issues, transmission behaves like most vehicles with a 6 speed...yes it tries to keep the RPM range a little low, but all vehicle manufacturers have to squeeze every mpg out they can. As long as you dont have a lead foot, it really isnt noticeable around town at all. On the interstate, it will shift down to 5th but every other vehicle I owned also shifted down going up a hill. No big deal. As far as gas mileage, I average around 20 mpg around town and 23-25 mpg on the highway. I was in a construction zone driving 55-60 mph and got 28 mpg. Definitely decreases the faster you go, but overall not bad. The negatives are minor. Im 5 8" and the side mirrors sort of create a blind spot at 4 way stops. I like using Google Maps with my iPhone better than the navigation system, and when Im listening to XM, the bluetooth speaker wont announce the turns. Those are two minor issues. Everything else is great! I mainly bought the truck based on reliability, looks, and resale value. So far, so good!

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  All New Tacoma? - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By Munchie - October 12 - 4:21 am

  I am 59 years old and have driven Tacomas for the past 25 years. I would easily upgrade to A Tundra if it fit in my garage. For the past 11 years, Ive been driving the 2005 Tacoma 4x4 TRD Sport 4-Dr Short Bed. Its been a great truck with 82k mi, original brakes and tires, and rides every bit is good as the day I bought it. For what its worth, I hated my 2002 Tacoma (configured the same). I test drove the 2016 Tacoma (same config) and was completely underwhelmed. The engine is not as strong, the interior is inferior, and other than the grill and tail gate, the truck is identical. The trans is now a tiptronic variety which I like, but, at nearly $40k, Toyota is hallucinating. As another reviewer said, save your money and continue to drive your Tacoma. If you really want to upgrade your existing Tacoma, install a Pioneer 4100-NEX head unit and a backup camera (epoxy above the hitch). Toyota, too bad you didnt put as much effort into improving the Tacoma as you did in your commercials. Its not easy to fool truck drivers.

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  I love this thing - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By bodie61lb - October 11 - 2:50 am

  The truck is great. Excellent interior and comfort. The look of the truck is awesome. I have people come up to me all the time and ask me what kind of truck it is. Now Im just waiting on the supercharger to come out.

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  Great truck! - 2000 Toyota Tacoma
  By MAC - October 10 - 5:30 am

  Great, dependable, easy to operate truck.Added supercharger, exaust,and totally TRDed out..down to the radiator cap.Topped off with PIAA lights, tow package, bed linner,and a custom stereo system..cant ask for much more...a nice looking vehicle, that has descent room for a small truck, has big engine torque, and sports car speed.. Wouldnt trade my truck for anything!

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  A Great Truck - 2005 Toyota Tacoma
  By AES - October 6 - 12:26 pm

  This has been an excellent truck. It is truly fun to drive. The turning radius is short compared to my old F150. The performance and handling is excellent. You have plenty of room inside and the ride is very comfortable. It rides like an expensive car. I have had no problems with it at all.

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  2016 Tacoma Double Cab TRD Sport 4wd - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By KC - October 5 - 4:09 am

  First, Im very hard to please. I recently sold a beautiful BMW 335 Xi AWD with 16,000 miles. It had all the options and was incredibly fast with phenomenal handling. Its build quality, engineering and materials inside and out were top quality. The options were incredible. I sold this BMW to buy my 2016 Tacoma and I have extremely high standards to measure by. Also, I had and sold my 2002 Tacoma double cab PreRunner 2wd 6 months ago. I used that as my daily driver, the BMW was my second car. The Tacoma had 150,000 miles and everything still worked and I never had a problem with it. My guess is, It will last 300,000 miles and still be worth $5,000 which is rediculous. Now lets get into the 2016 Tacoma TRD Sport Double Cab 4wd I bought. First, its a damn good looking truck. Some dont like the front grill, I think it looks good. The lines and stance is manly and classy. Its acceptable in the city, off road, for business, or farmer. I just drove this from St Louis to KC. Its a 4 hour drive. Handling is excellent for a 4wd drive truck, the ride quality is excellent and its quiet. I was driving against a 25mph headwind and it truly was pretty quiet considering I was driving a truck. It was compatible to my BMW which is impressive. The tires are quiet, the truck is solid but feels soft on the road. The ride is smooth even when driving over bad road. The transmission is good but I was driving against a 25 mph head wind so the transmission had to downshift frequently while going up slopes and hills. I believe the strong head wind caused a fair amount of downshifts on the hills. I was traveling 65-70 mph, with the wind and the hills the downshifting was frequent but smooth. Again, I attribute several of the auto transmission downshifts due to me trying to maintain 70mph against a very stiff wind and the hills on I-70. Regarding the power, in my opinion the Tacoma could use 10-20% more horsepower. Perhaps its enough horsepower for most but I like more power. I wouldnt buy a Tacoma for heavy towing, they list a towing capacity of 6,800 lbs. I wouldnt subject mine to that torture. This isnt a V8 full size truck. The options really are good. I didnt buy the technology package. Mine is the normal TRD Sport and I think the base entertainment system is very good and user friendly. Navigation, stereo, voice activation, Bluetooth is all good. It syncs to your phone easily. Also I have the Samsung 6 phone which has the wireless charging. The Tacoma charging base doesnt work very good but it might be due my phone case. I know its not my truck because the truck I test drove acted the same. I dont have a problem with my wireless charger at home so I dont think its my phone protective case. Anyway, it does work after moving around my phone multiple times. Its a little frustrating. Ill remove the case to see if that fixes it. The Bluetooth phone system works fine but the audio quality is not wonderful. My BMW phone system perfect, better than any landline or any phone. I was so good I used to purposely do conference calls in my BMW. The Tacoma phone system is adequate, not great.. The steering is very responsive and smooth. Theres very slight road feel in the wheel which is fine because you feel in tough with the road. The steering wheel seems a little large to me but thats probably due to being used to my BMW. I didnt notice it as much after driving 4 hours. The steering wheel adjustment could offer more movement. It has a limited amount of telescopic movement and tilt but I found a comfortable position so thats good. Im 6 tall. The driver seat is ok, not the best. The padding is a little thin but it wasnt uncomfortable during my 4 hour drive. My BMW had 8 different power adjustments and the steering had tons of telescopic tilt movement. Toyota should change their seat adjustments to include adjusting the seat height. I would like the option to sit a half inch taller. Also, my legs could feel more like a sitting position. The thigh length of the seat could be another inch longer. My legs slightly dangle, another BMW strength that Toyota falls short on. I dont believe short drivers below 59" will be able to choose the Sport model because they wont be able to see over the hoodscoop. Toyota needs to spend the money and provide a height adjustment. There are no power adjustments for the seats, its all manual. Ok, I was spoiled but worth noting when youre spending $34,000. Driving view is excellent front, side and back. The back seat headrests adjust and can be tilted down so you can see out the rear view mirror. Also, side mirrors are excellent. Not sur wif theyre heated, kinda of doubt it. Dang the BMW was nice. The technology package and premium package offers a few nice things but not worth the $3,000 for me. So far Im very happy with the Tacoma. It should last 300,000 miles. I expect in 9 years it will still be worth $18,000-$20,000.

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  Taco lover... - 2001 Toyota Tacoma
  By elendil - October 3 - 2:00 am

  I love my tacoma! Ive driven alot of trucks, and this one is the best by far. Even with the I4, it has an adequate amount of power with the 5spd. I would recommmend it to anyone who is looking for a good, reliable truck. I have over 32,000 miles on it, and no problems!

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  nice truck - 2004 Toyota Tacoma
  By bjw04toyota - October 2 - 6:03 pm

  Well this is my first Toyota. I was a Ford man but I wanted a truck that was dependable and had a good rep for making them. I put a lot of money down so I wanted to make my money good for something, and I did a lot of research and found that the Toyota Tacoma was at the top of the list of all major points, resale value, durabilty and quality.

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  On the fence - 2010 Toyota Tacoma
  By Rod - October 2 - 3:13 pm

  Purchased this truck after owning a 2001 Tacoma. Unlike the 2001, I feel the quality of the product has diminished some. I love the truck overall but I am on the fence regarding the overall performance and reliability of the truck. I hate the fact that the automatic model searches for a gear at low speeds. In addition, the engine sounds like it has a "ping" in it. I understand this may be te fuel injectors. After test driving a competetors model, the truck feels more like a "toy." Nonetheless, the truck is fun to drive and the V6 has nice torque to it. Short bed is really not that much different from the standard, and the doublecab leaves plenty of room for passengers